Dining Etiquette1) When Dating
Be sure to make reservations2) if the restaurant you chose is a fancy or popular one. It’s very embarrassing to show up without reservations and having to wait for a table, leaving a very bad impression on your date. Also, be sure to check to see if they have a dress code and tell your date in advance what to wear.
When your food arrives, proper dining etiquette requires you to eat at a moderate3) pace so that you have time to talk. A good measure of how fast you should eat is to count 10seconds between each mouthful. It is bad dining etiquette if you gobble4) down your food and you spend the rest of the time watching your date eat.
Don’ t slurp5) your soup, smack6) your lips, or chew with your mouth open. Nothing is more unsightly than watching someone talk and chew their food at the same time. Your napkin7) should be placed on your lap at all times. Don’ t tuck it into your belt or use it as a bib. If you have to get up, place it neatly on your seat.
When eating, insert your fork straight in your mouth. Don’ t place your fork in the side of your mouth as it increases the chances of food sliding away, which could be very embarrassing. If you get food stuck in your mouth don’t pick it out with your fingers or fork at the table. Excuse yourself and go to the restroom and get it out with a toothpick.
When dining, keep your eyes on your date at all times and try to smile between mouthfuls. Occasionally, you should make an effort to show some interest and ask questions like, “How do you like the beef?”If she needs anything, you are the one who is supposed to flag down the waiter by a gentle wave of the hand until one notices you.
約會時的用餐禮儀
如果你選擇的是一家很高檔或很受歡迎的餐館, 一定要預(yù)先訂座。如果未訂座就去了, 沒有桌子, 等上半天, 委實尷尬, 還會給你的約會對象留下很不好的印象。此外, 一定要打聽一下餐館對著裝有沒有要求, 要事先告訴對方應(yīng)穿什么樣的衣服。
飯菜端上來時, 按得體的用餐禮儀的要求, 你吃東西的節(jié)奏不能太快, 這樣你就有時間來說話。判斷進餐節(jié)奏的一個有效的方法是每隔10秒吃一口飯。如果你狼吞虎咽很快吃完, 剩下的時間里看著你的約會對象吃是很糟糕的進餐行為。
喝湯不要出聲、咂嘴巴, 或張著嘴嚼東西。沒有什么比看著一個人邊嚼東西邊說話更不雅觀的了。你的餐巾應(yīng)該始終放在你的膝蓋上。不要把它塞在你的皮帶里, 或?qū)⑵洚?dāng)作圍嘴兒用。如果你要起身, 把它整齊地放在你的座位上。
吃東西時, 要將叉子直放進嘴里。不要將叉子放在嘴角, 這樣可能會使食物流出來, 那將令人非常尷尬。如果有東西塞在嘴里, 不要在桌上用手指或叉子挑出來。要請對方原諒, 然后到洗手間用牙簽挑出來。
吃飯的過程中, 你應(yīng)該始終將注意力集中在你的對象身上, 并盡量在進餐的間隙微笑。你還應(yīng)該不時問一些諸如“牛肉好吃嗎”之類的問題來表達對對方的關(guān)注。如果她需要什么, 你應(yīng)該輕輕揮手直至引起一名侍者注意, 叫他過來。
NOTE 注釋:
1. etiquette [eti5ket, 5etiket] n. 禮節(jié)
2. reservation [7rezE5veiFEn] n. 保留, (旅館房間等)預(yù)定, 預(yù)約
3. moderate [5mCdErit] adj. 中等的, 適度的, 適中的
4. gobble [5^Cbl] vt. 狼吞虎咽
5. slurp [sl\:p] vt. 出聲地吃或喝
6. smack [smAk] vt. 咂嘴
7. napkin [5nApkin] n. 餐巾, 餐巾紙