你和朋友们一起聚餐的时候,会怎样处理买单的问题呢?你会在用餐快结束时,悄悄地离席,装作去卫生间,然后毫无张扬地把账结了?还是大家AA制?抑或是别人还没来得及提出分摊时,你就先拿出你应付的钱?你是怎么想的呢?聚餐时大家如何付账才合理而且礼貌呢?
Just how do you behave in thatawkward(笨拙的,尴尬的)moment when the bill arrives at a group meal?
Together we've rifled through thecutlery(刀具,餐具) drawer(抽屉,出票人),extended the hand of respectful friendship to the waiter and decided once and for all that there's no place for flash photography in a temple ofgastronomy(美食法),but–in typical British fashion–this series has, thus far, skirted awkwardly around the delicate subject of money.
However much we like to pretend otherwise as we relax into a well-cushioned seat and a glass of wine, at some point the fact becomes unavoidable: eating at a restaurant is a businesstransaction(商务交易)like any other. We've eaten and drunk our way throughcommodities(商品,日用品)that don't come for free, enjoyed (or endured) the service of a host of employees, both front of house and behind the scenes–yet for some reason we find the idea of paying for it allexcruciating(极痛苦的,折磨人的).
Every one of us, at some time or another, have found ourselvesembroiled(使卷入,牵连) ina heated, yet determinedly "jovial" argument on the arrival of the bill–"No, no, NO – let ME!" we screech through fixed grins, as we claw at the offending scrap of paper. So what's the mostgracious(亲切的,高尚的)way to avoid a Mrs Doyle-style punch-up over a 75p cuppa?
If you're hosting the meal, and intend to pay for it, the situation is relatively simple–as our old friend Emily Post sosagely(贤能地)opined back in 1922, "For a host to count up the items is suggestive ofparsimony(过度节俭,吝啬),while not to look at them is disconcertinglyreckless(鲁莽的),and to pay before their faces for what his guests have eaten is embarrassing … Therefore, to avoid this wholetransaction(交易,处理),people who have not charge accounts, should order the meal ahead, and at the same time pay for in advance, including the waiter's tip."
Although, in these days of allergies andpicky(挑剔的)eating, I wouldn't advise ordering ahead, a seemly modern solution is to slip off near the end of the meal as if to the loo, and settle up discreetly while you're away from the table, thus forestalling any protest.
But what if you're (oh dreadful phrase!) splitting the bill? In my experience, people who havehitherto(到目前为止,迄今)appeared perfectly charming can become monsters on the presentation of the damage. "I only had one drink," they announce in an aggressive tone, eyeballing you in a fashion that leaves no doubt that they are well aware that you have not been soabstemious(节制的).And when the assorted notes are added up, and fall mysteriously short, it's never them who offer to help make up the extra, even though you suspect them of having been rather mean in their calculation of their share of the tip.
Unless I know that someone around the table is really hard up, and has chosen accordingly, I favour just splitting the bill equally–after all, everyone had the option of choosing whatever they wanted, and tonitpick(挑剔,吹毛求疵)about your risotto being cheaper than his steak can spoil the atmosphere remarkably swiftly. Non-drinkers, of course, should be automatically excused the cost of the claret.
If you are trying to save money (and let's face it, if you're going out to dinner, it's probably not a question of being on the poverty line, more that you'd prefer to spend your cash elsewhere), you can do it subtly.
Economists suggest that people are more likely to orderextravagantly(挥霍无度地)when they think others will be sharing the cost, so it would be sensible to explain early on (without fuss) that you're on a bit of a budget, so you're only going to have a main course, and then put down what you owe, plus a reasonable tip, as soon as the bill arrives, before anyone can mention splitting it. But unless you're in dire straits, don't be mean about it, and ask for the 50p change you're owed–leave it for the waiter.
What do you think – is splitting the bill friendly or ridiculous? Should weforswear(誓决,放弃)this nonsense and simply pay for what we've ordered, or would we be missing out on an important element of sharing a meal? And, most of all, will anyone admit to taking advantage of their fellow diners when they know they'll all be sharing the cost?
国际英语资讯:Pakistan contacts Indian army for security of enumerators
女性同胞们,最抗衰老的食物来啦
国际英语资讯:India, Sri Lanka ink key agreement on economic cooperation
我国首艘国产航母下水
国际英语资讯:President Trump names new Secret Service chief
Pull a fast one 欺骗,行骗
闪亮的星星 Shining Stars
毛毛虫能吃塑料袋 或成解决塑料污染关键
未来不会再有“职业”,只有工作
全球WIFI最快的5个国家:居然没有美国
国内英语资讯:Lawmakers review reports on environment protection, supply-side structural reform
外研版高中英语必修三Module 6 Old and New(1)
国际英语资讯:Security of Libyan waters an EU priority: Mogherini
苹果可以当牙膏?10个关于苹果的惊人事实
国际英语资讯:Judge blocks part of U.S. presidents order on sanctuary cities
外研版高中英语必修四 Module1 Life in the Future
国际英语资讯:U.S. Treasury secretary says to cut corporate tax rate to 15 percent
国际英语资讯:U.S. nuke-powered submarine arrives in S. Korea amid tensions
国际英语资讯:President Trump orders probe into possible federal govts unlawful oversight on education
国际英语资讯:Putin urges Russian navy to prioritize nuclear force buildup
特朗普现象再现,法国大选第一轮遭殃了!
美联航风波还未结束,美国航空公司再现暴力
国内英语资讯:China to further cut red tape for better business environment
Jack-of-all-trades 多面手
骑自行车能降低癌症风险,共享单车要笑醒了
国内英语资讯:China, Madagascar celebrate 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties with photo exhibition
国际英语资讯:Venezuela to exit Organization of American States: FM
外研版高中英语必修四 MODULE1
英国调查:父母迷恋手机破坏家庭生活
体坛英语资讯:Goals galore as Barca and Madrid maintain title head to head in Liga Matchday 34