1 . What do you do when you receive an invitation to an event that you do not want to attend or that you cannot attend due to your busy schedule? In that case, we simply can’t act on everything our heart feels.     1     Here are some right ways to decline (拒绝) an invitation without hurting others’ feelings.

Respond in a timely manner.

    2     It’s OK to put off responding if you’re unsure at first, but give yourself a deadline to figure it out — and stick to it. Always respond to invitations in a timely manner.

    3    .

It’s OK to say you’re sorry that you can’t make an event, but it’s better to redefine it as a positive. Rather than apologizing, say how happy you are that they invited you and that while you can’t make it this time, you look forward to getting together with them in the future.

Don’t say “maybe”.

Procrastinating (拖延) by saying “maybe” usually means it’s a no.     4     Saying “maybe” is a way of making yourself feel better, but it leaves the other person hanging, which is unkind.

Don’t try to control the other person’s feelings.

There’s the assumption that we can decline without hurting anyone else’s feelings, but we can’t ensure the other person’s experience. They may feel sad or disappointed when you decline, but that’s OK.     5    

How are you? I saw you posted some wonderful photos of the coastline near your hometown. You're really getting into your photography! Right now I'm taking a break from social media (媒体) to write you an email.

Remember you said you'd like to come over to the UK sometime this year? Well, I was thinking that this year you might like to come to the Edinburgh Festival with me in August. I've got an aunt with a flat in the city centre who could put us up.

Do you know much about the festival? It's very famous — the biggest, most popular arts festival in the world! There are lots of things going on — art exhibitions (展览), concerts of all kinds, modern dance, a book festival, etc. The thing it's most famous for is the newest and most exciting theatre. People come from all over the world and perform (表演) in their own language.

In Scotland you have the best of both worlds: culture and wild land. After the festival, we could hire (租) a car and go up to some of the islands off the west coast, like Skye. The weather can be changeable in August, but the landscape (风景) is beautiful, with empty beaches and rocky mountains. It's the perfect place for you to take photos. Afterwards, we could head back to the east coast and visit my friend Rob in St. Andrews. It's really pretty and Rob's enjoyable to be with. You'd get on well with him.

So, why don't you have a think about it and then get back to me? Take your time, there's no rush.

Speak to you soon.

4 .

Love is in the air

Dave and Tania are getting married！ Dear Percy, We're getting married on Saturday 14th July and We'd love you to come and celebrate with us. Where:St John's in the Valley, Bridgeley When:One o'clock We want our wedding(婚礼)to be a really fun and relaxed day. The wedding reception is going to be in the church hall and we're going to have a bouncy castle(充气城堡)and games to play outside. There will be a barbecue and plenty of drinks to go around. We'd like everyone to stay for the evening and dance their socks off. Dress Code:Please come in whatever you feel most comfortable wearing. If you want to wear jeans, feel free. Presents:We're going to Paris on our honeymoon. We'd be really thankful if you could help with our honeymoon fund(基金). Please let us know if you can come by emailing daveandtania@wedding.co.uk