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America 美国 An American woman living in Wisconsin volunteered to tutor1 English to a Japanese woman who had moved into the same community. “Before each lesson, and on each and every visit,” the American reported, “the Japanese lady brought me a gift — a book, some paper sculpture, flowers, or candy. It was embarrassing.” 一位居住在威斯康星州的美国女士自告奋勇辅导刚搬进同一社区的一位日本女士学习英语。她指出：“那位日本妇女每次上课、每次拜访都带礼物给我，一本书、纸刻品、花或是糖果，真令我尴尬。” Unknowingly, this American was experiencing a vestige of protocol rooted centuries deep in the Japanese culture. 这位美国女士不知不觉领教了日本几百年来根深蒂固的文化传统。 In America, lavish, extravagant gifts are definitely out. An appropriate alternate to a gift is to take the deserving person to dinner, or to an entertainment or sporting event. On the contrary, gift giving is an institution and a revered custom in Japan. According to Business Tokyo magazine, among the Japanese “gift giving is a necessity, not merely a nicety as in the West.” In Japan the proper gift is thought to express the giver\'s true friendship, gratitude, and respect far better than words can. So if you plan to visit Japan or to have Japanese visit you here, be prepared. | 
