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streetlevel
04
Dec. 2000, Xene #19
How do you throw a party in your
home?
China
Chinese often have parties with close friends,
especially on weekend afternoons. Four or five
people get together, and kids also join in.
Baby-sitters are not common in China. Close
friends take turns holding parties and cooking
together. Family matters are a major topic for
conversation. We also often talk about politics
because Chinese are sensitive to political changes.
In a formal setting, the elderly are seated
first at the center of table and the host and
hostess sit by the door.
USA
Americans love to party. We like the style of
coming and going: You can come and leave a party
whenever you want. Unlike Japan, you don't have
to be punctual; the host or hostess expects
you to show up a bit later than the announced
time. A party normally starts at about 8 p.m.
and sometimes goes to the following morning.
Parents arrange for a babysitter for evening
parties. We talk about a lot of things, but
they vary depending on who's there. For example,
at a book party the main topic is reviewing
books. There are tons of different kinds of
parties.
Japan
We often throw parties at home. I usually get
together with my friends from school or co-workers.
In this season nabe (hotpot) is nice. It's easy
to prepare, be with friends and talk a lot around
the table. I always think about who I should
invite. I prepare food and the guests bring
something to drink. Parties start about from
6 or 7 p.m. and go until midnight. We talk about
work. I don't talk about my boyfriend unless
it's with my close friends.
Britain
We usually invite about 20 people, but you'll
eventually have 50 people because everyone brings
someone. There is always a gate-crasher, too.
You have to keep your fragile goods and furniture
in a locked room. The host provides the house
and music. The guests bring cheep beer, takeout
Indian food, or pizza. A party will start after
the pubs close at 11 and end when everybody
gets drunk and falls down. All we talk about
is how we can send the neighbors back home if
they come to our place to tell us to be quiet
because the music is too loud!
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