Things weren't so bad. , I was among friends again.

Cute lion heads, deafening(震耳欲聋的)gongs(锣) and drums, the excited crowd——these are all parts of the lion dances you often see during Chinese holidays or at the openings of new shops and restaurants.

Ancient Chinese people thought the lion stood for braveness and strength. It can drive away evil(邪恶)and bring good luck. As one of the most well-known folkdances in China, the lion dance has been performed for more than 2, 000 years. It was very popular during the Tang Dynasty (618—907).

Wang Rentao, 41, has been performing the lion dance for 28 years. Born in Zhongkeng village in Dongguan, Guangdong, Wang watched villagers perform it when he was young. " It's a time-honored(历史悠久的) tradition here and the love for the lion dance is in everyone's blood, "Wang said.

Now as the head of the village's lion dance troupe (演出队), Wang is proud of the group's achievements. "We've won many awards and taken part in many important events, important events, including the celebration of the 70th birthday of New China at Tian'anmen Square," Wang said.

Wang's troupe is famous for dancing on dance skills. piles(梅花桩), one of the most difficult lion dance skills. Performers jump from one pile to another at a height of about 2.5 meters. The distance between the piles can be as far as 1.8 meters.

"The training is really tough. Performers need to have a solid (扎实的) base of kung fu skills first. Even with that, they can fall from the pile and get hurt, "Wang said." But that's also the amazing part of the lion dance , the part that makes it a valuable heritage.”

The lion dance is popular not just in China, but in overseas Chinese communities. Many overseas Chinese seethe lion dance as a symbol of China. The lion dance reminds them of the culture of their homeland.

There are many differences between Chinese eating habits and Western eating habits. In the West, everyone has their own plate of food. But in China the dishes on the table and everyone shares. If you are being treated a Chinese host, there must be a lot of food prepared for you. Chinese are very of their culture and will do their best to show their hospitality(好客). And sometimes the Chinese host uses his to put food in your bowl or plate. This is a sign of politeness. The proper thing to do would be to eat whatever it is and say delicious it is. If you feel uncomfortable with this, you can just say a polite" Thanks" and leave the food there. Don't stick your chopsticks upright the rice bowl. Instead, lay(放置) them on your dish. The reason for this is that when somebody , the shrine（神龛)to them has a bowl of sand or rice with two chopsticks which are stuck upright in it. It is impolite to set the teapot down where the spout (壶嘴)is facing somebody. The spout should always be directed to where nobody is sitting, usually just outward (向外) from the table. Don't hit your bowl your chopsticks. Beggars (乞丐) hit their bowls, so this is not polite. Also, when the food is coming too in a restaurant, people will tap their bowls. If you are in someone's home, it is like offending the cook.