love around the world-爱满全球.doc

Love Around the World|爱满全球
Valentine’s Day is marked with cards, sweets, roses and romantic dinners, in America. Three out of every four Americans celebrate the day in one form or other. And they celebrate in style2! Each February 14, Americans exchange 160 million cards, and buy $1 billion worth of chocolates and 130 million roses. Many prefer a quiet dinner at home, but one out of every three Americans goes out for dinner on the night of February 14.
This outpouring3  of affection is not limited to lovers. A famous greeting-card company reports that in recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of cards sent to friends and relatives. Willard Harley, the author of a number of books on love says, “Valentine’s Day is not only about romance. Actually, it is a day to celebrate affection for those close to us, to show those we love how important they are to us.”
Thailand
In the North of Thailand, young girls, joined by family members, gather at the front of their house, which is brightly lit. This is an invitation to any males who are interested in marriage to introduce themselves to the family. He may approach with one or more male friends. If the girl’s family is impressed, they may allow the suitor to sing a song in her honor4.
The suitor must never touch the young woman he likes. If he commits such a grave5  error, the young man must send gifts of flowe