365个英语简短小故事-129. The Waiter

Alvin didn’t like the way the waiter walked—he projected an air of arrogance¹. The waiter came to their table with three glasses in one hand and three menus in the other. His thumb and fingers were all over the insides of the glasses. Alvin was disgusted². Hank and Nathan didn't seem to mind. “Any germ³ that doesn’t kill you, just makes you stronger,” Hank said. Alvin told Hank to remember that in a day or so when he was barfing in the toilet.

Alvin refused to drink or eat anything. He told them he would eat when he got home. Ten minutes later, after finally getting the waiter’s attention, Hank and Nathan each ordered a small salad, a double cheeseburger with chips, and a couple of beers. Alvin asked the waiter if he had worked there long. “Long enough,” the waiter replied. When he returned with the beers, Nathan told the waiter thanks. The waiter said nothing in reply.

“Did you see that?” Alvin asked. “You said thanks, and he didn’t bother to say you’re welcome.” Hank said that younger people today were not taught the finer points of etiquette⁴.

“The finer points?!” Alvin said. “The finer points are knowing which side of the plate the forks and spoons are supposed to be on. Knowing when to say ‘sir,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘you’re welcome’ is elementary etiquette.” The waiter came back to clear the plates from the table. Nathan hadn’t quite finished, but said nothing. When the waiter brought the bill about ten minutes later, Alvin motioned⁵ to him.

“Give me the bill,” he said. “I’m going to treat my friends.” Wordlessly, the waiter placed the bill in front of Alvin.

Nathan and Hank were astounded⁶. “You know,” said Nathan, “this might be the first time I’ve ever seen you pick up the tab. What’s the occasion⁷?” Alvin told Nathan that he just felt like being nice to his friends for a change. The bill was $20. After his friends had left the table, Alvin put a 35-cent tip on the table.

 

1 arrogance   

n.傲慢，自大

参考例句：

• His arrogance comes out in every speech he makes.他每次讲话都表现得骄傲自大。
• Arrogance arrested his progress.骄傲阻碍了他的进步。

2 disgusted   

adj.厌恶的；厌烦的

参考例句：

• I am completely disgusted at you.我非常厌恶你。
• The food disgusted me.食物使我感到恶心。

3 germ   

n.细菌，病菌，微生物；(想法等的)起源

参考例句：

• I have the germ of an idea.我有一个初步的想法。
• This was the germ of a book.这是一本书的源起。

4 etiquette   

n.礼仪，礼节；规矩

参考例句：

• The rules of etiquette are not so strict nowadays.如今的礼仪规则已不那么严格了。
• According to etiquette,you should stand up to meet a guest.按照礼节你应该站起来接待客人。

5 motioned   

vt.打手势（motion的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• When the doorman motioned them away, they took no notice. 当门卫示意让他们离开时，他们没注意。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He motioned me to a seat. 他示意我坐下。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 astounded   

v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶

参考例句：

• His arrogance astounded her. 他的傲慢使她震惊。
• How can you say that? I'm absolutely astounded. 你怎么能说出那种话？我感到大为震惊。

7 occasion   

n.场合，时机，机会，诱因，理由；vt.惹起，引起

参考例句：

• Her dress was too showy for such a formal occasion.在如此正式的场合，她的服装过分华丽了。
• Her tears were fought back on such an occasion.在这种场合下她忍住了眼泪。