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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