1全球人民共同庆祝新年到来Astheclockstrikes12onMonday,millionswillpopchampagnecorksandlightfireworkswhileothersindulgeinquirkierNewYear'sritualslikemeltinglead,leapingoffchairsorgobblinggrapes.当时钟在周一午夜十二点敲响时,数百万人将开香槟放烟火庆祝新年,其他许多人则将举行一些更为奇特的庆祝仪式,诸如熔铅、跳椅子或吃葡萄。Oneoftheworld'soldestsharedtraditions,NewYear'scelebrationstakemanyforms,butmostcultureshaveonethingincommon--lettingone'shairdownafteralong,hardyear.Formuchoftheglobethisinvolvessippingbubblywithfriendsuntilthesuncomesup,seeingouttheoldyearwithbonfires(篝火)andflaresandoff-keyrenditionsofAuldLangSyne.Butothershaverathermorecurioushabits,oftensteepedinsuperstition(迷信).InFinland,saytourguides,peoplepourmoltenleadintocoldwatertodivinetheyearaheadfromtheshapethemetalsetsin.Iftheblobrepresentsashipitissaidtoforetelltravel,ifit'saball,goodluck.InDenmark,peoplestandonchairsandjumpoffinunison(一致地)astheclockstrikesmidnight,literallyleapingintothenewyear.TheDanesalsothrowplatesattheirfriends'homesduringthenight--themoreshardsyoufindoutsideyourdoorinthemorningthemorepopularyouaresaidtobe.TheDutchbuildmassivebonfireswiththeirChristmastreesandeatsugarydonuts--oneofmanyculturestoconsumeroundNewYear'sfoodstraditionallybelievedtorepresentgoodfortune.Spaniards,inturn,gobbleadozengrapesbeforethestrokeofmidnight,eachfruitrepresentingamonththatwilleitherbesweetorsour.InthePhilippines,revellerswearpolkadotsforgoodluck,whileinsomecountriesofSouthAmericapeopledonbrightlycolouredunderweartoattractfortune--redforloveandyellowforfinancialsuccess.Despiteregionalandculturaldifferences,formosttheNewYear'sfestivitiesareachancetoletoffsteambeforetheannualcyclestartsalloveragain.2Thisisaholidaythatisaboutrelaxationandlettinggo,explainedGeorgeWashingtonUniversitysociologistAmitaiEtzioni.