BRIAN: u know, nikky, the first time we talk on the net, u tell me that u like to eat out, still remember? (记得吗，nikky，我们第一次聊天的时候，你告诉我你喜欢在外面吃饭)

　　NIKKY: yes, what’s going on?

　　BRIAN: do u eat outside your school these days? (这些天你都在学校外面吃么？)

　　NIKKY: yes

　　【注】突然想问问她有关小费在美国是怎么个给法，反正现在还从来没有轮到我给别人小费的时候，印象里有一次在一个星级酒店为公司的外国客人安排住宿，他下了出租车，由于旁边有个给开车门的礼仪先生，他就问我：“brian, tell me about how much I should pay the tip to him?/ brian，告诉我应该给多少小费？”

　　BRIAN: tell me about tipping in the US. How much do u tip a restaurant waiter(侍者) and waitress(女侍者)?

　　NIKKY: oh, if they r good, give them 20 percent of the fare(消费)

　　BRIAN: how much do u tip a taxi driver, for instance?

　　NIKKY: usually a taxi driver expect 10—15% (一般，出租车司机对小费的期望是10—15%)

　　BRIAN: is that a rule?

　　NIKKY: no, well, it’s up to u(取决于你个人), if u think their service is lousy(如果你觉得服务很差的话), it’s all right for u to give, say, just 10 percent or less or even nothing.

　　BRIAN: I understand, should I say thank u for the tip to tell me how to give tips in US?

　　【注】我们都知道tip一词除了有“小费”的含义以外，还可表示“诀窍、内幕”的意思，所以上句话的意思是“谢谢你告诉我在美国给小费的技巧”

　　NIKKY: yes, smart boy

　　BRIAN: but u havent answer my question, don’t eat what , what don’t u eat?

　　NIKKY: I will stay away from the cakes, pies, cookies like that. (我要远离蛋糕、馅饼和饼干之类的东西)

　　BRIAN: so u want to lose 20 pounds in one month and want to look pretty good?

　　NIKKY: yes, I want to look great.