Traveling to every part of the world gets easier, but how well do we know and understand each other. Here's a simple test. Imagine you are planning to hold a meeting at four o'clock. What time should you expect your foreign business friends to arrive? If they are Germans, they'll arrive on time. If they are Americans, they'll probably be 15 minutes early. If they are Englishmen, they'll be 15 minutes late, and you should allow up to an hour for the Italians.

    The British seemed to think since the English language was widely used in the world, people would always understand what they do. However, they found they were completely wrong. For example, the British are happy to have a business lunch and discuss business matters and have a drink during the meal. The Japanese prefer not to work while eating. Lunch is a time for them to relax and get to know each other and they don't drink at lunchtime. The Germans like to talk business before dinner. The French like to eat first and talk afterwards. They have to be well fed and watered before they discuss anything.

Many children like collecting stamps. Stamps collecting didn't begin until 1854. As time goes on, there are more and more kinds of stamps. These stamps are very beautiful and interesting. There are many wonderful pictures on them. And there are more stamp collectors. Not only children but also men and women collect stamps. In 1921, America began selling all kinds of stamps to the collectors. In some countries, there are even lessons on stamp—collecting in school. People all over the world are becoming more and more interested in stamps. Each picture on a stamp has its meaning in it. It may be the head of a great leader, a famous scientist or a writer. It may be a beautiful bird or fish. It may be an interesting place. Every stamp tells us a story.

    You may know the English letters A, B and C, but do you know there are people called “ABC”? You may like eating bananas, but do you know there are people called “banana persons”? If you don't know, I will tell you about it. They are some Chinese people like you and me, but they aren't in China. Why do people call them like that?

    If we call somebody an ABC person, we mean he or she is a Chinese but was born (出生) in America. Sometimes, people also call them “banana persons”. A banana is yellow outside and white inside. So if somebody is a “banana person”, he or she is “white” inside and “yellow” outside. By saying that, we mean he or she has yellow skin(皮肤) but does things in an American way. “Banana persons” were born in America and they live in America for a long time, so they think like Americans and do things like Americans. However, these people still have Chinese blood(血统). Their parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents are from China. They all have black eyes and black hair, so they look like us, Chinese people.

    There are many famous “banana persons” in America. They do very well in America and they are really great in their own fields.

    Do you know about any manners(礼仪) in England? How can you act politely when you are in England? This guide will help you to do things as the English people do.