英式下午茶，從來都是紳士、淑女，以及上流身份的代表。濃郁的茶香，配合精致、美味的各色茶點，帶來的一定是一段美好而難忘的下午時光。不過，享用英式下午茶可不是隨意的事情，需要認(rèn)真對待，需要注意禮節(jié)。
課文內(nèi)容
he British have many traditions but there is nothing more quintessential than 'taking' afternoon tea. We know the Brits have a love affair with drinking tea, with more than 160m cups drunk every day, but it was the invention of afternoon tea that turned sipping tea into a popular pastime.
英國人有很多傳統(tǒng)，但喝下午茶是其中最典型的。我們都知道英國人愛喝茶，他們每天要喝掉1.6億多杯茶。不過，下午茶的發(fā)明才真正將品茶變成了一項休閑活動。
This sociable feast involves drinking good quality tea whilst nibbling on dainty sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and a selection of small cakes. And, of course, it can only happen in the afternoon! It is a ritual dating back to the 1840s, designed as a light snack to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. It went on to become a fashionable social occasion for the upper classes.
這種社交活動包括：飲用質(zhì)量上好的茶，同時小口品嘗精致小巧的三明治、司康餅配奶油果醬以及精選的小蛋糕。當(dāng)然，這些都只能在下午享用！這個習(xí)慣可以追溯到19世紀(jì)40年代，是為了填補(bǔ)午餐和晚餐之間的空檔而出現(xiàn)的輕便小食。之后，下午茶的習(xí)慣便逐漸成為上流社會時髦的社交活動。
Now there is a resurgence in its popularity in the UK and it's available to anyone who can afford it. Although it can be enjoyed at home, the best way to experience it is at a smart hotel or cafe. Some of the most famous places to indulge are Claridges, The Savoy or at The Ritz in London. But if you're thinking of visiting such a place to tuck into a plate of sweet and savoury treats washed down with a steaming hot brew, remember the rules you must adhere to, to avoid being asked to leave.
如今，下午茶的風(fēng)潮又在英國興起，而且，只要有經(jīng)濟(jì)能力，人人都能享用。雖說家中也能享用下午茶，不過，體驗下午茶的最佳方式是去豪華酒店或者咖啡館。能夠讓你盡情享用下午茶的幾個最知名的地方是位于倫敦的凱萊奇酒店、薩伏依酒店或者麗茲酒店。如果你想去這樣的地方品嘗甜品和美味小食，再飲一壺剛泡好的熱茶，有些規(guī)矩是必須遵守的，否則人家可能會請你離開。
1.Make sure you order the correct thing – it is afternoon tea not high tea, or a cream tea. These are something different.
確定你點的是下午茶，不是傍晚茶或者奶油茶點。這些都是有區(qū)別的。
2.Dress smartly – it's an important occasion. Certain places demand a man wear a jacket and tie and ladies should wear a hat.
著裝要講究——這是個重要的場合。有些地方要求男士穿外套、打領(lǐng)帶，女士要戴帽子。
3.When you sit down, place a napkin on your lap. It will keep your clothes clean and can be used to wipe small crumbs from your face.
入座時，把餐巾平鋪在大腿上。這樣，餐巾可以保持你的衣服不被食物沾染，同時也可以用來擦拭臉上殘余的食物碎屑。
4.Stir your tea correctly – do not 'clink' your spoon against the cup and do not leave it in the cup! Stir back and forth not around in circles.
攪動茶水的姿勢要正確——茶匙不要碰到茶杯，攪完以后也不要把茶匙留在茶杯里。攪動的動作是前后攪動，而不是在杯子里轉(zhuǎn)圈。
5.Hold the tea cup by its handle with your thumb and forefinger together, and then use your middle finger to support and balance the cup underneath. Do not allow your little finger to stick out.
端茶杯時要用拇指和食指抓住杯把，然后用中指在杯子底部做支撐并保持杯底平衡。千萬不要把小指翹起來。
6.Start by eating the sandwiches first before moving onto the sweet things.
先吃三明治，再吃甜點。
7.The sandwiches are called 'finger sandwiches' and therefore eaten by hand not with a knife and fork. They should have their crusts cut off.
下午茶中的三明治叫做“手指三明治”，所以吃的時候不用刀叉，而是直接用手拿起來吃。三明治面包的硬邊應(yīng)該會提前被切掉。
8.Don't 'saw' your scone in half. Ideally it should be pulled apart, creating 2 equal halves.
不要用刀把司康餅“鋸”成兩半。最好是用手掰成相同大小的兩半。
9.When eating take small delicate bites. This will allow you to join in conversation without always having a full mouth.
進(jìn)食的時候要小口、輕聲。這樣，你在享用美味的同時也能與別人說話，不至于嘴里總是塞滿食物，沒法說話。
10.Although you can ask for more sandwiches and cakes, don't stuff them in your pockets to eat later!
你可以要求額外加三明治和蛋糕，但是，千萬不要把這些茶點裝口袋里留著以后吃！
Writer Henry James once noted that "there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." I'm sure once you've tried it, you will agree.
作家亨利?詹姆斯曾經(jīng)說過“這世上沒有比享受下午茶更愜意的時候了?！蔽蚁嘈?，試過之后，你也會這么認(rèn)為的。
詞匯表
quintessential 典型的
sipping 啜飲
pastime 休閑
nibbling 小口吃
dainty 精致的
ritual 習(xí)慣
to bridge the gap 填補(bǔ)空檔
resurgence 復(fù)興，復(fù)蘇
indulge 縱情享受
to tuck into 大飽口福
brew 茶
napkin 餐巾
delicate 小心的
