2.16. A tea-party

English people like to invite their friends to have tea with them.

On a certain day, perhaps once a month, the house is made very clean and fresh flowers are put in the rooms. Children are told not to leave their things about, and they are sent to their own room.

The guests arrive and soon the sitting-room is full of people, all talking. They talk about their homes, their families, their friends, clothes, the cost of things in the shops; they tell each other about their holiday plans, the plays, films and TV programs they have seen, and sometimes about the things that other people have said and done. The conversation never stops.

Then tea is brought in. In England making tea is a very serious matter. This is how it is done. Fresh water is poured into the kettle and when it is hot, a little is put in the tea-pot to warm it. The tea-pot is then dried and the tea put in – one spoonful for each person and one 'for the pot'. When the water is quite boiling, it is poured on to the tea and then the tea-pot must stand in в warm place for four or five minutes before it is ready.

Tea must be poured as carefully as it is made. Some people like to have milk in the cup first and then tea, others like to put tea in first and then add milk, while others say they cannot see much difference. Some people do not take milk in their tea at all. When you are pouring tea, you should ask each person what he or she prefers. Mine people don't like sugar in their tea, others like one, two or three lumps.

2.17. Care of health

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away," says an English proverb. Apples are good things, of course, but if you don't take care of your health, doctors will have to do it for you. To study well you should be in good health, and the health of school students is very important in our country. The school-doctor is a usual figure about the place, and she always has a nurse to help her. The doctor has her consulting-room in the school building, and every pupil has a medical inspection twice a year, at the beginning and at the end. There are other examinations from time to time during the year. The doctor or nurse often organizes circles in hygiene and first aid after school, and usually has a group of pupils who act as propagandists for good health habits. They often publish a wall newspaper, too.

The doctor and nurse inspect the school premises for cleanliness, and may go into the school kitchen to see that the food is prepared under hygienic conditions.

They also attend teachers' meetings from time to time and give talks to the parents on various health topics.

Did you know all that? And here is an Arabian proverb about health: "He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything."

2.18. Christmas day

Every country has its own customs and traditions. English people are proud of their traditions and they keep them up.

It is difficult to speak about England without speaking about its holidays. Christmas Day is among them.

All English people celebrate Christmas (or X-mas) on the 25th of December.

Christmas! What kind of holiday is it? It is the yearly celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It falls on December 25 by the Catholic Church and on the 7th of January by the Orthodox Church. This holiday means the beginning of the New Year and the new life. English people cele­brate this holiday with the evergreen tree — Christmas tree. Children rut along sock, called a Christmas stocking at the end of their beds and Santa Claus conies down the chimney to bring them presents.

Christmas Day is the greatest holiday in England. It is interesting to visit the shops before this holiday. There are a lot of nice Christmas cards and presents there. English people like this holiday very much and prepare for it beforehand. They buy presents for each other; try to send Christmas cards for their relatives and friends.

It is interesting to visit London during this holiday. There is a Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. We can see many lights, toys and sweets all over this tree. Everywhere you can see slogans "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year".

The traditional English dinner on Christmas is turkey and pudding.