A The last thing to be ignored at a Chinese dinner table is to keep modest. 在中國吃飯,千萬不要忘記保持謙虛禮讓。

B Does that suggest diners avoid speaking much? The same is true in the West. 你是說,吃飯時(shí)最好別說太多的話?在西方也是如此嘛。

A No, alsolutely not! On the contrary, you'll be considered a well-connected, sociable man, if you keep involved in the conversation all the time. But always pay attention to what you say. If the table has a senior guest, say something as upbeat and cheerful as possible. Or maybe, you may give the floor to him and keep listening as if very interested. 不,絕非如此.相反,如果飯桌上你積極參與談話,別人會(huì)覺得你是一個(gè)善于交際,人緣很好的人。但是千萬要注意你說話的內(nèi)容,如果有老人在,最好多說些吉祥,開心的話,或者,干脆讓他說,你在一旁裝出一副很聆聽的樣子。

BYou mean, keeping a low profile in the presence of the old? That goes in like with Confucius' preachings, right? 哦,也就是說,在老人面前要恭敬低調(diào)。這與孔夫子的教導(dǎo)一致,對吧?

A Correct. Show respect for the older people. Conventionally, before the meal starts, the younger members are supposed to address each one of the elderly members of the table one by one. Others are kept in waiting until the most venerable guest peoclaim the beginning of the meal and takes the first bite. Toasts also go to these men first before people can toast to each other. 沒錯(cuò).對老人要表示尊敬。通常,宴會(huì)開始時(shí)，年輕的人要向在座的老人一一打招呼.其他人必須等最德高望重的客人宣布宴會(huì)開始并夾了一筷子，才可以開始吃。敬酒的時(shí)候,同時(shí)也要先敬這些人。

B Any other rules to observe in order to keep modest? 保持恭謙，還有沒有其它要注意的地方?

A Yes, plenty of them. Don't eat fast! People usually keep their dining pace accorded with others. And all the dishes should not be eaten up completely. 多著呢。別吃得太快了。人們往往要跟其他人吃飯的進(jìn)度保持一致。各個(gè)盤子都應(yīng)該留下一點(diǎn)別吃完.

B Is it because that would give the host the impression that the food was insufficient? 這是不是因?yàn)?這樣會(huì)讓主人覺得菜給的不夠吃啊?

A Haha, I'm afraid it's simply because no one wishes to be too noticeable by finishing off the plate. 哈哈,我倒是覺得是因?yàn)椴还苁钦l掃光一盤菜,都會(huì)顯得太顯眼了。