Section III
Maintaining a Sharp Eye

Passage I :   Read the Text
The Way Americans Greet
Americans often greet each other simply with "Hello" or "Hi". They believe such an informal greeting often implies a close and friendly relationship. Similarly, Americans do not have a formal "farewell". They will just wave "good-bye" to the whole group. Or perhaps, they will simply say "Bye", "So long" or "Speaking of time, I've got to run" and then leave . To Americans, a friendly and informal relationship is the most important thing.  
Yes, a proper introduction will leave a good first impression upon others. However, American introductions are usually rather simple. In the United States, most people don't like using Mr., Mrs. or Miss in introductions. They find these terms too formal. They prefer first names to formal titles in most cases. For example, a gentleman may say, "Glad to meet you. I'm Miller. But call me Paul." Sometimes a woman you meet for the first time may say, "Don't call me Mrs. Smith. Just call me Sally." So when your American friends do not use your last name or titles, don't feel that they have been impolite. They only want to show friendliness.
When you first get to know an American, he may ask you, "Where do you work?" "Are you married?" or "Do you have children?" Such questions may be too personal to Europeans. But Americans do sometimes ask such questions. They would like to get answers to these questions. In this way they can get better acquainted with you and have a topic for beginning conversation with you.

Difficult Sentences 

1. The Way Americans Greet 美国人的致意方式

“in which ” is omitted after the way
“ in ... way” means (to do something)
by means of a certain method.
Example: I think the way she runs her bookshop is worth studying.

2. Speaking of ... time, I’ve got to run.

a present participle clause used as an adverbial of cause/time.
It means “when it comes to time, I’m reminded of …”  
Translation:说到时间，我得赶紧跑了。
Example: Speaking of books, I should have returned the ones I borrowed last month.

3. However, American introductions are usually rather simple.

a conjunct to denote a contrast of this sentence to the previous one.
It means “可是，然而” in Chinese.
Translation: 然而，美国式的介绍通常相当简单。
Example: Money is important. However, you cannot buy happiness with money.

4. In this way they can get better acquainted with you and have a topic for beginning a friendly conversation with you.

In this way used here to introduce a coordinate clause, which further develops the topic being discussed.
Translation: 这样他们便能更多地了解你，并由此为开端与你友好地侃上一场。
Example: In this way you can improve your spoken English and do better in the job interview.

5. But Americans do sometimes ask such questions.

Do is used here to emphasize the following verb. It means “的确, 真的”。
Translation: 但是美国人有时确实问到诸如此类的问题。
Example: Most people hate the cold weather, but some people do enjoy themselves in winter.

Important Words
1. greet:  v. say words of welcome to, express one’s feelings  on receiving sb. 问候，致意，打招呼
e.g It is important for the students to learn how to greet people in English.
The American professor greets his students with “Morning!”
2. impression : n. effect produced on the mind or feelings  印象
e.g The teacher has made a deep impression upon my mind with his devotion to teaching.
What’s s your first impression upon him?
3. acquaint : v. make familiar with, get to know, reveal to sb. 结识，认识
e.g I have become acquainted with my new duties.
You should try to acquaint him with the facts of the case.
4. wave: v. move one‘s hand to and fro, up and down (to give a greeting or say goodbye) 挥手致意，舞动

e.gWhen Jane waved goodbye to her Chinese friends, she could hardly hold back her tears.
The policeman waved him nearer.

5. leave: v. go away from; fail or neglect to take/bring sth.
离开，出发；留下，遗忘

e.g The beautiful city has left a deep impression upon our mind.
He is going to leave for Australia next week.
I’m sorry. I have left my umbrella in your car.

6. prefer : v. like better, would rather do 更喜欢，宁愿

e.g  I prefer to have the meeting in the morning rather than in the afternoon.
Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?
Many people prefer cycling to driving.

7. call: v. & n. address, name, ring sb. up 叫，称呼，打电话
e.g  He is so tall that many of his friends call him Sky.

This tropical fruit is called coconut.
Please give me a call if you need my help.

8. relationship: n. particular connection or relation; instance of being related
关系，联系
e.g He is making efforts to develop a lasting relationship with Lizzy.