It is often through good dinners that one makes friends. In Japan, there are{{U}} (36) {{/U}} "Dining Groups" or "Wine Groups", formed by people of different{{U}} (37) {{/U}}of life but of more or less{{U}} (38) {{/U}}standing; having as their common object, good living and the{{U}} (39) {{/U}} of friendship. They meet weekly or{{U}} (40) {{/U}}or on the birthday of one of the members, who play host in turn. As a rule, the dinner is held in one's own home, unless for some reasons this is{{U}} (41) {{/U}}, in which case it can be held in a{{U}} (42) {{/U}}restaurant. On each occasion, the host may include a couple of guests{{U}} (43) {{/U}}to the others, Thus one makes new friends and keeps old friendship in constant repair. Sometimes, similar feasts are held for the sake of art and literature.{{U}} (44) {{/U}}
As to the part that delicious food can play in smoothing negotiation, this must be a common experience of every man of affairs. {{U}}(45) {{/U}} "Will you lunch with me?" is a familiar phrase in the business world either in prefacing a successful deal or in celebrating one. {{U}}(46) {{/U}}