Some birthday customs

Some birthday customs

Some birthday customs (习俗) are quite similar (类似的) in many parts of the world——birthday candles (蜡烛), birthday games, and birthday cakes. But some customs are more specific (特定的) to certain countries. Here are some children talking about their customs.

Linda——I am fourteen. I come from Aruba (阿鲁巴岛). In our country,children take something special to school for their classmates and all teachers. Each teacher gives the birthday child a small gift like a pencil, an eraser or a postcard. The birthday child is also allowed (允许) to wear special clothes instead of (而不是) the school uniform (校服).

Lucy--I am one year older than Linda. Denmark is my country. A flag(旗) is flown outside a window to show that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child's bed while they are sleeping so they will see them at once when they wake up.

Tom——I am as old as Linda. I am from Brazil. The birthday child receives (收到) a pull on the earlobe (揪耳朵) for each year in my country. The birthday person also gives the first slice of cake to his or her most special friend or relative (亲戚), usually Mom or Dad.