8. American Traditions

Every nation has different customs and traditions, its own way of life.

In Europe there are people who have lived in the same house and been in the same job for 20, 30 or more years. That’s not the American way of life. The Americans love change, they call it the spirit of adventure, a spirit that they think is more characteristic of America than of Europe. They like to move away, to change houses and jobs.

While the Englishman thinks it is ill mannered to ask private questions, the American doesn’t feel that at all. He will tell you all about himself, his wife and family, and ask where you have come from, what your job is, how you like America and how long you are staying. The American prefers sociability. In his home he doesn’t object to being seen by everyone — he actually likes it.

With this sociability goes overwhelming hospitality. A national Thanksgiving Day is perhaps the only holiday spent by the Americans at home. Table decorations follow a traditional pattern — a harvest of Indian corn, apples, oranges, walnuts and grapes. Flowers also bring the fall scene indoors. The centrepiece is the traditional roast turkey.

Still another American tradition concerns Halloween. Its origin dates back hundreds of years to the Druid festival. The Druid New Year began on November 1, marking the beginning of winter and the reign of the Lord of Death. The custom of telling ghost stories on Halloween comes from the Druids. On this occasion children usually wear ghost costumes or false faces. They also carve out rounded eyes in pumpkins and put burning candles inside them to make them visible from far away.

In Texas, where the West begins, the biggest annual festival — the Fat Stock Show — is held. Its rodeo, hold together with the stock show, is the biggest indoor rodeo on the earth.

And, of course, no nation can exist without humour. As they themselves say, an American must have one wife, two cars, three children, four pets, five suits, six acres, seven credit cards — and is lucky to have eight cents in his pocket.

9. Public holidays

There are some public holidays when people all over the country do not work. The major holidays are: New Year's Day, Victory Day, May Day, Constitution Day, the Women's Day, Independence Day.

New Year`s Day  There is one holiday which is loved by everybody: children and adults. This is New Year. People decorate New Year trees with toys and lights. On the New Year night people go to a dance, visit their friends or stay at home and watch TV. It's my favorite holiday.

THE 8th OF MARCH (The Women's Day)  It is a happy and nice holiday. It is a good tradition in our country to give presents and flowers to women on this day. Each family celebrates this spring holiday. In the morning men go to the shops or markets to buy some flowers. They try to clean flats and help women to cook a holiday dinner. Sons and daughters help their mothers too.  Some families celebrate the 8th of March going to the theatres and concerts. Others prefer to invite guests and stay at home.  All women try to be nice and happy on this day.

MAY DAY  The 1st of May is a spring holiday in our country. Usually it is warm during this day. The weather is fine. The trees are green. You can see some flowers in the parks and gardens. I don't go to school and my parents don't go to work on the 1st of May.

Victory Day  The greatest national holiday in our country is Victory Day. On the 9th of May we celebrate the anniversary of the victory over fascism in the World War II. Many veterans took part in the military parade.

Independence Day is a new holiday in our country. On the 12th of June, 1992, the first President of Russia was elected.  We also celebrate Day of the Defender of Motherland on the 23d of February, Easter, Day of knowledge and lots of professional holidays.

10. Я хотела бы сказать несколько слов о моем университете. я решил учиться в одном из крупнейших университетов в городе в Kaрагандинском государственном университете. Моя профессия мировая экономика и я собираюсь стать мировым экономистом.КарГу была основана в1938году.С тех пор он подготовил более 100 тысяч специалистов в том числе большое количество студентов.В настоящее времяя я студент этого университета и я горжусь этим.Я знаю что многие подростки мечтают изучения здесь но вступительные экзамены не так легко.Мне пришлось учиться чтобы стать студентом этого университета .Есть также частые международные программы основанные на образовательных обменов .У всех есть возможность побывать в Европе или в Америке. Нопока я на первом курсе и я решила отложить эту возможность.Я надеюсь что скора решусь и буду обучаться в Европе

I would like to say a few words about my university. I decided to study in one of the largest universities in the city Karagandinskom State University. My profession world economy and I'm going to become the world was founded ekonomistom.KarGu v1938 year. Since then, he has trained more than 100,000 professionals, including a large number of students. Currently I am a student of this university and I'm Proud. I know that many teenagers dream to study here but exams are not so easy. I had to learn to become a student of this university. There are also frequent international programs based on educational exchanges. Everybody has a chance to go to Europe or America. I Nopoka a freshman and I decided to postpone this opportunity. I hope that soon I will make up my mind and study in Europe