It is interesting to visit another country. At the same time there are some problems when we don't know the1very well. It may be2to talk with the people there. We may not know how3the telephone in the country we visit. We may not know how to buy the4we need. In a strange country, we may not know where to eat or what to order in a5. It is not easy to decide how6to tip (付小费) waiters or taxi drivers. When we need help, we may not know how to ask for help. It's not pleasant to have an experience7that. But8a short time, we learn what to do and what to say. We learn9the life in another country, and then we may be10to leave.
Body language is an important part of communication (交流). If you want to communicate well, it's important to understand how you can (and can't) use your body to express what you mean, especially when you're in a foreign country.
If a person is bored, he won't look at the person who is talking to him. He will find other things to do. He may also keep looking at his watch or a clock. If a person is open to you, his arms and legs will not be crossed (交叉的) And if a person is relaxed, you will know it by looking at his body. Even his breathing (呼吸) will be slower.
Here are some examples of body language:
|
Body language |
Feeling |
|
Sitting with legs crossed |
Bored |
|
Sitting with legs apart |
Open, relaxed |
|
Walking with hands in pockets, head down |
Sad |
|
Hands clasped (握紧) behind the back |
Angry |
American people like to say "Thank you." when others help them or say something kind to them. People in many countries do so too. It's a very good habit (习惯). You should say "Thank you." when someone passes you salt on the table, or when someone says you do your work well, you buy a nice thing, or your city is very beautiful. "Thank you." is used not only between friends, but also between parents and children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives.
"Excuse me." is another short sentence they use. When you hear someone say so behind you, you know that somebody wants to walk past you and doesn't want to hit you.
It's not polite to interrupt (打扰) others when they are talking. If you want to speak to one of them, say "Excuse me." first, and then begin to talk. You should also do so when you want to cough or make some noise before others. Let's learn to say "Thank you." and "Excuse me.".
