The U.S.A.

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Appointment

Prior appointments are necessary.

Punctuality is very important for business occasions.

Delays may be caused by city traffic.

Call to let your contact know if you’ll be late.

If you are invited for a meal, you should arrive promptly.

If invited to a private home for dinner, don’t arrive early.

When invited to a cocktail party, it’s usually permissible to arrive a few minutes late.

People in the US write the month first, then the day, then the year.

e.g. January 6, 2004 is written 1/6/04

.

Terms of address

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When meeting someone for the first time, use a title and their last name until you are told to do otherwise.

First-name basis reflects a more casual style rather than a sign of intimacy.

When not sure of a woman’s marital status, use “Ms”.

If encountering a name which is difficult to pronounce, don’t be afraid to ask.

The letters “Jr.” after a man’s name (e.g. Arthur Dobson Jr.) signify that he was named after his father.

The Roman numeral III or IV after a man’s name indicates a third or fourth generation, with the same name as his predecessors (e.g. Thomas Reed III).

Gift Giving

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Presenting a gift is a thoughtful gesture, but it is not expected.

Usually gifts are presented at holidays, birthdays, weddings, or when visiting a patient.

Business gifts are often presented after the deal is closed.

Gifts are usually unwrapped immediately and shown to all who are present.

You may not receive a gift in return right away.

For business associates, you can gifts such as useful items for the office, liquor or wine. When visiting a home, flowers, a potted plant, or a bottle of wine are good gift choice.

• • • •

Gift giving—

cont’d Choose gifts with no religious connotations (e.g. don’t buy Christmas ornaments).

Taking someone out for a meal or other entertainment is another popular gift.

Perfume or clothing are usually inappropriate gifts for women. (too personal).

When buying gifts for children, the values of the parents must be taken into consideration. (e.g. a toy gun or a violent video game)

Conversation

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Many Americans like to use idiomatic language. They often adopt sports terms in their speech.

“touch base”, “ballpark figure”, “team players” Americans often ask,” What do you do?” to show interest in the individual by asking his/her job.

Compliments are exchanged frequently and are popular “conversation starters.” (e.g. clothing, sports related achievement) Jokes and a sense of humor goes a long way. Ethnic and religious humor should be always avoided.

In business situations, be prepared to play golf and talk business at the same time.

Conversation—

cont’d

• •

Welcome topics: a person’s job/work-related matters sports travel food music movies books Topics to avoid: religion, politics, or other controversial subjects (e.g. abortion, racism, sexism) Refrain from asking women if they are married.

Entertaining

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Breakfast start at 7 a.m. Brunch begins from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch starts at noon and lasts until 2 p.m. Dinner, the main meal of the day can start between 5:30 and 8:00 p.m.

It is not considered rude to eat or drink while walking down the street.

If you are invited out for a business meal, the host will usually pay. If the host does not offer to pay, you should be prepared to pay for your own meal.

If you invite a U.S. counterpart out socially, you should make it clear whether you wish to pay.

Americans use “Excuse me”, “Please” and “Thank you” frequently in dining situations.

• • • • • • • •

Home Entertaining

It is a custom in many U.S. homes to give guests a tour of the general rooms of the house when guests arrive.

The host’s or hostesses’s spouse or partner is usually a full participant in the conversation.

It is perfectly acceptable to refuse an offer of food or drink.

Don’t be afraid to ask for something. Use manners and ask politely.

American hostess would usually say “This is my cup of tea; I hope you’ll like it.” to urge her guest to eat.

Do not wear hats in someone’s home.

Umbrellas and rain coats should be left outside the front gate.

Don’t leave right away nor should you stay too long after dinner.

Public Behavior

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Practice driving before getting on the freeways, particularly during rush hours.

Smoking is not as commonplace and is subject to restrictions in most public places (e.g. California).

A handshake is the customary greeting for both men and women.

Americans tend to refrain from greetings that involve hugging and other close physical contact, except with family members and friends.

They are unreceptive to being touched during conversation and other social situations.

The standard conversational proximity is about two feet.

Public Behavior—

cont’d

• • • • • •

Do not hold hands or dance with a person of the same sex as you.

Direct eye contact shows sincerity but it should not be too intense.

It’s o.k. to use the index finger to point, although it is impolite to point at another person.

Signs for approval: the “o.k.” sign and the “thumbs up” sign.

Americans adopt very relaxed sitting postures. Crossing legs knee over knee is not considered arrogant.

When giving an item to another person, it’s common to toss it or hand it over with only one hand.

Public Behavior—

cont’d

• • • • •

Do not take off your socks or shoes in front of other people.

Ladies who drink alone or in a small group at a bar send a strong signal of saying “I/We are available.” Do not stick your tongue out when surprised or embarrassed.

Body odor or bad breath should be avoided.

Consume an appropriate amount of alcohol at parties. Don’t get drunk!

Cocktail Parties

• •

Cocktail is an alcoholic drink, made by mixing two or more drinks together.

Origin of the name “cocktail”: --the son-in-law of a king using a cocktail feather on his hat to mix drinks --the colorful drink made by hunters when hunting in the mountains of western Europe --the drink mixed by an owner of a tavern in Kentucky to thank the person who found his pet rooster --the drink made by an owner of a tavern to celebrate the victory of the US Independence War (The tavern used a colorful cocktail feather as its sign.)

Cocktail Parties—

cont’d

• • • •

There is no fixed seating assignment.

Most people stand up and walk around in the party.

People are free to leave at any time.

Cocktail parties are usually held between 2:30-5:30 in big hotels; between 4-6 or 5-7 in bars or a private homes.

American names

•

First name, Middle name, Last name First name is a person’s Christian name.

Middle name is usually abbreviated and shows the relationship of the person and his/her family and relatives.

•

Last names were not used in Europe until the 11 th C; and were not generally adopted until the Renaissance era in the 16 th C.

American Jews were forced by law to use last names at the end of the 18 th C and the beginning of the 19 th C.

African American’s last names were first passed down to them by their masters.

American Names—

cont’d

• • • •

Americans like to name their children after famous people, e.g. Martin, William, George, Elizabeth, Mary and so on.

Many Americans give their own names to their children, with “Jr.” added. For example: Franklin Roosevelt Jr.; Henry Rockefeller Jr. Nicknames are common: Jimmy for James; Johnny for John; Bill for William; Bob for Robert; Liz for Elizabeth; etc.

Married women adopt their husbands last names.

American Holidays

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1/1 New Year’s Day 2/12 Lincoln’s Birthday 2/14 Valentine’s Day 2/18 Washington’s Birthday 3/17 St. Patrick’s Day 4/1 April Fool’s Day 4…? Easter 5…? Mother’s Day 5/26 Memorial Day 6…? Father’s Day 7/4 Independence Day 9/1 Labor Day 10/31 Holloween 11…? Thanksgiving 12/25 Christmas

New Year Celebrations

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Time square, NY Churches (ring belles) New year count downs at big cities and tourist spots New year parades (Philadelphia; California) Major sports activities (the Rose Bowl; Orange Bowl) New year resolutions