In most cultures, when you meet someone for the first time,  is usual to greet him.(one) a young woman from England went to Hong Kong to study. When she first arrived, she knew (less) about the Chinese culture of language. One day, she went to a bank to get some money. To her surprise, the bank clerk asked her if she had had her lunch. In the British culture it would mean an invitation(邀请) to lunch. Between unmarried young people it can also mean the young  man) interest in dating the girl. Since this bank clerk was a (strange) to the British woman, she was very puzzled(疑惑的) and (quick) answered that she had eaten already. After that she was even more surprised when one of the teachers asked her same question.

    By now she had understood that it couldn't be an invitation was puzzled why they asked it. In the following days, she was asked the same question again and again and she spent many hours (try) to understand why so many people kept asking this. At last she thought that these people be concerned about(关心) her health. She was rather thin at that time and she thought they must be worrying that she was not eating well.

    All around the world, people drink tea. But tea does not mean the same thing to everyone. In different countries people have very different ideas about drinking tea.

    In China, for example, tea is always served when people get together. The Chinese drink it at any time of the day at homes or in teahouses. They prefer(更喜欢) their tea plain, with nothing else in it.

    Tea is also important in Japan. The Japanese have a special way of serving(招待) tea called a tea ceremony(仪式) .It is very old and full of meaning. Everything must be done in a special way in the ceremony. There is even a special room for it in Japanese homes.

    Another tea-drinking country is England. In England, the late afternoon is "teatime".

    Almost everyone has a cup of tea then. The English usually make tea in a teapot and drink it with cream and sugar. They also eat cakes, cookies and little sandwiches at teatime.

    In the United States people drink tea mostly for breakfast or after meals. Americans usually use tea bags to make their tea. Tea bags are faster and easier than making tea in teapots. In summer, many Americans drink "iced tea". Sometimes they drink iced tea from cans, like soda.