You’ve been invited to dinner at a friend’s home. The food is unusual, the conversation is lively and somebody has brought a homemade sculpture of a potato.

Read these six comments. Some are perfectly acceptable, while others may sound rude, awkward or misleading in this social situation. Decide whether to keep or improve each one.

1. On arriving: “Thanks for having me. Your place looks lovely!”
2. When offered more food: “No, I’m full. Stop asking.”
3. After tasting a dish: “This is interesting.”
4. When you’ve forgotten a guest’s name: “What’s your name again? I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten.”
5. When somebody explains a hobby: “That’s boring. Talk about something else.”
6. Before leaving: “It was lovely to see everyone. Thanks for inviting me.”

Extra challenge: Choose one blunt comment and rewrite it in two ways: one warmly polite, and one politely humorous. Would either version be suitable with a stranger?