Final answer:
Kissing as a greeting varies by culture, and the example provided illustrates culture shock experienced by Rodney in Italy, where such gestures are common and not limited to romantic context. The historical claim about the Mississippi requires further research for verification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Kissing good-bye is a common practice in the deaf community' is not addressed with a clear true or false in this context. However, the mention of kissing as a greeting is relevant to an example of culture shock, as experienced by Rodney and Elise in Italy. In different cultures, physical interactions like kissing as a form of greeting can vary significantly. For instance, in Italy, it's common to kiss on both cheeks when greeting, regardless of gender, which can be surprising to those from cultures where such gestures are not the norm unless among close friends or romantic partners.
Regarding the historical claim, 'Both the Americans and the British gave up claims to the Mississippi for the sake of peace', the context given does not confirm its accuracy, and further research would be needed to substantiate this statement.