来自中国的雇员Dana跟同事Charlie聊天儿，说自己要去美国朋友家过圣诞，请Charlie给她讲讲美国人过圣诞的习俗。
D: I’ve heard that some Americans celebrate and open presents on Christmas Eve, while others choose Christmas morning. What’s the difference?
C: Each American family makes their own Christmas traditions. My uncle eats hot dogs every Christmas….don’t ask me why, that’s just his thing. When I was a kid, we opened our presents on Christmas Eve but our neighbor always had to wait until Christmas morning.
D: That’s kind of nice…everybody makes their own traditions.
美国有些家庭圣诞前夜拆礼物，有些家庭则要等到圣诞节一大早。有区别吗？Charlie说，这要看每个家庭的习惯， Everybody makes their own traditions. 比如说，Charlie的叔叔每年圣诞节都要吃热狗。那是为什么？Charlie说，don’t ask me why, that’s just his thing. 意思是不要问我为什么，他就是这么个习惯。
C: We have lots of different kinds of people in America…lots of different religions, lots of different nationalities. Jewish people don’t celebrate Christmas, but they have a winter festival called Hanukkah. Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists don’t celebrate Christmas either, but almost everybody in America enjoys the winter holiday season.
D: So I can expect to see snow?
C: There is a pretty good chance it will snow. But you better hope there isn’t a blizzard! If there’s a storm, you might not be able to go anywhere.
在美国，并非所有人都庆祝圣诞节。犹太人不过圣诞，他们过的是hanukkah。 Hanukkah is spelled h-a-n-u-k-k-a-h, 光明节。另外，穆斯林、印度教和佛教徒都不过圣诞节，但是几乎所有人都喜欢过节的气氛。Charlie告诉Dana, there is a pretty good chance it will snow. 很有可能会赶上下雪，但是最好不要是暴风雪，blizzard.
D: Well, I’m certainly looking forward to this trip. I think it will be a lot of fun.
C: Christmas in America is great…especially if you don’t have to do any Christmas shopping. For me that’s the worst part….crowded shopping malls…crazy people. I love Christmas, but I hate Christmas shopping.
D: Someone told me the day after Christmas is a good day for sales.
C: That’s true. You can go check out the malls on the 26th.
D: Sounds like a plan. Thanks for your input, Charlie.
C: My pleasure and a Merry Christmas!
D: Merry Christmas to you, too!
Charlie最头疼圣诞节前出去买礼物，因为外面到处都是人。不过，圣诞节次日是大减价的日子。The day after Christmas is a good day for sales. You can go check out the malls. 可以到商场去逛逛。