How to Order at the Business Dinner
如何订商务晚餐
陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他跟美国同事Amy一起喝下午茶。
(Office ambience)
A: Chen Hao, you've been attending a lot of business dinners lately. Didn't your team go out again last night with the clients?
C: 没错。我老板Mr. Brown决定请客人到附近刚开张的那家法国餐馆去吃饭。
A: How did it go?
C: 饭菜的味道确实不错,但是有个客人很失态。
A: What do you mean?
C: 首先,她点的菜都是菜单上价钱最贵的。
A: What did the others do?
C: 其他人点的都是中等价位的,我也一样。
A: This client sounds as if she could use some business etiquette training. Unless Mr. Brown suggested that you all order certain pricey dishes, she should have chosen something moderately priced.
C: 我觉得也是。除非主人坚持,否则客人应该点一些普通的菜才对。
A: It's rude to take advantage of your host like that. This client is not very savvy about business dining.
C: Savvy是什么意思啊?
A: Savvy means having knowledge and experience.
C: 这个客户确实不懂礼貌,而且还不只这些呢!
A: Let's head back to the office now. You can tell me on the way.
陈豪和Amy两人一起往回走。
A: So there is more to this story?
C: 那个客人不仅点的都是最贵的,而且一道菜都不拉。
A: Like what?
C: 从汤开始,然后是头台、沙拉,主菜,最后还有特制的甜点,一样不少。
A: What did everyone else do?
C: Mr. Brown虽然吃得很少,但也只好跟着她一道菜一道菜地点。
A: He was doing the correct thing as host by ordering the same as the client.
C: 作为主人,一定要这么做吗?
A: When someone orders appetizers or other dishes in addition to the entrée, it is polite for others to order the same courses.
C: 那又是为什么呢?
A: That keeps the pace of the dinner even and avoids the awkwardness of one person eating a course by herself.
C: 如果没有别人点汤的话,那个客户自己吃的时候一定会觉得很尴尬。
A: At an informal dinner, some people have soup while others may select a different appetizer to have at the same time. Everyone should have an equal number of courses.
C: 那作为请客的主人,在饭桌上能做些什么呢?
A: Simple. The host can say, "Why don't we all have an appetizer?" Or he could ask, "Would anyone like something to start with?"
C: 这样一来,你就能知道自己是不是唯一想点头台的人了。
A: Right. If no one else has a starter course, then you don't either.
C: 你真应该给昨天那个客人好好上一课。
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