Different people have different ideas about time. People in the USA think that it is1to know the time. In cities in America, there are2in stations, factories and other buildings. Radio announcers (播音员) give you the correct time during the day. Most Americans also have watches with them3they go. They want to do certain things4certain time. They don't like to be late. They think everyone is supposed to do5on time.

    But time is not6important to everybody in the world. When you visit a country in South America, you will 7that people there don't like to rush. If you had an appointment with somebody, he could probably be late8he might not want to arrive on time.

    In South America, even the radio programs may not begin on time. The men on the radio may not think it is important to tell the exact9. People in South America think that clocks or watches are just machines. They think that you will10 a clock or a watch control (控制) your life if you do everything on time.

We had to put off the sports meeting the bad weather.

In July, I took my kids on vacation to Los Angeles. A month later, I went to Las Vegas for my birthday. I had a lot on my plate and was under a lot of stress. I just wanted to get away and 1for a while.

While I was sitting by the pool, an2suddenly came to me. I'd always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. Therefore, the idea of a two-week3alone was born. It was something I never thought I'd be planning this soon in my life. I had always thought, if it did ever happen, it would be4I was retired and old.

I would lie if I said I wasn't5. I'd driven alone across the US before, from California6New Jersey, but traveling to other countries whose languages weren't the same as7terrified me. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to communicate with anyone, especially if I got8somewhere.

9I soon realized that if I wanted to follow my dreams, I had to step out of my comfort zone. And I 10 realized that I was scared, and if I let fear take control of me, I'd never get anywhere.

As I searched for other places to visit on my trip, I found the best part was the 11ride to Venice. As I rode on the bus and enjoyed every new thing I saw, I was having the time of my life. And it was nice to see people, 12and old, riding their bikes to wherever they needed to go. I thought the scenery of the city was so wonderful, but seeing people doing 13routine was the best part for me.

Some people might say, "It's not a big14. It's just Venice. Thousands of people go there everyday. "But it was more than that to me. It was about having a dream and when it was time for it to15, not to be afraid to let it happen. When I did, the reward was more than I could have possibly imagined.

Table manners are how to behave when you have a meal. They include how to handle knives, forks and spoons and how to eat in a polite manner. To behave well abroad, you should know some table manners.

EATING MANNERS

Japan: It is "perfectly" okay to slurp when you eat noodles. Unlike making big noises, slurping slightly is not rude. Japanese also say it tastes better if you slurp.

Russia: Your wrists should be placed on the edge of the table while eating, fork in the left hand, and knife in the right. It is not good manners to rest them on your lap. Keep your elbows off the table. Leave some food on your plate to show that the host has given you enough to eat.

France: Never discuss money or religion over dinner. What is different from the manners in Russia is that finishing everything on your plate is considered good manners.

Mexico: Whenever you catch the eye of someone who's eating, even a stranger, it's good manners to say "provecho", which means "enjoy". In Mexico, dining is more than a meal. It's a social occasion--lunches are seldom quick and suppers can last for hours. Before you get seated, look for place cards, or wait until the host seats you. And you must say "enjoy your meal "before you leave the table.

DRINKING MANNERS

America: If you empty a bottle into someone's glass, it obliges that person to buy the next bottle. It's polite to put the last drops into your own glass.

Australia: In a pub it's usual to buy a round of drinks for everyone in your group. When it's your turn, say "It's my round". When it's their round, they will buy it for you. Don't leave before you've bought a round.

Japan: Don't fill your own glass of alcohol. Instead, you should pour for others and wait for them to do it for you.