Some British and American people like to invite friends for a meal at home. You should not beupset if your English friend don't invite you home. It doesn't mean they don't like you.
Dinner parties usually start between 7 and 8 p.m. and end at about 11 p.m. Ask your hosts what time you should arrive. It's polite(礼貌的)to bring flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine as a gift. Usually the evening starts with drinks and snacks(零食). If you want to be polite, say how much you like the room, or the pictures on the wall. But remember it's not polite to ask how much things cost.
In many families, husband sits at one end of the table and wife sits at the other end. They eat with their guests.
You'll probably start the meal with soup or something small, then you'll have meat or fish with vegetables and then dessert(甜食), followed by coffee. It's polite to finish everything on your plate and to take more if you want it.
Before they take out their cigarettes(香烟) after the meal, most people usually ask, "Do you mind if I smoke here?"
Did you enjoy the evening? Call your hosts the next day, or write them a short "thank you" letter. British and American people like to say "thank you", "thank you", and "thank you" all the time!
