对话文本
L: the last thing to be ignored at a Chinese dinner table is to keep modest.

J: does that suggest diners avoid speaking much? The same is true in the West.

L: no, alsolutely not! On the contrary, you'll be considered a well-connected, sociable man, if you keep involved in the conversation all the time. But always pay attention to what you say. If the table has a senior guest, say something as upbeat and cheerful as possible. Or maybe, you may give the floor to him and keep listening as if very interested.

J: you mean, keeping a low profile in the presence of the old? That goes in like with Confucius' preachings, right?

L: correct. Show respect for the older people. Conventionally, before the meal starts, the younger members are supposed to address each one of the elderly members of the table one by one. Others are kept in waiting until the most venerable guest peoclaim the beginning of the meal and takes the first bite. Toasts also go to these men first before people can toast to each other.

J: any other rules to observe in order to keep modest?

L: yes, plenty of them. Don't eat fast! People usually keep their dining pace accorded with others. And all the dishes should not be eaten up completely.

J: is it because that would give the host the impression that the food was insufficient?

L: haha, I'm afraid it's simply because no one wishes to be too noticeable by finishing off the plate.

参考翻译
在中国吃饭,千万不要忘记保持谦虚礼让.
你是说,吃饭时最好别说太多的话?在西方也是如此嘛.
不,绝非如此.相反,如果饭桌上你积极参与谈话,别人会觉得你是一个善于交际,人缘很好的人.但是千万要注意你说话的内容,如果有老人在,最好多说些吉祥,开心的话,或者,干脆让他说,你在一旁装出一副很聆听的样子.
哦,也就是说,在老人面前要恭敬低调.这与孔夫子的教导一致,对吧?
没错.对老人要表示尊敬.通常,宴会开始时,年轻的人要向在座的老人一一打招呼.其他人必须等最德高望重的客人宣布宴会开始并夹了一筷子,才可以开始吃.敬酒的时候,同时也要先敬这些人.
保持恭谦,还有没有其它要注意的地方?
多着呢.别吃得太快了.人们往往要跟其他人吃饭的进度保持一致.各个盘子都应该留下一点别吃完.
这是不是因为,这样会让主人觉得菜给的不够吃啊?
哈哈,我倒是觉得是因为不管是谁扫光一盘菜,都会显得太显眼了.

核心词汇
Well-connected:人缘好,吃得开

Sociable: of people 人 enjoying spending time with other people 好交际的;合群的;友好的
She's a sociable child who'll talk to anyone.
她是个合群的孩子，跟谁都有话说.
I'm not feeling very sociable this evening.
今晚我不大想跟人应酬.
We had a very sociable weekend(= we did a lot of things with other people).
我们大伙过了一个十分热闹的周末.

Upbeat: positive and enthusiastic; making you feel that the future will be good 乐观的;快乐的;积极向上的
The tone of the speech was upbeat.
这次讲话的语气颇为乐观.
The presentation ended on an upbeat note.
展示简报以乐观的语调结束.

Venerable: venerable people or things deserve respect because they are old, important, wise, etc. (因年高、显要、智慧等)令人尊重的,值得敬重的,受敬佩的 formal
a venerable old man
德高望重的老人
a venerable institution/tradition
令人仰慕的机构;备受推崇的传统

核心词组
In line with: 与...一致
Your plan is in line with my ideas.
你的计划符合我的想法.

low profile:低调,低姿态
I advised her to keep a low profile for the next few days(= not to attract attention).
我建议她未来几天保持低姿态.