Why is it that a meal out often comes with an unwanted side order of very loud noise?

為什麼在外用餐總是伴隨著像是大聲喧鬧這樣多餘的附餐呢？

I'm Next Act editor Claer Barrett.

我是 Next Act 的編輯 Claer Barrett

Joining me now is the FT's arts editor, Jan Dalley,

今天我們邀請到的是金融時報的藝術編輯 Jan Dalley

the FT's food and drink editor, Alexander Gilmour,

金融時報食物與飲品編輯 Alexander Gilmour

and our Money Mentor columnist, Lindsay Cook.

還有我們理財導師專欄作家 Lindsay Cook

Noisy restaurants.

嘈雜的餐廳

This is a particular bugbear for FT readers,

對金融時報的讀者來說更是特別讓人煩亂的事

not necessarily because of their age,

不必然是因為他們的年齡

but because they like to enjoy a decent conversation with their meal.

而是因為他們樂於在用餐時享受一場像樣的談話

This is becoming increasingly more difficult.

這逐漸變得加倍困難

It is.

是的

I think in the past maybe 20 years ago, 30 years ago,

我想以往，大概二十年前、三十年前

the white table cloth was still popular.

白色桌巾依然很流行

White tablecloths have disadvantages

白色桌巾有其缺點

insofar as they shame diners for their bad table manners.

它們會暴露出用餐者不良的餐桌禮儀

They are stuffy and pompous.

它們古板又自命不凡

But they also are good for acoustics.

但它們對音響效果很有幫助

They absorb noise.

它們可以吸收噪音

Indeed.

的確

Likewise, cushions and curtains.

同樣地，靠墊跟窗簾

Carpet.

地毯

And carpets, and tapestries.

還有地毯，跟掛毯

And these have been axed by the new aesthetic,

它們的數量都因新美學的概念而削減

which is intended to be more democratic and more accessible

由於新美學在預期上較大眾且較易入門

and aimed, perhaps, at a younger diner.

而且目標為年輕客群

But it means that the acoustics tend to be terrible

但這表示音響效果往往很糟糕

and can make dining an unpleasant experience.

而且會讓整個用餐經驗變得很不愉快

So Jan and Lindsay,

所以，Jan 跟 Lindsay

are we being old curmudgeons here in saying that the modern restaurant is too noisy?

我們是不是一群老古板，聚在一起抱怨現代的餐廳太過嘈雜呢？

Do you think we're being whingeing old gits?

你覺得我們是絮絮叨叨的老渾蛋嗎？

Possibly, but I find that when we go out,

有可能，但我發現當我們外出

we choose the restaurant not only for the food now,

在選擇餐廳的時候不單單看食物

but also for whether you can hear yourself speak.

也會注意你是否可聽到自己說話

I mean, if you're going to take your aged aunt out to dinner,

我的意思是，如果你帶你年長的阿姨出去吃飯

obviously you're going to need somewhere quieter,

很顯然地，你需要找個比較安靜的地方

so you actually choose it accordingly.

所以你真的會照這樣去選擇

Interviewing is a nightmare.

採訪是一場噩夢

Doing lunch with the FT interviews,

做金融時報採訪時踫上用餐

you have to really, really think about where you can go.

你真的真的必須想想你可以去哪裡

And the interviewee is supposed to choose the lunch,

受訪者往往會選擇午餐

and sometimes they choose something

有時候他們選的是一些

that's right beside the kitchen, beside a squeaky door.

在廚房、在吱吱作響的門旁邊的地方

You come back and what you have on your

採訪回去後，你會發現

tape is absolutely impossible.

你的錄音帶上有著不可能發生的東西

You have nothing there.

你什麼都沒錄到

I'm not saying we didn't commission

我不是在說我們沒有受命

this piece with that particular problem in mind.

將這個特定的問題放在心上

And it's a slightly esoteric problem,

這是稍微深奧了點的問題

but I was just backing up Al's point

但我剛剛正好證實了 Al 的觀點

about the incredible noise levels.

說明難以置信的音響程度

And Lindsay, when it comes to your choice of restaurants,

而且 Lindsay，當談到你對於餐廳的選擇

is noise a big factor, or is the food more important?

音響是你考量的主要因素，還是食物比較重要？

I wouldn't say it's a big factor,

我不會說音響是主要的因素

but I really hate quiet restaurants.

但我真的討厭安靜的餐廳

I choose the time I go to a restaurant

我會選擇我去餐廳的時間

so that we're not the first ones in,

所以我們不會是第一組客人

because you then either hear the whole conversation of two tables away.

因為你要嘛就是聽到兩桌外客人的完整對話

Sometimes they're interesting, and then other guests come in

有時候會很有趣，但接著其他客人陸續進來

and you don't hear the end of it.

你就不會聽到故事最後的結局了

Or you don't want to - if there's a bit of a hubbub,

或著你會不想——如果那裡有點騷動

you can have your conversations.

你可以繼續你的對話

It's getting it to the right level.

讓它在正確的程度上

Thanks for joining us today.

謝謝大家今天的參與

If you'd like to read more about any of the topics we've discussed,

如果你想讀更多任何一個我們討論過的主題

go to our online content hub,

請到我們的內容管理中心

FT.com/nextact.

FT.com / nextact

All the articles are there, and they're free to read.

你可以找到所有文章，都是免費的

We'll be back in the new year.

我們明年見