In the early twentieth century, an American woman named Emily Post wrote a book on etiquette. This book explained the proper behavior Americans should follow in many different social (12) _______, from birthday parties to funerals. But in modern society, it is not simply to know the proper rules for behavior in your own country. It is necessary for people (13) _______ work or travel abroad to understand the rules of etiquette in other cultures as well.

Cultural (14) _______ can be found in such simple processes as giving or receiving a gift. In Western cultures, a gift can be given to the receiver with relatively little ceremony. When a gift is offered, the receiver usually takes the gift and expresses his or her thanks. (15) ______, in some Asian countries, the act of gift-giving may appear confusing to Westerners. In Chinese culture, both the giver and receiver understand that the receiver will typically refuse to take the gift several times before he or she finally accepts it. In addition, to (16) _______respect for the receiver, it is common in several Asian cultures to use both hands when offering a gift to another person.

(Source: Reading Advantage by Casey Malarcher)