Life in the USA is a complete guide to American life

Life in the USA is a
complete guide to American life

link

http://www.lifeintheusa.com/everyday/index.html





Introduction


Every country has different everyday ways and cultural mores. To get to
know American life,
it pays to know certain mannerisms and habits most native-born Americans
share.
Greetings. Americans shake hands firmly with each other when
first introduced, or
when they meet again, but rarely when they part (a more European
custom). Social kissing, as
a greeting, accompanied by a light body hug, is also sometimes
acceptable between men and
women who know each other well and among women. American men rarely
embrace each
other or kiss on both cheeks.


Distance and Eye Contact. When two Americans are standing and
talking to each
other they stay at least 16 inches away from each other, farther away
than is customary in
many other cultures. An American may feel threatened if you come too
close, even if such a
distance is perfectly ordinary in your own culture. Touching is not
recommended, but making
full, unambiguous eye contact at the first meeting stage is essential.
Americans tend to warm
up to people who smile, especially when the smile is accompanied by full
eye contact.


Getting to the Point. When asking an American for something,
especially when
dealing with sales help in stores and markets, extensive preliminary
pleasantries are not
required as in some other countries. A brief “excuse me” is usually
sufficient
to get the person's attention, say, when asking for directions.
Americans may feel threatened
and become suspicious if a stranger begins with a general “hello, how
are
you?” sequence and does not get to the point of the encounter directly.
Americans do
exchange pleasantries among people they already know, but even then they
are likely to get to
the point relatively quickly.

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