10个不为人知的国际习俗

Gift-giving, table manners: what’s acceptable at home doesn’t necessarily apply in other countries. Here are 10 distinctive customs to use as your passport to new experiences and friendships.
送赠礼物、餐桌礼仪：在本国可接受的习俗不代表适应于其他国家。当你带着护照探索新体验，拾获新友谊的时候，就要记住以下10种与众不同的习俗。

When traveling, it’s important to brush up on the customs and etiquette of the global village.
旅游时，有必要重新学习关于“地球村”的习俗和礼仪。

1. Avoid giving certain flowers in Russia.
1. 在俄罗斯，不要送赠某种鲜花。

Be careful when presenting flowers to a friend or business associate in Russia. Yellow blooms signify deceit or a relationship break-up. Skip red carnations, too. Traditionally, red carnations are placed on the graves of the dead.
在俄罗斯，送赠鲜花给朋友或商业合作伙伴要谨慎。黄色的鲜花代表欺骗，或者结束一段关系。也不要送红色康乃馨；传统认为，红色康乃馨是要摆在先人墓前的。

2. Don’t expect a “Thank You” card for these gifts in China.
2. 在中国，送赠这些礼物就别指望收到感谢卡。

Clocks, straw sandals are all associated with death and funerals in China. Deemed inappropriate and morbid, you’ll risk damaging the relationship if you present these gifts—for any occasion—to someone in China.
时钟、草鞋等在中国都是跟死亡和葬礼有关的。送赠此类礼物是不当的，让人毛骨悚然的。无论任何时候，如果你送了这些礼物给中国朋友，你就是在冒险要破坏这段关系。

3. Skip the salt in Egypt.
3. 在埃及不要用盐。

When tucking into a meal in Egypt, by-pass the saltshaker. It’s insulting to your host to sprinkle salt on your food. If you have to season your plate, it means that you find the meal’s taste repulsive.
在埃及吃饭，不要使用盐瓶。因为这是在嘲笑聚会主人在你的食物里食盐放少了。如果你确实要放调味料，就意味着这顿饭让人反胃。

4. Don’t show up on time in Venezuela.
4. 在委内瑞拉，不要准时到约定地点。

Here’s one place where being early or on time is viewed as being rude. In Venezuela if you are invited over to someone’s home for a meal, it’s recommended that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes later than the requested time. Early or on time guests are viewed as being too eager, even greedy.
在这里，早到或准时到约定地点会被视为无礼。在委内瑞拉，如果你受邀去某人家里聚餐，建议你比约定时间推迟十到十五分钟到达。太早到或准时到达的客人会被视为过于渴望聚餐或贪吃。

5. Always use a knife and fork in Norway.
5. 在挪威，记得使用刀叉。

In Norway, table manners are extremely important. Most meals, including sandwiches, are eaten using utensils.
在挪威，餐桌礼仪是极其重要的。大多数的餐宴，即便是吃三明治，也要使用器具进食。