We Chinese are not big huggers. A handshake or a pat on the shoulder is enough to convey our friendship or affection to one another. So when our newly-acquainted Western friends reach out in preparation for a hug, some of us feel awkward.
Many questions go through our head. Where should I put my arms? Under their armpits (胳肢窝) or around their neck? What distance should I maintain? Should our chests touch?
It’s even more difficult with friends from some European countries. Should I kiss them on the cheek while hugging? Which side? Or is it both cheeks? Which side should I start on?
But it isn’t just people from cultures that emphasize a reservedness in expressing physical intimacy(亲密) who find hugging confusing. Hugs can cause discomfort or even distress in people who value their personal space.
In a recent article for The Wall Street Journal, US psychologist Peggy Drexler said that although the US remains a “medium touch” culture — “more physically demonstrative(公开表露感情的) than Japan, where a bow is the all-purpose hello and goodbye, but less demonstrative than Latin or Eastern European cultures, where hugs are strong and can include a kiss on both cheeks”, Americans do seem to be hugging more.
From politicians to celebrities, hugs are given willy-nilly (不管愿意不愿意的）to friends, strangers and enemies alike; and the public has been quick to pick up the practice. US First Lady Michelle Obama has put her arms around icy foreign leaders like Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the Queen of England, on the latter occasion actually breaking the rule of royal manners.
But not all are grateful to be hugged, even by the most influential and famous. To them, any hug is offensive if it’s not sincere.
Amanda Hess, writing for US magazine Slate, says public figures should stop imposing hugs on everyone they meet. For them, a hug is rarely a gesture of sincere fellowship, compassion or affection. It’s all part of a show. Hugs are falsely close power plays used by public figure
s to establish their social dominance (统治力）over those in their grasp.
Cecilia Walden, a British journalist writing for The Telegraph who lives in New York, holds the same opinion. “Power-hugging”, as she calls it, is “an offender dressed up as kindness”. It has become a fashion in the US where “bosses are already embracing their staff (either shortly before or after firing them), men and women ,their friends or enemies, in a thousand cheating displays of unity”.
1. From the first four paragraphs, we can see that ___________.| A．we Chinese people don’t know how to hug |
| B．people from European countries often get puzzled about hugging |
| C．people in Western countries seldom use hugs to express their physical closeness |
| D．hugs can bring pressure to people when used improperly |
| A．Americans hold a “medium touch” culture |
| B．public figures know hugging functions well in public |
| C．she is much liked by American people |
| D．hugs are forbidden in England |
| A．hugs are only used sincerely by some people with power |
| B．hugging is powerful to bosses in US |
| C．public figures sometimes use hugging just for a show of power |
| D．public figures can hug anyone in their grasp freely |
| A．Hugs, vital or not? |
| B．Hugs, tricky affair? |
| C．Hugs and public figures |
| D．Hugs and power |
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【推荐1】If you’re a fan of art, you’ll be glad to know that the UK is home to some really awesome art galleries where you can enjoy top exhibitions you favor. We’ve put together a line-up of some of the best art galleries in the UK.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a must-see for any art lover. Run by the largest trust of independent museums in the UK, there is a massive variety of art-related things to see here, covering fine art, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork and even more.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
In the largest museum of art and design in the UK, you’ll be able to browse a massive collection of over four million objects which spans an impressive five thousand years. It’s also the perfect destination for those who love fashion, with the permanent fashion collection being the largest in the world.
National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh
With over 95,000 different pieces on display in the permanent collection, the National Galleries of Scotland is one of the best destinations for any UK art lover to visit. With National, Modern and Portrait sections to browse through, this trio of galleries will definitely keep you busy for hours on end.
The Design Museum, London
The world’s top leading place for all things design, you’ll find exhibitions on architecture, fashion, product design and graphics along with much more at the Design Museum in London. The collection here is home to over three thousand objects.
No matter which type of art you like to browse, we’d love to hear your best recommendations – leave your response in the comments below!
1. What do the four galleries have in common?| A．Each museum has a long history. |
| B．They satisfy different artistic desires. |
| C．Classical shows are displayed regularly. |
| D．They are run by the UK government. |
| A．Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. |
| B．National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh. |
| C．Victoria and Albert Museum, London. |
| D．The Design Museum, London. |
| A．On a TV program. | B．In an art magazine. |
| C．On a web page. | D．In a textbook. |
【推荐2】Will you expect your child to be fond of reading? Here are some good choices for you.
I Used to be a Fish
The book is an entry level popular science book written by Tom Sullivan. A little boy, who was inspired by a fish, fueled by imagination to tell of his own life’s story, which introduces the history of human evolution (进化). The book has been praised by many people in the industry, as well as by many parents.
The Wind in the Willows
The book published in 1908, is a series of animal tales by British writer Kenneth Grahame, at first as bedtime stories for his son. The work, with its vivid descriptions of the countryside and exciting adventures, became a classic of English children’s literature.
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web is a children’s book by American author E.B. White, published in 1952. Charlotte, a spider, lost her life to save Wilbur, a pig by writing about his stories in her web (网). Publishers Weekly lists the book as the best selling children’s book of all time.
The Little Prince
The Little Prince was written in 1942 by French Writer Antoine de Saint Exupery. The Little Prince is a pure and blue boy who comes from the solar system. He passed through various stars, and later he arrived at the Earth, trying to find solutions to loneliness and pain.
1. Which book is suitable to read if a child wants to know where human comes from?| A．I Used to be a Fish | B．The Wind in the Willows | C．Charlotte’s Web | D．The Little Prince |
| A．I Used to be a Fish is spoken highly of by many people. |
| B．Charlotte’s Web listed the best book of all time tells the story of friendship. |
| C．The Little Prince is about a sad boy who wants to ease his bad feelings. |
| D．The Wind in the Willows was firstly written for Kenneth’s son as bedtime stories. |
| A．teenagers. | B．parents. | C．teachers. | D．book lovers. |
The two-part meeting includes one session open to the media and another behind closed doors, said Zhang Zhijun, who is also head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, when interviewed at the Zijinshan Summit for Entrepreneurs across the Taiwan Strait.
According to Zhang, Xi and Ma, as "leaders of the two sides" of the Taiwan Strait, will exchange views during the closed-door meeting.
After the meeting, press conferences will be held by both sides. Later, the two leaders are expected to attend a dinner, said Zhang.
Zhang said the meeting will lift cross-Strait communication to a new high.
The landmark meeting is a breakthrough in face-to-face exchange and communication between the leaders across the Taiwan Strait after the relationship became strained following the events of 1949.
Zhang said the meeting will improve mutual trust and allow for an exchange of opinions on handling the cross-Strait ties.
In addition, the meeting will help strengthen the 1992 Consensus(共识), which was reached in talks between the two sides in 1992 and recognizes the one-China principle, and safeguards the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties, according to Zhang.
Zhang added that the scheduled meeting will also benefit regional peace and stability.
Also at Wednesday's summit, Chiang Pin-kung, former chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation, hailed the upcoming meeting between the two leaders as a milestone for cross-Strait ties.
Chiang told the media that he believed the meeting will give a boost to the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties.
1. According to the article, the meeting of the two leaders will ________.
| A．be held at the Zijinshan Summit for Entrepreneurs across the Taiwan Strait |
| B．be the first face-to-face communication between people across the Taiwan Strait |
| C．improve mutual trust and benefit regional peace and development |
| D．be all open to the media |
| A．It was reached in 1992. |
| B．It recognizes the one-China principle. |
| C．It safeguards the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties. |
| D．It is an agreement between China and Japan. |
| A．sang high praise for |
| B．was concerned about |
| C．was impressed with |
| D．got well prepared for |
a. The two leaders shake hands in front of the media.
b. The two leaders hold press conferences.
c. The two leaders exchange views during the closed-door meeting.
d. The two leaders have dinner together.
| A．a; b; c; d | B．a; c; b; d | C．a; d; b; c | D．b; a; c; d |
