王强口语 第二册 Read Text 003

（单词翻译）

　　文化篇
Read the text carefully and be prepared to answer the question:
Friendliness¹
In the U.S., saying hello to people is just a friendly gesture.  It's a democratic habit that treats friends and strangers alike.  However, it doesn't mean that someone is trying to make friends.  Foreigners sometimes mistake an American's friendliness for genuine friendship, and wind up feeling hurt or believing that the Americans are really superficial in their friendships.  But Americans call almost everyone they know "friends," even when they are only acquaintances.  True friendship is just as precious in the U.S. as it is anywhere.