商务礼节美语第108期:如何订商务晚餐

　　How to Order at the Business Dinner
如何订商务晚餐
陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作，他跟美国同事Amy一起喝下午茶。
(Office ambience)
A: Chen Hao, you've been attending a lot of business dinners lately. Didn't your team go out again last night with the clients?
C: 没错。我老板Mr. Brown决定请客人到附近刚开张的那家法国餐馆去吃饭。
A: How did it go?
C: 饭菜的味道确实不错，但是有个客人很失态。
A: What do you mean?
C: 首先，她点的菜都是菜单上价钱最贵的。
A: What did the others do?
C: 其他人点的都是中等价位的，我也一样。
A: This client sounds as if she could use some business etiquette¹ training. Unless Mr. Brown suggested that you all order certain pricey dishes, she should have chosen something moderately priced.
C: 我觉得也是。除非主人坚持，否则客人应该点一些普通的菜才对。
A: It's rude to take advantage of your host like that. This client is not very savvy² about business dining.
C: Savvy是什么意思啊？
A: Savvy means having knowledge and experience.
C: 这个客户确实不懂礼貌，而且还不只这些呢！
A: Let's head back to the office now. You can tell me on the way.
陈豪和Amy两人一起往回走。
A: So there is more to this story?
C: 那个客人不仅点的都是最贵的，而且一道菜都不拉。
A: Like what?
C: 从汤开始，然后是头台、沙拉，主菜，最后还有特制的甜点，一样不少。
A: What did everyone else do?
C: Mr. Brown虽然吃得很少，但也只好跟着她一道菜一道菜地点。
A: He was doing the correct thing as host by ordering the same as the client.
C: 作为主人，一定要这么做吗？
A: When someone orders appetizers⁴ or other dishes in addition to the entrée, it is polite for others to order the same courses.
C: 那又是为什么呢？
A: That keeps the pace of the dinner even and avoids the awkwardness⁵ of one person eating a course by herself.
C: 如果没有别人点汤的话，那个客户自己吃的时候一定会觉得很尴尬。
A: At an informal dinner, some people have soup while others may select a different appetizer³ to have at the same time. Everyone should have an equal number of courses.
C: 那作为请客的主人，在饭桌上能做些什么呢？
A: Simple. The host can say, "Why don't we all have an appetizer?" Or he could ask, "Would anyone like something to start with?"
C: 这样一来，你就能知道自己是不是唯一想点头台的人了。
A: Right. If no one else has a starter course, then you don't either.
C: 你真应该给昨天那个客人好好上一课。

1 etiquette   

n.礼仪，礼节；规矩

参考例句：

• The rules of etiquette are not so strict nowadays.如今的礼仪规则已不那么严格了。
• According to etiquette,you should stand up to meet a guest.按照礼节你应该站起来接待客人。

2 savvy   

v.知道，了解；n.理解能力，机智，悟性；adj.有见识的，懂实际知识的，通情达理的

参考例句：

• She was a pretty savvy woman.她是个见过世面的漂亮女人。
• Where's your savvy?你的常识到哪里去了？

3 appetizer   

n.小吃，开胃品

参考例句：

• We served some crackers and cheese as an appetizer.我们上了些饼干和奶酪作为开胃品。
• I would like a cucumber salad for an appetizer.我要一份黄瓜沙拉作开胃菜。

4 appetizers   

n.开胃品( appetizer的名词复数 )；促进食欲的活动；刺激欲望的东西；吊胃口的东西

参考例句：

• Here is the egg drop and appetizers to follow. 这是您要的蛋花汤和开胃品。 来自互联网
• Would you like appetizers or a salad to go with that? 你要不要小菜或色拉？ 来自互联网

5 awkwardness   

n.笨拙；粗劣；难为情；尴尬

参考例句：

• His awkwardness made him fumble with the key. 由于尴尬不安，他拿钥匙开锁时显得笨手笨脚。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I tried to smooth over the awkwardness of this first meeting. 我试图掩饰初次会面时的不自然。 来自辞典例句