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.

在美国，打招呼仅仅是一个友好的姿态。这是一个民主的习惯，对待朋友和陌生人都一视同仁。但是，这并不意味着那人在试图跟你交朋友。外国人有时错误地把美国人的友好表示当作真正的友谊，然后又突然感到自己受到伤害或者相信美国人的友谊真正肤浅的。但是，美国人的几乎每个人称呼每一个他们认识的人为“朋友”，即使他们只是认识而已。真正的友谊是十分宝贵的，不管是在美国还是其他任何地方。

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