商务实战：031 Taosting

会计考友

　　陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他和美国同事Amy晚上要一起参加同事James的告别晚宴，由公司北京办事处主任戴维斯主持。
6 K# E$ R5 g$ c  o　　(Office ambience)
　　A：Chen Hao, you need to be prepared for a lot of toasting tonight.
6 f- @4 B2 x+ }! x& d　　C：Toasting? 烤面包？
　　A：No, I am talking about honoring someone at a meal or reception by raising a glass of wine, champagne or water and offering a few kind words about that person.
- q  \/ d7 c2 d2 y. @! C0 V　　C：噢，你是说祝酒啊。西方人祝酒有什么规矩吗？
　　A：There are two kinds of toasts. There is the informal toast that the host offers at the beginning of the meal to welcome his guests.
6 A; G; x/ \7 V, S7 `　　C：那是戴维斯的事吧。我们有什么要做的吗？
　　A：Mr. Davis will stand, raise his glass and thank everyone for coming. He will take a sip of his wine. Then the guests, who remain seated, raise their glasses in response and take a sip.
　　C：就是说我们都不用站起来，只要举起杯，然后抿一口酒就行了。那另外一种呢？
, ~& i* f% o  _! n, d9 n　　A：The other is more formal and comes near the end of the meal, usually during dessert. Champagne will be served. After each toast, everyone raises a glass and takes a sip of champagne. 中华考试网
+ s  z( ~+ d2 b　　C：是不是每个人都要说祝酒辞呢?
% T4 @* n$ e7 J* d" g　　A：Not necessarily, but you will be expected to toast James since you worked closely with him.
( c& F5 P8 \& F3 s8 B　　C：幸亏你事先告诉我。不过那我该说些什么呢？
　　A：You could say how good James was to work with, tell a funny story about him, wish him success in his new position or use a favorite quote.
　　C：讲笑话是我的长项。不过我还是得赶紧去准备准备，一会餐厅见。
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' U( t9 v# c2 F4 ^* w5 N, n7 s　　宴会结束后，陈豪和Amy一起搭出租车回家。
5 }! z: ]/ v$ P) F3 V/ X0 @　　A：Chen Hao, Your toast was excellent and you seemed completely at ease. You obviously practiced your remarks.
　　C：这可得谢谢你。还有啊，幸亏你特别提醒我每次只要抿一小口，我真没想到有这么多人祝酒，不然非喝醉了不可。
　　A：It is acceptable etiquette to raise your water glass instead of the champagne flute. I usually just raise my glass to my lips so it appears that I am drinking when I am not.
　　C：怪不得，我还以为你酒量过人呢！不过Amy，我还有个问题。别人为他祝酒，James好像从来不举杯，也不喝。这样做会不会不礼貌？
　　A：Not at all. That was correct etiquette. You never drink to yourself. Only to other people.
　　C：噢，所以被别人祝酒的人自己是不喝的。幸亏被祝酒的人不是我，否则我肯定会闹笑话。
　　A：No you wouldn't. I would have warned you about that.