Ⅰ Introduction
It is impolite to begin a meal until everyone is seated. It is also considered impolite to chew food with an open mouth, or to talk while chewing anything。
在他人落座之前就开始就餐是很不礼貌的。张大嘴巴咀嚼食物，或者边咀嚼边说话，也被认为是不礼貌的。
Americans often order the food they like to eat, separately from the group. If a person has had enough or is full，it is considered impolite to insist on that person having more to eat or drink。
美国人聚在一块时，经常是各自点他们喜欢吃的食物。如果有人吃完了或吃饱了，强烈要求她/他再多吃一点或者再多喝一点被认为是没有礼貌的。
Ⅱ Sample Sentences
1. I’d rather not, really, I’m not used to strong drinks。
我还是不了，真的，我不习惯喝烈酒。
2. Shall we have a snack at this coffee shop?
我们可以去咖啡馆吃点小吃吗?
3. We could reserve a window table now。
我们可以现在预定一个靠窗户的桌子。
4. Would you please pass the toothpicks?
你能把牙签递给我吗?
5. Let’s toast the arrival of the new baby。
我们为新生儿干杯吧。
6. Do you prefer your steak rare, medium or well done?
你比较喜欢生的、中等熟度的，还是完全熟的牛排?
7. Don’t worry about the mess; I will clean it up after the party。
不要担心这些脏东西，聚会后我会打扫的。
8. Shall we chat a while over a glass of wine before dinner?
我们晚餐前喝杯酒闲谈一阵，好吗?
9. Would you accept my invitation to a stag party?
你会接受我的邀请来参加男人聚会吗?
10. Can you use chopsticks or would you rather have a knife and fork?
你能用筷子，还是宁愿用刀叉?
Ⅲ Conversations
1. Lisa is a Chinese exchange student who is visiting her friend Tony in Chicago。
(莉莎是个中国的交换生，她去拜访芝加哥的朋友托尼)
Tony: Want to send out for some Chinese?
想送一些中国的?
Lisa: Some what?
一些什么?
Tony: Some Chinese food. I’m hungry, and there’s a take-out restaurant near here. We can have them deliver and then watch the news on TV while we eat。
一些中国餐。我饿了，这附近有一家外卖餐馆。我们可以叫他们送过来，然后我们一边吃一边看电视里的新闻。
Lisa: No, I’d rather go out. The Chinese food here is rather different from what I had at home. Maybe we can try some other food today… What about that all-you-can-eat place we passed the other day, the one over in the shopping center?
不，我宁愿出外吃。这里的中国餐与我在家吃过的很不同。也许今天我们可以试一下其它的菜……不久前一天我们经过的小吃一条街怎么样，就是购物中心里面的那一家?
Tony: Okay. I could go for that. It’s called Al’s Steakhouse. They also have great fried fish, and I love their salad bar. You can go back to refillyour plate as often as you like。
好的。我有兴趣去试试。那个地方叫阿尔的牛排馆。他们还有很好吃的油炸鱼，而且我还喜欢他们的沙拉巴。你想吃多少就可以回去夹满你的盘子。
Lisa: Is that the place that serves such large portions of meat?
是那个供应大分量肉的地方吗?
Tony: Yes, their steaks are enormous. Sometimes I can’t finish what I’ve ordered。
是啊，他们的牛排很多肉。有时候我都吃不完我点的。
Lisa: What if that happens to me? I hate to let food go to waste。
如果我也这样那怎么办?我很不喜欢浪费食物。
Tony: Don’t worry. We’ll just get a doggie bag。
不要发愁。我们就将剩菜打包。
Additional Information：
Americans hate to waste food. And they can always take their leftovers home without being embarrassed. That’s something we both have in common。
美国人不喜欢浪费食物。他们可能经常把剩饭剩菜带回家，不必感到尴尬。这点是我们所共有的。
