
This story will warm you better than a coffee on a cold winter day:
这个故事比寒冷冬日里的一杯咖啡更能温暖你心:
We enter a litter coffeehouse with a friend of mine and give our order. While we're approaching our table two people come in and they go to the counter--
我和朋友走进一间小咖啡点了我们喜爱的咖啡。正当我们走向自己的桌子时,两个人走了进来。他们走到柜台前--
" Five coffees, please. Two of them for us and three suspended."
"请给我五杯咖啡。其中两杯交给我们,三杯待用。“
They pay for their order, take the two and leave. I ask my friend:
"What are those'suspended'coffees?"
"Wait for it and you will see."
他们付了五杯咖啡的钱,端着两杯咖啡走了。我问朋友道:
”什么是‘待用’咖啡?“
”等一下你会明白了。“
Some more people enter. Two girls ask for one coffee each, pay and go. The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by three lawyers--three for them and four 'suspended'. While I still wonder what's the deal with those "suspended"coffees, I enjoy the sunny weather and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the cafe. Suddenly a man dressed in shabby clothes who looks like a beggar comes in through the door and kindly asks:" Do you have a suspended coffee?"
又有一些人走了进来。两个女孩各自要了一杯咖啡,付帐走了。随后,有人点了七杯咖啡,下单的三位律师---他们一人一杯,另外有四杯”待用“。 在我一边依然疑惑于”待用“为何物时,我一边欣赏着咖啡馆前广场上的明媚阳光以及美丽种种冬色。突然间,一位衣衫褴褛看上去像是乞丐的老者从门外走了进来,他轻声地问服务员:”请问你们有待用咖啡吗?“
It's simple---people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can not afford a warm beverage. The tradition with the suspended coffees started in Naples, but it has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal.
事情其实很简单---有人提前买了咖啡存在咖啡馆,让那些付不起钱的人能够享受一杯温暖的咖啡。这人待用咖啡的传统始于意大利那不勒斯,但现在已经传遍全世界。在有些地方,你不仅可以买待用咖啡,而且可以买待用三明治或者一整份晚餐。返回搜狐,查看更多