Invitations in China 中国习俗 (来源：专业英语学习网站 http://www.EnglishCN.com)

　　You may wonder what foreigners think of our customs and traditions at parties and banquets. Find out what Chinese parties look like in the eye of a westerner. 才了解了在美国应邀赴约的习俗，你一定也想知道老外眼中中国的饭局习俗吧。下面的这篇文章是个美国人写的，所以对他的观点别太较真儿。毕竟，中国那么大，文化那么多样，许多是我们自己也尚未了解的。

　　It is fair to say that the number one pastime in China is eating. 在中国，把吃饭看作第一消遣方式一点也不为过。

　　Banquets are usually held in restaurants in private rooms that have been reserved for the purpose. You will be met at the door and led to the banquet room. Traditionally, the head of your delegation should enter the room first. Do not be surprised if your hosts greet you with a loud round of applause. The proper response is to applaud back.

　　宴请通常设在提前预定好的饭店包间内。饭店门口集合，之后被领进包间。传统上说来，应该让来客中的头领先进包间。不要为东道主响亮的欢迎掌声惊到，适宜的做法就是以掌声回应。

　　Seating arrangements are stricter than in the West. Guests should never assume that they may sit where they please and should wait for hosts to guide them to their places. Traditionally, the Chinese regard the right side as the superior and the left side as the inferior. Therefore on formal occasions, the host invariably arranges for the main guests to sit on his right side.

　　在中国，就餐座位的排布比西方要严格得多。客人们绝对想不到东道主希望他们坐在哪里，所以不妨等待主人的安排后再落座。传统上说来，中国人将右手边的座位留给地位较高的人，地位较低的人坐在左侧。因此在正式场合，主人总是安排贵宾坐在他的右手边。

　　It is the host's responsibility to serve the guests, and at very formal banquets people do not begin to eat until the host has served a portion to the principal guest. Or, the host may simply raise his chopsticks and announce that eating has begun. After this point, one may serve oneself any food in any amount. Remember to go slow on eating. Don't fill yourself up when five courses are left to go. To stop eating in the middle of a banquet is rude, and your host may incorrectly think that something has been done to offend you.

　　主人有责任招待好客人。在非常正式的宴会场合，主人为来宾中的首导夹菜之前，其他人是不能开始用餐的。有时候，主人也可能简单地抬起筷子以示意大家可以开始用餐。主人示意后，人们就可以自己想吃什么就吃什么了。记得放慢进餐速度。不要在还有5个菜没上之前就吃饱。在宴会进行到中段就停止进食的行为是粗鲁的，东道主可能会错误地认为你想做些冒犯他的事情。

　　Drinking takes an important place in Chinese banquets. It is likely that the host will stand and hold his glass out with both hands while saying a few words. When he says the words "gan bei", which means bottoms up, all present should drain their glasses. After this initial toast, drinking and toasting are open to all. No words are needed to make a toast, and it is not necessary to drain your glass, although to do so is more respectful. When filling another's glass, it is polite to fill it as full as you can. This symbolizes full respect and friendship.

　　饮酒在中国的宴请中占据了非常重要的地位。一般来说，主人起立，双手举杯并说一小段话。当他说完“干杯”之后，所有人都应该开始喝酒。第一轮敬酒之后，人们就可以自由喝酒和敬酒了。尽管举杯的时候说些祝词并干尽杯中之酒更能显示诚意，但你也不必强行如此。当你给别人斟酒时，出于礼貌，你应该尽量倒满杯。这预示着满载的尊重和友情。

　　When the last dish is finished, the banquet has officially ended. There is little ceremony involved with its conclusion. The host may ask if you have eaten your fill. Then the principal host will rise, signaling that the banquet has ended. Generally, the principal host will bid good evening to everyone at the door and stay behind to settle the bill with the restaurateur. Other hosts usually accompany guests to their vehicles and remain outside waving until the cars have left the premises.

　　当用完最后一道菜后，宴会就正式结束了。结束的时候会有个小仪式。东道主可能会问你是否已然吃饱。之后设宴的领导会起立，预示宴会结束。通常，设宴的领导会站在饭店门口向赴宴的每个人亲切道别，然后留下来结账。其他的中方陪同人员会把来宾送上车，然后挥手作别，直到客人们的车子驶离饭店。