East is East, and West is West, and never the twain1 shall meet.” At least, that's what English writer Rudyard Kipling said. Truth is, nowadays Easterners and Westerners meet quite often. And when they do meet, naturally, they have to find an appropriate2 greeting. Aye, there's the rub3. What's culturally appropriate for people in one culture may be completely out of line in another culture. So the best approach is to follow the well-known maxim4, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”So what's an appropriate salutation5 for Americans? Maybe you already know how to say, “How are you?”You might even know the customary6 response, “Fine, thanks, and you?” Is that all there is to greeting people American-style? Well, Americans do often use this trite greeting, and they generally expect nothing but the standard7 answer. (If you want to shock an American friend, the next time he greets you this way, tell him how you're really doing.) But most Americans enjoy a little variety now and then. In informal settings, you might hear Americans say, “How's it going?” (which doesn't mean, “What's your destination8?”) or “What's up?” (which isn't an inquiry9 about the stock10 market). Formal situations, on the other hand might call for expressions like “Good morning” or “Hello, it's nice to see you.”
After the initial11 “hello,” what kind of comments are appropriate to kick off a conversation? You might engage12 in small talk and make a remark about the weather, your job or current events. Or you could ask your American friend about his recent activities or his upcoming13 plans. If you know that he's been under the weather, you might ask him how he's feeling. But don't make use of personal comments or questions like “Boy, you've put on weight!” or “What are all those bumps14 on your face?” or “How much money did that necklace cost?” Americans might take offense at questions or comments about money or their appearance.
One other caution15: In some social contexts, particularly in an office or a professional setting, greetings between the sexes should be very conservative. If you're a man, greeting a woman with a statement like “Wow! You look beautiful today!” may be construed16 as a come-on. So when you're giving a compliment17, the key is to use discretion.
What about overt displays of affection, like hugging and kissing? Contrary to some stereotypes18, Americans don't go around hugging and kissing everyone they meet. Of course, girls might give each other a squeeze19 as a friendly gesture20, and in some high society circles, a little peck on the cheek is a common courtesy. But except with family members and close friends, Americans usually don't give out wholesale21 hugs. Besides that, not all Americans are inveterate22 huggers anyway. So don't wrap23 your arms around the next American you see. He or she might be just as uncomfortable as you are.
东是东来西是西，冤家从不聚一起。”至少英国作家Rudyard Kipling是这么说的。实际上，当今的东方人和西方人还是常常碰面的。既然是碰面，免不了要打招呼，这样麻烦来了。文化不同，适用于各种场合的问候语往往大相径庭，这时候还是按照那条大家都熟悉的格言行事为妙：入乡随俗！
究竟怎样和美国人打招呼才合适呢？也许你已经会说“How are you ”（你好吗？），也知道它的习惯性答复，“Fine, thanks. And you? ”（很好，谢谢，你呢？）。是不是美式问候语就这么几句呢？实际上，美国人确实常用这种老掉牙的招呼方式，也没指望你给出标准以外的什么答复。（不信，下次碰到美国朋友这么给你打招呼，你就实话实说。他准被吓一跳。）不过，大多数美国人还是喜欢时不时变点花样。在一些非正式场合，你会听到美国人这么说，“How's it going?”（“最近怎样，”不是“你去哪儿”）或“What's up?”（不是询问股市行情）。不过，正式的场合中，类似“Good morning”（早上好）和“Hello, it's nice to see you ”（你好，很高兴见到你）的表达方式还是必要的。
有了一句“Hello”作开场白，接下来该谈点什么来引出一个合适的话题呢？你可以试着聊聊天，谈论谈论天气、工作或时事，你也可以询问你的美国朋友近期有何活动或安排。如果你知道他近来有些不适，不妨关心一下他的健康，但千万不要涉及个人评论或隐私问题。像“老兄，最近发福啦！”或“你脸上的疙瘩是怎么回事？”或“那条项链花了多少钱？”，诸如此类。美国人是很反感别人对钱财或自己的仪表品头论足的。
另外，需要提醒的是，在某些社交场合，特别是在办公室或其它职业场合对异性的问候必须十分注意分寸。如果你身为男士，与一位女士这样打招呼：“哇！你今天真漂亮！”就可能被误解为不怀好意。由此可见，要赞美别人，关键是要斟酌场合。
那么，美国人对诸如拥抱和亲吻之类的公开亲昵举动态度如何呢？其实，美国人并不像人们认为的那样，见人就拥抱亲吻。当然，姑娘们见面时不免要拥抱一番,在某些上流社交圈子里，轻吻面颊也是一种常见的礼节。但是，美国人通常不会随便拥抱家人和好友之外的其他人。除此之外，不是所有美国人都对拥抱习以为常。所以下次再见到美国人，你就没必要伸手抱住他（她）了，不然，他（她）可能会和你一样不自在呢。
1. twain [twein] n． 两、双
2． appropriate adj． 适当的
3． rub n． 摩擦
4． maxim n． 格言，座右铭
5． salutation n． 招呼
6． customary adj． 习惯的，惯例的
7． standard adj． 标准的
8． destination n． 目的地
9． inquiry n． 质询，调查
10． stock n． 股票
11． initial adj． 最初的
12． engage v． 从事
13． upcoming adj． 即将来临的
14． bump n． 疱，疙瘩
15． caution n． 小心，警告
16． construe v． 解释，分析
17． compliment v． 称赞，恭维
18． stereotype n． 固定的形象或理解
19． squeeze n． 挤，此处意为拥抱
20． gesture n． 姿态，表示
21． wholesale n． 批发
22． inveterate adj． 根深的，成癖的
23． wrap v． 卷，缠绕