unit2

Unit 2

Listen1-1

If you're invited to an American friend's home for dinner, keep in mind these general rules for polite behavior. First of all, arrive approximately on time (but not early). Americans expect promptness. Being a few minutes late might give the host more time to get dressed or finish preparing the dinner, so it's OK to be 10 or 15 minutes late but not 45 minutes late. Dinner might be overcooked and ruined by then. When you're invited to someone's home for a meal, it's polite to bring a small gift. Flowers or candies are always appropriate. If you have an attractive item made in your native country, your host would certainly enjoy receiving that as a gift.

If you are served some food that you don't like or can't eat, don't make a fuss about it. If your host doesn't say anything about what you aren't eating, then you shouldn't, either. Simply eat what you can and hope that no one notices what you left. If you are questioned, you may have to admit that you don't eat meat (or whatever), but you can also say that you've enjoyed the other foods and have had "more than enough" to eat. Don't make the host feel obliged to prepare something else for you. Be sure to compliment the host on the food that you enjoyed.

Don't leave immediately after dinner, but don't overstay your welcome, either. When your friend seems to be getting tired and running out of conversation, take their behavior as a cue to leave. The next day, call or write a thank-you note to say how much you enjoyed the evening.

Listen1-2

If you're invited to an American friend's home for dinner, keep in mind these general rules for polite behavior. First of all, arrive approximately on time (but not early). Americans expect promptness. Being a few minutes late might give the host more time to get dressed or finish preparing the dinner, so it's OK to be 10 or 15 minutes late but not 45 minutes late. Dinner might be overcooked and ruined by then. When you're invited to someone's home for a meal, it's polite to bring a small gift. Flowers or candies are always appropriate. If you have an attractive item made in your native country, your host would certainly enjoy receiving that as a gift.

If you are served some food that you don't like or can't eat, don't make a fuss about it. If your host doesn't say anything about what you aren't eating, then you shouldn't, either. Simply eat what you can and hope that no one notices what you left. If you are