Friends, I'd like to{#blank#}1{#/blank#}you something important. Before you go to another country, it is a great help if you know the language and some of the  {#blank#}2{#/blank#}of the country.

    When people meet each other for the{#blank#}3{#/blank#}time in Britain, they say “How do you do?” and shake{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Usually they do not shake hands when they just meet or say goodbye. But they shake hands after they haven't{#blank#}5{#/blank#}for a long time or when they will be away from each other for a long time.

    Last year a group of German students{#blank#}6{#/blank#}to England for holiday. Their teacher{#blank#}7{#/blank#}them that the English people hardly shake hands. So when they met their English{#blank#}8{#/blank#}at the station, they kept their hands behind their backs. The English students had learned that the{#blank#}9{#/blank#}shake hands as often as possible, so they put their hands in front and got ready to shake hands with them. It {#blank#}10{#/blank#}both of them laugh.

    Americans like to travel for their holidays. Today more and more travelers in America choose inns(小旅馆) or private homes{#blank#}1{#/blank#}of hotels. Like the local families, they{#blank#}2{#/blank#}nights at the small houses. And they can get the {#blank#}3{#/blank#} for the next morning.

    Rooms for the night with breakfast have been{#blank#}4{#/blank#}with travelers in Europe for many years. In the{#blank#}5{#/blank#}five to ten years, these bed-and-breakfast places have become popular in America. Many of these America's small hotels are modern buildings. Some have only a few rooms. Others are even larger. Some private homes do not{#blank#}6{#/blank#}telephones in the room while others do.

    Staying at private homes is{#blank#}7{#/blank#}from staying at a hotel. Usually the cost is much{#blank#}8{#/blank#}. It is almost like visiting someone's home. The owners are{#blank#}9{#/blank#}glad to tell about the area and the famous places to travelers. Many travelers say they enjoy the{#blank#}10{#/blank#}to meet the local families. They can learn more about the local traditions when traveling.