New Country ?

New Friends !

But how do you meet them ?

 

Making friends is an exciting part of moving to a new place, but sometimes it is hard to know just how formal to be with new people. Americans are usually very casual. They are also very friendly. This is a good thing, but it can be trick.

Everyone knows that good old basic English phrase, “ Hello. It is nice to meet you.” Oh , yeah, we bet you were ready for that, Well … you maybe be ready, but then you may be surprised to learn that you won't hear that phrase very often. “Hello. It is nice to meet you” is okay for first-time introductions, but when friends meet socially, the conversation will probably sound more like this :

 

Dialogue 1 : 

 

SIMONI: - Hey , Lia ! It is good to see you.

 

LIA: - You too. I have not seen you in a few days. How is it going ?

 

SIMONI: - Not bad. I am so busy with the classes I am taking. How about you ?

 

LIA: I am okay. I know you are busy with classes. My job is really hectic this time of year, too. What is new with you ?

 

SIMONI: Nothing much. I am on my way to the mall. I need some time off ! Do you remember Camille ? She is there. Ha! She is always at the mall! I think a lot of our friends plan to just hang out at the mall tonight.

 

LIA: Who ? Oh yeah ! I remember Camille. She is the one with the scary-looking dog. I do not want to hang out with that dog.

 

SIMONI: Ha! You are not afraid of that little tiny dog, are you ? Well, I am sure Spike is not at the mall.

 

LIA: Actually, I am headed to the mall later, anyway. There is a huge sale going on. I think they are open extra late.

 

SIMONI: Great! Maybe I will see you there.

 

LIA: Sounds Good. We are both good shoppers ! If i get there before you leave , maybe I will see you. After all, we are not leaving until we see all the sales. And I am not leaving until I have some cute new shoes!

 

Vocabulary:

 

Casual: simple, not formal

Hang out: ( also hang around) - just spend time with friends with no special activity

Headed: going

Hectic: very busy

Hey: hi ; also a word to get someone's attention

Huge: very , very , very big

Mall: a large shopping center with stores and restaurants

Sale: a short time of lower prices in a store

Time off: relaxation time for yourself , away from your work

Tricky:  seems simple, but is a little complicated