英语小达人 404:Help foreign guests at formal dinner(2)

 　　Firstly, and most importantly, don't put your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl. Instead, lay them on your dish. The reason for this is that when people die, family members give them a bowl of rice with a pair of chopsticks sticking out. So if you stick your chopsticks in the rice bowl, it looks like you want someone at the table to die.

　　最为重要的是，不要把筷子竖直插在饭碗里。应当把筷子平放在盘子上。因为，在中国，当有人去世时，家人通常会为死者准备一碗插着筷子的米饭。因此，吃饭时把筷子插在饭碗里是不吉利的。

　　Make sure the spout¹ of the teapot is not facing anyone as this is impolite. The spout should always be directed to where nobody is sitting, usually just outward from the table.

　　此外，不要把茶壶嘴对着任何人，这是不礼貌的。茶壶嘴应该对着没人就座的地方，一般面向餐桌的外面。

　　Don't tap on your bowl with your chopsticks. Beggars tap on their bowls, so this is not polite, especially when you eat in a friend's home.

　　还有，不要用筷子敲打饭碗。乞丐行乞时常敲打饭碗，所以，这也是不礼貌的，尤其是当你在朋友家做客的时候。

　　Although, teenagers are not supposed to drink any alcohol, you can still say "Ganbei" and toast the longevity² and health of your grandparents and parents. This is sure to please them.

　　孩子们是不应当喝酒的，但他们可以说一些“干杯”之类的祝酒词，祝愿祖父母和父母健康长寿，这样无疑会令长辈们非常开心。

1 spout   

v.喷出，涌出；滔滔不绝地讲；n.喷管；水柱

参考例句：

• Implication in folk wealth creativity and undertaking vigor spout.蕴藏于民间的财富创造力和创业活力喷涌而出。
• This acts as a spout to drain off water during a rainstorm.在暴风雨季，这东西被用作喷管来排水。

2 longevity   

n.长命；长寿

参考例句：

• Good habits promote longevity.良好的习惯能增长寿命。
• Human longevity runs in families.人类的长寿具有家族遗传性。