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Houseguests
Houseguests

Learn English with this houseguests English lesson

Date: Oct 16 2018

Themes: Family, Friend, Travel

Intro

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Having houseguests can be a mixed blessing. It takes work to get one’s house immaculate and to create a welcoming atmosphere. But it’s so great to actually see friends and extended family who live far away. Then again, what do you do if they overstay their welcome?

Marni and Lily have opposite opinions about houseguests. Can you guess who has an open door policy? Read on in today’s English lesson about visitors.

Vocab

open door policy expr.

Definition

Example Our professor has an open door policy. If the assignment is confusing, we can stop by her office for help.

mixed blessing n.

Definition

Example Being in school with my brother is a mixed blessing. We can look out for each other, but sometimes I just want my own space!

immaculate adj.

Definition

Example You'd think a used car would have a little damage, but this one is immaculate!

atmosphere n.

Definition

Example I don't like the atmosphere at Mike's apartment. It's dirty and his roommate is mean.

extended family n.

Definition

Example Several members of my extended family are flying in to celebrate the holidays with me.

Example Usually I have dinner with my parents and siblings, but tonight we are eating with our extended family.

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Quiz

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Discussion

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Do you enjoy hosting guests, or would you rather they stayed in a hotel? What’s the best thing about houseguests?

Comments

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Uvercinka_

Uvercinka_

Turkey

Houseguests are considered to be gifts for us in my culture, and yes, I like putting them up providing that they are not ill-hearted. I believe that angels accompany us till they leave my house, because there is peace where there is unity.

07:17 AM Oct 18 2018 |

Minathai

Viet Nam

I remember when I was a little girl, I loved to have relatives and friends in my house. I enjoyed staying up late to talk with them , but at that time I never thought that my mom and Dad were very tired because they had to take care everything .

07:17 AM Oct 16 2018 |

1 person likes this

liguohui88

liguohui88

China

What shall I do? I don’t have a house neither home. I live in the dormitory of company. Every time when my friends or family come to visit they stay in the hotel. I pay for it.

06:03 AM Oct 16 2018 |

1 person likes this

MaraCarreto

Mexico

.


11:43 PM Oct 15 2018 |

La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

I’m the kind of the person who makes sure everything is immaculate and rolls out the red carpet when they hear of guests coming. I dread surprising visits because of that.

09:20 PM Oct 15 2018 |

1 person likes this

fcf515

fcf515

Taiwan

I understand why Marni dislikes having her extended family visit her house because it is a real hassel to clean the house and prepare for their visit. However, it doesn’t bother me a lot if my extended family visit me and stay at my house for only a night though.

11:19 AM Oct 27 2014 |

vik32

vik32

India

it depends and yeah you like it if they come for a short visit and never overstay their welcome. otherwise you get annoyed and pissed off with all special things you are supposed to do and behave while they stay at your home.


06:24 AM Oct 25 2014 |

1 person likes this

albasel1975

Germany

I like to tailor the decor based on what my guest(s) like. My late aunt was my role model. She would welcome us with “oh, I know you like (movies, snacks) so I bought some for us to enjoy this weekend”.

05:45 PM Oct 22 2014 |

sara1234b

sara1234b

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Hi there !


I think it’s an opportunity to make people feel welcome and ensure that their time spent with you is memorable.

02:39 PM Oct 22 2014 |

buttafly

buttafly

Germany

When my houseguests move on, they’ll be missed for a while. I think that’s the best thing about hospitality ;)

05:46 AM Oct 22 2014 |

whipiry

whipiry

South Korea

getting  someone to my house is not easy …I have something to do before they arrive home.


i should make my house immaculate and tidy and i should find something wrong in my place. if they overstay my welcome …oh my gosh…i don’t like it.


i dont’ dreat it like that. visiting can have mixed blessings…one is bonding with them , the other is bothring to prepare and clean . however atmosphere at meeting is so good , i can feel happy and great . i want to rolll out the red carpet ,,but i am not the one who like to do that..


05:05 AM Oct 22 2014 |

2 people like this

ola33

ola33

Japan

I love guests coming over to my place. You cook, you clean the house, you make everyone special and compfortable, you dirnk wine, you chat, you have wonderful gathering. But, if I happen to be in a new city, I prefer to stay in a hotel. I love hotels, it gives you more privacy, freedom, plus the right location, so you don’t have to commute to get to the centre of downtown, you just live there, getting that urban vibe.

01:56 AM Oct 22 2014 |

Michele1

Michele1

Italy

Provided that our home is often the mirror of ourselves,the place where all the things speak of us, of our order or disorder, of our creativity,of our intelligence…The home says all about our being…secret moments. The way we place the furnitures,the paintings, the object reveals our character,personality.That means when we have houseguests is like a small  invasion of our “field”.



Like everything in our life ,the hosting houseguests should be made with wisdom, to choose the middle way between the Narni and Lily behaviours.; sometimes will be okey to have open door policy  and other times will be good to live with our close family only. It depends,of course, on the degree of kinship or on the kind of our friendship we have with them.

07:53 PM Oct 21 2014 |

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