陳豪在北京的ABC美國公司工作。他和美國同事Amy晚上要一起參加同事James的告別晚宴,由公司北京辦事處主任戴維斯主持。
(Office ambience)
A:Chen Hao, you need to be prepared for a lot of toasting tonight.
C:Toasting? 烤面包?
A:No, I am talking about honoring someone at a meal or reception by raising a glass of wine, champagne or water and offering a few kind words about that person.
C:噢,你是說祝酒啊。西方人祝酒有什么規(guī)矩嗎?
A:There are two kinds of toasts. There is the informal toast that the host offers at the beginning of the meal to welcome his guests.
C:那是戴維斯的事吧。我們有什么要做的嗎?
A:Mr. Davis will stand, raise his glass and thank everyone for coming. He will take a sip of his wine. Then the guests, who remain seated, raise their glasses in response and take a sip.
C:就是說我們都不用站起來,只要舉起杯,然后抿一口酒就行了。那另外一種呢?
A:The other is more formal and comes near the end of the meal, usually during dessert. Champagne will be served. After each toast, everyone raises a glass and takes a sip of champagne.
C:是不是每個人都要說祝酒辭呢?
A:Not necessarily, but you will be expected to toast James since you worked closely with him.
C:幸虧你事先告訴我。不過那我該說些什么呢?
A:You could say how good James was to work with, tell a funny story about him, wish him success in his new position or use a favorite quote.
C:講笑話是我的長項。不過我還是得趕緊去準(zhǔn)備準(zhǔn)備,一會餐廳見。
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宴會結(jié)束后,陳豪和Amy一起搭出租車回家。
A:Chen Hao, Your toast was excellent and you seemed completely at ease. You obviously practiced your remarks.
C:這可得謝謝你。還有啊,幸虧你特別提醒我每次只要抿一小口,我真沒想到有這么多人祝酒,不然非喝醉了不可。
A:It is acceptable etiquette to raise your water glass instead of the champagne flute. I usually just raise my glass to my lips so it appears that I am drinking when I am not.
C:怪不得,我還以為你酒量過人呢!不過Amy,我還有個問題。別人為他祝酒,James好像從來不舉杯,也不喝。這樣做會不會不禮貌?
A:Not at all. That was correct etiquette. You never drink to yourself. Only to other people.
C:噢,所以被別人祝酒的人自己是不喝的。幸虧被祝酒的人不是我,否則我肯定會鬧笑話。
A:No you wouldn't. I would have warned you about that.