Clothing is an important part of any culture. Chinese culture is more than 5,000 years old, so the traditional Chinese clothing also has a long history.

Jimmy is a 14-year-old boy from America. He hates doing chores, but he has to do a lot every week. He needs to clean his bedroom every day. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays he has to take out the rubbish. On weekends he has to help his father to wash the car. Sometimes he has to look after his little sister and brother. Mario is Jimmy’s foreign friend. He comes from Singapore. He doesn’t need to do any housework at home. Only girls help to do chores in Mario’s family. Mario’s sisters wash the clothes and clean the rooms. Mario’s mother cooks meals every day, and his sisters help their mother sometimes.

When Jimmy talks with Mario about chores, he feels very unlucky and sad.

Doing chores is too boring, so Jimmy hopes to make a robot to help him do chores in the future. Then how is he going to do that? He is very good at science, and he decides to work harder to make his dream come true.

5 . Different countries have different rules on doing business. When there is a chance for you to go abroad for a business purpose, it is best to be clear about the rules and customs.     1    

Brazilians are warm and friendly. They often stand close when talking and it is common for them to touch the person on the shoulder. People often greet each other (especially women) with light kisses.

    2     Business meetings sometimes start later than planned. But to be safe, be on time. Meals can last for hours―there’s no such thing as rushing a meal in Brazil. Brazilians are social, preferring face-to-face communication to mails or phone calls.

Singaporeans shake hands when they meet and often also greet each other with a small, polite bow. Business cards should be offered and received with two hands.     3     This is because arriving late is considered impolite.

The Swiss call each other by their last name. They are also respectful of private lives.     4    

For example, asking about a lady’s age or how much they make a month is seen impolite. Being on time is required. Arrive at any meeting or event a few minutes early to be safe. They also have clear structure in their companies. Higher-ups make the final decisions, even if others might disagree.

    5     They keep their hands be seen at the table and their arms off the table. It is polite to finish the food on your plate.

Please remember, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

6 . It’s important to teach your children good manners. Teaching good manners should begin long before they know how to walk or talk. In life, you have to set a good example for them.

But how do we teach them good manners? There is a good book, How to behave and Why. It is written by Munro Leaf. I read it with my first grade students and we love the book. It tells good manners that every child should know. The words in the book are not difficult and there are pictures in it. They make the book easy to comprehend.

In daily life, before children are going to school or a friend’s house, tell them the importance of good manners. In your family, you can make a list of family manners. This helps children learn good manners anytime. And you can have a manner’s competition. It makes learning manners more interesting.

What are good manners for children? At school, they should respect teachers and other classmates. They shouldn’t be noisy in class. And they should say “hello” or “goodbye” to teachers and classmates, and “thank you” when they get help from others. Good table manners are important, too. For example, teach your children not to talk with their mouth full. Tell them that old people should eat first. Teach your children not to be late for classes, parties, meetings and so on.

In fact, good manners will provide a lot of help for your children in their daily life. So teach them to your children and learn with your children.

7 . When eating out, people want to have a great experience. It means that they expect not only nice ________ but also considerate (考虑周到的) atmosphere in the restaurant. One thing people shouldn’t do at a table is talking on a mobile phone. Such ________ is thought to be impolite to the people around you.

It is vital to use good manners in the restaurant, including the people who are ________ you. Always say “please” and “thank you” to the servers. These simple ________ can improve the service.

Table manners are ________, too. Keep your elbows (肘部) off the table when you are eating. Always chew (咀嚼) your food with your ________ closed. If you want to say something, ________ what’s in your mouth before speaking up. It is not OK to talk with your mouth ________.

Kids should not ________ and run around the tables in the restaurant. They should stay in their seat during the meal: Make sure they don’t make noise or cause trouble to other people.

Being ________ in the restaurant helps everyone have a good time. As long as people show respect for others, everyone will have fun eating.

8 . It’s not just women who wear skirts.     1     In Scotland, men wear a kind of skirt called a kilt (短褶裙). The kilt is their national dress and an important part of their culture.

    2     It has different colors. Each family in Scotland has its own colors.

Why did people in Scotland start to wear kilts?     3     One is that the kilt was made in the 1720s by an English factory owner called Thomas Rawlinson. He had a number of workers from Scotland in his factory and he thought their long clothes got in the way (妨碍) of their work.     4    

In the old days, soldiers in Scotland wore kilts. Later, all men there began to wear them. Today, most men in Scotland only wear kilts on special occasions. Soldiers also wear them in important celebrations.     5     But they no longer wear them to fight.

China is a nation of etiquette (礼仪). Chinese people are the most hospitable (好客的) people in the world. If foreigners visit a Chinese family, they would be surprised at the     1     that they would receive as guests.

When you visit a Chinese family, the host usually makes tea     2     you. Then he will serve you snacks like biscuits or candies. Someone in the family will also chat with you, never letting you feel lonely.

At the same time, a big meal will be     3     for you by other family members. They always present     4     food than the guests can eat. On the table, the guests must be the     5     to eat. Perhaps one of the things that surprises a western guest most is that the Chinese host likes to pick food for     6    , which won’t happen at western tables. The Chinese family go out of their way to make you feel at home. As you finish     7    , the host usually says, “It seems that you didn’t eat much. Please have more.” You tell them you are full,     8     they still put more food in your bowl.

Being warm and hospitable has been     9     important part of Chinese culture and tradition. As Confucius (孔子) said     10     of years ago:

To meet friends from afar,

How happy we are!