【推荐1】    1    

It’s important to know about some Western table manners.     2    

Holding a knife and fork

1. Hold your fork in your left hand, tines(尖齿) downward.

2.     3    

3. Use your fork to lift food to your mouth.

At informal(非正式) meals, the fork can be held with tines upward.

    4    

When taking a break, put your knife and fork on your plate near the centre in the shape of an inverted V. The knife and the fork point toward each other.

When you finish eating, put knife and fork parallelly（平行地） on the right of the plate.

Clearing the plates

    5       But as most informal meals are served without help, the hostess clears the plates, often with the help of a guest or two. At a family meal, members clear their own plates.

【推荐2】People are very busy now, so they haven’t got any time to cook delicious meals. People especially in big cities usually order the takeaway food not because takeaway food is cheap but to save time. Some of the people ordered takeaway food too if he or she is alone.

In fact, there was takeaway food in the Song Dynasty. According to history books, Emperor Xiaozong liked to order takeaway food at night. He asked his servants (仆人) to go around the city to choose the dishes and bring them back.

Common people also ordered takeaway food at that time. They wrote down the information about the order in the restaurant. Then waiters would take food to their houses. In the famous painting Along the River During the Oingming Festival (《清明上河图》), a takeaway waiter can be seen with food in hand.

People during that time even had some special boxes to put dishes in. They were long wooden ones with beautiful pictures. People also put small bags of hot water in them to keep dishes warm. What else do you know about takeaway food?

【推荐2】In Britain you may often hear “Drop in any time” or “Come to see me soon”, but you can’t really do that. People just say those things to make you feel welcome. It is better to telephone before visiting someone at home. If you receive a written invitation to an event that says “RSVP”. You should reply to let the person who sent the invitation know whether or not you plan to go.

You should never accept an invitation if you don’t really plan to go. You may refuse by saying, “Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be able to come.” If, after accepting, you are unable to go, be sure to tell those who are expecting you as soon as possible that you will not be there.

Though it is not necessary expected that you give a gift to your host（主人）, it is considered（认为）polite to do so, especially if you have been invited for a meal. Flowers, chocolate, or a small gift are all appropriate（合适的）. A thank-you note or telephone call after the visit is also considered polite and is an appropriate way to express your appreciation（感激）for the invitation.

【推荐3】In Britain, you may often hear “Drop in any time” or “Come to see me soon”, but you can’t really do that. People just say those things to make you feel welcome. It is better to telephone before visiting someone at home. If you receive a written invitation to an event that says “RSVP”, you should reply to let the person who has sent the invitation know whether or not you plan to go.

You should never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying, “Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be able to come.” If, after accepting, you are unable to go, be sure to tell those who are expecting you as soon as possible that you will not be there. Although it is not necessarily expected that you give a gift to your host, it is considered polite to do so, especially if you have been invited for a meal. Flowers, chocolate or a small gift should be appropriate (合适的). A thank-you note or a telephone call after the visit is also considered polite and is an appropriate way to express your appreciation for the invitation.

【推荐1】More and more people like bicycling and it is no surprise. It is fun, healthy and good for the environment. Maybe that’s why there are 1.4 billion bicycles and only 400 million cars on roads worldwide today. Bikes can take you almost anywhere, and there is no oil cost!

Get on a bicycle and ride around your neighborhood. You may discover something new all around you. Stopping and getting off a bike is easier than stopping and getting out of your car. You can bike to work and benefit (受益) from the enjoyable exercise without polluting the environment. You don’t even have to ride all the way.

Folding (折叠) bikes work well for people who take the train. Just fold the bike and take it with you. You can do the same on an airplane. A folding bike can be packed in a suitcase. You can also take a common bike with you when you fly. But be sure to look for information by getting on airline websites. Not all airlines are bicycle friendly to travelers.

Health benefits of bicycling:

•It helps to prevent heart diseases.

•Bicycling helps to control your weight. A 15-minute bike ride going to and returning from work three times a week burns off five kilos of fat in a year.

•Bicycling can improve your mood (心情). Exercise like bicycling has been shown to make people feel better, more relaxed and self-confident.

•Bicycling is healthier than driving.