Refusing Cake and Leaving on Time
During a home-stay dinner in Nagasaki, Mai’s host mother says, “Would you like some more curry?” Mai is full but does not want to seem rude. She also has a school rule: she must be back at the dormitory by 8:30, and it is already 8:10. The dormitory is a 15-minute walk. Her host mother adds, “We also have cake.” Mai’s classmate told her, “In English, just say ‘No, thank you’ and leave.” Mai wants to refuse the curry, refuse the cake, explain why she cannot stay, and thank the host family. She has only one minute before she must leave. She is not sure whether “I’m fine” is polite enough or whether she should give a reason. The host family is kind, and Mai hopes to visit again.
1. Write what Mai should say in two to four sentences. She must refuse both foods, give a reason for leaving, and thank the family.
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A suitable answer: “No, thank you. Everything was delicious, but I’m full. I’m sorry, I have to leave now because I must be back at the dormitory by 8:30. Thank you very much for dinner.”
This refuses the curry and, by implication, the cake; gives a concrete reason and time; and thanks the family. If she wants to be explicit about the cake, she can add: “I’d love to try the cake, but I really can’t tonight.” The key is to combine refusal, reason, and thanks rather than leaving after a bare “No.”
2. Why is “I’m fine” alone a risky answer here? What does it fail to do?
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“I’m fine” is risky because it does not say what Mai is refusing or why she is leaving. The host mother may hear it as “the curry is fine” or as a vague no. It also does not explain the 8:30 dormitory rule, so when Mai suddenly leaves, the family may think she disliked the food or the evening.
The classmate’s advice to “just say no and leave” is too abrupt for a home-stay. A short reason plus thanks protects the relationship. Politeness here is not about using a long sentence; it is about making the refusal clear and showing appreciation.
3. If the host mother says, “Oh, but you must try the cake!” what can Mai say to insist politely without lying?
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She can say: “That’s very kind of you, but I really can’t. I have to leave now to be back by 8:30. The cake looks delicious, and I hope I can try it next time. Thank you.”
This acknowledges the offer, repeats the time constraint instead of arguing about the cake, and leaves the relationship positive. She should not lie and say she dislikes cake. Repeating the real reason is more polite than inventing a new excuse, and “next time” shows that she values the invitation.