[职场礼节美语之十三]请人吃饭的讲究

 陈豪是个勤快的年轻人,ABC美国公司的总裁很喜欢他, 正在逐渐给他增加一些任务.陈豪也很机灵,凡是没有把握的事都去请教美籍华人Mary.

 

　　(Office ambience)

 

　　M:陈豪,你好象很激动,What happened?

 

　　C:啊呀,我们的总裁,Mr. Moore,让我明天请两位客户吃晚饭.我知道, 我过去一直是当陪客的,never been a host.I don't even know what to do!

 

　　M:Don't worry.当主人主要是要保证晚餐进行得顺顺当当,让客人感到舒适满意.

 

　　C:可问题是怎么做.Tell me specifically what to do first.

 

　　M:First, of course, choose a restaurant, 找个合适的饭馆呀!

 

　　C:哎,我们公司附近不是最近开了一个新饭馆吗? I'll take them there.

 

　　M:你呀,最好找一个你熟悉的饭馆,so you can be sure that the food and service will be good.

 

　　C:那倒是,否则太危险.I did hear that new restaurant is quite noisy.

 

　　M:太吵闹可不行,You need an atmosphere that is suitable for business conversation.

 

　　C:有了,我想起了一个非常合适的饭馆. Mary, would you like to have lunch there with me today to check it out?

 

　　M:Thank you. I'd love to be your guinea pig for lunch.我就做一回你的试验品吧!

 

　　C:Guinea pig! 请你吃饭还说做我的试验品!

 

　　******

 

　　C:So, Mary, what do you think? Will this work for the business dinner?

 

　　M:It's perfect.对了,既然你现在在这里,你可以认识一下那head waiter,把明天的帐先付了,take care of the bill for tomorrow night.

 

　　C:饭还没有吃,吃什么都还不知道,就付钱?

 

　　M:没有关系的.你先把信用卡给他,让他印一份,告诉他你要给多少小费,然后签个字,让他们把账单的副本寄给你.

 

　　C:But isn't it risky¹ to give someone your credit card?

 

　　M:像样的饭馆都有信誉,so it's not risky and it's done all the time.要是你不想先付帐的话,那你当天就先告诉服务员吃完饭后把账单交给你.That will eliminate any confusion² over who is paying.

 

　　C:That's a very good idea.对了,Mary,既然我们在这里,那我就先定一个比较安静,景色比较好的桌子吧.

 

　　M:A wonder idea to request a specific table for tomorrow.

 

　　C:Mary,Thank you so much.

 

　　M:You're welcome. Next time you'll know that as a host, it's your responsibility to choose an appropriate restaurant, taking care as much as possible ahead of time such as arranging for how to pay the bill and requesting a nice table. Then it will be an enjoyable evening for all.

1 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

2 confusion   

n.困惑，迷乱，混淆，混乱，骚乱

参考例句：

• His answers to my questions have only added to my confusion.他对我的问题的回答只是使我更加困惑不解。
• His unexpected arrival threw us into total confusion.他的突然来访使我们完全不知所措。