【推荐1】In Asia, there are special competitions where kites have complex designs and are fitted with instruments that make musical sounds as the wind blows through them. Although all kites have a similar structure (结构), they are widely different in size and shape. Kite-fighting competitions are also held, in which competitors use their kites to attack and bring down their opponents’ (对手) kites or cut their strings (线).

For more than 15 years, the Big Wind Kite Factory has been giving kite-making and kite-flying classes for the children on an island in Hawaii. In its kite-making lessons, students can make kites in as little as 20 minutes! Children as young as four years old can learn how to fly a kite. Jonathan Socher and his wife Daphne started the kite factory in 1980. Their kites are made of nylon (尼龙). Their designs are Hawaiian themes created by Daphne. The designs are cut out of the nylon with a hot knife that seals the edges and then fastened directly onto the kite.

The kite that is used to give lessons is a regular diamond kite with a rainbow pattern. The difference between this kite and the ones they make during the lessons is that it is a two-string controllable kite. Big Wind employees fly the kite and for a few minutes show students how pulling on one line and then on the other controls the direction the kite goes in. Then the controls are given to the students.

Jonathan insists that it is not necessary to make a huge impressive kite to have fun making and flying kites. Even the simplest structure can work, and can give hours of fun. Go on, give it a try!

【推荐3】Gestures are the silent language of every culture. We point a finger or move another part of the body to show what we want to say. It is important to know the body language of every country or we may be misunderstood.

In the US, people greet each other with a handshake in a formal discussion. The handshake must be firm. If the handshake is weak, it is a sign of weakness or unfriendliness. Friends may place a hand on the other's arm or shoulder. Some people, usually women, greet each other with a hug .

Space is important to Americans. When two people talk to each other, they usually stand about 2.5 feet away and at an angle, so they are not facing each other directly. Americans get uncomfortable when a person stands too close. They will move back to have their space. If Americans touch another person by accident, they say, "Pardon me." or "Excuse me."

Americans like to look at the other in the eyes when they are talking. If you don't do so, it means you are bored, hiding something, or are not interested. When you stare at someone, however, it is not polite.

For Americans, thumbs-up means “yes”, “very good” or “well done”. Thumbs-down means the opposite. To call a waiter, one might put up one hand to head level or above. To show you want the check, make a movement with your hands as you are signing a piece of paper. It is all right to point at things but not at people with the hand and index finger(食指). Americans shake their index fingers at children when they scold them and pat them on the head when they admire them.

Learning a culture's body language is sometimes confusing(困惑的). If you don't know what to do, the safest thing to do is to smile.