In the United States, friendships can be close, constant, intense, generous, and real, yet fade away in a short time if things change. Neither side feels hurt by this. Both may exchange Christmas greeting for a year or two, perhaps a few letters for a while—then no more. If the same two people meet again by chance, even years later, they pick up the friendship where it's left off and are delighted.
In the States, you can feel free to visit people's homes and share their holidays without fear that you are taking on a lasting obligation. Do not hesitate to accept hospitality because you cannot give it in return. No one will expect you to do so for they know you are far from home. Americans will enjoy welcoming you and be pleased if you accept their hospitality easily.
Once you arrive there, the welcome will be full and warm and real. Most visitors find themselves easily invited into many homes there. In some countries it is considered inhospitable to entertain at home, offering what is felt as "merely" home cooked food, not "doing something" for your guest. It is felt that restaurant entertaining shows more respect and welcome. Or for various other reasons, such as crowded space, language difficulties, or family custom, outsiders are not invited into homes.
In the United States, both methods are used, but it is often considered more friendly to invite a person to one's home than to go to a public place, except in pure business relationships. So, if your host or hostess brings you home, do not feel that you are being shown inferior treatment.
小题1:.
. In the United States, friendships might ________ if things become different.
A．disappear little by little
B．last forever
C．be heartbreaking
D．end suddenly小题2:.
All the following factors but ________ prevent people from inviting their friends home for
dinner according to the passage.
A．different languages
B．naughty children
C．different customs
D．small houses小题3:.
. We can infer that ________ in America according to this passage.
A．friendships are difficult to get but easy to lose
B．it is hard for a person to pick up the friendship when he comes across his long lost friend
C．you might be considered as a person hungry for social activities if you accept an invitation too easily
D．people care little about where they are invited to go for dinner小题4:.
. Why is giving a dinner party at home considered less hospitable in some countries?
A．Because eating at the restaurant is a sign of respect.
B．Because having dinner at home seems less friendly.
C．Because dishes prepared at home are less delicious.
D．Because a dinner at the restaurant is more expensive.
