(Office ambience)

 

A: 陈豪，do you have any plans for the weekend?

 

C: 这个周末还真有活动。我们老板夫妇请我到他们家去玩儿，我没告诉你吗？说实话，I am a little nervous.

 

A：What are you nervous about?

 

C: 我怕自己会有失礼的地方。唉，你给我讲讲，在西方，去别人家作客有什么需要注意的吧。

 

A: Do you have gift for your hosts?

 

C：礼物，可我不知道买什么呀。

 

A：Here's what I do. I take a gift with me when I know my hosts' taste and hobbies.

 

C：那要是不知道他有什么爱好呢？

 

A：When I don't have a clue, I pay attention to what they like while I am there. Then I send a special gift after the visit.

 

C：我怕吃不惯他们家的饭，所以准备自己带饭去。

 

A: Unless you have food allergies or need to follow a special diet that would be rude. The rule is to "make do".

 

C：我倒是没有食物过敏。那要是不爱吃呢？

 

A: If there is something you don't like, don't let your hosts know. Have a little bit of everything to be polite but fill up on the things you like.

 

C: 你说得有道理，我可以每样儿都尝点，哪个合胃口就多吃点儿。你放心，不好吃我也不会告诉他们的。还有Amy, can I take my dog Freckles?

 

A：绝对不行. Unless they invite Freckles, ask your neighbors if they could look after him.

 

C：那我到他们家能看电视吗？

 

A：They may ask if you want to watch television and if you have any favorite shows. 不过，要是没人问你，那他们看什么，你就应该跟着看什么。

 

C：他们睡觉以后我能看吗？

 

A：I hate to disappoint you, but if your hosts go to bed, you should retire to your room.

 

C：我要是不困呢？

 

A：Take something to read. It's much more courteous to read quietly in your room than to stay up with the televising blaring.

 

******

 

C：Amy, 我还有什么地方需要注意吗？

 

A：Don't forget when the visit is over to send a handwritten thank you note?

 

C：一定要手写吗？我能不能写个e-mail，表示感谢呢？

 

A：绝对不行。E-mail is too impersonal.

 

C：可我没有像样的卡片和信封呀。

 

A：Then buy some and take it with you along with a pen and some stamps. You can write the note before you leave their house and mail it on your way back home.

 

C: 我还以为这个周末可以好好放松一下呢。看来我得随时注意，做个好客人，可别闹什么笑话。

 

A：没错。还有就是要enjoy yourself.