阅读理解
"In
my country, men usually go to restaurants on their own. They always take their
shoes off before they go in. Then they usually sit on the floor around a small,
low table. In the evening they often sing songs."
"You
usually take chocolates or flowers. But you always take an odd number of
flowers, and you remove the paper before you give them to the hostess. You can
also send flowers before you arrive. You don't usually take wine except when
you visit very close friends."
"We
always offer our guests something to drink when they arrive, tea, coffee or
perhaps water or soft drinks. We think it is polite to accept a drink even if
you're not thirsty. If you visit someone you always stay for a few drinks. When
you have had enough to drink, you tap your cup or put your hand over it. If you
say no, your host will insist that you have more to drink."
"People's
private lives are very important so they never ask you personal questions about
your family or where you live or your job. They never talk about religion or
matters of finance, education or politics, but usually stay with safe subjects
like the weather, films, plays, books and restaurants."
"It's
difficult to know when to leave, but an evening meal usually lasts about three
or four hours. When the host serves coffee, this is sometimes a sign that the
evening is nearly over, but you can have as much coffee as you want."
"If
the invitation says eight o'clock then we arrive exactly at eight. With friends
we know well, we sometimes arrive about fifteen minutes before."
"Obviously
it depends on the occasion, but most dinner parties are informal. The men don't
usually wear a suit, but they may wear a jacket and tie. Women are usually
smart but casual."
