英语沙龙：在英国有关应邀赴宴的一些习俗（在线收听）

Customs on Invitations in Britain

In Britain it is common to be invited to someone’s home rather than to a restaurant. If you are invited to a restaurant it is because your host is very busy, can’t cook very well, or wants to give you the enjoyment of some special type of food, or perhaps, has often invited you home and now wants to give you a special treat. 

Presents If you are invited to someone’s home to have a meal it is usual to take some flowers or a box of chocolates. It is not usual to take a bottle of wine unless you know your host well. Although flowers and chocolates are quite acceptable it would be very nice if you could take something from your country. It is different if you are invited to a party, and it also depends on what kind of party it is. Many parties these days are “bring a bottle”parties. Unless your host is very rich then a bottle of wine is always welcome if it is a big party of say 30 or more people. Ask whether or not you should bring a bottle when you are invited if you aren’t sure. Say something like, “Can I bring a bottle?” And your host will tell you what to do.

Dress If you aren’t sure what you should wear then ask your host or your friends. Usually dress is informal and individual in Britain for parties and for invitations to dinner in people’s homes. If you are going to an expensive restaurant the men may have to wear a jacket and tie, jeans wouldn’t be allowed.

Punctuality If you are invited to dinner at someone’s home you shouldn’t arrive earlier than the time given and you shouldn’t arrive more than about 15 minutes late. If you are going to be late telephone and let your host know so that the meal can be delayed. Dinner is usually served between 8 pm and 9 pm. Very often guests are invited to arrive earlier than this so that they can have a drink and be introduced to the other guests.

Introducing yourself If you are at a party you can go to another person and introduce your self. “Hello, my name is. . . Are you a friend of. . . ？”You don’t have to wait to be introduced. And, by the way, at parties we assume that everyone will talk to a lot of people. It is quite normal for someone to have a short conversation with you and then go on to talk to other people. Don’t think they dislike you or that they are impolite.It is the custom at many parties in Britain, particularly where people are standing up rather than sitting down. Here are two ways of finishing a conversation at a party: “Excuse me. I think I’ll go and get another drink. See you later, perhaps?” “Oh, excuse me. I’ve just seen Mary Jennings over there. I’ve got to discuss a meeting we are having on Thursday. Would you excuse me for a moment?”

How long should you stay？ Watch other guests. But if you are the only guest leave before 

在英国有关应邀赴宴的一些习俗

在英国, 人们会经常邀请你去他们家而不是去餐馆。如果你被邀请去餐馆进餐, 那是因为主人太忙, 或烹饪水平不高, 或想请你享用某种特别的食物, 或者也可能是他经常请你去他家, 这次想给你一次特别的款待。

礼物 如果你被邀请去某人家中吃饭, 一般可带些鲜花或一盒巧克力。除非你和主人很熟, 否则一般不带葡萄酒。尽管鲜花和巧克力都颇受欢迎, 但如果你能带些你本国的东西, 那就更好了。如果你被邀请去参加一个晚会那又不一样了, 这还得看是什么样的晚会。现在许多晚会都是“自带饮料”型的。除非主人非常富有, 如果晚会有30人或更多, 那么带上瓶葡萄酒总是受人欢迎的。如果你拿不准的话, 那么在受到邀请时可问主人你是否该带瓶酒。你可以这样问, “我可以带瓶酒吗”, 主人会告诉你该怎么做。

衣着 如果你拿不准该穿什么样的衣服, 那么可问问主人或你的朋友。在英国, 一般出席在人们家中举行的晚会或宴会, 衣着可随便, 随个人喜好而定。如去豪华饭店赴宴, 男子就需穿短上衣, 系领带, 但不可穿牛仔裤。

守时 如果你被邀请去人家里吃饭, 你不要在被邀请的时间之前到达, 也不能迟到15分钟以上。如果你会晚到的话, 就打电话通知主人以便推迟用餐时间。晚饭的时间一般在晚８点到９点之间。通常客人被邀请早些到达, 这样他们可以先喝上一杯, 并认识别的客人。

自我介绍 如果你是在一个晚会上, 你可以走向一个人作自我介绍。“你好, 我叫某某。你是某某的朋友吗？”你不必等着别人来介绍你。此外, 顺便提一下, 在晚会上, 我们都假定每个人会与许多人交谈。如果有人与你聊上两句, 接着又去和别人交谈, 那是完全正常的。不要以为他们不喜欢你, 或者认为他们不礼貌。这是许多英国晚会的习惯, 尤其是在人们都站着而不是坐着的场合。这里有两种可以用来在晚会上结束与他人对话的方式：“对不起。我想我得去再添上一杯。也许我们以后还会见面？”“噢, 对不起。我刚看见玛丽·詹宁斯在那边。我得和她讨论我们星期四要开的一个会议。失陪了。”

应呆多长时间 观察别的客人。但如果你是惟一的客人, 而且是工作日的话, 或者你或主人第二天要上班的话, 那么应在午夜前告辞。如果到了午夜, 谈话还盎然有趣, 而且你想多呆会儿, 那么可问主人：“你们一般什么时候休息？”主人就会告诉你晚会是否该结束了。大型晚会通常在周末举行, 而且通常会延续到次日早上２点甚至更晚。