【推荐2】5 of the Most Interesting Customs in the World

Switzerland—Honesty shopping

There are little shops in the middle of the Swiss Alps that allow you to buy your fresh cheese, milk, bread, honey, and butter without anyone to watch you. In fact, no one watches these shops because they are owned by farmers who are out taking care of the animals.

South Korea—NOT tipping

Tipping is in the blood for someone who is raised in the United States along with many other European countries. But in South Korea, employees in the food service industry are given fair wages and take pride in their work, and it is insulting to attempt to tip them.

Iceland—Christmas Eve books giving

People puzzle over the eternal question of Christmas gifts. Iceland has solved this problem with the Christmas Eve tradition of giving a book. After everyone unwraps the books, they spend the evening reading together.

Japan—Pushers on the subway

Japan's subway is crowded during rush hours. But instead of settling for the inefficiency that personal space demands, Japan has "pushers". They are exactly what they sound like-employees whose only job during rush hour is to push more people onto the train.

Russia—Offering vodka

It is the custom to welcome new friends with shots of vodka. What better way to break the ice than with some stomach- warming shots of this Russian tradition? That's something we can all toast to, or, as they say in Russia, "Na zdorovye!".

【推荐3】Moving from one culture to another is exciting,but it is also a very stressful experience.     1     Culture shock is described as feelings of anxiety, frustration,or anger that may occur when a person is placed in a new culture. To better understand what I mean, I'll share my experience with you.

The first thing that confused me in American culture was how Americans tend to be very friendly.     2     And they will give a random praise to strangers on the street, or even invite a new acquaintance to a birthday party or lunch. Americans find it easy to make casual friends. They make friends and become relatively close in no time at all, but it is also easy for them to disappear in an instance. This aspect of American culture was kind of confusing to me.

    3     I think not always following strict rules is a uniquely American value. Calling your elders, teachers, and superiors by their first names was something unheard of in my country where you have to use full name and middle name when addressing your superiors. But the American informality doesn't decrease the respect they have for other people.

Another aspect of American culture that I found different from my culture was a sense of privacy and personal space. Americans do not like their personal space disturbed.     4    

Part of the excitement of living in a new culture is learning about how it differs from your own culture. You might compare your values and customs with the new values and customs you observe every day.    5     Also, it teaches us to shape our own cultural identity, and teaches us about ourselves.