婚禮無論對新人還是嘉賓來說都是一筆不小的開銷。出席的來賓要隨 “份子錢” 或者送禮物。給多了，自己經濟負擔重；給少了，又怕傷感情。有的時候我們還要飛到離家很遠的地方去出席一場婚禮……聽 “隨身英語” 節目探討有關參加婚禮開銷這一話題。

詞匯：wedding costs 婚禮開支

Weddings are expensive affairs – there’s nothing new or surprising in that statement. When we talk about the costs of a wedding, we often think about the financial toll on the person paying for it. The outlay on tiered cakes, the dress with a long train, appliques and veil, and canapes at the reception can all add up. But what about the guests? The cost to your friends and family to attend.

The first thing to think about when attending is the price of getting there. Even just a few hundred miles from where you live can bring some expenses – be it transport or staying in a hotel. But some people like to tie the knot in exotic locations, thinking it will make their special day even more special – on a beach in front of palm trees rather than somewhere closer to home. Going to far-flung corners of the Earth to watch the event can really be a dealbreaker for some when deciding if they can make it.

Then there is the gift. What do you give a person on their wedding day? In some cultures, asking for money isn’t the done thing. Sometimes the bride and groom may issue a list of items they want to receive that you have to pick from. But what do you buy? And if it’s money, how much do you give them? How much is too much? These are questions all attendees face – give too little and you may cause offence, too much and you may be out of pocket. And of course, you don’t want to be outdone by a friend giving more than you.

Finally, the last thing you want to feel when going to a wedding is regret about the amount you’ve spent. If you give a good gift and spend a lot on getting there, and the event isn’t great, or the food at the reception isn’t perfect, you might feel a little resentment. Therefore, only give what you can afford to give. Weddings can be expensive for everyone concerned. But people often overlook the cost for guests. In the end, though, that special day is supposed to be a celebration of love above anything else. 

詞匯表

affair 活動，經歷
toll 損失，代價
outlay 開支
tiered 多層的
train 裙擺
applique 貼花
veil 面紗
canape （聚會上提供的）開胃餅
reception 婚禮招待會，婚宴
tie the knot 喜結良緣（結婚）
far-flung 遙遠的
dealbreaker 不做某事的決定因素
the done thing 禮節，禮貌
bride 新娘
groom 新郎
attendee 宴席嘉賓
out of pocket 虧錢的，白花錢的
not to be outdone 不甘示弱，不甘落后

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. What expenses for the person paying for the wedding are mentioned?

2. Why do some couples head to exotic places for their wedding?

3. True or false? Giving money is acceptable in all cultures.

4. What might be caused by giving too little money as a wedding gift?

5. What might you feel if you give a good gift and the reception is bad?

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. Why don’t we have the party here rather than some _______ location?

bride                          far-flung                       veil                            train

2. The bonus is the _______ in the contract negotiations.

dealcracker               dealsmasher                dealcruncher             dealbreaker

3. Working such long hours has really taken its _______ on her.

groom                        toll                               out of pocket              bride   

4. You’re getting married? When are you going to tie the _______?

rope                           string                           knot                           bow

5. I think we should send a card to say sorry. It’s the _______ thing.

do                              did                               doing                          done

答案

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。  

1. What expenses for the person paying for the wedding are mentioned?
The outlay on tiered cakes, the dress with a long train, appliques and veil, and canapes at the reception can all add up.

2. Why do some couples head to exotic places for their wedding?
Some people like to tie the knot in exotic locations – thinking it will make their special day even more special.

3. True or false? Giving money is acceptable in all cultures.
False. In some cultures, asking for money isn’t the done thing.

4. What might be caused by giving too little money as a wedding gift?
You may cause offence if your gift is too small.

5. What might you feel if you give a good gift and the reception is bad?
If you give a good gift and spend a lot on getting there and the event isn’t great, or the food at the reception isn’t perfect, you might feel a little resentment.

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. Why don’t we have the party here rather than some far-flung location?

2. The bonus is the dealbreaker in the contract negotiations.

3. Working such long hours has really taken its toll on her.

4. You’re getting married? When are you going to tie the knot?

5. I think we should send a card to say sorry. It’s the done thing.