Living habits of European and American countries (details)

Because China people are used to other international differences, in order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, we should try our best to adapt to and understand local customs and avoid misunderstandings. The following is what we have sorted out for your reference;

Pickpockets and thieves are rampant in some countries and regions and airports. Please take good care of your carry-on luggage when visiting abroad, especially don't take your passport, air tickets and other important items with you or leave your side.

Don't hang valuables on the back of the chair or put them on the side seat when eating in the restaurant to avoid being stolen.

You must return to China as scheduled when you visit the United States. If you stay, you will have the following consequences.

1. If you don't return, you won't get legal status, and you won't be able to stand in the local society, which will affect your future development.

2. If you are found to be stranded or return to China beyond the time limit, you will not be able to enter the United States in the future, and your future study and business will be rejected.

Going abroad represents the image of one's own country, so paying attention to one's behavior and appearance at any time can make local people leave a good impression on China.

weather

You can check the weather conditions in your area from the following website/global/stations/54511.html.

Exchange instructions

Exchange time: Monday to Friday, 9: 00 am-12: 00 pm 1:30-5:00 pm (closed on weekends and holidays). Trading places: Bank of China Beijing Branch and its authorized institution.

Need to carry documents:

1. Valid passports and visas issued locally require valid exit cards for the first time.

2. Letter of introduction from the unit, but no letter of introduction from the street of the unit.

3. ID card or household registration book.

4. International students should receive a copy of the admission notice.

5. A copy shall be issued to the settlers who want to settle abroad.

In principle, money can be exchanged at the place where the account is registered, but if the difference between the visa date and the ticket date is within 3 days, money can be exchanged at the visa place. If you have a Beijing hukou and complete the formalities, just find the nearest place to change money. The three days stipulated in the foreign exchange regulations do not include holidays. If the date of obtaining the visa is different from the date of issuance, you can also get a visa slip or receipt. If you want to exchange foreign exchange in excess (Hong Kong and Macao 1000 USD, other 2000 USD) or have other special circumstances, you can consult: SAFE: 68482583 Chegongzhuang West Road/Huatong Building, KlOC-0/9, which has been approved by SAFE (you need to go in person and get the approval).

enplane

When flying, you must carry your personal passport, travel permit, air ticket and other relevant documents with you. If you have an airline membership card, you'd better show it when you book your ticket.

Please pay attention to the voice of talking with others when flying. China people are warm and friendly, so they often raise their voices or shout at their partners inadvertently. This kind of behavior is likely to cause misunderstanding among people in other countries. Therefore, we should especially remind everyone not to talk loudly in public places.

By air:

Usually, airlines will broadcast passenger check-in before the plane takes off 1 hour, and passengers with children will board the plane by first class passengers. Then business class and economy class.

L put your luggage away after you find a seat on the plane. If you need to leave your seat, be sure to wait until all the passengers are seated before the plane takes off, or stabilize after the plane takes off. Never change seats after boarding the plane.

Please stand up straight when taking off, eating and landing.

Arrival and entry

When you go through the immigration formalities in the visiting country, you must give your passport, invitation letter and itinerary to the immigration officer. When you enter the United States, the immigration officer will nail a white form on your passport. Please be careful not to take it off. When the situation arises, immigration officials will write it down.

Immigration officials usually ask the following questions. If you can't answer them in English, you can ask for translation into Chinese.

1. How long do you plan to enter the United States?

Q: Please reply with the invitation letter.

2. Do you have any relatives or friends living in America?

3. Do you have any business in America?

Why did you come to America?

If you don't know, just give the invitation letter to the immigration officer.

Meat products, fruits, vegetables and seeds are prohibited.

Photographic films are no longer sold in the United States, and people in China need to bring them by themselves.

The electricity consumption in the United States is 1 10V.

North American hotels do not provide toothpaste, toothbrush and slippers. You'd better prepare yourself.

North American international flights stipulate that luggage is limited to 20 kilograms, and you must pay for excess baggage.

trouble removal

Important documents should be copied and saved in advance, and should not be put together with passports. If you lose your passport, you can report it to the local police station in duplicate, and then apply to our embassy for a new temporary certificate.

L when the international credit card is lost, immediately report the loss to the card issuing center and stop paying. Otherwise, the cardholder will be responsible for the stolen credit card.

Don't apologize to the other party when there is a traffic accident. When there is a traffic accident in Europe and America, "apologizing" means admitting that you are wrong and taking responsibility. Be sure to write down each other's car number, driver's license and insurance number. If the car is rented, be sure to inform the car rental company.

standards of behaviour

1. You can't stay and not come back. You stay and don't come back at your own risk.

2. Don't talk loudly in public places such as hotels, restaurants, computer rooms, theaters and public transport.

Don't climb public facilities or cross the road casually.

4. When you enter a public place or go to a restaurant to eat and buy tickets, you need to queue up. Please keep half an arm's length when waiting in line.

You can't stand or run in the car when it is moving. If the driver makes judgments in order to maintain everyone's safety during the exercise, the passengers will be responsible for the accidents caused by standing, running and playing.

6. Don't spit and throw rubbish everywhere.

7. Don't wear pajamas in the corridor, front desk and lobby of the hotel.

8. To take the elevator, you must let the passengers inside come out first and then go in.

9. Take the escalator, stand on the right and walk on the left.

10 When you walk or have to pass others, you must politely ask them to pass.

1 1 Don't publicize your political opinions and religious beliefs.

About diet

1. European and American hotels do not provide hot water unless Chinese restaurants provide hot water.

2. You have to queue up to eat in the restaurant.

Please don't make any noise and speak as quietly as possible when dining in restaurants in western European countries.

4. When dining in the canteen, don't take too much food, take a small amount and don't waste it.

5. American government stipulates that teenagers under 18 can't buy edible tobacco, alcohol and food.

6./kloc-Teenagers under the age of 0/8 are not allowed to enter bars, casinos and pornographic places.

European and American Tea Custom —— American Tea Custom

Americans' habit of drinking tea was brought by European immigrants, but Americans don't drink as much tea as Europeans, and their drinking methods are similar to those in Europe. Tea drinking in the United States belongs to clear drinking and mixed drinking, and most of them like to add additives such as lemon, sugar and ice cubes to tea. However, the United States is a fairly young country after all, so drinking tea is not as particular as in Europe. In addition, Americans have a fast pace of life and like convenient and quick ways to drink tea, so iced tea and instant tea are mainly canned. Americans like China tea very much, and the tea trade between China and the United States started almost at the same time as the birth of the United States. In 2000, the United States imported more than 20% of the total tea from China, mainly black broken tea and low-grade green tea. The main varieties of tea drinking are bagged black tea, iced tea, scented tea and herbal tea. In recent years, with the gradual revelation of the health care function of green tea, there has been a "China green tea fever" in the United States. The National Department of Health and relevant organizations of the United States also specially convened the international academic conference on "Tea and Health", held the China Tea Culture Week and the China Tea Culture Seminar, and established the National International Tea Culture Foundation of the United States in new york to promote tea culture and coordinate and organize tea industry exchanges between China and the United States. Many famous universities have held lectures on China tea, and some have also invested huge sums of money in the basic theoretical research on the health care function of tea.

The United States is located in the middle of North America, where tea is consumed. /kloc-Wuyi rock tea in China was the main tea in the 0/8th century, China green tea was the main tea in the 0/9th century, and black tea was the main tea in the 20th century. Since 1980s, the sales of green tea have started to pick up again. However, as a hot tea, Americans have evolved into a cold drink iced tea.

In the United States, whether it is the boiled water infusion juice of tea, the cold water solution of instant tea, or even canned tea, it is customary to put ice cubes into tea soup or put them in a freezer to cool them into iced tea before drinking. Iced tea is very popular with Americans. This is because iced tea should follow a fast-paced lifestyle. People don't want to drink tea in hot foam. When drinking iced tea, consumers can also add sugar, lemon or other juice according to their own tastes. Drinking tea in this way has both the fragrance of tea and fruit, especially when the tea is filled, the mouth is full of saliva and the summer heat disappears.

As a sports drink, iced tea is also favored by Americans. It can replace soda water, which can not only quench thirst during exercise, but also help athletes recover their energy. After strenuous physical activity, drinking a cup of iced tea will naturally make people feel cool, comfortable and refreshed.

Americans also drink chicken-tailed tea wine, especially in Hawaii with beautiful scenery, and there is a general habit of drinking chicken-tailed tea wine. The method of making chicken-tailed tea wine is not complicated, that is, in cocktails, according to everyone's needs, a certain proportion of black tea juice is added to make chicken-tailed tea wine. Only the quality of black tea is required. Tea must be high-grade black tea with rich soup color, strong irritation and fresh taste. It is considered that the chicken tail tea wine brewed with this tea juice is more mellow, more fragrant and refreshing, so it is popular.

European and American Tea Custom-French Tea Custom

France is located in the west of Europe, bordering the Atlantic Ocean in the west. Since tea was introduced into Europe as a beverage, it immediately attracted the attention of the French people. /kloc-in the middle of the 0/7th century, it was recorded in the travel notes of French missionaries that "China people owe their health and longevity to tea, which is still a common drink in the East." Later, after several times of publicity and practice, the French people's yearning for and pursuit of "lovely China tea" was aroused. French tea drinking gradually spread from the royal family and leisure class to the people and became an indispensable part of people's daily life and social interaction.

At present, the most popular drinks in France are black tea, green tea, scented tea and Tuocha. When drinking black tea, it is customary to brew or boil it, similar to the British custom of drinking black tea. Usually, a handful of black tea or a small bag of black tea is put into a cup, brewed with boiling water and then mixed with sugar, or milk and sugar are mixed. In some places, fresh eggs are mixed in tea and then added with sugar to drink; It is also popular to add lemon juice or orange juice when drinking bottled tea; Some people even mix gin or whisky into tea to make cool cocktails.

French people must drink green tea with high quality. Drinking green tea is the same as drinking green tea in West Africa. Generally, sugar cubes and fresh mint leaves are added to tea soup to make sweet and cool drinks.

French restaurants in China and Chinese in France mainly serve scented tea. The way to drink scented tea is the same as that of people in northern China. They are used to brewing with boiling water in the teapot. Usually do not add ingredients, advocate clear drinking. Since the 1980s, French people who love tea and fragrance have also taken a keen interest in scented tea. In recent years, especially among some French young people, it has become a fashion to be interested in black tea with floral, fruity and leaf fragrance.

Tuocha, which is mainly produced in the southwest of China, is favored by some French consumers, especially middle-aged and elderly consumers, because of its special pharmacological effects. Imports 2000 tons from China every year, including bagged Tuocha and Xiaotuocha.

The way to save water in Europe and America: rainwater and sewage recycling

France: water conservation becomes a "national project"

The Global Times reporter recently drove from Paris to the south of France for a business trip, and found along the way that most private gardens regarded by the French as the lifeblood have lost their vitality in the past summer. Some residents explained that this is the result of the recent water-saving order issued by the French government. Some parts of France are currently facing a drought that has not happened in decades. In order to ensure the drinking water and agricultural irrigation water for local residents, the French government issued a water-saving order: residents in arid areas are not allowed to water lawns, wash their cars with water, or discharge water into private swimming pools. In order to ensure the strict enforcement of the law, the French government has also set up a "water-saving police" team to patrol everywhere. Anyone who breaks the law will face a fine of more than 500 euros, or even jail.

A friend who works in the French Ministry of the Environment told reporters that the French government's promulgation of this water-saving order is by no means a "temporary cramming" in the face of drought. For many years, the French government has always regarded water conservation as a national policy. As early as the 1960s, the French government promulgated the Water Resources Management Law, which defined water resources as "national collective wealth" and no one could waste it. On the basis of this law, the French government has formulated the policy of "conserving water with water" and the regulation of "whoever uses water pays", which effectively controls industrial and agricultural water use; Among them, the regulation of "whoever pollutes will be treated" provides a lot of funds for the recycling of sewage. In France, hundreds of millions of cubic meters of treated sewage are used for agricultural irrigation every year.

In order to establish citizens' awareness of water saving, the French government pays special attention to water saving publicity. Major TV stations and radio stations in France broadcast water-saving public service advertisements every day. The French government has also been distributing pamphlets introducing water-saving techniques to the public. The government spared no effort in propaganda to make the French people form the habit of consciously saving water. In some high-end residential areas in Paris, the daily water consumption is contracted, but these families still use a lot of water-saving toilets. Many people even spend a lot of money to install an ecological shower system, filter the bath water and put it back into the toilet, which can save nearly 40% of domestic water. There is a car wash in the community where the reporter is located, but there is often no door. The owner of the car wash told the reporter that the business of the car wash in Paris was not good and he could not do it any more. Parisians can't afford a car wash of 2 euros each time, but they don't want to waste water.

With the requirements of the French government and people for water conservation, various water-saving devices have found their place in France. In France, as long as you look up, you can see the rainwater collection pipes under the eaves of buildings. When it rains, the rainwater collection pipe introduces the rainwater from the roof into the underground reservoir, which can be used as the second-class domestic water such as toilets after filtration and purification. Some places in France have also formulated local laws and regulations on rainwater utilization, stipulating that new residential areas must be equipped with rainwater utilization facilities, otherwise rainwater discharge fees will be levied. In addition, most faucets in public places in France are equipped with a timing system, which will automatically cut off the water after 30 seconds. The French friend of the reporter proudly said that France is not only a model of water saving, but also a pioneer of water saving technology.

United States: The population and economy are growing, but the water consumption is decreasing.

The United States is a country with relatively rich water resources, and its per capita possession ranks 59th in the world. Since the 1960s, the research and management of water saving have improved the water saving measures and education in the United States.

As early as 1965, the US Congress passed the Water Resources Planning Act, and on this basis, the US National Water Resources Committee composed of several government departments was established, which began to strengthen the comprehensive management and research of water resources. Since then, with the rapid growth of water consumption in big cities, more and more water-saving bills have been enacted in American States, counties and cities. There are many laws and regulations in new york, such as the Safe Drinking Water Law and the Regulations on Surface Water Treatment. In Texas, which is rich in water resources, in April this year, the state legislature suddenly proposed the 1 1 water saving bill.

These laws and regulations cover the whole process of water resources development, utilization, protection and management, involving the government, enterprises and residents, especially closely monitoring industrial and commercial water use. One of the most important water-saving measures in the United States is to vigorously improve the recycling rate, especially for oil refining, chemical industry and manufacturing industry that emit toxic substances. 1975, the average industrial circulating water rate in the United States was only 54.3%, and it increased to 94. 1% in 2000 (the circulating water rates in chemical industry and petroleum industry were as high as 96% and 97% respectively). From 1975 to 2000, the total population of the United States increased by 24%, and the gross national product (GNP) increased by 1.4 times. The total water intake in China has decreased by about 9% instead of increasing, of which the water intake in manufacturing industry has decreased by 62%.

Household water consumption is the most important part of urban water consumption, so the focus of urban water saving in the United States is household water consumption. To this end, cities in the United States have carried out various educational activities to mobilize residents to save water consciously. There are water resources management associations, environmental protection organizations and other non-profit organizations in towns and communities in the United States. They not only distribute publicity materials, but also hold various seminars and exhibitions to raise people's awareness of water conservation. Schools are the key targets of water-saving education. In an interview, an official of the Water Conservation Office of the Houston Municipal Government said that there are more than ten water conservation education activities for schools, including special training for teachers on how to engage in water conservation education. In addition, for students from kindergarten to 12 grade, the water-saving office will carry out special educational activities in a targeted manner to truly save water from dolls.

On the other hand, local governments and environmental organizations in the United States also provide water-saving equipment and tips to families, such as encouraging residents to use water-saving toilets, slow-running faucets and shower heads, and teaching people how to check water pipes for leaks. New york, whose pipeline is obsolete, also spent money on sonar equipment to check the leakage of the main water pipeline. Lawn water accounts for 1/3 of the total domestic water consumption in the United States. Therefore, governments all over the United States suggest beautifying their gardens with stone carvings to minimize the lawn area. During the summer water shortage, many areas, including Washington, D.C., have also promulgated laws and regulations prohibiting people from watering lawns within a certain period of time, and once found, they will be severely punished.

These measures seem small, but the effect is quite remarkable. According to the survey in Houston, the water consumption of residents in this city has been reduced by 72% only through simple measures such as replacing water-saving toilets, faucets and nozzles and detecting water leakage.

Egypt: Countries with severe water shortage are not "short of water"

According to the statistics of the United Nations, a country with an annual per capita water resource of less than 2,000 cubic meters is a water-deficient country. Countries with per capita water resources below 1000 cubic meters are seriously short of water. Egypt is dry and rainy. The annual rainfall in Cairo is only 3 1mm, but the ground evaporation is as high as1.020mm.. According to United Nations standards, Egypt is a country with severe water shortage.

A few days ago, the Global Times reporter had a talk with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mustani on water conservation. Mustani said that water is the life of the Egyptians, and saving water is related to the fate of Egypt. Former President Sadat once stressed that only one thing can drag Egypt into war, and that is water. Mustani said that it was out of this strong sense of anxiety that Egypt launched a massive national water-saving campaign in 200 1 year. Now Egyptians have a strong awareness of saving water, and it has become a habit to turn off the tap at will. Indeed, 10 years ago, when reporters were studying in Cairo, they often found that the faucet was not turned off in the dormitory water room. This phenomenon is rare now.

Mustani said that since agricultural water accounts for most of the country's water consumption, Egypt's legislation on agricultural water consumption is particularly detailed, specifying the use methods of groundwater and surface water in detail, and encouraging private investment in desert management. In the mid-1990s, Egypt established the Water Users Committee, which is a mechanism for farmers to manage their own water use, and government departments such as agriculture, finance, water conservancy and justice also sent representatives to participate. According to the regulations, except the Nile, all levels of canal systems used for agricultural irrigation are managed by water users' committees, which not only mobilizes farmers' enthusiasm for managing water resources, but also cultivates their awareness of water conservation, killing two birds with one stone.

Egypt attaches great importance to the research work of agricultural water conservation, and has established agricultural engineering research institutes, desert research centers, crop cultivation research institutes and horticultural research institutes. The popularization rate of low-pressure sprinkler irrigation in Egypt has reached more than 50%, and the water consumption of this irrigation method is not only 60% less than that of ordinary flood irrigation, but also 30% less than that of high-pressure sprinkler irrigation. In addition, the water consumption of wheat, cotton, corn and other crops has been greatly reduced due to the wide promotion of drought-resistant crop varieties and the water-saving benefits generated by high-precision land leveling. In recent years, due to the water-saving measures in place, agriculture in Egypt, a water-deficient country, has enjoyed bumper harvests year after year.