Some British and American people like to invite friends for a meal at home. You should not be upset 1 your English friends don't invite you home. 2doesn't mean they don't like you! Dinner parties usually start 3 7 p. m. and8 p.m., and end at about 11 p.m. Ask your host what time you should arrive. It's polite to bring flowers, chocolate or a bottle of wine 4a gift.

    Usually the evening starts with drinks and snacks. Do you want to be extra polite? Say how much you like the room, or the 5on the wall. But remember—it's not polite to ask how much things 6.

    In many families, the husband sits at one end of the table and the wife sits at the 7 side. They eat with their guests.

    You'll probably start the meal with soup or something small, then you'll 8 .meat or fish with vegetables, and then dessert is followed by coffee. It's polite to finish 9on your plate and take more if you want it.

    Did you enjoy the evening? Call your hosts the next day, 10write them a short "thank you" letter. British and American people like to say "thank you" all the time!

    First Frenchman： I once heard someone shout, "Look out." I put my head out of a window and a bucket (桶) of water fell on me. It seems that "Look out" may mean "Don't look out".

    Second Frenchman： I was once on a ship and heard the captain shout, "All hands on deck(甲板)." I put my hands on the deck and someone walked on them.

    Third Frenchman： I once went early in the morning to the doctor's and his nurse came to the door and said, "He's not up yet. Come back in half an hour." When I went a second time for him, She said, "He's not down yet." I had to go away again. Later I thought the doctor should be in the house in the evening, so I went there once more. "Oh, how sorry I am! He's not in! I'd better tell him to wait for you if you could come tomorrow," said the nurse. "Well! He's not up, he is not down, and he is not in. Please tell me where he stays!" I said angrily.