Table Manners in America

美国餐桌礼仪

    吃的礼节在不同的国度存在着明显的差异。如在我们中国家庭做客，主人会盛情款待你；你吃得越多，主人就会越高兴，还不时会给你添菜斟酒。但如果你把国内这些“挺有礼貌”的习惯带到美国，就可能会被认为不文雅或缺少修养……

    When eating at home with guests or eating out，there are several table manners that are generally observed．

    Most meals served in American homes are served “family style”； this means that food is placed on platters or in large bowls，and passed around to each person at the table，Each person takes a little food and puts it on his or her plate，and then passes the food to the next person．It is OK to ask for second helpings．

If you are treating your lady friend to a meal at a nice restaurant，it is polite to hold the chair for her while she sits down．Each person orders their own food and drinks，and it is polite to order items that are similar in price to the host’s order．Before beginning your meal，place your napkin over your lap，and remove it when the meal is completely finished。

It is polite to wait until everyone at your table is served before you begin eating；in some instances，it is best to wait until the host begin eating．It is not polite to rest your elbows on the table．Only one hand should be on the table for most of the meal，unless you need to cut meat or pass something．Americans do not chew with their mouths open，or speak when their mouths are full of food．When drinking alcohol，it is impolite to drink too much or get drunk．If you do not drink，you will usually not be pressured to do so，and you should likewise not pressure others to drink with you．

    Notes

    platter n．大浅盘　　　　　　　　 napkin n．餐巾

instance  n．例子　　　　　　    lap n．膝上

elbow  n．肘部　　　　　　　　  alcohol  n．酒；含酒精的饮料

likewise  adv．同样；也

Comprehension questions

1．In America，it is good manners _______when eating in a nice restaurant.

A．to order items that are similar in price to the host's order

B．to eat as much as you can

C．to put your elbows on the table

D．to eat and eat until only a little food remains on the table

2．When eating out，it is polite _______．

A．for you to order food and drinks for everyone

B．to put your napkin on the table

C．to speak with your mouth full of food

D．for everyone to order his or her own food and drinks

3．When drinking alcohol，_______．

A．you can put both your hands on the table

B．you can chew with your mouths open

C．you should not drink too much or get drunk

D．you are welcome to drink much or get drunk

阅读理解

Table Manners in America

美国餐桌礼仪

    吃的礼节在不同的国度存在着明显的差异。如在我们中国家庭做客，主人会盛情款待你；你吃得越多，主人就会越高兴，还不时会给你添菜斟酒。但如果你把国内这些“挺有礼貌”的习惯带到美国，就可能会被认为不文雅或缺少修养……

    When eating at home with guests or eating out，there are several table manners that are generally observed．

    Most meals served in American homes are served “family style”； this means that food is placed on platters or in large bowls，and passed around to each person at the table，Each person takes a little food and puts it on his or her plate，and then passes the food to the next person．It is OK to ask for second helpings．

If you are treating your lady friend to a meal at a nice restaurant，it is polite to hold the chair for her while she sits down．Each person orders their own food and drinks，and it is polite to order items that are similar in price to the host’s order．Before beginning your meal，place your napkin over your lap，and remove it when the meal is completely finished。

It is polite to wait until everyone at your table is served before you begin eating；in some instances，it is best to wait until the host begin eating．It is not polite to rest your elbows on the table．Only one hand should be on the table for most of the meal，unless you need to cut meat or pass something．Americans do not chew with their mouths open，or speak when their mouths are full of food．When drinking alcohol，it is impolite to drink too much or get drunk．If you do not drink，you will usually not be pressured to do so，and you should likewise not pressure others to drink with you．

    Notes

    platter n．大浅盘　　　　　　　　 napkin n．餐巾

instance  n．例子　　　　　　    lap n．膝上

elbow  n．肘部　　　　　　　　  alcohol  n．酒；含酒精的饮料

likewise  adv．同样；也

Comprehension questions

1．In America，it is good manners _______when eating in a nice restaurant.

A．to order items that are similar in price to the host's order

B．to eat as much as you can

C．to put your elbows on the table

D．to eat and eat until only a little food remains on the table

2．When eating out，it is polite _______．

A．for you to order food and drinks for everyone

B．to put your napkin on the table

C．to speak with your mouth full of food

D．for everyone to order his or her own food and drinks

3．When drinking alcohol，_______．

A．you can put both your hands on the table

B．you can chew with your mouths open

C．you should not drink too much or get drunk

D．you are welcome to drink much or get drunk