Question

    Gift-giving, table manners: what’s acceptable at home doesn’t necessarily apply in other countries. Here are 8 distinctive customs to use as your passport to new experiences and friendships.

Avoid giving certain flowers in Russia Be careful when presenting flowers to a friend or business associate in Russia. Yellow blooms signify deceit(欺骗) or a relationship break-up. Skip red carnations, too. Traditionally, red carnation are placed on the grave of the dead.

Don’t expect a “Thank You” card for these gifts in China Clocks, straw sandals(草鞋) are all associated with death and funerals in China. Deemed inappropriate and morbid, you’ll risk damaging relationship if you present these gifts-for any occasion-to someone in China.

Skip the salt in Egypt When tucking into a meal in Egypt, by-pass the saltshaker. It’s insulting(侮辱的) to your host to sprinkle salt on your food. If you have to season your plate, it means that you find the meal’s taste disgusting.

Don’t show up on time in Venezuela Here’s one place where being early or on time is viewed as being rude. In Venezuela if you are invited to someone’s home for a meal, it’s recommended that you arrive 10-15 minutes later than the requested time. Early or on time guests are viewed as being too eager, even greedy(贪婪的).

Always use a knife and fork in Norway In Norway, table manners are extremely important. Most meals, including sandwiches, are eaten using utensils(餐具).

Be “blunt” in the Netherlands Gift giving should be a happy, positive experience. When selecting a present for someone in the Netherland, don’t purchase fancy kitchen knives or scissors. Giving sharp, pointy objects as gifts is considered unlucky.

Red equals dead in Korea Writing a lot of cards or notes while visiting South Korea? Be mindful of your pen’s ink color. Scrawling(潦草地写) a person’s name in red ink traditionally signifies that the person is deceased, which means dead.

Stick to the sauna(桑拿浴) in Finland In Finland, saunas are a preferred way to relax and socialize with family and friends. Don’t be surprised if your business meeting is followed up with an invite to let off some steam in a local sauna. If you receive such a request, rest assured that your business meeting went well.

1.Being on time can be seen as a merit in many countries, but in __________, it can be considered as rude.

A.China B.Russia C.Norway D.Venezuela

2.The word “blunt” means ________.

A.钝的 B.坦率的 C.精致的 D.锋利的

3.If you are offered a sauna in Finland after a business meeting, it means ________.

A.The business goes well.

B.You will have trouble in doing business.

C.The owner thinks that you should clean yourself.

D.You must do business in another place.

4.Which of the following is true?

A.Sending yellow flowers or carnation is proper in Russia.

B.In Egypt, put salt on your food in front of our host means you like the food very much.

C.If you are Chinese, you’ll be happy to receive a clock as a gift.

D.You should avoid writing people’s name in red ink in a gift card in Korea.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.A

4.D

【解析】

本文向我们介绍不同的国家有不同的送礼和礼仪习俗。

1.

细节理解题。根据“Here’s one place where being early or on time is viewed as being rude. In Venezuela if you are…”可知，在委内瑞拉早到或准时到会被认为是粗鲁的。故选D。

2.

词句猜测题。分析“When selecting a present for someone in the Netherland, don’t purchase fancy kitchen knives or scissors. Giving sharp, pointy objects as gifts is considered unlucky.”可知，在荷兰，当你为别人挑选礼物时，不要购买精美的厨刀或剪刀，赠送尖锐的物品作为礼物被认为是不吉利的。所以推测blunt是尖锐锋利的反义词，“钝的”意思。故选A。

3.

细节理解题。根据“Don’t be surprised if your business meeting is followed up with an invite to let off some steam in a local sauna. If you receive such a request, rest assured that your business meeting went well.”可知，如果你的商务会议之后被邀请去当地的桑拿浴室放松，不要感到惊讶。如果你收到这样的请求，请放心，你的商务会议进行得很顺利。故选A。

4.

推理判断题。A：在俄罗斯送黄花或康乃馨很合适。根据“Yellow blooms signify deceit(欺骗) or a relationship break-up. Skip red carnations, too. Traditionally, red carnation are placed on the grave of the dead.”可知，在俄罗斯黄色花朵象征着欺骗或破裂的关系，红色康乃馨用在葬礼上，所以在俄罗斯送黄花或康乃馨不合适，该项表述错误。B：在埃及，在主人面前放盐表示你非常喜欢食物。根据“It’s insulting(侮辱的) to your host to sprinkle salt on your food.”可知，在埃及，在主人面前放盐是在侮辱主人，该项表述错误。C：如果你是中国人，你会很高兴收到一个时钟作为礼物。根据“Clocks, straw sandals(草鞋) are all associated with death and funerals in China.”可知，时钟和草鞋都是在中国与死亡和葬礼有关的东西，所以在中国收到时钟并不会开心，该项表述错误。D：在韩国，你应该避免在礼物卡上用红墨水写别人的名字。根据“Be mindful of your pen’s ink color. Scrawling(潦草地写) a person’s name in red ink traditionally signifies that the person is deceased, which means dead.”可知，在韩国，用红墨水写别人的名字意味着这个人已经逝去了，所以不要用红墨水写别人的名字，该项表述正确。故选D。