Some British and American people like to invite friends for a meal at home. You should not be upset (不安的) if your English friends don't invite you home. It doesn't mean they don't like you.
Dinner parties usually start between 7 p. m. and 8 p.m. and end at about 11 p. m. Ask your hosts what time you should arrive. It's polite to bring flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine as a gift.
Usually the evening starts with drinks and snacks. If you want to be very polite, say how much you like the room, or the pictures on the wall. But remember-it's not polite to ask how much things cost.
In many families, the husband sits at one end of the table and the wife sits at the other end. They eat with their guests.
You'll probably start the meal with soup or something small, then you'll have meat or fish with vegetables, and then dessert followed by coffee. It's polite to finish everything on your plate and to take more if you want it.
Did you enjoy the evening? Call your hosts the next day, or write them a short "thank you" letter. British and American people like to say "thank you, thank you, thank you" all the time!
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keep hand surprise rule usual |
A: Hello, Steve! You must have had an experience living in France.
B: Yeah, Tom, but I was a little nervous.
A: Nervous about what?
B: Well, for one thing, I didn't know what I should do at the dinner table.
A: What do they have?
B: For example, you shouldn't put your bread on your plate.
A: Where should I put it?
B: You should put it on the table!
A: I have to say it's very .
B: I thought it was strange, but now I am used to it.
A: What else do you find surprising?
B: You shouldn't put your on your lap.
A: Oh? Where should people put their hands?
B: They should always their hands on the table.
One custom that shows people's history and values is the way they greet one another. There are different ways of1around the world. They change from the2handshake to other strange greetings found in some countries.
In the United States and Canada, a simple handshake is common. There is an interesting story about the handshake: 3started long ago as a way of showing people that you weren't carrying a weapon (武器) . It is usual to shake the person's right4while looking him or her in the eye.
Handshakes are also common in other parts of the5, including Britain and Russia. In Russia men hold other men's hands very strongly during the handshake. Handshakes are also how most people in New Zealand greet each other.6, the native Maori people of that country usually press their noses together as a symbol of respect.
In other countries, such as France and Belgium, hugging and kissing are more common when two people meet. In those cultures, people kiss each other on the7. The number of kisses8which country you are in. In Saudi Arabia (沙特阿拉伯) , men might kiss each other on the cheek 11 times. Men will also shake hands with other men there. In some9countries, including Korea and Japan, bowing is the traditional greeting.
In Japan, the deeper the bow is, the deeper the respect is shown. The10custom may be in Tibet, China. People there choose to stick out their tongues (吐舌头) to greet others.
