[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by Koir

Being from Canada, I can say bringing a gift is dependent on the situation. If it's a party with other guests, most of the time bringing something like food or dessert is preferable to ensure everyone has enough to eat. Other times, bringing gifts when you visit an acquaintance isn't a common practice.

Koir, hi. Thanks as always.
Bringing gifts is not common there. I see.

I don't visit acquaintance that much in their homes...mostly because my acquaintances are quite far away. Perhaps another person who does have acquaintances closer to them can provide more insight.

What would you do when you visit one of your friends’ house?
You seem to have more friends than Japanese people have. You would call a person “your friend” after you visit the person’s home personally, wouldn’t you?
I believe Japanese people need longer time to make friends than you do. So most of the people I know are my acquaintances.

Revisions: Putting "whose husband is American" in parentheses was done because while it was useful additional information to add credence to the person's view, having it as part of the sentence made for awkward and slower reading.

Thank you! Yes, that’s easy to read. I didn’t know if you use parentheses.
I’m still not sure if I can use them because I’ve never seen them in English books.

"Whether or not" was shortened to "if" to preserve the original presentation of the sentence concept. As originally written, it would work if spoken aloud in an informal setting.

Don’t you say “whether or not”?
If you say it, when do you say it? Is it too portentous?

Thanks!