礼节美语 Business Etiquette 127 Christmas in America (2)

　　来自中国的雇员Dana跟同事Charlie聊天儿，说自己要去美国朋友家过圣诞节，请Charlie给她讲讲美国人过圣诞的习俗。
D: Would you say Christmas is the most popular American holiday?
C: Definitely¹. It's a really big deal. Most people don't work on that day, and if you ask someone to work you have to pay them a lot of overtime².
D: Should I bring presents for all of his family members?
C: That's probably not necessary because you're a guest. You could bring a small souvenir³ or something from China for them. But one tradition is to bring a nice bottle of wine.
圣诞节是美国的重要节日。Charlie说，It's a really big deal. 意思是说圣诞节确实非常重要。大家都放假，让人加班，得付很多加班费。 You have to pay them a lot of overtime. Overtime是加班费的意思。去朋友家过圣诞节，要给每个人买礼物吗？ Charlie认为不用，只要带个中国纪念品就行了。但是美国人去朋友家作客，有带葡萄酒的传统。
D: Is there a lot of drinking during Christmas?
C: It depends on the family, but I'd say most people probably do enjoy alcoholic⁴ drinks. Have you ever tried eggnog?
D: No, what's that?
C: It's an alcoholic drink that sort of tastes like egg custard. It's sweet and warm and perfect for the cold winter season.
D: Sounds delightful⁵. What's the traditional menu?
Charlie说，美国人过圣诞节，most people do enjoy alcoholic drinks, 大多数人都喜欢喝一杯，其中一种很普遍的酒精饮料叫eggnog, eggnog is spelled e-g-g-n-o-g, eggnog, 这种饮料味道甜甜的，温温的，适合天气冷的时候喝。圣诞节有什么传统菜肴吗？
C: Probably roast⁶ chicken. During Thanksgiving most people eat turkey. Actually, we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. When New Year comes around, everybody makes a resolution⁷ to lose weight!
D: Are there fireworks or any kind of public events?
C: Not really. Usually in the town center there's a huge Christmas tree. All the streets are lined with Christmas lights...it's really quite pretty.
Charlie说，圣诞节很多家庭会吃烤鸡。他还说，美国人过节总会吃很多东西，we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. 所以新年一到，大家都会立志减肥。
Charlie还说，美国人过圣诞节，一般不放烟火，但是市中心往往会有一棵特别高大的圣诞树，街道两边也都是圣诞节的彩灯，充满节日气氛。美国是不是所有人都庆祝圣诞节呢？我们下星期继续听。

1 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

2 overtime   

adj.超时的，加班的；adv.加班地

参考例句：

• They are working overtime to finish the work.为了完成任务他们正在加班加点地工作。
• He was paid for the overtime he worked.他领到了加班费。

3 souvenir   

n.纪念品，纪念物

参考例句：

• Please accept this little gift as a souvenir.请留下这个小小礼物作为纪念。
• I was going to save that as a souvenir.我本来准备把它做为纪念品保存下来的。

4 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。

5 delightful   

adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的

参考例句：

• We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
• Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。

6 roast   

v.烤，炙，烘；n.烤肉；adj.烤(烘)过的

参考例句：

• There's a piece of roast beef.这儿有一块烤牛肉.
• Put the meat into the oven to roast.把肉放到炉子里去烤。

7 resolution   

n.坚定，决心，决心要做的事，决定，决议

参考例句：

• You must stand to your resolution.你一定要坚守你的决心。
• I still haven't given up my resolution to do more reading.我仍然还没有放弃多看些书的决心。