The Open Hand —a Universal Sign

When meeting people at the airport, most people smile and shake hands with people they meet. We know that a smile is usually a sign that people feel  (friend)and happy, but what if we don't know the new person is? What if we are not introduced by a friend?What if we are meeting a  (strange)in an unfamiliar place?

Sometimes people are dangerous and humans have to find ways to protect  (they). We have to make sure we can trust people we do not know, and we have to show that we are not dangerous. Showing our hands means that we are not armed. In many cultures today, the Western cof shaking hands is used. We use our right hand, which is usually  (strong)than the left one. If we are using our hand this way, it cannot be holding a knife or a gun. It shows that we trust the other person,  that the other person can trust us. 

Not all cultures use the handshake, and people in many  (Asia)cultures do not always touch another person. The traditional (greet)in China is to cover the left hand with the right and bow. Japanese people might cover one hand with the other and, depending on whom they are greeting, b slightly or quite low. In India, Hindu people join their hands in front of their faces and bow their heads. A Muslim will touch his heart, mouth and forehead(额) (show)respect. Even young people in the West now give each other the"high five", they slap(拍)each other's hands high in the air. They are all keeping their hands busy. In almost all cultures, to smile and show an open right hand means, "Welcome, you are safe with me. "

How did the handshake come about?（Answer the question within 20 words.）

To be familiar with Chinese table manners can speed up your personal or business dealings unexpectedly. It may reflect who you are in others' eyes, and in turn it may affect your relationship with people dining with. Here we'll cover topics on dining. 

The most commonly used dining table in China is in a round shape, many with a turntable on top. It shows harmony(融洽)and being practical in use. It can hold more people, the food is equally accessible to everyone, and everyone can see everyone without turning heads. 

Sharing is a characteristic of Chinese meals. Every dish is put on the table, and people are supposed to take food from them. The hospitality(好客) is shown by the number of dishes. If you are treated by a Chinese host, don't be surprised when you see that there is more food than you can eat. That is a way to show you're very welcome. 

Do choose to use chopsticks when asked if you'd like to have them for your meal. They don't mind if you say no to chopsticks, but if you show your willingness and interest in their ways of dining, they are delighted. Don't stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl when not using them. The right way is to put them down beside your bowl or on your plate. Don't tap on your bowl with your chopsticks. If you are in someone's home, or at a restaurant, it is not polite, actually insulting(侮辱的), behavior. 

Wine and alcohol are very common in a Chinese meal. Many believe thereis no hospitality if there is no liquor. Among their own business dealings, drinking is partially fun, partially battle, and partially bonding. Drinking until drunk sometimes is one of the good Chinese table manners. It shows how much you treasure your relationship with each other in certain situations. Gan-Bei is the word used often on dining table. It means"Cheers"sometimes, but literally it means"dry(the)glass". Besides beer, the official Chinese alcoholic beverage is Bai-Jiu, "white liquor"if it is translated literally. It's high-proof.

What is the writer's purpose in writing this article? （Answer the question within 20 words.）

People greet each other in many different ways. We asked four people to describe the ways they greet people in their country. Here's what they wrote.

I greet people differently depending on the situation. In formal situations, I usually shake hands. And when I meet someone for the first time, I almost always shake hands. It's important to shake hands firmly. When I greet casual friends, I just say"Hi! "For close friends, I usually give them a hug. It's a little different for men though. Where I live, it's not very common for male friends to hug each other. They do other things like the"fist bump". That's when two people touch fists.

—Sandra(U. S. )

In formal situations or when I meet someone for the first time, I shake hands. It's important to shake hands firmly and look at the other people in the eye when you greet them. I always hug my friends.     ▲        It's OK for men to hug other men, for men to hug women, and for women to hug other women. 

—Kamal(Turkey)

In a formal situation or when I meet someone for the first time, I always shake hands. When I greet a male friend, I give him a hug and a pat on the back. When I greet a close female friend, I give her a small hug and kiss on the cheek. My female friends greet each other in this way too. 

—Octavio(Venezuela)

When I meet my friends, I greet them with a wai —I put my hands together in front of my chest and bow slightly and say"Sawadee", which means"Hello". In formal situations, some people still use this traditional Thai greeting, but these days more and more business people shake hands. Times are changing.

—Noi(Thailand)

The woman speaking to me at the basketball game looked kind of familiar. 1 said, "Joe? Is that you?"

"Marci?"

"It's you! "she shouted, 2 broadly. "Good to see you again! "

It was good to see Marci, too. Off and on during the past few decades, I'd 3 about her. I almost tried to look for her years ago after talking to a mutual(共同的)4 who had said that the 1980s had been pretty hard for Marci. So meeting her at the 5  game was accidental. 

We spent a few minutes talking about our 6  :kids and careers, husbands and houses, education and recreation. And we talked about the good old, bad old days. 

Then Marci grew 7 for a moment, looking out over the crowd. "You know, Joe, "she said, "I've always wanted to tell you how sorry I am for the way I 8 you. "

I was embarrassed. "It's okay, "I said. At least, I thought to myself, not anymore.

"But I was so 9 , "she continued. "Yes, you were, "I thought. "We were both pretty young, "I said.

"I know, "she said, "but that's no 10 for. . . "She hesitated(犹豫), and then went on. "It just always bothered me, remembering how11 I was to you. And I've wanted to tell you I'm sorry. "

The smile on her face was warm and sincere. And there was 12 in her eyes —it looked a lot like relief. 

"Okay, "I said. "Apology(道歉)13 ! "At the sweet moment, I reached an arm around her shoulder and gave her a quick hug. Just then, the crowd broke into a huge cheer, and Marci and I both returned our 14 to the game. By the time I looked over to where she had been, she was 15 . But the warm, wonderful feeling of our brief exchange was still there and continues to this day whenever I think about it.

—Good idea!