Okay, here is an English script outline for a short play or skit about Family Civility and Etiquette (家庭文明礼仪).
Play Title: Harmony at Home: A Family Civility Skit
Logline: Through a series of everyday situations, a family learns the importance of basic civility, respect, and kindness to create a more harmonious home environment.
Characters:
- Li Wei (李伟): A busy father, working from home or recently returned from work. Can be stressed.
- Li Hua (李华): A teenage daughter, often preoccupied with her phone or friends.
- Li Ming (李明): A younger son, around 8-10 years old, sometimes impulsive.
- Mother (妈妈): A caring parent, often trying to mediate.
Setting: The living room of a modern Chinese family home. There are chairs, a sofa, a coffee table, and likely phones visible.
(The play begins with the family casually gathered in the living room. Li Wei just sat down, looking tired. Li Hua is deeply engrossed in her phone. Li Ming is playing with a toy car. Mother is trying to read or fold laundry.)
Mother: (Sighs softly) Alright, everyone. Let's try to have a nice evening. Li Wei, have you had a chance to rest? Li Hua, please put your phone down for a while and talk to your dad. Li Ming, be gentle with your toys.
Li Wei: (Yawns) Thanks, wife. Just trying to wind down. Hua Hua, what's so important on your phone that you can't even say hello?
Li Hua: (Without looking up) Nothing, Dad. Just seeing what my friends are up to.
Li Ming: I wanna play a game on your phone! You promised!
Mother: Li Ming, you know we only play for a short time. And Hua Hua, honey, maybe you could share something interesting? Or help Dad take out the trash later?
Li Hua: (Finally looks up, annoyed) I'm busy, Mom. You know it's important for my studies... and friendships.
Li Wei: (Stands up, frustrated) Okay, enough! This is ridiculous. Everyone needs their space, but we also need to respect each other! You can't just ignore your family all the time. And you, Ming Ming, you can't just demand things without asking politely.
(The conflict escalates slightly. Li Wei might point at the phone, Li Hua rolls her eyes, and Li Ming gets whiny.)
Mother: (Trying to calm them) Come on, everyone, lower your voices. Let's think about how we can make this better. Li Wei, maybe you need a break. Li Hua, your phone can wait. Let's talk. Li Ming, ask politely for your game time.
Li Ming: (Tries again, more politely) Mom, can I please play a quick game on your phone?
Mother: (Nods) Okay, maybe five minutes, and then you need to put it away and help with dinner prep.
Li Hua: (Sighs, reluctantly puts phone aside) Fine. But I need to finish this message quickly.
Li Wei: (Looks at them, then takes a deep breath) Okay. Maybe... maybe we can all just agree to put the phones away for an hour? An hour of family time? We can talk, watch a movie together, or I can tell you a story.
Mother: That sounds like a good idea. An "unplugged hour." Who's in?
Li Ming: (Excited) I'm in! I can help Mom with the salad!
Li Hua: (Hesitates, then agrees) Okay... fine. But only for an hour.
Li Wei: (Smiling slightly) One hour. Then we can all decide what to do next. How about it?
Mother: (Smiling) Sounds like a plan. Now, let's all just be a bit more considerate of each other from now on, okay? Respect each other's space, listen when someone is talking, and be kind.
Li Hua: (Nods) Yeah... I guess.
Li Ming: (Hugging his mom) I'll be polite!
Li Wei: (Pats his son's head, then looks at his wife) Me too. Let's make this house a happy place to be.
(The family sits in a slightly more relaxed silence for a moment. Li Wei reaches for the remote, Li Hua helps Mother with the salad prep, and Li Ming starts helping. There's a sense of resolution, though perhaps not perfect harmony, but a renewed effort towards civility.)
Mother: (Softly, to the audience or just to herself) Yes, a little effort towards civility can make a big difference.
(The lights fade slowly.)
This outline provides a basic structure. You can add more specific dialogue, actions, and even a small conflict resolution or a funny moment to make it more engaging. The key is to show the initial lack of civility and the gradual shift towards better communication and respect.
