原文及注释

Christmas dinner party getting out of hand

Dear Annie:

Each year, the company my wife works for hosts a Christmas dinner party at a local restaurant. What used to be an enjoyable meal with a handful of employees has become a large, drunken event lasting late into the night. One year, two employees had a fistfight outside the entrance. Last year, they actually set fire to one of the tables.

I am not opposed to drinking, but this is out of control. The spectacle is viewed by other patrons of the restaurant. Each year, my wife talks about not going, but always does and insists we stay to the bitter end. This year, I've suggested we have cocktails and dinner, thank the hosts and leave. I think we would be setting a good example and other employees would follow. What do you think?

－ Embarrassed Out West

Dear Out West:

We're with you. It is not rude to stay for cocktails and dinner and then make your farewells, as long as you do so in an unhurried manner and don't give the impression that you are in a rush. The ones who get drunk may not even notice you're gone. More importantly, you may give other uncomfortable employees the courage to do the same, and perhaps if enough of them walk out, the boss will find another way to celebrate the holiday.

【词汇注释】

to get out of hand 失控；脱序

a handful of 少量；少数

enjoyable adj.令人愉快的；好玩的

fistfight n.斗殴；打斗

spectacle n. 出丑；出洋相

patron n. 顾客；客人

cocktail n.鸡尾酒

to set a good example 当好榜样；做楷模

farewell n. 道别；告别

courage n. 勇气；胆量

参考译文
Annie你好：
每年，我妻子工作的公司都要在当地饭店举行圣诞节晚宴。过去本是很快乐的和几个职员的聚餐已经变成了一个人数众多的，大家都要喝得醉醺醺的，持续到深夜的聚会。有一年，2个员工在入门处打了起来。去年他们甚至将一张桌子点着了。

我不反对喝酒，但是这已经失控了。饭店的其他客人会看到我们出丑。每年，我妻子都说不去，但最终都是去了，并一直熬到聚餐结束。今年，我建议喝些鸡尾酒，吃些东西，然后向主人致谢就离开。我想我们应该做个好样子，这样其他员工都可以照做。你怎么认为？

－ Embarrassed Out West

Out West你好：
我们赞成你的做法。喝些鸡尾酒，吃些东西后告别，只要你不必急匆匆的，并给人你们着急走的印象，这是符合礼仪的。喝醉的人可能追不到你们已经离开。更重要得是，你们这样会鼓励其他想走的员工和你们一样离开，也许，有很多人都离开得花，老板都会寻找其他方式来庆祝节日。