英语沙龙：美国人进餐的礼节

American Etiquette¹

If you’ re invited to an American friend’s home for dinner，keep in mind these general rules for polite behavior．First of all，arrive approximately on time (but not early)．Americans expect promptness．It’ s OK to be 10 or 15 minutes late but not 45 minutes late．Dinner might be overcooked and ruined by then．When you’ re invited to someone’ s home for a meal，it’ s polite to bring a small gift．Flowers or candy are always appropriate．If you have an attractive item made in your native country，your host and or hostess would certainly enjoy receiving that as a gift．

Some Americans don’ t know about the dietary restrictions² of various ethnic³ and religious groups．What do you do if you’ re served a food that you don’ t like or cannot eat？

Don’ t make a fuss⁴ about it．If your host doesn’ t say anything about what you aren’ t eating，then you shouldn’ t，either．Simply eat what you can and hope that no one notices what you left．If you are questioned，you may have to admit that you don’ t eat meat(or whatever)，but you can also say that you’ ve enjoyed the other foods and have had“more than enough”to eat．Don’ t make the cook feel obliged to prepare something else for you．Be sure to compliment⁵ the cook on the food that you enjoyed．

Don’ t leave immediately after dinner，but don’ t overstay your welcome，either．When your friends seem to be getting tired and running out of conversation，take their behavior as a cue⁶ to leave．The next day，call or write a thank－you note to say how much you enjoyed the evening．

If you invite someone to join you for d inner in a restaurant，phone the restaurant first to find out if you need a reservation in order to avoid a long wait for a table．To make a reservation，just give your name，the number of people in your group，and the time you plan to arrive．When you invite someone to dinner，you should be prepared to pay the bill and reach for it when it arrives．However，if your companion insists on paying his or her share，don’ t get into an argument about it．Some people prefer to pay their own way so that they don’ t feel indebted，and those feelings should be respected．In most American restaurants，the waiter or waitress’s tip is not added to the bill．If the service was adequate，it’ s customary⁷ to leave a tip equal to about 15% of the bill．In expensive restaurants，leave a bit more．

American table manners are easy to learn by observation．A few characteristics to note：the napkin should not be tucked⁸ into the collar or vest but should be placed across the lap；the silverware placement is quite different from the European style，but you can’t go wrong if you use the piece of silverware furthest from the plate first and work your way in toward the plate as the meal progresses．Before cutting food，so me Americans switch their knife and fork to the opposite hands，but it isn’ t necessary to do this.

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 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

4 fuss   

n.过分关心，过分体贴，大惊小怪，小题大作

参考例句：

• My mother makes a fuss of me every time I come home.我每次回家，母亲总对我体贴备至。
• Stop all this fuss and do your homework.别大惊小怪了，去做你的家庭作业吧。

5 compliment   

n.[pl.]问候，致意；n./v. 称赞，恭维

参考例句：

• The manager paid her a compliment on her work.经理赞扬了她的工作。
• Your presence is a great compliment.承蒙光临，不胜荣幸。

6 cue   

n.暗示，信号，提示；vt.提示，暗示

参考例句：

• When she coughs,it's my cue to come onto the stage.她一咳嗽，就是给我暗号出场。
• The actor missed his cue and came onto the stage late.这演员错过了向他发出的提示，上场晚了。

7 customary   

adj.习惯上的，惯常的，合乎习俗的

参考例句：

• He makes his customary visit every week.他每星期都按照惯例造访一次。
• It is customary with me to do so.这样做是我的习惯。

8 tucked   

塞进( tuck的过去式和过去分词 )； 翻折； 盖住； 卷起

参考例句：

• She tucked up her skirt and waded into the river. 她撩起裙子蹚水走进河里。
• She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears. 她把一缕散发夹到了耳后。