商務禮節美語第57期:在美國過聖誕節(2)

來自中國的僱員Dana跟同事Charlie聊天兒，說自己要去美國朋友家過聖誕節，請Charlie給她講講美國人過聖誕的習俗。

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.

聖誕節是美國的重要節日。Charlie說，It's a really big deal. 意思是說聖誕節確實非常重要。大家都放假，讓人加班，得付很多加班費。 You have to pay them a lot of overtime. Overtime是加班費的意思。去朋友家過聖誕節，要給每個人買禮物嗎？ Charlie認爲不用，只要帶個中國紀念品就行了。但是美國人去朋友家作客，有帶葡萄酒的傳統。

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，美國人過聖誕節，most people do enjoy alcoholic drinks, 大多數人都喜歡喝一杯，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。聖誕節有什麼傳統菜餚嗎？

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 's really quite pretty.

Charlie說，聖誕節很多家庭會吃烤雞。他還說，美國人過節總會吃很多東西，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，美國人過聖誕節，一般不放煙火，但是市中心往往會有一棵特別高大的聖誕樹，街道兩邊也都是聖誕節的彩燈，充滿節日氣氛。美國是不是所有人都慶祝聖誕節呢？我們下星期繼續聽。