When the guests sit down at a dinner table, it is customary for the men to help the ladies by pushing their chairs under them. Some Americans no longer do this, so the visitor must notice 1 do and do 2 . Until the meal is 3 , if the dinner is in a private home, a guest may avoid embarrassment by leaving the talking 4 someone else. Some families have a habit of offering a prayer of thanks before they eat. 5 . If a prayer is offered, everyone 6 quietly with bowed head until the prayer is over. If the family does not 7 the custom, there is no pause in the conversation.
8 dinner, guests usually stay for two or three hours, 9 the thoughtful person is careful not to overstay his or her welcome. The host and hostess may 10 a guest to stay longer in order to be polite, but most dinner parties break up at about 11 o.clock.
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