Food develops along with the time. However, what stays unchanged is how the cuisine reflects the unique history, lifestyle, value and belief of a country or community. It is the reflection of a culture.

In China, the culture of harmony is a vital feature in almost every aspect of life. It is also reflected in Chinese cuisine, where almost every flavour(salty, spicy, sour, sweet or bitter)is used in a balanced way to create delicious dishes with flavours that go well with each other. The idea of harmony also lies in the relationship between the appearance and the nutrients in Chinese dishes. And it is no wonder why the Chinese cuisine not only tastes delicious with nutrition, but also looks appealing like art.

The cuisine of the United States also reflects its history. When the Europeans first arrived in the Americas, they introduced their ingredients and cooking styles as well. Later in the 20th century, the influx of immigrants(移民)from many foreign nations developed a rich diversity in food preparation throughout the country.

With the development of globalisation, it is easier to get access to cuisines from different cultures.We should embrace our heritage through our food, and become more informed about other cultures by trying their foods. We should keep in mind that each dish has a special place in the culture to which it belongs, and is unique to those who prepare it.

There are an unbelievable number of reasons to go to Greece;just like there are an unbelievable number of things to do once a traveler arrives there.Here is a look at just some of the great historical things to see when vacationing in Athens,Greece.

Agora

Agora lies in ruins now,but during its glory days it was a lively and active open marketplace where Greeks came to buy,sell,and exchange their goods and services.Agora has ties to common people of ancient Greece.Guided tours are available and there is also a small museum with many artifacts from this area on display.

Parthenon

One of the most famous landmarks in Athens is the legendary Parthenon.This building is still today admired by architects who are appreciative of the decorative design,as well as the engineering involved in its construction.Those interested in history will be impressed beyond belief with the opportunity to see this historic structure up close and personal.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

One of the most impressive monuments to see up close is the Temple of Olympian Zeus.Many people see this monument from far away,or even from the window of a taxi,and never stop for a firsthand look themselves.This is a huge mistake as the size of it cannot truly be appreciated without visiting it up close.

Odeum of Herodes Atticus

Built into the hillside and providing a nice view of Athens is the Odeum of Herodes Atticus.This theater was constructed in the second century and was an important gathering place for both the upper and lower classes.It holds a little over 5,000 people,is located just below the Acropolis,and is still used for performances to this day.

Whether you’re eating at a fancy restaurant or dining in someone’s home, proper table manners are likely to help you make a good impression. According to a US expert, Emily Post, “All rules of table manners are made to avoid ugliness.”

While Henry Hitchings of the Los Angeles Times admits that good manners can reduce social conflict, he points out that mostly their purpose is protective — they turn our natural warrior like selves into more elegant ones.

So where did table manners come from? In medieval England, a writer named Petrus Alfonsi took the lead to urge people not to speak with their mouths full. And King David I of Scotland also proposed that any of his people who learned to eat more neatly be given a tax deduction (减除).

Disappointingly, that idea never caught on. It was during the Renaissance that there were real technical developments, and opinions of correct behavior changed for good. “None of these was more significant than the introduction of the table fork,” wrote Hitchings. “Gradually, as forks became popular, they brought the new way of eating, making it possible, for instance, to consume berries without making one’s fingers dirty.”

Forks were introduced to Britain in 1608 and 25 years later, the first table fork reached America. Yet while most of the essentials are the same on both sides of the Atlantic, there are a few clear differences between what’s normal in the US and what holds true in the UK. For example, in the US, when food needs cutting with a knife, people generally cut a bite, then lay aside the knife and switch the fork to their right hand. Then they pick up one bite at a time. By contrast, Britons keep the fork in the left hand and don’t lay the knife down.

Though globalization has developed a new, simpler international standard of table manners, some people still stick with the American cut and switch method. The Los Angeles Times noted, “They are hanging on to a form of behavior that favors manners above efficiency.”