阅读理解

　　Chinese politeness have always been formal to follow strict rules, although sometimes Chinese people seem to be impolite according to Western standards in public places．To well understand Chinese, some concepts should not be ignored．

　　Mianzi

　　The idea of shame, usually expressed as 'face' could be loosely defined as the 'status' or 'self-respect' in Chinese and by no means alien to foreigners．It is the worst thing for a Chinese to lose face．Never insult, embarrass, shame, yell at or otherwise demean a person．Since all these actions would risk putting a Chinese in a situation that he might lose face, neither try to prove someone wrong nor shout at him in public．In order to get a successful effect without letting a Chinese lose face, any criticism should be delivered privately, carefully, or else, just opposite to what you wish．

　　Guanxi

　　Throughout much of Chinese history, the fundamental glue that has held society together is the concept of guanxi, relationships between people．It is very important for the Chinese to have good relationships．They often regard good social relations as a symbol of personal ability and influence．Someone who has no connections would be disrespected and is only half-Chinese．

　　Keqi

　　Keqi not only means considerate, polite, and well mannered, but also represents respect and modesty．It is impolite to talk too proudly about oneself or one's inner circle．The expression is most often used in the negative, as in buyao keqi, meaning“you shouldn't be so kind and polite to me,”or“you're welcome．”

　　Besides, Chinese seldom express what they think directly and they prefer a roundabout way．Neither show their emotions and feelings in public．They rarely greet people with a handshake, though it is very popular among foreigners, and say nothing of embracing or kissing when greeting or saying good-bye．Consequently, it is better not to behave too carefree in public, even though you are well-intentioned．Also, it is advisable to be fairly cautious in political discussions．Do not particularly push yourself forward, or else you are unwelcome．

　　To sum up, do in Rome as Rome does, but you need not worry about these cultural barriers since most Chinese are hospitable and friendly and will not mind your no accomplishment．

阅读理解

　　After a year in the US, I have learned some interesting American expressions．When I am facing a lot of pressure at work, my back and neck would start to hurt．I have too many things to do, because my supervisor is on my back all the time．In other words, my employer is always telling me to do things．

　　Sometimes I want my employer to get off my back．I cannot say this; I would never turn my back on her or refuse to help when there is a need．If I did refuse to help, my supervisor might say bad things about me behind my back．Sometimes when I am very productive in my job, my employer gives me a pat on the back．She might even say, "I will scratch your back, if you scratch mine．" This means she will do something for me if I do something helpful for her in exchange．

　　I know that my employer carries a lot on her shoulders．She is responsible for many things at the office．Being important, she often rubs shoulders with the top officials．She spends time with some very important people．I believe the top official values my supervisor．He never gives her the cold shoulder．He always treats her to be an important part of the organization．

　　I also value my supervisor．In fact I think she is very effective in her job．We are always ahead of others in the yearly sales．But it is not necessary for me to praise my supervisor．So I think I will just save my breath because talking or repeating will not do any good．