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.

    Manufacturing（制造业） is an important industry in the United States. However, for many years, Americans have expressed fear that the industry is in danger.

    Matthew Burnett knows this all too well. The American businessman started a watch company in 2007. At first, he had overseas（海外的） manufacturers make all his products. As a result, Burnett often faced shipping delays（延误）, a lack（缺乏） of quality control, and time zone problems. Later, he developed into leather goods. Still, he tried to find factories in the country to make the wallets, belts, and other products of his new brand. And he was not alone. Many American businessmen found it easier to go out of the country for manufacturing. There was no central marketplace for the industry.

    So, Matthew Burnett, and his business partner Tanya Menendez, created one. They called it Maker's Row. Since 2012, the online marketplace has been connecting businessmen with American manufacturers.

    Matthew Burnett explains. "What we try to do at Maker's Row is to encourage the brands to start producing in the United States so that you see more made in America products on the shelves. We used to produce 97 percent of the goods that we consume here in the United States, today it's less than three percent. So it makes it very challenging to find sometimes made in America products, but that's the situation we're trying to change, by bringing these brands back home to produce."

    Maker's Row helps brands and businesses find and organize their supply chains（供应链）in the country. Besides, Maker's Row can be especially helpful to new or part-time entrepreneurs（企业家）. The site, Makersrow.com, can provide a plan for turning an idea into a business. And co-founder Tanya Menendez says Maker's Row offers classes and training. "We have an online course. They're designed for people with busy lifestyles or those who may start off working 9-to-5." Today, the Maker's Row website has 80,000 registered users.

    The BCG company in Boston advises businesses around the world. It estimates（估计） the average cost to manufacture goods in the U.S. is only five-percent higher than in China. And the company predicts（预计） that by 2018 the cost difference will narrow further, to as little as two percent higher. Maker's Row and other similar efforts could play a big part in making that prediction come true.

What are your parents like? Do they have any strict family rules for you? Do they make you feel stressed? Recently, a mother's unique idea about her kids' playtime has caught people's attention online.

Jessi Meeks says every day, her three kids get an hour where they get to do "whatever" they want. She calls it "whatever-makes-you-happy hour".

Meeks' idea arose naturally from one of her kids' suggestions. "One afternoon, the kids were outside painting and my husband and I were trying to talk and carry on a conversation. My oldest son Cannon looked at me and asked, "Can I paint my hands? And I was like, ‘Whatever makes you happy. You all just do it and be quiet so Mommy and Daddy can talk to each other,'" Meeks recalls. "And from then on, around that same time of the day, they would ask if they could do something and we'd be like, ‘Sure, whatever makes you happy.'"

But Meeks also sets necessary boundaries (界限). "If they start hurting themselves or hurting each other, we step in," she adds,"And we don't let them watch TV."

Meeks believes the hour of free playtime has been beneficial for her kids. If they make a big mess, she thinks it's a good chance to teach little ones the practice of tidying up. At the same time, it's also a great way to allow time for them to explore and play the way they want.

"Even though the kids make a mess at times, it has worked out well for everyone in my family," Meeks says. She views "whatever-makes-you-happy hour" as a daily period to make new memories and build a good family relationship.

Did you find or lose anything? Here are some lost and found notices.

Lin has a few e-friends from different countries. He is telling something about them.