來自中國的雇員Dana跟同事Charlie聊天兒,說自己要去美國朋友家過圣誕節(jié),請Charlie給她講講美國人過圣誕的習(xí)俗。
D: Would you say Christmas is the most popular American holiday?
C: Definitely. It's a really big deal. Most people don't work on that day, and if you ask someone to work you have to pay them a lot of overtime.
D: Should I bring presents for all of his family members?
C: That's probably not necessary because you're a guest. You could bring a small souvenir or something from China for them. But one tradition is to bring a nice bottle of wine.
圣誕節(jié)是美國的重要節(jié)日。Charlie說,It's a really big deal. 意思是說圣誕節(jié)確實(shí)非常重要。大家都放假,讓人加班,得付很多加班費(fèi)。 You have to pay them a lot of overtime. Overtime是加班費(fèi)的意思。去朋友家過圣誕節(jié),要給每個人買禮物嗎? Charlie認(rèn)為不用,只要帶個中國紀(jì)念品就行了。但是美國人去朋友家作客,有帶葡萄酒的傳統(tǒng)。
D: Is there a lot of drinking during Christmas?
C: It depends on the family, but I'd say most people probably do enjoy alcoholic drinks. Have you ever tried eggnog?
D: No, what's that?
C: It's an alcoholic drink that sort of tastes like egg custard. It's sweet and warm and perfect for the cold winter season.
D: Sounds delightful. What's the traditional menu?
Charlie說,美國人過圣誕節(jié),most people do enjoy alcoholic drinks, 大多數(shù)人都喜歡喝一杯,其中一種很普遍的酒精飲料叫eggnog, eggnog is spelled e-g-g-n-o-g, eggnog, 這種飲料味道甜甜的,溫溫的,適合天氣冷的時候喝。圣誕節(jié)有什么傳統(tǒng)菜肴嗎?
C: Probably roast chicken. During Thanksgiving most people eat turkey. Actually, we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. When New Year comes around, everybody makes a resolution to lose weight!
D: Are there fireworks or any kind of public events?
C: Not really. Usually in the town center there's a huge Christmas tree. All the streets are lined with Christmas lights...it's really quite pretty.
Charlie說,圣誕節(jié)很多家庭會吃烤雞。他還說,美國人過節(jié)總會吃很多東西,we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. 所以新年一到,大家都會立志減肥。
Charlie還說,美國人過圣誕節(jié),一般不放煙火,但是市中心往往會有一棵特別高大的圣誕樹,街道兩邊也都是圣誕節(jié)的彩燈,充滿節(jié)日氣氛。美國是不是所有人都慶祝圣誕節(jié)呢?我們下星期繼續(xù)聽。