In the United States, friendships can be close, constant, intense, generous, and real, yet fade away in a short time if circumstances change. Neither side feels hurt by this. Both may change Christmas greetings 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 left off and are delighted.
In the States, you can feel free to visit people’s homes, share their holidays, enjoy their children and their lives 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 readily 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 customs, outsiders are not invited into homes.
In the United State s, both methods are used, but it is often considered more friendly to invite a person to one’s home than to a public place, except in purely business relationships. So, if your host or hostess brings you home, do not feel that you are being shown inferior treatment. Don’t feel neglected if you do not find flowers waving to you in your hotel room either. Flowers are very expensive there, and hotel delivery is uncertain that the arrival times are delayed, changed, or canceled—so flowers are not customarily sent as a welcoming touch. Please do not feel unwanted! Outward signs vary in different lands; the inward welcome is what matters, and this will be real.
51. In the United States, you will find friendships ____ if circumstances change.
A. die suddenly B. pass away C. disappear gradually D. last forever
52. Americans ____ their foreign friends to make a return for their hospitality.
A. ask B. wish C. never allow D. don’t expect
53. In some other countries, giving a dinner party at home is considered ____ than in a restaurant.
A. less friendly B. less hospitable C. more natural D. more popular
54. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?
A. Flowers are available at all time. B. Flowers are expensive.
C. Flowers are signs of outward welcome. D. Flowers are not necessarily sent to guests.
55. Which of the following is the best title for this passage?
A. American Hospitality B. American Friendship C. American Invitation D. American Welcome