西方人把外出就餐称为"dine out"，其形式有两种,即"eat in"和"take away"，中文意思分别为"在店内用餐"和"打包带走"。我们先读这组对话:"Garry: OK, do you want to eat in or take away? Tammy: Take away."对话中，侍者Garry在询问顾客Tammy选择在店内用餐还是将食物打包带走。
我们来读下列对话:"Graham: Good evening. Table for two? Greta: For three, please. We're meeting a friend. Graham: Certainly. Smoking or non-smoking? Gretta: I do not smoke. Brigitte: Neither do I. So non-smoking, please."对话中，客人Greta和Brigitte要求侍者Graham为他们在禁烟区找一张三人桌，因为他们要在这里会见一位朋友，并且两人都不吸烟。
入座后，侍者通常会先为客人端上饮料。我们继续上面的对话:"Graham: Would you like to order any drinks before your friends arrive? Brigitte: Er, Yes, I am really thirsty. I can't wait. Greta: Neither can I."这组对话告诉我们，在朋友到来之前，Brigittee和Greta都愿意先点一些饮料，并耐心等候。上完饮料后，客人开始点菜。点菜时，如果朋友在场，务必相互商量。我们再读一组对话:"Carl: I'm a vegetarian. So I won't have meat. Bob: OK, would you like a starter? Carl: No, thanks. I'll just have a main course."对话中的Carl是一位素食主义者，饭量不大，只需要一乐鞑恕Ｗ鹬嘏笥训囊庠负拖肮撸馐俏鞣讲妥牢拿鞯闹匾逑帧?
点菜时，客人还可以请侍者作参谋。我们来读最后一组对话:"Nigel: Now, what are you going to have? Marco: What do you recommend? Nigel: 'Today's Special is Lancashire Hotpot. It's very nice. Marco: OK, I'll take it." 在侍者的建议下，Marco点了当日的打折菜"Lancashire"火锅。
