2士梅专栏联欢会随想

2RandomThoughts--PartyLastnight,pressuredbywell-intentionedfriends,forthefirsttimeinmonths,Icameoutofwriter’sseclusion1andattendedacocktailpartywhichisanotherwordforasocialgathering.SothereIwas,trappedinacrowdedroom,peoplemilling2allaroundme,eachwithadrinkinhand,chitchatting3whilethewaitersskillfullynegotiated4theirwaythroughthebustle5withtraysofcolorfulbeverages6andfancyhorsd’oeuvres7.Itwasdefinitelypartytime!Yet,insteadoflosingmyselftotheconvivial8surroundingsoffood,drinkandconversations,IfoundmyselfretreatingbackintomyheadallthewaytoChinawherethesubjectofAmericansocialityisofgreatinterest.InChina,manyofmystudentsarecuriousabouthowAmericanspartyandhaveagoodtime.“Whatdoyoudo?Singanddance?Towhatkindofmusic?”“What’sAmericanpartytalk?”“Howdoyoudressandactataparty?”“Howaboutfood?Whatdoyoueat?”Everyyear,