"當婚禮賓客的高額代價"

婚禮是個兩人之間特別的愛的歡欣場合。能受邀固然很棒，但出席的花費可能會很驚人。根據美國運通最近的調查，婚宴賓客今年預計平均每個婚禮要花539美元，比2012年高出200美元。跟2012年的377美金相比，伴娘則預估得花577美元。如此大幅上漲可歸因於飯店和油錢支出上漲，以及對結婚禮物有更大筆的預算。美國運通消費者借貸部門的高階副總，大衛拉布金解釋現在經濟情勢變好了，而且「對經濟越來越樂觀」，美國人「花錢比較不那麼猶豫了」。

對話範例：

(婚禮賓客) 莎曼珊和辛西亞是朋友。她們剛收到朋友珍妮的喜帖。讓我們來聽聽她們的對話。

辛西亞：妳會去珍妮的婚禮嗎？

莎曼珊：當然啦，她這幾年在工作上幫了我那麼多。她結婚那天我到場給她祝福是最基本的。妳呢？

辛西亞：我不知道。這些日子沒工作，我覺得我負擔不起新衣和結婚禮物。

莎曼珊：拜託，如果妳到場，對她來說會意義非凡。妳可以跟我借禮服。至於禮物，不需要很奢華。記住，心意比較重要！

辛西亞：我想也是，但去婚禮會場也要花很多錢，想想那有多遠。

莎曼珊：別擔心。我到時會開車，所以我們可以一起去。

辛西亞：謝啦，小莎！妳要結婚的時候，我一定會準備一份結婚大禮給妳！

莎曼珊：噢不用啦。我可不想要妳為了我的婚禮而破產。

(Life) The High Cost of Being a Wedding Guest

Weddings are a joyful occasion to celebrate the special love between two people. While it is great to be invited to them, the cost to attend can be shocking. Based on a recent survey by American Express, wedding guests are expected to spend an average of $539 per wedding this year, up $200 from 2012. Bridesmaids on the other hand can expect to spend $577, compared to $377 in 2012. Reasons for the huge jump can be attributed to the rising costs of hotel and gas, as well as a more generous budget for wedding gifts. David Rabkin, senior vice president of consumer lending at American Express, explains that Americans are a little less hesitant to go to their wallets, now that the economy is looking up and financial optimism is on the rise.

Dialogue Example:

(Wedding Guests) Samantha and Cynthia are friends. They have just received a wedding invitation from their friend Jenny. Lets listen to their conversation.

Cynthia: Are you going to Jennys wedding?

Samantha: Of course, shes helped me a lot with work these past few years. Being there on her big day to give her my blessings is the least I can do. What about you?

Cynthia: I dont know. With me out of work these days, I dont think I can afford to buy a new outfit and wedding gift.

Samantha: Come on, itd mean a lot to her if you were there. You can borrow one of my dresses. As for the gift, it doesnt need to be extravagant. Remember, its the thought that counts!

Cynthia: I guess, but its going to cost a lot of money to get to the wedding venue as well, given how far it is.

Samantha: Dont worry. Ill be driving so we can go there together.

Cynthia: Thanks, Sam! When you get married, Ill be sure to prepare a big wedding gift for you!

Samantha: Oh, its okay. I wouldnt want you to go broke because of my wedding.

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