Why keep a candle when it is no candle dinner?

English as a Second Language What do you want to talk about?
1

Hi

I have seen in many movies and dramas that when people are taking dinner etc in some good hotel there is a lighted candle in the centre of the table, although it is no candle dinner because the room is bright. Is it some culture? Why do they keep a candle? Very curious to know!
Could you help me please?

Tom

2

Hi
I think that it is a knid of romantic dinner. :wink:

Baraa

3

Hi Tom

The candles are supposed to add to the special ambiance of the occasion. Candles add to the feeling of intimacy and/or elegance.

Is this unheard of in Pakistan?

Amy

4

Completely! :shock:

Thanks for the information, Amy. Only one more question:

1- Even one candle only at times?

Tom

5

No.

By the way, in Russian it (“dinner by candlelight”, I mean) is
called “dinner with candles”
(‘candles’ in plural, even in the case when you actually use (and burn :)) the only candle :))

6

Sorry for the pure off-topic, but I also (as that dinners by candlelight) like the English idiom
“to burn the candle at both ends” :slight_smile:

7

Hi Tamara,
In my country we use both of them the same way as in English.
Don’t you burn the candle at both ends in Russia? :slight_smile:
Spencer

8

Hi spencer

Even though sometimes I actually do it :), I don’t know a Russian idiom that would be the exact equivalent in meaning to the saying “to burn the candle at both ends”.
Maybe Pamela can give some ideas.

(The Russian saying that looks similar - “the stick with two ends” - actually has the meaning “double-edged weapon”, with one end to yourself :), or something like that. )

9

. . . burn the dinner at both ends ? ? ? :?

10

… and try to meet in the middle :slight_smile: