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■法國人食用肉類時，通常會配紅酒作餐飲。 資料圖片
Eating out is one of the most common sources of entertainment in Hong Kong. Lily and Sharon seldom cook proper meals at home because they dislike washing dishes. Pizza, spaghetti and fish ball noodles are always on top of their list. One day, they were looking for something different and exciting to do for their friend’s birthday. Lily came up with the idea of hosting a surprise party. Sharon found this idea fabulous but she had no experience in organising a birthday party at home. Lily suggested having a party theme which could help make shopping easier. Sharon was worried about finding a suitable venue too. While they were discussing their plans, they walked past a French grocery store called 浢onsieur Chatte? Sharon found the food sold in that shop very interesting and decided to take a closer look.
Caroline, the owner of this store, greeted Lily and Sharon.
Caroline: Hello, may I help you?
你們好，有甚麼我可以幫忙？
Lily: Yes. Can you suggest some ideas for a birthday party?
你可以給我們一些有關生日派對的建議嗎？
Caroline: Sure! We are selling French food and beverages. In France, we eat a lot of cheese. Do you and your friends like cheese?
當然可以！我們售賣各式各樣的法國食品和飲品。在法國我們吃很多芝士，你和你的朋友喜歡芝士嗎？
Caroline: This is comte and this is camembert. Would you like to try?
這是comte，這是camembert。你們想試試嗎？
Lily and Sharon: Yes. Thank you.
好的，謝謝。
This was the first time they had ever tried French cheese. Caroline explained to them that cheese and wine were central elements of the French diet and there were around 400 sorts of Cheese in France. Lily and Sharon had the impression that French food and drinks were very expensive. That’s why Sharon decided to ask for the price of the cheese she liked before buying. She was happy to know that they were affordable.
Sharon: I like this one. How much is it?
我喜歡這種，要多少錢呢？
Caroline: $52 per 100 grams.
每100克52元。
Lily was curious to know more about the sausages hanging in the shop.
Lily: Caroline, what are these?
Caroline, 這是甚麼？
Caroline: They are French sausages, “sacisson” in French. You can cut them into pieces.
這是法國香腸，你可以把它們切成小塊吃。
Sharon told Caroline that Chinese people also had preserved food and was surprised to note the similarities in French and Chinese cooking philosophies. Sharon found some small cakes in the shop and asked Caroline for more information.
Sharon: Excuse me, Caroline, they look very cute, what are they?
Caroline，請問這是甚麼？樣子很可愛啊！
Caroline: Oh! These are 毧annel𦳃. They are little cookies from a region in France called 毢ordeaux?
喔！這是「Cannel繧v，來自法國一個名為「Bordeaux」的地區。
Lily: We want 10 of them. How much do they cost?
我想要10件，一共要多少錢呢？
Caroline: It costs $12 each. The total is $120. Let's go up to the second floor, we have French wines up there.
12元一件，一共120元。不如一起上二樓，那裡有法國葡萄酒。
Caroline: These are French wines. We usually drink white wines with seafood and red wines with meat.
這是法國葡萄酒。我們一般吃海鮮時喝白酒，吃肉類時喝紅酒。
Caroline: Have you found a place for your friend’s birthday party?
你們找到開生日派對的地方了嗎？
Lily: Not yet.
還沒有。
Caroline: Would you like to consider having your party here? Our private lounge can be used exclusively for parties. Let me show you the way.
你們會否考慮這兒？我們的私人會客廳可用來開派對。
Lily and Sharon followed Caroline to the second floor.
Lily: Oh! The setting is very stylish!
喔！多麼時尚的裝修啊！
Caroline: It can accommodate 20-25 people.
這裡可以容納20至25人。
Sharon: Is there any minimum charge?
有沒有最低消費呢？
Caroline: Yes. You can consume our food and beverages. Let me send you a proposal tomorrow.
有的。你可以在這兒消費，享用我們的食物和飲品。我明天給你一個建議書吧！
After their visit to this French grocery store, Lily and Sharon find experiencing the food and drinks of a country being the best way to understand its culture. Although there are fundamental differences between Chinese and French food culture, it’s not a bad idea to have something different occasionally! ■Lily Poon
Please visit http://wwpenglishcolumn.blogspot.com to watch the video about Lily and Sharon’s eating experience and learn some common phrases in English.
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