Parctice Time
练习时光
Amazingly for the British, who love queues, there is no formal line-up-the bar staff are skilled at knowing whose turn it is. You are permitted to try to attract attention, but there are rules about how to do this. Do not call out tap coins on the counter, snap your finger or wave like a drowning swimmer. Do not scowl or sigh or roll your eyes. And whatever you do, do not ring the bell hanging behind the counter-this is used by the landlord to signal closing time . The key thing is to catch the bar worker's eyes. You could also hold an empty glass or some money, but do not wave them about. Do adopt an expectant, hopeful, even slightly anxious facial expression. If you look too contented and complacent, the bar staff may assume you are already being served. Always say "please" and try to remember some of the British bar staffs pet hates. They do not like people to keep others waiting while they make up their minds. They don't like people standing idly against the bar when there are a lot of customers wanting for service. And they do not like people who wait until the end of the order before asking for such drinks as Guinness stout which take considerably longer to pour than other drinks.
就爱排队的英国人而言，酒吧里看不到正式的排队，这令人感到惊讶。酒保有本领知道该轮到谁了。你可以做些动作引起酒保的注意，但有规可循。不要大声嚷嚷，不要在吧台面上敲击钱币，不要叭叭地弹手指，不要像快淹死的人那样挥动手臂，不要绷着脸，不要唉声叹气，不要翻动眼珠。在不该干的事当中还绝对不要摇晃挂在吧台后面的铃，那是酒吧老板用的，表示关门时间到了。关键是你要让酒保看见你。你可以举起空杯子或钱，可不要摇晃。你脸上可以流露等待、期望，甚至略带焦急的表情。你如果显得太心满意足的样子，酒保会认为他们已经为你提供服务了。要把“请”字挂在嘴边，要尽量记住一些英国酒保最厌恶的事。他们不喜欢酒客拿不定主意而让他们等着；不喜欢好多客人等着买酒而有人却靠着吧台站着；也不喜欢有人等到最后才说要喝像爱尔兰烈性黑啤酒那样的酒，因为比起别的酒来，准备这种酒的时间要长得多。