INVITATIONS
This is the translation/adaptation which Bartosz made of the
German module "Einladungen" (June 2006)
1. Introduction
Invitations often lead to various problems and embarrassing situations. For example invited people may be dressed too formally or too casually. The problems become even more serious when you are expected to produce, accept, or refuse an invitation in a foreign language, especially when you are not particularly familiar with the culture. What might go wrong when inviting people, especially people from different cultures or of different backgrounds? Compare your ideas with other students.
2. Reading
Birthday
Part One
Tom is a 21 year old exchange student. At the university he meets Katrin and falls in love with her. After a few weeks Katrin suggests that Tom should meet her parents. She asks him to come to a dinner to celebrate her mother’s fiftieth birthday.
Tom is very much looking forward to the dinner. As he does not want to be late, he decides to go to Katrin’s parents’ house straight from the university without even changing his clothes. He arrives an hour earlier. He agreed withh Katrin to meet in front of the house so that Katrin would be able to introduce him to her parents. However it is too early and Katrin is still not there. Nevertheless, Tom decides to ring the doorbell and introduce before Katrin arrives.
He is surprised to find out that Katrin’s father, who has opened the door, seems to be displeased, if not irritated. Tom introduces himself: “Hello, I’m Tom, Katrin’s friend” and Katrin’s father invites him in. Katrin’s mother, who comes downstairs with her hair still dripping wet after a shower, appears to be surprised, too. Tom offers his help with the preparations for the dinner but Katrin’s parents refuse quite decisively. They ask him instead to wait in the living room. Suddenly he realizes that he has forgotten the flowers for Katrin’s mother.
3. Assignment
Find passages in the text describing the things which went wrong. What should have Tom done or said in order to avoid complications?
Do you find anything unacceptable or something that could be improved on in the behaviour of Katrin or her parents? How would the hosts react in a similar situation in your country? Discuss the similarities and differences.
Part Two
Later on Tom is introduced to Katrin’s grandparents and they invite him for coffee the following Saturday. As he cannot make it on Saturday, Katrin’s grandmother suggests Sunday instead. Tom accepts the invitation.
4. Assignment
Write out a conversation between Tom and Katrin’s grandparents. Would you use any expressions from the list below?
a) Oh no, I can’t.b) I am really sorry but I won’t be able to make it on Saturday. Anyway, thank you very much for inviting me.
c) Oh no, I can’t on Saturday. I’m sorry. Maybe another time.
d) I already have different arrangements for Saturday. / a) Sure. I’ll be there!
b) Yeah. Why not?
c) If it were possible for you to postpone it, I would be more than glad to come.
d) This would be very convenient for me. Thank you so much for the invitation.
a) Do come round for a cup of coffee.
b) Would you like perhaps to come round for a cup of coffee on Saturday?
c) We would be delighted if you could come round for a cup of coffee on Saturday.
d) Are you doing anything on Saturday? / a) What about Sunday?
b) Why don’t you come round on Sunday then?
c) Would it be possible then for you to find time on Sunday?
d) Would you then perhaps find time on Sunday?
Conversation: ______
5. Assignment
Arange the expressions from Task 4 according to the degree of formality.
6. Assignment
Tom is thinkg about a present for Katrin’s grandparents. What would you suggest? What kind of presents do you think are suitable for various occasions?
Part Three
At the birthday dinner Tom also meets Katrin’s brother, Sebastian. They seem to be getting on very well and they are planning to go to the cinema on a weekend.
7. Assignment
Act out a conversation between Tom and Sebastian. What expressions do you think they would use to arrange the meeting?
Tip: You can find some useful expressions in Task Four.
Part Four
Tom has been enjoying himself at the birthday dinner party but now he has to be leaving soon. He is considering the most appropriate form of taking his leave and so he decides to ask Katrin and Sebastian for some suggestions.
8. Assignment
What different ways of taking one’s leave do you know? Which of them would you recommend to Tom? What expression can people use to take their leave depending on situation? Have a discussion with other students, then consider the expressions below. Which of them do you find acceptable or not, depending on the situation? Would you correct them or modify? How?
______
· I think I must be going. Bye!· I really enjoyed myself. Until the next time!
· Well, it’s getting a bit late. It is high time I already were leaving.
· Thank you for having me. See you again soon.
· I’m getting a bit tired. I’ll have to be going.
· It was a really enjoyable evening. Goodbye.
Part Five
Tom thinks it might be a good idea to invite Katrin’s parents to his place. However he is not sure how to formulate the invitation and what the expectations of Katrin’s parents would be.
9. Assignment
Match the invitations in the left-hand column with the implied messages in the right-hand column. Which of these expressions would you recommend to Tom? Which of them are not suitable?
Invitations / Implied messageIt would be a pleasure for me to invite you to a restaurant on Saturday. / Everyone will pay for himself.
Do come round to my place tonight. We can cook something to eat together. / The guest come round to Tom’s place and he will cook for everyone.
Shall we meet in a restaurant tonight? / Tom will pay for everyone.
I would be delighted to invite you to my place tonight. / The guests come round to Tom’s place and they will be all cooking together.
10. Useful expressions: Inviting
When someone invites you, you are expected to react appropriately. A proper response will prevent potential misunderstanding. In many situations you will be expected to react quickly by either accepting or refusing the invitation or explaining that you will need some time to consider it. If you have to refuse invitation or you need some time to think it over, you usually begin by saying that you are sorry, but...
Accepting invitations:
·
·
·
Refusing invitations:
·
·
·
Hesitating:
·
·
·
Regretting:
·
·
·
· I’m afraid right now I ‘m not able to tell for sure whether I will be able to come.
· I’m terribly sorry but on Saturday we are having some friends in.
· I’d be glad to! Thank you so much!
· Currently I’m under a lot of stress and actually I do not have too much time.
· Sure! I’ll definitely drop by.
· Unfortunately I already have different arrangements for Saturday.
· I’m looking forward to meeting you. I would really like you to come.
· Sounds nice. I’ll definitely come round.
· Thank you so much for inviting me. I’d be more than happy to come round.
· I’m awfully sorry but I won’t be able to make it. Anyway, thank you very much for inviting me.
· That’s a pity. The party is certainly going to be a nice one.
· On Saturday? I might not be able to. Anyway I’ll tell you whether I’m coming as soon as I know.
· I’m really sorry but I can’t. Maybe another time.
11. Role play
In pairs act out one or several of the following situations:
1. A: You have just moved in to a new place. Invite a neighbour for a cup of tea. / 1. B: You have a new neighbour. You have been invited by him/her for a cup of tea. You are not too keen on socializing however and therefore you decide to refuse politely.2. A: You are giving a party at the weekend. Invite some of your fellow students. / 2. B: You are a student. You have been invited by a fellow student to a weekend party. React appropriately.
3. A: As a student you have a summer job. Your boss has invited you to a weekend party. Thank him politely either accepting or refusing the invitation. / 3. B: You are the managing director of a company. You decide to organize a garden party event for your employees. Invite one of the students working temporarily in your company.
4. A: You are walking past your neighbours’ garden. They are having a garden party. Your neighbour asks you to join. Accept the invitation. / 4. B: You are having a garden party. Suddenly you notice one of your neighbours walking past. You decide to invite him/her.
5. A: You are walking past your neighbours’ garden. They are having a garden party. Your neighbour asks you to join. Refuse politely. / 5. B: You are having a garden party. Suddenly you notice one of your neighbours walking past. You decide to invite him/her.
6. A: Unexpectedly you meet an old friend in the city centre. S/he invites you for a coffee. Unfortunately you don’t have time. / 6. B: Unexpectedly you meet an old friend in the city centre. You invite her/him for a coffee. S/he refuses as s/he does not have time. You are rather disappointed.
7. A: You are having a birthday party at the weekend. A friend of yours is calling you the day before and tells you that s/he will not be able to come to the party. Try to persuade him/her to change his/her mind. / 7. B: Your friend has invited you to his/her birthday party. You are calling him/her the day before the party to tell him/her you won’t be able to turn up.
8. A: A friend of yours invites you to cook dinner together at the weekend. You are not sure whether you will be able to come. / 8. B: Invite a friend to cook and eat dinner together at the weekend at your place.
9. A: A friend of yours invites you to cook dinner together at the weekend. You gladly accept the invitation. / 9. B: Invite a friend to cook and eat dinner together at the weekend at your place.
10. A: You bump into an old acquaintance you like very much. You’d like to arrange a meeting with him/her some time. / 10. B: You bump into an old acquaintance you don’t like very much. S/he would like to arrange a meeting with you but you are not very keen on this idea. Refuse politely.
12. Interview
Obviously, it is impossible for everyone to be of exactly the same opinion as to what the proper way of conduct is in a given situation. To avoid unpleasant misunderstandings the best procedure is simply to ask other people what they would consider acceptable behaviour in a given context. Do not hesitate to interview people of different nationalities or backgrounds. Below you will find examples of questions which could be used in such interviews. Can you add to the list?
1. Some friends of yours have invited you over for a meal. What would you bring with you?
a) some flowers
b) a present you have made yourself
c) nothing
d) something else (what?)
2. Is there anything which definitely could not be given in your country or culture as a present?
a) an even number of flowers
b) yellow flowers
c) liquor
d) something else (what?)
3. You have been invited to meet your girlfriend’s parents at 8 pm. At what time would you arrive?
a) exactly at 8 pm
b) slightly after 8 pm
c) slightly before 8 pm
d) other (specify when)
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