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How to Dine Well — and Properly — in Another Country 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.” 出国旅行的时候，在当地的餐厅进餐是了解一国文化习俗的好机会，客家人集团(Hakkasan Group)负责全球餐厅业务的执行副总裁格特·科珀拉(Gert Kopera)说。该集团在世界各地拥有41家餐厅。但科珀拉表示，在外边进餐也可能会让旅行者感到不适。“餐饮礼仪和传统因国家而异，如果你不了解到访地的习俗，”他说，“很容易有浑身不自在的感觉。” 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. 在超过70个国家吃过数千顿饭的科珀拉，就如何在世界上的任何地方成功地外出就餐给出了一些建议。 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. 选择恰当的用餐时间 科珀拉说，应该了解当地人何时吃饭，这样一来你就不会在餐厅关门或空空荡荡的时候赶过去。在美国，晚饭通常是晚上六七点开始，而且是一天中最丰盛的一顿，但其他一些国家就不同了：例如在英国，下午四点左右供应的下午茶本身相当于一餐，晚饭则较为清淡，开饭时间为晚8点或更晚一些。在西班牙和南美洲，晚饭通常从晚上10点开始，而在印度，晚饭的开始时间一般在晚9点到11点之间。“如果你的就餐时间与当地人的节奏相吻合，你会体验到真正的当地文化，”他说。 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. 恰当地使用餐具，或者干脆不用 科珀拉说，不当使用餐具可能会被视为不尊重另一个国家的标志。他建议旅行者在当地人用餐时观察他们，学他们的样子。在中国、韩国和越南，筷子是最常见的餐具，不过把筷子直直地插在米饭中会被视作一种冒犯。在印度，还有中东和非洲的一些地方，用手吃东西是很寻常的事，不过用左手的时候要当心——这可能被视为不洁的做法。 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. 慢慢来 在很多国家里——包括巴西、法国和意大利——一顿饭可能会持续若干个钟头，那是与家人、朋友沟通交流的时间。科珀拉建议旅行者也这样做。“品味食物，与人交谈，”他说。此外，如果准备离开，你应该索要自己的账单，因为在很多国家，只有食客索要账单，侍者才会将其奉上。 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. 研究付账和付小费的惯例 不论到访哪个国家，都要弄清正确的小费礼仪和付账方式。在很多国家都不必付小费，在日本等一些国家，付小费甚至会让对方觉得受到侮辱。另外，在法国等国家，搞AA制会被视作不上档次之举。还有，要提前弄清你要去的餐厅是否接受信用卡付款。在非洲和亚洲的一些地方，使用当地钞票是在很多餐厅付款的唯一方式，如果没带现金，那你的一餐可能会划上一个让你不舒服的句号。 |
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