Family structure is the core of any culture. A major function of the family is to socialize new members of a culture. As children are raised in a family setting, they learn to become members of the family as well as members of the larger culture. The family provides the model for all other relationships in society. Through theobservations and modeling of the behavior of other family members, children learnabout the family and society including the values of the culture. Familystructure and their inherent relationships and obligations are a major sourceof cultural difference.

        The family is the center of most traditional Asians' lives. Many people worry about their families' welfare,reputation, and honor. Asian families are often extended, including severalgenerations related by blood or marriage living in the same home. An Asianperson's misdeeds are not blamed just on the individual but also on the family—includingthe dead ancestors.

        Traditional Chinese, among many otherAsians, respect their elders and feel a deep sense of duty toward them.Children repay their parents' sacrifices by being successful and supportingthem in old age. This is accepted as a natural part of life in China. Incontrast, taking care of aged parents is often viewed as tremendous burden inthe United States, where aging and family support are not honored highly.

        The Vietnamese family consists of peoplecurrently alive as well as the spirits of the dead and of the as-yet unborn.Any decisions or actions are done from family considerations, not individualdesires. People's behavior is judged on whether it brings shame or pride to thefamily. Vietnamese children are trained to rely on their families, to honorelderly people, and to fear foreigners. Many Vietnamese think that theiractions in this life will influence their status in the next life.

        Fathers in traditional Japanese familiesare typically strict and distant. Japanese college students in one study saidthey would tell their fathers just about as much as they would tell a totalstranger. The emotional and communication barrier between children and fathersin Japan appears very strong after children have reached a certain age.

        Although there has been much talk about"family values" in the United States, the family is not a usual frameof reference for decisions in U.S. mainstream culture. Family connections arenot so important to most people. Dropping the names of wealthy or famous peoplethe family knows is done in the United States, but it is not viewed positively.More important is a person's own individual "track record" ofpersonal achievement.

       Thus, many cultural differences exist infamily structures and values. In some cultures, the family is the center oflife and the main frame of reference for decisions. In other cultures, theindividuals, not the family, is primary. In some cultures, the family'sreputation and honor depend on each person's actions; in other cultures,individuals can act without permanently affecting the family life. Somecultures value old people, while other cultures look down on them.

(Adapted from R. L. Oxford & R. C.Scarcella, "A Few Family Structures and Values Around the Globe")

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DELAYED BAGGAGE REPORT

    PRINTED AT ALBANY N.Y. AIRPORT ON JULY 10, 2016 11:15 A.M.

Dear Valued Customer,

    We regret that your baggage was not available to claim after your recent flight. Everything possible will be done to locate your belongings and return it to you on time.

    For information on your delayed baggage, contact the United Airlines Baggage Resolution Center at its 24 hour, seven days a week.

Number:

1-800-335-BAGS (2247) (US – Toll Free)

281-821-3536 (Local Houston Number)

Or visit site: http://www.united.com/for/bagtracing

    As soon as you send your Delayed Baggage Report, United Airlines will begin to look carefully for your baggage system. Our Baggage Resolution staff will make every effort to call you once a day to keep you updated on our progress. Please refer to the File Reference Number on this receipt (凭证) when corresponding or calling so that we can quickly access your records.

    Keep this receipt with your claim check (提取证）and E-Ticket receipt until your baggage is returned to you.

    In most circumstances, United Airlines will deliver your baggage when it is located. Delivery times vary depending on location.

If your baggage has not been returned to you within the first five-day tracing period, please download a claim form from our website and return it to us with the required information included.

DELAYED BAGGAGE REPORT

DELAYED BAGGAGE REPORT              FILE REFERENCE: ALBUA25876

Name: JOHN JACKSON                    Contact Number: 802-247-9999

Delivery Address: 66 MOONBROOK DR

BRANDON                   Email: minminvt@yahoo.com

VERMONT USA 05745               

Bag Tag: 0037387643; 0037387657

Description: Soft-Side Upright suitcase; Non-Zippered, hard side horizontal suitcase

    The gray-haired lady can't wait to leave the building to search for her dad. Unless watched, she will walk in the streets in an effort to find her father, who died 30 years ago.

    Not all cases of Alzheimer's disease look like this, but Alzheimer's is a serious disease that is said to be the fourth or fifth leading cause of death for people over age 75. It is said that about three percent of the U.S. population over age 65 have Alzheimer's. In the early stages; people may exhibit short-term memory loss. Some may experience changes in personality, easy to be angry. As the disease progresses, patients might lose the ability to move and may be unable to speak or move at all. This progressive disease generally lasts 8 to 10 years before death occurs.

    While no one is certain what causes these changes in the brain's nerve fibers, their effect is certain. Alzheimer's destroys not only the patients, but also spouses（配偶）, friends and families.

    What should you do if you notice progressive memory loss in yourself or a loved one? Have the person examined by a doctor who is a specialist in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Though many reasons other than Alzheimer's disease may cause memory loss, its early diagnosis（诊断）and treatment may delay some of the most serious effects.

    What feeling will you likely experience if a loved one suffers from Alzheimer's disease? A person will often go through the various stages of sadness, shock, anger, and so on. If the spouse develops the disease, you may experience hurt and disappointment when he or she doesn't remember you are married.

    Life for the Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones will never be the same as the disease progresses, bringing a deep sorrow, loss and even anger towards God. No matter what feelings are present, facing them honestly will serve one better than burying them.

    Unsurprisingly, people who are very busy also tend to be very successful and knowledgeable, so it's in your interest to befriend with them. But how do you talk to such busy people in order to make friends with them?{#blank#}1{#/blank#} the same rules apply. However, there are a few specific rules for talking with busy people in particular.

    Remember that even busy people are social creatures. That people are busy doesn't mean they don't want to chat with others or they don't enjoy it.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Busy people can be very social and friendly. Like anyone else, they have a deep-seated need to socialize and make friends.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They know they're capable and in demand, but it doesn't mean they expect others to prove themselves to them. The best use of your time talking with busy people is not in trying to impress them. Focus on making a conversation and creating a connection, not on proving yourself.

    Spend more time in their field. When dealing with busy people, since their time is in high demand, your favorite topics take a slight backseat to theirs. It usually makes sense to make sure they find the topics you talk about meaningful.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Get to the point.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Their time is highly valuable. So they don't need you to sugar coat your messages that much, they just want you to say what you have to say.

A. Don't try to prove yourself.

B. Don't hesitate to change your plans.

C. They just don't have that much time for it.

D. It's comfortable for them to chat with people who they like.

E. Mostly, talking to busy people is the same as talking to any others.

F. Once you've found a topic they enjoy talking about, you should explore that topic.

G. Busy people have little patience for communicators who beat around the bush.

The next time you attend a social function or go to a place where people meet and interact, take note of the number of people who have adopted the same gestures and posture—the way you sit or stand--of the person with whom they are talking. This "carbon copying" is a means by which one person tells the other that he is in agreement with his ideas and attitudes. By this method, one is non-verbally (非语言的) saying to the other, "As you can see, I think the same as you, so I will copy your posture and gesture."

    This unconscious (无意识地) mimicry is quite interesting to observe. Take, for example, the two men standing at the hotel bar. They have mirrored each other's gestures and it is reasonable to assume that they are discussing a topic upon which they have the same thoughts and feelings. If one man uncrosses his arms and legs or stands on the other foot, the other will follow. If one puts his hand in his pocket the other will copy and this mimicry will continue for as long as the two men are in agreement.

    This copying also occurs among good friends or people of the same social position and it is common to see married couples walk, stand, sit and move in very similar ways. People who are strangers, however, try hard to avoid holding mutual(相互的) positions. The significance of carbon copying can be one of the most important non-verbal lessons we can learn, for this is one way that others tell us that they agree with us or like us. It is also a way for us to tell others that we like them, by simply copying their gestures.

    If an employer wishes to develop immediate friendliness and create a relaxing atmosphere with an employee, he needs to copy the employee's posture to achieve the end. Similarly, an up-and-coming employee may be seen copying his boss's gestures in an attempt to show agreement. Using the knowledge, it is possible to influence a face-to-face encounter by copying the positive gestures and postures of the other person. This has the effect of putting the other person in a receptive and relaxed frame of mind and he can "see" that you understand his point of view.

    We've heard of robots and AI (Artificial Intelligence) taking human jobs, but I bet mayors（市长）don't really think their jobs can be threatened any time soon. They were wrong, and the AI running for the mayor of a Tokyo district was clear proof of that.

    AI can't legally run for high-ranking public management positions yet, but one mayoral candidate from Tama City, Tokyo, intended to maximize the use of artificial intelligence in running city affairs. He was running his campaign (竞选运动) as "AI Mayor". Basically, he was suggesting replacing human public officials with AI and having them collect city data and create fair and balanced policies that will benefit everyone.

    "For the first time in the world, AI will run in an election," human candidate Michihito Matsuda announced on Twitter. "Artificial Intelligence will change Toma City. With the birth of an AI Mayor, we will conduct balanced politics."

    The AI Mayor was campaigning very much like its human competitors. Posters were shown all over Tama City and campaign trucks were blaring out(大声鸣响)promises of an AI utopia (乌托邦)and asking for support.

    Some people called Michihito Matsuda's campaign a stunt (噱头), as a human would still be the one legally in charge. However, others said that they were excited about the future of AI running things in the background, adding that it had to be a better choice.