July 27 Sleepyhead Day A septet of Rip Van Winkles，the men who came to be known as the Seven Sleepers，had the misfortune of being devout Christians in third－century Turkey in the midst of Emperor Decian's anti－Christian persecutions．The sev...
Adult Dating in the US Men and women go out together a great deal in America，especially in the cities．They ski together，work together，dine together，either at restaurants or in each other's apartments．This does not mean that they are neces...
The Best Packing for a Long Weekend Leave the trunk in the attic．It is possible to pack everything you need for a weekend getaway in one carry－on bag．Heres how： Bring two pairs of shoes：one for sight－seeing and a dressier pair for evening...
Rushmoore National Monument The well－known Rushmoore National Monument in the United States is erected on the Rush moore Peak，1829 meters above sea level，of the Black Hills in the south－west of South Dakota．It is a group of huge stone statu...
Wedding customs and traditions The idea of having bridesmaids，pages，a best man and ushers originated with the belief that evil spirits，envious of the couples happiness，would be out to harm them，but would be confused by so many similarly dre...
Easter Eggs Most English holidays have a religious origin．Easter is originally the day to commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ．But now for most people，Easter is a secular spring holiday，when everyone hopes to enjoy fine weather，when...
Holy Bath A paper suit is a risky thing to wear to the beach．It s even riskier if you plan to go into the water．But that doesn t matter to the people of Oporto，northern Portugal．Every year on the eve of Saint Bartholomews Day which is due on...
Halloween All Saints Day，which falls on 1st November，is regarded in the West as a festival．It was formerly a religious day and has been observed since the 4th century．31 st October，the night before All Saints Day called Halloween，was orig...
Western titles and terms of address In the west，especially in Britain，status titles are associated with class distinctions――Lord Apley，Earl Bernard（Count is used in Western European countries）．The British upper class families usually...
Monday Monday，the second day of the week，means literallyday of the moon．Here in Britain，it s generally the least popular of days because for most people it means a return to work or school after the weekend break．Often，this prospect is vi...
American Etiquette If you re invited to an American friends home for dinner，keep in mind these general rules for polite behavior．First of all，arrive approximately on time (but not early)．Americans expect promptness．It s OK to be 10 or 15 mi...
The unique Russian steam bath In A．D．９４６，the Russian Grand Duke Igor was killed by the Delieflians．In the second year，his wife Oligathought out a brilliant plan to avenge her husband．She invited those murderers to take a bath in a b...
Wedding custom around the would (12) Italy：Ribbons signify the tying together of two lives. A ribbon is tied a cross the front of the church door to symbolize the wedding bond. Wedding guests have for centuries tossed confetti（sugared almonds）a...
Wedding custom around the would (11) Morocco：As in other Muslim countries, five days before the wedding, the bride has a ceremonial bath, then is painted with henna swirls on hands and feet, and adorned with makeup and jewels by other women. Before...
Wedding custom around the world (10) Holland：Dutch families used to plan a party prior to the wedding. The bride and groom sat on thrones under a canopy of fragrant evergreens. One by one, the guests ca me up to offer their good wishes. Dutch weddi...
