Many cultures have different ideas about why people catch colds. For example in the United States, some people think that you can catch a cold if your feet get cold. So, mothers tell small children to wear warm boots in the winter. In other places, including parts of the Middle East, some people believe that strong winds cause colds. So, on trains and buses, people usually don't like to sit next to open windows. In parts of Europe, some people think that wearing wet clothes will give you a cold. They say that after you go swimming, you should quickly put on dry clothes. Today, scientists know that colds are caused by a virus（病毒）. But the old ideas are still very strong, and many people still follow them to avoid（避免）getting ill.

    In many English homes people eat four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. People have breakfast at any time from seven to nine in the morning. They eat porridge，eggs or bread. English people drink tea or coffee at breakfast. Lunch comes at one o'clock. Afternoon tea is from four to five in the afternoon and dinner is about half past seven. First they have soups, and then they have meat or fish with vegetables. After that they eat some other things, like bananas，apples or oranges. But not all English people eat like that. Some of them have their dinner in the middle of the day. Their meals are breakfast, dinner, tea and supper and all these meals are very necessary.

    Tea is an important part of Chinese tradition. Tea has very close relationship to Chinese culture.

    It is said that Chinese tea was discovered by King Shen Nong. People say that he lived 5，000 years ago. One summer day, while he was visiting a faraway part of his country, he felt very thirsty. The servants began to make water hot enough for him to drink. Dried leaves from a near plant fell into the water. The king drank some, and found it could make him feel less tired. Also as a scientist, Shen Nong was interested in the new drink. And so, tea was created in 2737 BC.

    Drinking tea has many advantages. It makes people feel less tired, clears heat inside the human body and helps people become slimmer. As you add a cup of tea to your daily life, please check the following helpful advice.

    Drink it hot. Tea oxidizes(氧化)quickly, so it is suggested that you drink it hot.

    Do not drink too much strong tea. It will probably be harmful to your stomach and make you feel sick if you make the tea too strong.

    The best time to drink tea is between meals. It may not make you have a strong wish to eat when your stomach is empty, or cause stomachache when your stomach is full.

    Do not drink with medicine. It may change the medical result. You can drink tea two hours after you take medicine.

    Green tea is the best choice for office workers. Why? Because green tea helps stop the bad result of the computer.

    People in different countries greet each other in different ways. Here are some.

    The United States

    People shake hands when they meet for the first time. Friends and family members often hug or kiss on the cheek(脸颊)when they see each other.

    Korea(韩国)

    Men bow and shake hands to greet each other. Women do not usually shake hands. If you call someone, you use his or her full name. The family name comes first; then the first name.

    Finland(芬兰)

    Finns (芬兰人) greet each other with a handshake. Hugs and kisses are only for close friends and family members.

    The Philippines(菲律宾)

    The everyday greeting for friends is a handshake for both men and women. Men sometimes pat(轻拍) each other on the back.