Americans have four primary avenues for making friends: at work, at school, through a hobby or a{{U}} (1) {{/U}}such as volunteer work and discussion group, or through a family or{{U}} (2) {{/U}}.
In American culture, a job is more than the work that one performs between the hours of 9 a.m. and{{U}} (3) {{/U}}. Work becomes a major socializing influence. Many young mothers who{{U}} (4) {{/U}}their jobs to care for small children remark on the loneliness of their new lifestyles because they have lost their forum for{{U}} (5) {{/U}}.
A great number of American employers recognize business social{{U}} (6) {{/U}}and use it to build a family atmosphere on the job so that employees will feel{{U}} (7) {{/U}}in their work environment. Some employers arrange company get-togethers in their home or at a{{U}} (8) {{/U}}. American companies have at least one{{U}} (9) {{/U}}annually, usually at Christmas time. Many corporations have{{U}} (10) {{/U}}where employees and administrators alike dress{{U}} (11) {{/U}}to play games such as baseball and volleyball.
Top American administrators often hold social gatherings{{U}} (12) {{/U}}. Depending upon the size of the employer's home and the number of{{U}} (13) {{/U}}. These social gatherings may be picnics, pool parties, or{{U}} (14) {{/U}}. If the company is large, an employer may hold what Americans call{{U}} (15) {{/U}}. For an open house, the employer will invite his employees to come to his home{{U}} (16) {{/U}}between 1 p.m. on a certain day. Those invited usually stay for{{U}} (17) {{/U}}, chatting with the other guests and their host. People come and go{{U}} (18) {{/U}}during the designated hours, and the host keeps refreshments, usually{{U}} (19) {{/U}}or hors d'oeuvres and beverages, available for all who come. For such social gatherings, it is considered{{U}} (20) {{/U}}the invitation unless you have an excellent reason.