Summary of the all-american slurp, urgent! urgent!

American Customs

Rense Namioka

People in different places have different lifestyles and eating habits. Not understanding these differences can sometimes lead to cultural misunderstandings. Read the following story to learn about the author's views on his country and Western culture on daily matters such as table manners.

In the United States, the first time our family was invited to a dinner party, we made a fool of ourselves while eating celery. We immigrated to the United States from China. One of the difficulties we encountered during our first days here was American table manners.

In China, we never eat celery or any other vegetables raw. We always sterilize vegetables in boiling water first. When the host presented us with the first delicacy, the raw celery placed in front of us really caught us off guard.

We were invited by our neighbors, the Greenson family. After entering the door, we shook hands with the host and then crowded into a sofa. Our family of four sat tensely in a row. My brother and I secretly glanced at our parents, wondering what to do next.

Mrs. Greenson brought the dishes to her mother. The plate is very beautiful, with red radishes, curved carrots, and long and thin light green celery on it. "You must try celery, Mrs. Lin," she said, "This is a vegetable grown in the countryside. It tastes very good.

" Mom picked up one, and dad followed suit, and then my brother and I also Pick up one so that each of us holds a stick of celery in our right hand.

Mrs. Greenson still smiled, "Mrs. Lin, do you want to try it? This is a recipe I designed myself: sour cream and onion slices, with a little Tabasco sauce added."< /p>

Most Chinese people don’t like to eat dairy products. In those days, I didn’t even drink fresh milk. Sour cream sounded disgusting, so our family shook our heads in unison.

Mrs. Greenson walked towards the other guests carrying the dinner plates. We watched carefully what others were doing, but everyone seemed to be enjoying the raw vegetables with relish.

Mom took a bite of celery and sighed, "It's okay," she mumbled.

Dad also took a bite, and he said, "Yes, not bad." He said with a look of surprise on his face.

My brother and I bit into it. Not only was it good, it was simply delicious. Raw celery is slightly shiny and has a completely different flavor than cooked celery. When Mrs. Greenson came over with the dinner tray, we each asked for another stick of celery, except my brother, who asked for two.

However, there is a problem: the long strands of celery are stuck in my teeth. When I used to help my mother cook in the kitchen at home, I would always pull out the strands from the celery before chopping it.

I pulled the threads out of the celery, chi, chi, and my brother also learned from me, chi, chi, chi. To my left, my parents are also busy, tsk, tsk, tsk.

Suddenly, I realized that there was silence all around, except for our chissing sounds. I looked up and saw everyone in the room staring at our family. Mr. and Mrs. Greenson, their daughter Mag (also a friend of mine), and their neighbors, the Bardell family - they all stared at our family of four who were busy spinning celery.

But this is not the end. Mrs. Greenson said supper was ready and invited us to the table. The table was filled with plates and plates of rich food, but we saw that there were no chairs around the table, so we offered to help, brought some chairs, and sat down. At this time the other guests were still standing there.

Mrs. Greenson leaned over and whispered to us: "Tonight is a buffet dinner. You can choose whatever you want and then go to the living room to eat."

Our family He retreated to the sofa as if being chased by enemy soldiers. The rest of the night, too embarrassed to go back to the table, I just clung to the little bit of potato salad on my plate.

The next day, Mag and I took the school bus to school together. I wasn't sure how she felt about me after all the mischief we made at our family dinner. But she was still the same as usual. The only thing she mentioned about dinner was, "I hope you all had enough to eat last night. You really didn't eat much. Mom never paid attention to how much food to prepare. She just put everything on the table." Then everything will be fine."

I breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, the dinner at Greenson's house was no different from the one in China. My mom always puts everything on the table and everything is fine.

McGonagall was the first friend I made in the United States. Later, I became familiar with other children in the school, but Magona is still my only real friend.

My younger brother is very successful in making friends. He spent all day with the kids who taught him how to play baseball, and soon he was speaking English much faster than I was, just faster, but not better.

I am very worried about making mistakes, so I speak English very carefully and only open my mouth when I am sure it is correct. At least my accent is stronger than that of my parents, who couldn't stop having a Chinese accent and didn't even get rid of it years later. Before coming to the United States, my parents all learned English in school, but most of what they learned was written language, not spoken language.

Dad learns English very scientifically. Because Chinese verbs have no tense, he became obsessed with the conversion forms of English verbs in present tense, past infinitive, perfect tense, past perfect tense, future tense and future perfect tense. He would always chart verbs and their conjugations, and then look for opportunities to show off his two favorites, the past perfect and the future perfect. "I will have completed my plan by next Monday," he always said smugly. say.

My mother’s way of learning English is to recite polite expressions that may be used in all possible social situations. She kept mumbling, "I'm fine, thank you, how about you?" Once she accidentally stepped on someone else's toes and immediately blurted out, "Oh, it's nothing!" She was so embarrassed by her slip of the tongue that she decided to do it next time. She would never make this mistake again, so when someone stepped on her foot, she shouted, "You're welcome!"

Although we all learn English in different ways, we have all achieved certain results. progress.

The day finally came and the parents announced that they were going to have a dinner party. We have invited Chinese friends over for dinner before, but this time it was very different. Plus, we'll be featuring the Greenson family.

"Qi, I can't wait to go to your house for dinner," Mag said to me, "I just love eating Chinese food."

Don't worry about that. Mom is a good cook, but I'm not sure whether people who eat sour cream can eat fried chicken gizzards with soy sauce.

Mom decided not to take a risk by frying the chicken gizzards in sauce, since we were having Western guests, and she put large plates on the table, which we never use when eating Chinese food. We actually didn't use individual plates at all, but took our food directly from the big plate in the middle of the table to our rice bowls. Following the practice in American Chinese restaurants, my mother also put some big spoons on the big plate.

The dinner started well. Mrs. Greenson exclaimed as she saw the beautifully arranged plates of food. There's sweet and sour pork with colorful sweet fruits, shredded chicken with roasted peas, and sparkling, pink lobster.

At first I was just munching on myself and had no time to take care of the guests. But soon I was reminded of my responsibility. Sometimes guests are too polite and don't want to eat anymore, so you have to add dishes to them yourself.

I glanced at Mag to see if she wanted more food, but when I saw her plate, my eyeballs almost popped out. Her plate was piled high: sweet and sour pork mixed with shredded chicken, lobster soaked in shredded chicken sauce. I saw that she hadn't finished the food on the first plate, so she continued to eat from the second plate.

I was shocked and turned to look at Mr. Greenson. He was busy with a pea on his plate. Several times he brought it to the edge of the plate, but when he tried to pick it up with chopsticks, the peas rolled back to the center of the plate. Finally, he simply put down his chopsticks and picked it up with his hands. He really did it! This man is mature!

Our family, as well as other Chinese guests, stood at the table to watch the behavior of the Greenson family. I really wanted to laugh out loud, but my eyes met my mother's, and she frowned and shook her head slightly. I understood: the Greenson family is not used to the Chinese dining table style, and they are trying their best. Perform your best to get the best results. Somehow, I remembered smoking shredded celery.

After the main course was finished, my mother brought a plate of fruit. "I hope you're not looking forward to dessert," she said. "The Chinese don't eat dessert, and I wasn't thinking about preparing it."

"Oh, I can't have dessert anymore," Greenson said. The lady shouted, "I'm so bloated!" But Mag didn't think so. After the table was cleared, she shouted that she would go for a walk with me. "I don't know about you, but I love desserts," she told me outside. "Let's go. There's a Dairy King down the street. I can go there and have a big cup of chocolate foam milk."

Although I didn't want to eat anymore, I insisted on paying the bill. After all, I am still the master.

Mag ordered a large cup of chocolate foam milk, and I only ordered a small cup. Despite this, she finished it when I was only halfway through the meal. After finishing the drink, she was still breathing hard through the tube.

"Do you always snore a few more times when you drink bubble milk?" I couldn't help but ask.

Mag grinned, "Of course, Americans are like this."

(Translated by Zhang Chunfang)

Hello

Hello ! If you speak English, then you must know many English words. You can read, speak and understand others. However, there's another language you should be aware of, and that's body language.

Around the world, people use their hands, heads, and eyes to communicate. Japanese people bow to each other when they meet. And when Indians meet, they put their hands together. So, what did the Americans and British do?

Compared with the British, Americans are more casual. They are always friendly. They're happy to be called by their first names, ask questions, and they talk about themselves casually. When sitting in a chair, they allow themselves to relax completely and sit comfortably.

The British are more conservative than Americans.

They spend more time making friends. They want to get to know you first before inviting you to their home.

British and Americans shake hands to greet each other when they meet someone for the first time. Usually they don't shake hands with people they know very well. Sometimes, women will kiss their friends to express friendship, while men can only kiss their female friends (on one cheek) to express friendship. When men meet, they usually just look at each other and smile, or say "hello" casually. Men don't kiss each other.

Clothing Nowadays, whether living in the UK or the US, people do not dress very formally. But sometimes dressing appropriately is crucial.

Many British people are not very particular about their clothes. All they care about is wearing something comfortable. They can wear almost anything while out having fun.

Wear whatever you want at the theatre, cinema or concert hall: from elegant suits and maxi skirts to jeans and cardigans, any look is OK, as long as you look clean and tidy That’s it.

But in the UK and the US, men who work in offices usually wear suits and ties, while women wear long skirts or short skirt suits (no trousers). Doctors, lawyers, businessmen always dress formally. In some hotels and restaurants, men must wear ties and women must wear dresses, and those wearing jeans or open shirts are sometimes turned away.

In many ways, Americans are more casual than the British, but Americans care more about their clothes than the British. Most Americans wear casual or sporty clothing when at home or on vacation. But if they go out in the evening, they like to dress up elegantly. In high-end hotels, men must wear ties and suits, and women must be beautifully dressed and have fashionable hair styles.

It’s difficult to say exactly how people in the UK and the US dress because everyone has their own preferences. If you don't know how to dress, just look at what other people are wearing and copy them. Or ask a friend or host for their opinion. Dressing in something that is not too different will make you feel more comfortable.

Sorry, I'm late! In Britain and the United States, most people are very punctual.

If British and Americans want to meet a friend or business partner, they will call first to agree on a time to meet. Many people don't like uninvited guests. They need to know when visitors will arrive.

Have you ever scheduled a meeting with someone at three o'clock? It's polite to arrive a few minutes early. Of course, everyone is late from time to time. Maybe the car breaks down, the train is delayed, or the meeting is extended. If you are late, say sorry and explain why you are late. Sometimes I can't keep an appointment due to something else. However, if you fail to arrive, the other party will definitely feel very unhappy. So make a phone call and explain it to them.

Some people usually spend some time chatting, drinking tea or coffee before officially starting a business meeting; but British and Americans will never do this. They would discuss business first and then chat later—when time allowed, of course.

In the United Kingdom and the United States, office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but some office buildings open from 8:30 or 9:30 in the morning to 5:30 p.m. It closes at 11:00 or 6:00. People usually have about an hour for lunch (between 12pm and 2pm). Shops usually open at nine or nine-thirty and don't close until five-thirty or six. Most shops are open all day on Saturday and closed all day on Sunday.

Aspects of life Have you ever invited your friends to a restaurant? If you invite, you should pay for it. Have your friends ever invited you? In that case, your friends should foot the bill. If men and women attend a social gathering together, the men usually foot the bill.

Today, men and women are equal in many aspects. If you work in the UK or the US, your boss may be a man or a woman. Some women hold important positions in politics, law, medicine, and business. But it is still considered polite for men to open the door for women and ask women to go first. Likewise, it is polite for men to stand up immediately when they are introduced to a woman. Of course, in an informal setting, everyone is more relaxed.

Name Americans and British people both have two names. One is the first name and the other is the surname, or family name. Now for example:

First name and last name

Marilyn Monroe

Margaret Thatcher

Elvis Pu Leslie

Family members or friends always address each other by their first names, but Americans are more casual about addressing people than British people. They almost always call people by their first names. However, it may be a good idea to switch from last name to first name when someone asks you to use first name.

When people want to appear more formal, or when they are not very familiar with each other, they will add "Mr." "Mrs." or "Miss" before their last name. "Mrs." refers to a married woman, while "Miss" refers to an unmarried woman. Some women don't want others to know their marital status. So when they write their names they use "Ms." instead of "Mrs." or "Miss."

The terms "Sir," "Mrs.," "Miss," or "Ms." are never used alone before a name.

Some people have another name in the middle, such as: Winston Spencer Churchill.

British people usually do not use their first name, but Americans often use the first name of their middle name. Abbreviations, such as: John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon.

After a woman gets married, she no longer uses her maiden surname, but takes her husband's surname. Children also usually take their father's surname. If John Smith married Susan Brown, Susan Brown became Susan Smith, and their children were Elizabeth Smith and Tom Smith.

Some American men share the same first name as their fathers. Sons usually add Jr. (Junior) to their names, and fathers add Sr. (Senior) to their names. For example, Sir Martin Luther King Sr.

Sir is a title awarded by the British to those who have contributed to the country. The title "Sir" is used together with the first name and cannot be used alone with the surname. For example, Sir Winston or Sir Winston Churchill (Sir Churchill is the wrong usage).

Many English names have their own abbreviations. The shortened forms of these names sound more informal and friendly than the original full names. But some people don't like the abbreviation of their names. Before using a name abbreviation, listen to what your other friends use. Here are some examples.

Have you ever heard of Jimmy Carter, Charlie Chaplin or Teddy Kennedy?

Attend a party. Most of today’s parties are very relaxed and enjoyable, especially those of young people. If you want to have fun, you don't have to wear a long skirt or black tie. In fact, you can usually dress casually - anything from denim to suits and maxi skirts. British and Americans are often very casual.

Informal invitations come in many forms. But even if it's an informal invitation, people always want a response. Whether you accept it or not, just give us a call.

What would you do if someone invited you to "drink tea"?

For the British, "drinking tea" means drinking a cup of tea with some biscuits between 4:30 and 5:00 in the afternoon. For others, "tea" or "refreshment", to be precise, means dinner at 6:30 to 7pm.

"Formal attire" usually means that men should wear suits and ties, and women should wear smart dresses. "Black tie" means men wear evening jackets and bow ties, and women wear evening gowns. Such attire is only worn on very special occasions.

Treat guests to dinner! Some British and Americans like to invite friends or colleagues to their homes for dinner. However, don't be upset if your British friend doesn't invite you to their home, because that doesn't mean they don't like you.

The dinner party usually starts at 7 or 8 pm and ends around 11 pm. Before going, you should ask the host about your arrival time. When you go, bring a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, or a bottle of wine for the hostess. This is very polite and appropriate.

The dinner usually starts with snacks and drinks (you can ask for non-alcoholic drinks if you don't like drinking). If you want to be extra polite, compliment the room, the painting, or the hostess's outfit. But remember, it's rude to ask how much something costs.

Dinner usually officially starts at eight or nine o'clock. In most families, the husband and wife sit at opposite ends of the dining table and dine with their guests.

The first course may be soup or some side dishes as an appetizer; followed by meat or fish with vegetables; followed by dessert (sometimes called "dessert" or "pudding") , and finally coffee. It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate and order more if needed. Some people also eat some bread with their meals, but not everyone does.

Did you enjoy the dinner? The next day, express your gratitude to the hostess with a phone call or a short thank-you note.

Maybe this seems ridiculous, but the British and Americans always say "Thank you, thank you, thank you" all day long.

(Translated by Liu Yunqiu)