Invitations in China 中國習俗
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. 才瞭解了在美國應邀赴約的習俗，你一定也想知道老外眼中中國的飯局習俗吧。下面的這篇文章是個美國人寫的，所以對他的觀點別太較真兒。畢竟，中國那麼大，文化那麼多樣，許多是我們自己也尚未了解的。
It is fair to say that the number one pastime in China is eating. 在中國，把吃飯看作第一消遣方式一點也不爲過。
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.
宴請通常設在提前預定好的飯店包間內。飯店門口集合，之後被領進包間。傳統上說來，應該讓來客中的頭領先進包間。不要爲東道主響亮的'歡迎掌聲驚到，適宜的做法就是以掌聲迴應。
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.
在中國，就餐座位的排布比西方要嚴格得多。客人們絕對想不到東道主希望他們坐在哪裏，所以不妨等待主人的安排後再落座。傳統上說來，中國人將右手邊的座位留給地位較高的人，地位較低的人坐在左側。因此在正式場合，主人總是安排貴賓坐在他的右手邊。
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.
主人有責任招待好客人。在非常正式的宴會場合，主人爲來賓中的首導夾菜之前，其他人是不能開始用餐的。有時候，主人也可能簡單地擡起筷子以示意大家可以開始用餐。主人示意後，人們就可以自己想吃什麼就吃什麼了。記得放慢進餐速度。不要在還有5個菜沒上之前就吃飽。在宴會進行到中段就停止進食的行爲是粗魯的，東道主可能會錯誤地認爲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.
飲酒在中國的宴請中佔據了非常重要的地位。一般來說，主人起立，雙手舉杯並說一小段話。當他說完“乾杯”之後，所有人都應該開始喝酒。第一輪敬酒之後，人們就可以自由喝酒和敬酒了。儘管舉杯的時候說些祝詞並幹盡杯中之酒更能顯示誠意，但你也不必強行如此。當你給別人斟酒時，出於禮貌，你應該儘量倒滿杯。這預示着滿載的尊重和友情。
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.
當用完最後一道菜後，宴會就正式結束了。結束的時候會有個小儀式。東道主可能會問你是否已然吃飽。之後設宴的領導會起立，預示宴會結束。通常，設宴的領導會站在飯店門口向赴宴的每個人親切道別，然後留下來結賬。其他的中方陪同人員會把來賓送上車，然後揮手作別，直到客人們的車子駛離飯店。