王强口语 第二册 Read Text 021

（单词翻译）

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文化篇
Read the text carefully and be prepared to answer the question:
Sense of Personal Space
Americans have a strong sense of personal space and usually don't like to be touched by others.  Other than shaking hands or giving a hug or a kiss on the cheek when saying hello and goodbye, grownups generally don't touch each other.  Most touching¹ is thought of in a sexual way and makes Americans uncomfortable if they don't want that kind of relationship.  For example, if a Russian man affably leans over and puts his hand on his American friend's thigh², the American man might freak out a little, thinking the Russian is gay and coming on to him.  For the same reason, straight American men don't ever hold hands with their male friends when they walk down the street.  American women are generally not as homophobic as some American men are, but you still don't usually see two female friends holding hands.
Latin Americans might think Americans seem unfriendly because they aren't physically³ open in this way.  In fact, many Americans think it would be nice to show their affection more freely, but they feel too uncomfortable when someone invades their personal space.  So Americans stand a few feet apart when they're talking.  If someone stands too close or breathes in the other person's face, Americans feel a little offended and try to move back a bit.
It's normal for Americans to affectionately touch children.  But since America has recently been going through a huge scandal over child sexual abuse, which has become a very touchy⁴ subject. People have to make sure that their affection toward children could not be considered in the least sexual.  And teachers should be especially careful that they don't give the wrong impression.