Weddings are quite different——from nation to nation, from area to area, and from the past to the present. However, all people consider weddings to be important and happy events.
People in the Western world go to church for their weddings, while some tribes（部落） in Africa hold their weddings in the open around a campfire, with much dancing.
In China, weddings are different from those abroad. People in the countryside used to carry the bride in a sedan chair from her parents' house to her new home. Now sedan chairs are seldom seen. Instead, the bridegroom may take the bride to their own new house by bicycle or by tractor（拖拉机）. In the city the bride usually prefers a car, brightly decorated(装饰) with flowers and a Chinese character(汉字) meaning double happiness. However, a wedding dinner is necessary in both the countryside and the city. Relatives(亲戚) and friends who are invited to the dinner usually drink to the happiness of the bride and bridegroom.

    Every year there is a Spring Festival in China. Usually it is in January or February. It is the most important festival in China. So before it comes, everyone has to prepare things. They buy pork, beef, chicken, fruits and many other things. And they often make a special kind of food—“dumplings”. It means “come together”. On the day before the festival, parents buy new clothes for their children. Children also buy presents for their parents. On the Spring Festival Eve（除夕）, all the family members come back to their hometown. This is a happy moment. Some sing and dance，some play cards and others get the dinner ready. When they are having dinner, they give each other the best wishes for the coming year. They all have a good time.

    When migrants（移民） arrive in the US, they face a world that can be confusing in many ways. They need to learn to live in a different environment. Some laws and rules are written down. They can learn about them before they arrive. But there are lots of "unwritten rules," too. Unwritten rules are behaviors that no one talks about, but that most people understand.

    Here is a list of five important issues any new arrival to the U.S. should know about.

    Be "on time." In some cultures, time is not a big issue. If you tell your friend to meet you at 2 p.m. and you arrive at 2:45 p.m., there is no problem. In the U.S., people feel that being on time is a sign of respect. If you are late by more than a few minutes, people will think you do not care. They will feel you are wasting their time. They will take your lateness as an insult.

    Be sure you always "tip." In many countries, after you eat at a restaurant, you only pay the amount shown on the bill. But, in the U.S., people who work in restaurants and bars often earn a low hourly wage. So, they try to provide excellent service, hoping the customer will give them a "tip," meaning a little extra. People in the U.S. tip between 15 percent and 20 percent of the bill. You also give tips to taxi drivers, hotel employees and the people who cut your hair.

    Be careful what you say. Any place you go there will be some things that are proper to talk about and some things that are not. Supposing that people have the same beliefs as you is a bad idea. In the past decade, people in the U.S. have become more open about discussing strong political and religious views. But it is still best to listen to people share their opinions first and then decide about sharing your own. Also, there are several topics you should avoid asking questions about: how much money a person makes and if they are married. But if a person offers this information, then there is no problem.

    Be polite for the situation. People in the U.S. define being polite in very special ways. For example, waiting in line involves a strong set of rules in this country. You must wait until the people in front of you have done what they are waiting to do. When going through a door, the person behind you expects you to hold the door for them. Also, it is common for people you do not know to say hello to you when passing you. But this does not always mean they are inviting you to stop and talk for a long time. Many times the person is just being friendly. If you don't say hello back to them they may think you are being unfriendly.