朗文3L看听学英语第四册 Lesson 81

　　Lesson 81 A few tips about tips
The Clarks usually have dinner at 7 o'clock. One day it was 7.15, but they hadn't begun their dinner. They were expecting Gretel to arrive, but she hadn't appeared yet. "I can't understand it," Mrs Clark said."Gretel is usually very punctual¹." Just as she said that the door opened and Gretel appeared. She looked very upset.
"I'm sorry I'm late," she said. "I had to take a taxi to get here but we got stuck in a traffic-jam."
"What's the matter, Gretel?" Mr Clark asked. "You look upset."
"I am," Gretel replied. "I gave the taxi-driver a tip, but he didn't look at all pleased. I think he expected me to give him more."
"How much did you give him?" Mr Clark asked.
"5 pence²," Gretel said. "The fare was 50 pence."
" NO wonder he was rude!" Mr Clark said. "Taxi-drivers expect you to give them at least 15 per cent. Remember that in England we always tip taxi-drivers, barbers³ and hair-dressers. We don't tip the usherette in a cinema. And we don't usually tip in restaurants and hotels when a service charge is included in the bill. Next time you take a taxi..."
"Thanks for the tip, Mr Clark," Gretel laughed, "but I hope there won't be a next time. It's an expensive business!"

1 punctual   

adj.严格守时的；正确的，精确的；点状的

参考例句：

• I have to go now because I must be punctual for class.我现在不得不走了，因为我得准时去上课。
• If you are punctual you are not late.如果你严守时间，你就不会迟到。

2 pence   

n.便士；名词penny的复数形式

参考例句：

• She counted out fifteen pence and passed it to the salesgirl.她数出15个便士交给女店员。
• These apples are selling at 40 pence a kilo.这些苹果售价每公斤40便士。

3 barbers   

n.理发师( barber的名词复数 )；（男子）理发店

参考例句：

• The tonsorial skill level varies in barbers. 理发师的理发水平各不相同。 来自辞典例句
• Remember that in England we always tip taxi-drivers barbers and hair-dressers. 记住在英国我们付小费给出租车司机、理发师。 来自互联网