Scented sachets, also called “fragrant bags” in ancient times, are bags usually sewed with cloth or weaved with multicolor silk threads and stuffed with aromatic herbs. The fragrant bags were originally used for absorbing sweat, repelling insects and warding off evils. Scented sachets are not only useful, but also ornamental. They come in different shapes and sizes, such as round, oval and many others. And they are normally decorated with elaborate patterns, with each pattern symbolizing a special meaning.For instance,a double-fish or double-butterfly pattern smybolizes the love between a man and a woman;patterns like lotus or peony flowers symbolize women;pine and crane patterns symbolize longevity and a guava pattern is the symbol of lots of children.A nice scented sachet is not just an ornament,but more of something that contains cultural and historical richness.

　　作為中國傳統(tǒng)的民間藝術(shù)，吹糖人(Sugar Figure BlowingArt)歷史悠久，然而 隨著中國經(jīng)濟的發(fā)展，這一藝術(shù)正漸漸消失。據(jù)說這一民間藝術(shù)始于宋朝，當(dāng)時被稱為戲劇糖果(operacandy)。吹糖人以糖作為基本材料，糖人藝人用自己的方法熬糖,然后吹成各種人物。藝人先把糖加熱到適當(dāng)?shù)臏囟龋缓罄恍┨窍?syrup)捏成一團，再用各種技巧做出不同的形狀,并涂上鮮艷的顏色。這種藝術(shù)是手、眼、心、 呼吸和一定溫度所需時間控制的真正結(jié)合。一項技術(shù)不過關(guān)，整個過程都會失敗。

　　As a truditional Chinese folk art, the Sugar FigureBlowing Art have a long history. But it is graduallydisappearing in the process of economicdevelopment in China. It is said that this folk drt wasformed in the Song Dynasty; at that time it wancalled opera candy. The Sugar Figure Blowing Art uses sugar as its basic material, and theartists have their own ways to boil sugar and blow it into various figures. Artists heat up sugarto proper temperature, then pull some syrup and knead it to a ball. Then they make differentshapes by using different skills and paint bright colors on the figures. This art is really acombination of hand, eye, heart, breath, and the timing of temperature skill.If there is oneskill you couldn’t perform well, the whole procedure will be a failure.

　　每種文化都有自己的行為準(zhǔn)則，中國也不例外。在中國，跟別人打招呼時，你或者點個頭，或者微微鞠個躬。握手也很常見，但你要等到中國朋友先伸手才可以。另外，與西方社會的做法截然相反，中國人不太喜歡被陌生人觸碰。所以不 要輕易地觸碰別人，除非你完全有這樣的必要。最后一點，根據(jù)儒家思想 (Confiicianism)的觀點，老人在任何情況下都應(yīng)該受到年輕人的尊敬。你應(yīng)該總是以老人為先，并對他們表本最大的敬意。

　　Every culture has its rules on how to act，and China is no different. In China,to greet someone, you nod your head，or you bow slightly. Handshakes are also common, but you should wait for your Chinese partner to initiate the motion. In addition，as opposed to those found in Western society，Chinese people do not enjoy being touched by strangers. Don’t touch someone unless you absolutely have to.Finally, from the perspective of Confucianism, the elders are to be respected in every situation by those who are younger. You should always acknowledge the elders first,and show the most respect to them.