Whether it’s putting your elbows on the table or talking with a mouth full of food, everyone has to watch their manners (礼仪) at some time. Manners have developed over thousands of years and are always changing. Around 100 years ago, children weren’t allowed to speak unless parents spoke to them first. Now young people can make their voices heard in many places.

Manners also mean different things in different countries. Eating food loudly is considered rude in some countries, but in others it’s a sign that people are enjoying their meal. What do you think, are manners important?

Many old people think so. They say kind words and actions are good to everyone. When someone has good manners, it shows they care about other people’s feelings and want them to be comfortable. In other words, well-mannered people make the world a happier place. Manners also help keep everyone healthy, which is why people should cover their mouths when they cough and keep dirty feet off seats.

However, some young men don’t think so. They hold the idea that manners make people act in a way that doesn’t mean how they really feel. If someone says “thank you” or “sorry” when they don’t mean it, they’re not being polite. In Europe, manners were a way of showing how rich a person was, but does it really matter what type of knife people use to eat fish? As long as people are kind to others, they should be allowed to act how they like.

Many people love travelling to different countries, but if you plan to go abroad, you should know how to behave in different situations around the world.

Most travelers enjoy meeting new people, but sometimes you can be rude without saying anything. In Russia, you should never shake hands in a doorway, and if you're travelling in Thailand, never touch people's heads or point your feet at people. When the Japanese meet new people, they like giving business cards-but you should read the card carefully, not just put it in your pocket。

In most countries in Europe people expect a lot of eye contact when you talk to them, but in many Asian countries a lot of eye contact seems unfriendly. And in South America people usually stand quite close to each other when they talk, but in countries like the USA you need to give people more personal space. Also, it's rude to interrupt Japanese people while they are talking to you. You must wait until they finish before you start speaking.

In restaurants in China you can leave a bit of food on your plate, it's OK to start smoking before other people finish eating, which you mustn't do in the UK. When in India, remember to eat with your right hand. Also avoid leaving empty bottles on the dinner table in Russia--that's bad luck.

When you're travelling in Asia, if someone invites you to his or her home, don' t forget to take off your shoes when you arrive. And if you visit an Arab family's home, don't admire anything valuable because your host will feel he should give it to you as a present.

With so much to think about, it's not surprising that many people prefer going on holiday in their own countries- or you might just decide to stay at home.