樂，學中文、教中文。/Enjoy learning &Teaching Chinese

旅遊SHIVANI VORA 

2017年7月21日

https://cn.nytstyle.com/style/20170721/how-to-dine-properly-in-another-country/dual/

出國旅行的時候，在當地的餐廳進餐是瞭解一國文化習俗的好機會，客家人集團(Hakkasan Group)負責全球餐廳業務的執行副總裁格特·科珀拉(Gert Kopera)說。該集團在世界各地擁有41家餐廳。但科珀拉表示，在外邊進餐也可能會讓旅行者感到不適。“餐飲禮儀和傳統因國家而異，如果你不瞭解到訪地的習俗，”他說，“很容易有渾身不自在的感覺。”

在超過70個國家吃過數千頓飯的科珀拉，就如何在世界上的任何地方成功地外出就餐給出了一些建議。

When you’re traveling internationally, eating at local restaurants is an opportunity to learn about that country’s culture and customs, says Gert Kopera, the executive vice president of global restaurants for Hakkasan Group, a collection of 41 restaurants worldwide. But, Mr. Kopera said, dining out can also make travelers uncomfortable. “Dining etiquette and traditions vary by country, and if you don’t know the customs in the destination you’re visiting,” he said, “it’s easy to feel like a fish out of water.”

Mr. Kopera has eaten thousands of meals in more than 70 countries, and here, he shares his advice on how to dine out successfully anywhere in the world.

選擇恰當的用餐時間 科珀拉說，應該瞭解當地人何時吃飯，這樣一來你就不會在餐廳關門或空空蕩蕩的時候趕過去。在美國，晚飯通常是晚上六七點開始，而且是一天中最豐盛的一頓，但其他一些國家就不同了：例如在英國，下午四點左右供應的下午茶本身相當於一餐，晚飯則較為清淡，開飯時間為晚上8點或更晚一些。在西班牙和南美洲，晚飯通常從晚上10點開始，而在印度，晚飯的開始時間一般在晚上9點到11點之間。“如果你的就餐時間與當地人的節奏相吻合，你會體驗到真正的當地文化，”他說。

EAT AT THE RIGHT HOUR Learn when locals eat, Mr. Kopera said, so that you’re not going to closed or empty restaurants. In the United States, dinner is usually eaten from 6 to 7 p.m. and is the biggest meal of the day, but not so in other countries: In England, for example, high tea, served around 4 p.m., is a meal itself while supper is lighter and served at 8 p.m. or later. In Spain and South America, the average dinner starts at 10 p.m., and in India, anywhere from 9 to 11 p.m. is the norm. “You’ll experience the authentic local culture if your dining times are in rhythm with the locals,” he said.

恰當地使用餐具，或者乾脆不用 科珀拉說，不當使用餐具可能會被視為不尊重另一個國家的標誌。他建議旅行者在當地人用餐時觀察他們，學他們的樣子。在中國、韓國和越南，筷子是最常見的餐具，不過把筷子直直地插在米飯中會被視作一種冒犯。在印度，還有中東和非洲的一些地方，用手吃東西是很尋常的事，不過用左手的時候要當心——這可能被視為不潔的做法。

USE THE CORRECT UTENSILS, OR NO UTENSILS Using utensils improperly can be a sign of disrespect in another country, Mr. Kopera said. He suggested that travelers observe locals while they eat and follow their practices. In China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, chopsticks are the most common utensil, but sticking them upright in rice is considered offensive. In India and areas of the Middle East and Africa, eating with hands is normal, but be careful about using the left hand — it can be considered unclean.

慢慢來 在很多國家裡——包括巴西、法國和義大利——一頓飯可能會持續若干個鐘頭，那是與家人、朋友溝通交流的時間。科珀拉建議旅行者也這樣做。“品味食物，與人交談，”他說。此外，如果準備離開，你應該索要自己的帳單，因為在很多國家，只有食客索要帳單，侍者才會將其奉上。

TAKE YOUR TIME In many countries — including Brazil, France and Italy — meals span several hours and are a time to connect with family and friends. Mr. Kopera suggested that travelers do the same. “Savor the food and conversation,” he said. And, once you are ready to leave, ask for your check because in many international destinations, servers present it to diners only upon request.

研究付帳和付小費的慣例 不論到訪哪個國家，都要弄清正確的小費禮儀和付帳方式。在很多國家都不必付小費，在日本等一些國家，付小費甚至會讓對方覺得受到侮辱。另外，在法國等國家，搞AA制會被視作不上檔次之舉。還有，要提前弄清你要去的餐廳是否接受信用卡付款。在非洲和亞洲的一些地方，使用當地鈔票是在很多餐廳付款的唯一方式，如果沒帶現金，那你的一餐可能會劃上一個讓你不舒服的句號。

RESEARCH PAYMENT AND TIPPING PRACTICES Find out the proper tipping etiquette and way to pay in whatever country you are visiting. Tipping is not expected in many countries, and in some countries like Japan, it can be insulting. Also, in some countries, such as France, splitting the bill is considered to be unsophisticated. And know ahead of time if the restaurant you’re going to accepts credit cards. In parts of Africa and Asia, the only way to pay at many restaurants is to use the local currency, and being cashless can make for an uncomfortable ending to your meal.