商务礼节美语第206期：Christmas in America美国圣诞节(中)

商务礼节美语第206期：Christmas in America美

国圣诞节(中)

来自中国的雇员Dana跟同事Charlie聊天儿，说自己要去美国朋友

家过圣诞节，请Charlie给她讲讲美国人过圣诞的习俗。

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.

圣诞节是美国的重要节日。Charlie说，It's a really big deal. 意思是说圣诞节确实非常重要。大家都放假，让人加班，得付很多加班费。 You have to pay them a lot of overtime. Overtime是加班费的意思。去朋友家过圣诞节，要给每个人买礼物吗？ Charlie认为不用，只要带个中国纪念品就行了。但是美国人去朋友家作客，有带葡

萄酒的传统。

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说，美国人过圣诞节，most people do enjoy alcoholic drinks, 绝大部分人都喜欢喝一杯，其中一种很普遍的酒精饮料叫eggnog, eggnog is spelled e-g-g-n-o-g, eggnog, 这种饮料味道甜甜的，温温的，适合天气冷的时候喝。圣诞节有什么传统菜肴吗？

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 lights...it's really quite pretty.

Charlie说，圣诞节很多家庭会吃烤鸡。他还说，美国人过节总会吃很多东西，we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. 所以新年一到，大家都会立志减肥。

Charlie还说，美国人过圣诞节，一般不放烟火，但是市中心往往会有一棵特别高大的圣诞树，街道两边也都是圣诞节的彩灯，充满节日气氛。美国是不是所有人都庆祝圣诞节呢？我们下星期继续听。