礼节美语 Business Etiquette 230-Gambling II

 　　Patricia和同事Kelly要去澳门出差，准备去赌场试试手气。另一个同事John提到，自己有个朋友嗜赌成性，倾家荡产。Patricia问：

　　P: So what happened to Joe? How is he holding up?

　　J: Joe is in Gamblers Anonymous¹ right now. He sent me an e-mail the other day and he says he's doing better...but recovering from any addiction² is a long process.

　　K: What's Gamblers Anonymous?

　　P: Have you ever heard of Alcoholics³ Anonymous or AA?

　　K: Not really.

　　J: Alcoholics Anonymous is an organization that tries to help people with alcohol problems overcome their addiction. Gamblers Anonymous does the same thing for gamblers.

　　K: I see, so it's sort of like rehab.

　　Patricia问起Joe近况。John说，Joe现在加入了Gamblers Anonymous嗜赌者互诫协会。Gamblers Anonymous跟Alcoholic Anonymous嗜酒者互诫协会差不多，是帮助赌徒戒赌的组织。在英语里，有某件事情上瘾可以用problem这个字，比如，He has a drinking problem. 他酗酒成性。He has a gambling⁴ problem. 他赌博成性。因此说，嗜赌者互诫协会差不多就是一种戒赌组织，it's like a rehab. Rehab is spelled r-e-h-a-b, rehab 是戒毒，戒赌中心的意思。 John 接着说：

　　J: That's right. Gamblers Anonymous offers a support system to gamblers who have a problem.

　　K: Well, I hope your friend gets better soon. So....what casino games do you usually play?

　　P: I've always liked card games....poker⁵, especially. I don't like slot machines because I don't think there are any skills involved.

　　J: I like poker and all kinds of table games, but my favorite is Blackjack. Blackjack is a nice mix of skill and luck.

　　嗜赌互诫协会为赌博上瘾的人提供了一个 support system 相互支持的系统。话说到这，Kelly问Patricia和John去赌场一般都玩些什么。Patricia说自己一般都是玩card games玩牌，不喜欢拉老虎机slot machines, 因为他觉得老虎机完全凭运气，一点技术含量也没有。John说，凡是table games他都喜欢玩。在赌场里，table games除了扑克牌以外，还包括 craps轮盘骰子和罗莱特 Roulette等。John还说，但是他最爱玩的还是Blackjack, 21点。

　　K: I think I might be able to enjoy a game or two of Poker or Blackjack. Do you think I'll get addicted⁶?

　　P: Kelly, I've known you for a few years and you have excellent self-control. I don't think you'll have a problem controlling yourself.

　　J: Besides, you only get to go to Macau once in a blue moon. What I suggest is you set yourself a reasonable budget of money that you can afford to lose. Don't go beyond that limit.

　　P: A little bit of legal gambling can be a lot of fun...but we have to know when to call it a night.

　　K: All right. You're on! Let's hit the casinos on Friday night.

　　Kelly 担心自己赌钱上瘾 get addicted. John建议她给自己设定一个合理的限度，set yourself a reasonable budget that you can afford to lose. 给自己定个输得起的预算，不要超过那个限度。John还说，况且，You only get to go to Macau once in a blue moon. 去澳门的机会少之又少，once in a blue moon 是非常罕见的意思。Patricia 也说，we know when to call it a night. 我们知道什么时候该打住。Kelly 在两人说服下，最后说，You're on. Let's hit the casinos on Friday night. 星期五去赌场，我们就这么说定了。

1 anonymous   

adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的

参考例句：

• Sending anonymous letters is a cowardly act.寄匿名信是懦夫的行为。
• The author wishes to remain anonymous.作者希望姓名不公开。

2 addiction   

n.上瘾入迷，嗜好

参考例句：

• He stole money from his parents to feed his addiction.他从父母那儿偷钱以满足自己的嗜好。
• Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction,poverty and murder.贩卖毒品的地区往往是吸毒上瘾、贫困和发生谋杀的地方。

3 Alcoholics   

n.嗜酒者，酒鬼( alcoholic的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Many alcoholics go on drinking sprees that continue for days at a time. 许多酒鬼一次要狂饮好几天。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Do you have a copy of the Alcoholics Anonymous book? 你手上有戒酒匿名会的书吗？ 来自互联网

4 gambling   

n.赌博；投机

参考例句：

• They have won a lot of money through gambling.他们赌博赢了很多钱。
• The men have been gambling away all night.那些人赌了整整一夜。

5 poker   

n.扑克；vt.烙制

参考例句：

• He was cleared out in the poker game.他打扑克牌，把钱都输光了。
• I'm old enough to play poker and do something with it.我打扑克是老手了，可以玩些花样。

6 addicted   

adj.沉溺于....的，对...上瘾的

参考例句：

• He was addicted to heroin at the age of 17.他17岁的时候对海洛因上了瘾。
• She's become addicted to love stories.她迷上了爱情小说。