A Have you ever been invited to a Chinese feast?

你被邀请过吃中国式的午餐吗?

B Sure. Beijingers are distinguished for their warmth and hospitality.

当然了,北京人的热情好客是出了名的.

A As far as you could see, is dining at a Chinese table a distinct experience? To what extent does it differ from that in your homeland?

你觉得跟一桌中国人吃饭是不是很不一样?跟你在你自己的国家吃饭有哪些不同呢?

B To begin with, I have to use chopsticks.

首先,我得改用筷子.

A But you look quite proficient in using them now.

可是,你看起来用筷子用的很熟练嘛.

B Certainly. After all, I've been here for two years. It's not much uphill work for a foreigner to get used to Chinese dinner utensils. Though, I do feel hazy about how to behave appropriately at a Chinese dinner table.

当然了,怎么着我也在这里呆了2年了.我们老外用惯中式餐具倒也不是什么难事,但是在中国人的餐桌上,我经常感觉到无所适从.

A Yes, table etiquette. There are a multitude of rules that foreigners might never know until they were told. Some practices even appear somewhat awkward or rude to Westerners, while they are the norm in China. Hey, your chopsticks, old silly! You should not stab them vertically into the rice bow!

不错,餐桌上的礼仪.吃饭时,有很多规矩,我们不说,老外们就不知道.其中有一点,在中国早已司空见惯,可是对于老外来说,有点让人不舒服,甚至有点粗暴无礼.喂喂喂,老兄,注意你的筷子!直插在米饭里可不好!

B Anything strange about that?

这个有什么不对吗?

A Maybe you should have placed them horizontally over your bowl or plate. They resemble two incense sticks used at sacrifices. It's very inauspicious, and might enrage all present.

也许你应该把它们平放在碗或者盘子上.要不然它们看上去就像2根香烛,不吉利,在座的所有人都会不高兴的.

B Oh, sorry! There's a long story even with a mere pair of sticks.

对不起,对不起!没想到连一双筷子都有这么多奥秘.