Some British and American people like to invite friends and colleagues for a meal at home. You should not be upset if your English friends don't invite you home. It doesn't mean they don't like you.
Dinner parties usually start between 7 and 8 p. m. , and end at about 11. Ask your hosts what time you should arrive. It's polite to bring flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine as a present.
Do you want to be extra polite? Say how much you like the room, or the pictures on the wall. But remember not to ask how much things cost.
You'll probably start the meal with soup, or something small as a “starter” (第一道菜), then you'll have meat or fish with vegetables, and then a dessert (甜食), followed by coffee. It's polite to finish everything on your plate and to take more if you want it. Some people eat bread with their meal, but not everyone does.
Before they take out their cigarettes after the meal, most people usually ask, “Do you mind if I smoke here?”
Did you enjoy the evening? Call your hosts the next day, or write them a short “thank you” letter. Perhaps it seems funny to you, but British and American people always say, “thank you, thank you, and thank you.”
