1.Inviting a Friend to a New Year’s Party 邀請朋友參加新年派對
Emma suddenly goes into a store, and James follows her.
J=James E=Emma B=Both
J: Got a sudden urge to buy glutinous rice cakes?
E: Sort of. I just remembered that I need to get some things for my New Year’s party, including these.
J: Might want to pick up a time machine. New Year’s Eve was on December 31!
E: Not funny. I’m talking about Chinese New Year, clearly! The party is on January 28. You’re invited, by the way. My mom wants to serve you some dumplings; she says you’re too skinny.
J: I love dumplings! Count me in!
E: Great! Rick and Lisa already told me they’re coming.
J: Rick’s coming? You know what that means.
B: Cards and mah-jongg!
2. Comparing New Year’s Customs 比較新年習俗
Emma and James continue shopping in the store.
J: It’s so different from the New Year’s I’m used to. Everything is so . . . red.
E: Red is the color of luck, joy, and happiness in Chinese culture.
J: Yeah, but I wouldn’t associate red with the New Year. Where I’m from, we dress up in tuxedos, drink champagne, and sing Auld Lang Syne.
E: What’s that?
(James hums the melody to Auld Lang Syne.)
E: You sing that at New Year’s? We play that at our graduation ceremony . . . and at funerals.
J: Really? Wow.
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