Commonly Americans and Europeans don?t refer to certain parts of body in conversation.
?Avoiding “ vulgar words ”
As for public lavatory, people normally say “ Rest Room ” “ Comfort Station ” “ Public Convenience ” “ Powder Room ” “ Ladies/Gents (Gentlemen) ” “Men?s/Women?s “Loo” etc.”
?In the case of going to the lavatory, they say “washing hands”or “paying a penny” While being a guest in an other?s home, he or she only drops a hint to the host/hostess “I want to go somewhere.”
?Similarly, rarely does an American or European say “prison”directly but “training school”or “institute of correction” in euphemistic tone.
When a person has died, people may say “took one?s rest in peace ” or “passed away ” and so forth.
?Fine cultivation and civilized language are easily accepted by people and accommodated as well by society, Otherwise, those who are uncivil will be isolated and encounter others? scorn. DOING IN ROME AS ROMANS DO
?There is an English proverb: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you go to western countries. You should feel free and natural to make friends quickly with the people and visit them in their houses and share their holidays.
?Do not hesitate to accept invitations to dinner form others simply because you can not return the treat. They will not expect you to do so. People in western countries will enjoy welcoming you and will be pleased if you accept their friendship easily.
?When you arrive at the States and ring your friend up from the airport, he may tell you on the phone, “Take a 106 from the terminal ”or “Get a taxi. Do you mind getting here in time for dinner?”.Don?t misunderstand his meaning. He is not giving you a cold welcome. No, not in the least. He just can?t afford the time to come to the airport. THE NUMBER 13（号码）
?Universally Westerners avoid the number “thirteen”, believe it is ominous and try their best to avoid it. Some people even feel uneasy about the thirteenth day of each month, they also think Friday is inauspicious. So if the thirteenth day happens to be “Friday”, some people will be really on tenterhooks as if a disaster would be about to fall.
?Therefore they always do their utmost to avoid it. On the thirteenth, ships don?t weigh anchor and planes don?t have their trial flights. Banquets are not arranged no Friday of thirteenth. They do not even use “13” number houses, hotel rooms, stories, dining tables or a motorcade. Furthermore, when having dinner, they avoid thirteen people at the same table.
?Why do the Westerners keep so far away from “13”? A version says that it can be traced back to Northern European mythology. The other version comes form the Christian legend concerning the Bible. ON SMOKING（吸烟）
?Smoking is forbidden at many public places in western countries. On a public occasion when a person is accompanied by others if he wants to smoke, he/she should first enquire
of people around whether smoking is permitted or not. It is very rude to smoke in somebody?s house without permission. TIPPING小费
?Traveling abroad, people can come across, at all times and places, this question----a tip, which is also called a service charge. Most countries in the world have the habit of tipping.But the proportion is far different in each country. If you don?t pay tips, you will cause some unexpected problems. WHERE TO PAY TIPS在哪里先付小费 ?Restaurant and Dining-hall
?Many hotels?s Rest Rooms are put in the charge of someone. ?Hotels
?While staying in a hotel, you should frequently tip. The larger the hotels are, the more sorts of tips are paid.
?Besides the 10-15percert service charges on the hotel bill, you should tip other extra services. Upon your arrival in a hotel, all the luggage will be carried only by a few waiters, you do not have to pay them tips one by one, but give fifty cents or one U.S. dollar to the person who opens your door to the bedroom and settles your luggage in the room.
?Tip the attendant who sends you breakfast , tea or beverage. Tip the cleaner who cleans your room, In the United States, it is a usual practice to leave two dollars for the cleaner every day in an advanced hotel. But in Europe, even if you stay in a first-class hotel, fifty cents is enough. ?Taxi drivers
?The tip for the taxi driver is normally about 15 percent of the fare. In Belgium, according to the law, it is twenty percent.
?There is a saying in the west, if you refuse to pay the fare required by the driver, you might cause trouble, no matter whether it is fair or not.
?You?d better not bargain with him, lest you should cause a big problem for a small tip. Don?t be penny-wise and pound- foolish. One third of the taxi drivers?income comes from tips. But taxi drivers get tips by pretending they have no change.
?If you decide to rent a car, you should remember that when you need to add some more petrol, in Europe, give twenty to twenty-five cents to those who refuel and clean the windshield for you. England is an exception in that the workers at petrol station charge no tips.
?Other Occasions
?Porters receive tips according to the amount of the luggage. Each charges twenty five cents.
?In public places, you should tip those who look after your clothes. Those who open and close the car for you should be tipped. As long as you are served you should give tips. THE WAYS TO PAY TIPS
?You should normally tip individuals except when paying the service charges listed on the bills, and tipping is mostly conducted privately. The usual way of tipping is to leave the tip under the plate or wineglass, or put it directly into the attendant?s hand while expressing your thanks, or leave the change(except for a big note)