American culture, in a sense, is an extension of European culture, because the American language, population composition, and founding spirit all originated from Europe. On the other hand, American culture is different from Europe because after European immigrants drove away the Indians on the North American continent, they created an amazing and splendid civilization in a barren wilderness. Therefore, generally speaking, American cultural customs and social etiquette have both similarities and differences with European and American cultures.
Cultural customs is a wide-ranging and complex topic, involving all aspects of people’s social life and interactions. Here is a brief introduction to American cultural customs.
(1), American family
The traditional American family is called the "nuclear family". The nuclear family consists of a husband, wife, and children, and the average family in the United States today has two or three children (or maybe a few pets). In some cultures, extended families live together, even across generations. In the United States, there are only rare occasions when more than one family lives under the same roof.
Americans value a warm welcome to family members when they return home. Many families are governed in a democratic political way. Everyone in the family has the right to speak, and the concept of fairness widely exists in American families. In addition to awe, children also regard their parents as good friends, and couples often have sex with each other. *Share housework together; children in many families have privacy in their own bedrooms; children are responsible for managing money at an early age, and they may have pocket money every week or go out to work; parents often give their children They have the freedom to make their own decisions. Preschool children can choose what clothes to wear or what toys to buy. Young people can freely choose their careers and marriage partners.
(2), American Marriage
When it comes to marriage, Americans put emotion first: freedom of association, freedom of choosing a spouse, and freedom of love. When a man and a woman fall in love, they generally do not need a matchmaker to introduce them, and their parents rarely interfere. Emphasis on sexual freedom is the love view of many Americans. They believe that men and women do not need to get to know each other too much. Beautiful appearance, strong body, and sexy temptation are enough to form the basis of a relationship. They attach great importance to marriage contracts: before getting married, both men and women go to a law firm to sign a "marriage contract". The main content is the ownership of money after marriage, the sharing of housework, and the prerequisites for divorce. They also emphasize the freedom of divorce and celebrate divorce as a happy event. The divorce rate in the entire society is very high.
American traditional wedding ceremonies are full of surprises. Generally speaking, their weddings focus on highlighting the characteristics of "new, old, borrowed, and blue". The so-called "new" means that the bride must wear a brand new snow-white dress to indicate the beginning of a new life; "old" means that the white gauze on the bride's head must be old (usually used by her mother when she got married). To show that she does not forget her parents' kindness; "borrow" means that the bride's handkerchief is borrowed from her girlfriend to show that she does not forget her friendship; "blue" means that the ribbon worn by the bride must be blue to show that she has Obtained sincere love. Modern American weddings are mostly held in local courthouses, with a judge witnessing and presiding over the marriage. Newlyweds often do not wear formal clothes, receive no gifts, and do not hold a wedding banquet. Some weddings are held outdoors in the form of a picnic, with only parents, brothers and sisters from both parties attending. They attach great importance to wedding anniversaries and believe that as time goes by, they become more and more precious every year. The names they give to each wedding anniversary are very interesting: the first year is called Paper Wedding, the second year is called Cotton Wedding, and in order, it is Leather Wedding, Wood Wedding, Iron Wedding, Copper Wedding, Ceramic Wedding, Crystal Wedding, etc. From the fifteenth year onwards, there is a name for every five years. They are: enamel wedding, silver wedding, bead wedding, coral wedding, ruby ??wedding, sapphire wedding, emerald wedding and diamond wedding. During these festivals, husband and wife often give each other gifts, praise and thank each other to make each other feel happy.
2. Celebration of important holidays
A. Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the last Thursday of November every year. Thanksgiving is an ancient holiday created by the American people and a holiday for American families to get together. Every Thanksgiving Day, the whole country in the United States is very lively. Costume parades, theatrical performances and sports competitions are held everywhere in cities and towns, and schools and shops are also closed as required. The children also imitated the Indians in those days and put on bizarre costumes, painted faces or put on masks and went out to the streets to sing and play trumpets. There were a lot of people in the church that day. It is customary for people to say thanksgiving prayers here.
Americans have been accustomed to living independently since they were young. They divide their work and go their separate ways. On Thanksgiving, they always strive to come back from all over the world. The family sits together, chews delicious turkey, and talks about the past, which makes people feel particularly cordial. ,warmth.
B. Christmas. It is the largest and most lively holiday in the United States. On December 25th every year, the whole country is immersed in a festive atmosphere. From the day after Thanksgiving, Americans start getting busy for Christmas. Every store is crowded with people. Businessmen have to speak eloquently to promote their various goods. Ordinary people are also willing to take this opportunity to discard the old and update. Christmas Eve is a night of carnival. Americans often stay up all night to celebrate. People hang gifts, colorful flowers and lanterns on small fir trees or small pine trees, and a big star is placed on the top of the tree. The adults stood aside to admire the Christmas tree, while the children danced and even held hands and danced cheerfully around the tree. In public places, the image of Santa Claus is everywhere on New Year’s cards. Sometimes one person will dress up as Santa Claus at home and distribute gifts to everyone. The American celebration of Christmas can be called a carnival. Giving gifts and decorating the home are their most important ways of celebrating. Every family has huge packages of gifts. Children hang their socks by the fire, hoping that Santa Claus will bring gifts and put them in the socks late at night. In mid-December, every family will choose a satisfying Christmas tree in the market and decorate it with colorful decorations. Teenagers love to hold parties on Christmas Eve and Christmas night. Many young men who are in love regard attending the Christmas dance for the first time as a major event in their lives!
3. American social interaction
(1) Gift-giving
Generally speaking, Americans do not give gifts casually. Some people often seem a little embarrassed when receiving gifts. This is especially true if they happen to have nothing in return. But on holidays, birthdays, weddings or when visiting patients, giving gifts is inevitable.
It is most popular among Americans to give each other gifts at Christmas. At Christmas, innocent children are delighted to receive all kinds of novel toys, thinking that they are gifts from Santa Claus. Adults often send books, stationery, chocolate candies or bonsai to each other. Gifts are often wrapped in floral paper and tied with ribbons. According to American tradition, there is a "White Christmas" a few days before Christmas, when people wrap gifts in white paper and give them to the poor nearby.
When visiting patients, they usually give flowers and sometimes bonsais. The fragrant flowers bring a breath of spring and provide spiritual comfort to patients. Traditionally, if you go to express condolences in person, you usually send flowers in a vase without attaching a business card; if you ask a florist to send them directly, you must attach a business card.
When friends travel far away, they often give gifts. Gifts are usually flowers, snacks, fruits or books and magazines. The gift also comes with a business card to wish him a safe journey.
In addition, Americans believe that odd numbers are auspicious. Sometimes it doesn't feel expensive to give only three pears, unlike the Chinese who pay attention to pairs. When Americans receive a gift, they must open it immediately, appreciate or taste the gift in front of the giver, and thank the giver immediately.
The gift packaging is exquisite and magnificent on the outside, but it is not necessarily something too expensive inside. Sometimes when you open the exquisite packaging with three inner and outer layers, only a few chocolate candies are revealed.
(2) Dating
Americans pay attention to efficiency and arrange their daily time in a planned way. What to do at what time is usually arranged in advance. Therefore, they absolutely do not want anyone to come unexpectedly and disrupt their plans, except for close relatives and friends. Not only on weekdays, but also on Sundays. American society is a competitive battlefield. After working hard, Americans usually enjoy family happiness with their wives and children during holidays. If outsiders go there without saying hello, they will definitely not be welcomed. Therefore, if you want to visit an American family, it is essential to make an appointment in advance, otherwise you will be treated as an uninvited guest, or even rejected.
The relationship between men and women is relatively open in the United States, and it is very common to go on dates to watch movies and have meals. It is not considered rude to interact enthusiastically with the opposite sex. Both men and women can take the initiative to invite, but men usually take the initiative. You can split the bill separately or treat one party to a treat. What if an American friend says: "Let's go get a beer" or "Want a cup of coffee?" "Don't misunderstand that he wants a treat. In this case, everyone usually pays for it.
If you are invited to a restaurant, you can suggest tipping after the meal. If the host insists on not allowing it, there is no need to force it.
Dating sometimes does not have other meanings, nor does it mean that you will become a special partner. Therefore, if you want to meet and talk with someone, watch a movie, or have a meal together to enhance the friendship between the two parties and spend a pleasant time, you can take the initiative and invite them generously. If you don't want to go on a date with the other person or the other person behaves in a way that makes you uncomfortable, you can say "NO" politely but firmly. Mutual respect is the basic principle of communication and is also your right. Appointments should be on time. If you are going to a banquet, it is best to be a few minutes late. It would be rude if the host arrives first. If there is an emergency and you are unable to attend the appointment on time, you must call to notify and explain. You must not leave the appointment without any problem and just wait.
(3) Attend a banquet
Americans often say "come to me anytime." Some invitations are quite sincere, but you should still call in advance to confirm the time before visiting. , lest your "any time" cause inconvenience to others. If you receive a formal invitation, if "R.S.V.P." is printed on the invitation, you must call to inform whether you are going or not. Invitations to large-scale events are usually printed with "Regrets only", and at this time, notification is only required if you do not attend. If you are not sure about going to the appointment, do not agree lightly; if you are unable to go to the appointment at the moment, please call us to inform us. If you have any dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance. Special cultural customs and dietary taboos are understood and respected. If you are invited to a family gathering, you can ask the host what gifts you want. Even if the host declines, you can still bring a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers, or some small gifts with a flavor from another country. Unless stated in advance, it is appropriate for general gatherings to be held without children. If the nature of the gathering is a picnic and barbecue, most families can participate. Don’t forget to send a thank you card or letter to the host within three or four days after the dinner.
(4) When being a guest
Be thoughtful when making appointments, be punctual when attending appointments, and be polite, natural and generous when being guests. First, knock on the door or ring the doorbell, and get permission from the owner before entering. Some people have brown shoe-shining mats placed at their doorsteps. The mud on the shoes should be wiped clean to avoid staining the owner's carpet. People wearing hats should take off their hats after entering the house. It is very impolite to wear a hat in the room. If you are visiting on a rainy day, be sure to leave your umbrella and raincoat outside. After you take off your coat or coat, the host will usually take the initiative to hang it up for you, so you don't have to be polite at this time. After entering the house, you should first greet the hostess and then the male host. If the host's house is full of guests, you only need to shake hands with the host and acquaintances, and nod to others.
When you are a guest in an American home, you don’t have to be overly formal. If the host invites you to sit down and you do not sit down immediately to show politeness, it will make the host feel uneasy and think that the chair is unclean or there is other inconvenience. When you are a guest, you are not allowed to look at the writing paper on the host's table or read the documents at will. Don't touch the antiques and curios in the room, and don't ask about the prices of indoor appliances.
Don’t smoke easily when you are a guest. If you want to smoke, you should first ask the women present if they mind, and offer cigarettes to others first. If the host takes the initiative to invite you to smoke, then even if you have cigarettes, you must accept the host's cigarettes, and do not refuse the other party and smoke your own. Otherwise, the owner will think you are looking down on him and feel very unhappy.
When dining at an American home, if you are not familiar with the etiquette of eating Western food, the best way is to pay attention to the hostess's actions, and you will not go wrong if you follow her example. At the dinner table, Americans have many habits that are different from ours. People often find an interesting phenomenon: in order to express the same friendly feelings, people in different countries have completely opposite sayings and practices. When Chinese people treat guests to dinner, they often modestly express that the food is not well cooked and ask the guests to please forgive them. But Americans have to say things like "This is my best dish, I hope you like it." Therefore, when you are a guest in an American home, don’t be surprised to hear the host boasting about how well-cooked the food is. You should also praise the hostess’s cooking skills. When a Chinese host offers a meal to a guest, the guest always tries his best to show courtesy. It is unyielding to do this in the United States. When the host sets aside dishes for you for the first time, you don’t have to politely refuse, otherwise the hostess will think that you think her dishes are not cooked well. At the dinner table, the hostess is the invisible leader. After the food is served, the guests usually wait for the hostess to eat before they start eating. After meal. The hostess should also take the lead in leaving the table before the guests leave.
It is not advisable to stay as a guest in an American home for too long, so as not to waste too much time on the host. But don't say goodbye immediately after the meal. You should chat with the host for a while, then thank you and leave.
If a couple goes to someone else's house as a guest, the wife should stand up first to say goodbye. At a more formal banquet, if there are many guests, you should wait for the senior guests or important female guests to leave first before leaving. If a guest needs to leave first, he should ask the host for forgiveness before leaving.
If you are not very familiar with the host, you should call the host to express your gratitude after being a guest, or write a short "Thank you" note and send it to the host, which will be more polite. All things considered.
(5) Etiquette
1. Bowing is a courtesy between subordinates and superiors or between peers. When bowing, you should take off your hat, hold the center of the brim with your right hand and take off the hat, hang your left hand down, lean your upper body forward about fifteen degrees, look at the recipient with both eyes, and express greetings at the same time. The handshake is a common etiquette all over the world. Originated in Europe, it originally meant having no weapons or kindness in hand. When performing a handshake ceremony, the guest must first extend his hand before shaking hands. Gloves are generally not worn when shaking hands, but distinguished men and women may wear gloves. When saluting, avoid crossing your arms and don’t shake hands too tightly with women.
2. Nodding is a courtesy between people of the same level or generation. If you meet on the road, you can do it while traveling. If you meet a superior, superior or elder, you should bow instead of nodding.
3. Raise your hands and pay attention to the ceremony. This is military etiquette. When saluting, raise your right hand, fingers straight and aligned, fingertips touching the right side of the hat brim, palm slightly outside, arms at shoulder height, eyes fixed on the recipient, and put your hand down after the recipient responds.
4. Kissing the hand is a etiquette of the upper class in Europe and America. When meeting an aristocratic woman or lady, if the woman extends her hand first to make a downward gesture, she will gently lift her palm and kiss her. If the woman does not extend her hand, the hand kiss is not allowed.
5. The kissing ceremony is a kind of etiquette that expresses intimacy and caress between superiors and subordinates, elders and juniors, friends, and couples. Usually a kiss is given on the face or forehead of the recipient. When people are happy, festive or sad, a kiss is usually performed to express affection or comfort.
6. Hug ceremony is a kind of etiquette to express close feelings between acquaintances and friends in European and American countries. Hugging each other when meeting or bidding farewell expresses closeness and deep feelings. The hug ceremony is usually performed together with the kiss ceremony.
(6). Titles
Most Americans do not like to use titles such as Mr., Mrs. or Miss. They think such titles are too serious; American men, women and children all Like others to call you by your first name, and regard it as a sign of kindness and friendliness. When people meet for the first time, they are often introduced by their first name and surname. For example, "My name is Mary Smith." At this time, the other party can call her "Mary" or "Ms. Smith" casually. A common situation is that you may address each other by last name at the beginning of the conversation, and then change to first name after a while. Sometimes you have just met an American and don't know how to address him or her. You can just call him Mr. or Ms. At this time, the other party will quickly understand your psychology. Say it enthusiastically: "My name is James Wilson, please call me James" or "Don't call me Mrs. Smith, please call me Sally".
Indeed, Americans, regardless of position or age, always try to call each other by their first names to shorten the distance between them; an American publication once conducted a study on the issue of address in 150 industrial and commercial industries. After a survey, it was found that 85% of them only called names. Americans rarely use formal titles to address others. Formal titles are generally only used for judges, senior government officials, military officers, doctors, professors and senior religious figures; for example: Judge Harry, Senator Smith, General Clark, Doctor Brown, Professor Green, Bishop White, etc.; it is worth noting that Americans never use administrative titles such as director, manager, principal, etc. to address others.
(7) Polite language
Many people who have been to the United States have the impression that Americans are very sweet-tongued and they are never stingy with nice words. , often makes the listener feel at ease; indeed, in the United States, words such as "please", "thank you", and "sorry" can be heard everywhere. In the United States, everyone will say "thank you" when receiving help from others, even the president's recipients are no exception; in shopping malls, salespeople always have smiles on their faces, and they will take the initiative to greet customers when they come in. , ask "Can I help you?" When customers pay, they will smile and thank you, and finally send you off with a thank you; similarly, customers will also thank you repeatedly when receiving the goods.
Americans also talk politely among families, not only between husband and wife, but also often use "please" and "thank you" when speaking to children. In this way, children will naturally develop Learn the good habit of being polite.
Americans are also accustomed to saying "I'm sorry" to others. When people have a small friction, saying "I'm sorry" often makes the grudge disappear; even when encountering some trivial things, such as asking someone for directions, walking past someone else's seat in a theater, etc., Americans will also express their apologies repeatedly; Americans regard it as indecent to burp in public places or sneeze or cough when talking to others. When this happens, they will say "I'm sorry" and ask the other person to forgive them.
(8), Ladies first
The status of American women in social and political life will not be discussed here. But in social situations, they always receive special preferential treatment; respecting women is a traditional custom in European and American countries. From a historical perspective, it is influenced by the chivalry style of the European Middle Ages; from a religious perspective, it is out of respect for Respect of the Virgin Mary.
According to American customs, in social situations, men must be humble and protective of women; when walking, men should walk on the side of the road; when sitting down, women should be asked to sit down first; In elevators, women should walk in front; when entering, men should open the door and ask women to go first; but when getting off or going downstairs, men should walk in front to take care of women; when entering restaurants or theaters, men can walk in front of women. Find a good seat for women in front; when dining, ask women to order first; when greeting women, men should stand up, but women do not have to stand up, just sit and nod; when men and women shake hands, men must take off their hats. Women don't have to take off their gloves; when a woman drops her things on the ground, men should pick them up for her regardless of whether they know her or not.
In short, when American men come into contact with women in social situations, on the one hand, they respect them in everything, and on the other hand, they must appear as a protector at all times to show their status.
(9). Social taboos
1. Don’t hitchhike
Don’t hitchhike when traveling in the United States. This is due to the public security situation in the United States. Yes, it is common in the United States for hitchhikers to be robbed of money or insulted. When some gangsters see a woman walking on the roadside, they stop the car and ask for a ride. If you mistakenly think that he has good intentions, it is tantamount to sending a sheep into the tiger's mouth. In this case, it is best to reject it coldly and don't make any more excuses. Not only that, you should not easily agree to someone who asks for a ride, because some gangsters, including young girls, wait specifically for a ride and then use threats and other means to extort money after getting on the bus.
2. It is best not to take the subway at night
The subway in New York is extremely dirty and messy, and it has become a gathering place for gang members at night. Drug addicts, thieves, gangsters, and drug dealers gather here, and the whole atmosphere is chilling. If you don't care about this, then after an accident, the New York police officer will not only not sympathize with you, but may even blame you: "Nighttime Isn’t taking the subway the same as swimming in water filled with crocodiles? If something goes wrong, the responsibility lies with you.”
3. Don’t call black people “Negro”
Negro is English.” "Negro" means. It especially refers to black people who were sold as slaves from Africa to the United States; so never call black people "Negro" in the United States. This is true when talking to white people, and even more so when talking to black people. Otherwise, the black man will feel your contempt for him; when talking about black people, it is best to use the word "Black", and black people will accept this title calmly.
4. You cannot say "I am sorry" casually
"I am sorry" and "Excuse me" both mean "sorry" and "sorry", but "I am sorry" "Sorry" has a strong tone, indicating that you admit that you have made mistakes or mistakes; if you say it easily just to be polite, you will often be caught by the other party; you will be held responsible for things that are not actually yours. At that time, there will only be "dumb people eating coptis". Because they have admitted that they were wrong by saying "I'm sorry", how can they change their words?
5. Modesty is not a virtue
Chinese people regard modesty as a virtue. , but Americans regard excessive modesty as synonymous with hypocrisy.
If a person who speaks fluent English modestly says that he does not speak English well, and then speaks fluent English, Americans will think that he has lied, is a duplicitous person, and is a pretentious person; therefore, when communicating with the United States, You should boldly state your abilities. One is one, and ten is ten. There is no need to be modest and polite, otherwise it will backfire.
6. Greeting strangers
On the road, in the elevator or in the corridor, we often meet the people walking towards us and make eye contact. At this time, the American habit is to use When paying homage, do not look away immediately, or turn your face to one side and pretend not to see him. This is only done to those who are displeased and dismissive. When walking down the street in the early morning in the United States, it is customary to say "good morning" to people you pass by. Of course, on streets with more pedestrians, you don't have to look at everyone you pass by. Or say hello.
7. Topics during conversation
When attending an American gathering, do not just talk about the topics that you are most concerned about and are good at. Talking about topics that only you are familiar with will make other people uncomfortable. Embarrassed, disgusted. Talking about personal business matters and showing off will also make others feel that you have a narrow vision and know nothing about anything other than your own business. During the conversation, you should look for topics that everyone is interested in; doctors can talk about literature, scientists can talk about music, and educators can talk about travel experiences, so that the whole party is filled with a relaxed atmosphere. It should be noted that Christians regard suicide as a sin. In the United States, the topic of "suicide" is not popular, and it is best to talk less about it anytime and anywhere.
8. Don’t forget to greet your children
Americans believe that adults and children are equal. When visiting an American home, their children will definitely come out to meet the guests and say hello. At this time, don't just ignore the children because of the adults. That will definitely make their parents unhappy. When greeting a child, you can shake hands or kiss the face. If the child kisses you, you must also kiss his face.
9. Same-sex cannot dance together
Same-sex cannot dance together. This is one of the recognized social etiquette in the United States. If people of the same sex dance together, others will look at them reproachfully or think that they are He is a homosexual; therefore, even if he cannot find a partner of the opposite sex, he must not dance with someone of the same sex.
10. Don’t take off your shoes in front of others
In the United States, if you take off your shoes or go barefoot in front of others, you will be regarded as a barbarian without etiquette. Shoes can only be taken off in the bedroom, or between men and women who are passionately in love. If a woman takes off her shoes in front of a man, it means "you can do whatever you want." If a man takes off his shoes, he will be regarded as a jungle man. Barefoot natives are equally despised. It is impolite for both men and women to pull down their socks or garters in front of others; if your shoelaces are loose, you should go to a place where no one is around to tie them.
11. Women are not allowed to drink alone.
Women are not allowed to drink alone, if they are drinking alone or if several women are drinking together. They are all regarded as "women waiting for men"; women who are not familiar with this situation may be harassed by men who "recommend themselves".
12. Do not stick out your tongue in front of others
Americans think that sticking out your tongue in front of others is both unsightly and impolite, and gives people a sense of vulgarity and indecentness. The feeling can even be interpreted as looking down on others. When children make mistakes, they can stick out their tongues and appear innocent and cute. Adults must not do this.
13. Don’t smile casually
Smiling can bring friendship. But on some occasions, a smile often represents a commitment to something. Especially for women, it is best not to smile for no reason, because an ambiguous smile can sometimes be mistaken for "smile", and sometimes it can be mistaken for "acquiescence", resulting in a big misunderstanding.
14. You must bend down when passing in front of a seat
In a narrow place, such as a movie theater, you must say "I'm sorry" when passing by others; at this time, Americans The posture is to turn your back to the person sitting, lower your head and bend over. This is different from the European custom, where Europeans must face the seated person, bow their head and bend over.
15. Don’t get drunk at banquets
Drink moderately at banquets and always maintain a gentle manner. This is the etiquette observed by Europeans and Americans. At American banquets, it is rare to see drunk people. Even if they drink too much, they have to wait until the banquet is over and return to their rooms before they collapse. If you get drunk on the spot and cause trouble, you will attract everyone's contempt.
16. Don’t give random gifts
Gifts must be meaningful. For example, you can give a gift to a friend’s birthday or a colleague’s wedding to show your affection; but you cannot give gifts randomly. In this way, the other party will not only not be grateful, but will also suspect that you have other intentions. When you don't know what gift to give, you can send flowers as a guest or attend a banquet. Flowers are always appropriate, and perfumes and whiskeys are also generally welcomed.
17. Don’t eat garlic before going out
Americans are generally very sensitive to smells and especially hate the smell of garlic. Before going out, if you have eaten garlic, it is best to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. Otherwise, the smell of garlic will definitely cause discomfort to the other party.
18. Not paying bills for others
Chinese people’s habit is that when several friends go out together, they always rush to pay for tickets, tickets, etc.; People do this and get no thanks from them. This approach will make Americans feel that they owe a favor. It's psychologically very difficult; when Americans go out together, they always pay their own expenses, including fares, meals, and tips.
19. After using the restroom
The Chinese habit is to close the door casually. It is best to close the restroom tightly when no one is there. Americans are accustomed to leaving a small crack in the restroom door to indicate that no one is inside. ; If the security is tight, it means there are people inside, and others have to wait outside.
20. The meaning of gestures
When Americans introduce themselves, they should use the tip of their nose. If we follow our own habits and point to our chest, they will often be confused and unable to understand the meaning. . When we ask someone to come over, our habit is to wave. This seems to Americans. It's exactly "goodbye"; the gesture they use to greet people is to point their finger towards themselves, and then gently shake it two or three times with their middle finger and index finger towards themselves; Americans have many gesture habits, such as using their index finger and thumb to form circle, and stretch the other three fingers upward to make an "OK" gesture, which means "ok" and "agree."
4. Others
1. Tips. Tipping is required whenever you take a taxi, eat at a restaurant, waiter or airport staff to carry your luggage. Generally speaking, when you eat in a restaurant, you should tip about 10 to 15 percent. Tipping is generally not required when eating in a buffet restaurant, but if someone pours tea and asks diligently about the needs, a tip may be given based on the number of people. Tip more for dining in the evening than during the day. Tipping is an evaluation of service quality. In order to earn more tips, some waiters will be particularly enthusiastic and ask questions diligently from time to time. Regardless of the waiter's look, you can tip according to your satisfaction with the restaurant and the waiter. No one will interfere if you tip more or less. But remember never to tip in penny. When the penny is left on the table, even if you tip a lot, the waiter may misunderstand that you are dissatisfied with the service, which is a humiliating behavior. Therefore, unless the service is really bad, you should never put any penny in the tip. Of course, if you pay by credit card and round up the tip and the meal amount, this is not the case.
The amount of tip varies from person to person and from place to place. In big cities, if the tip accounts for 15% of the total fee, it means that the customer is satisfied with the service; if it accounts for 20%, it means that the service is excellent. In other places, the tip usually accounts for 15% of the fee. Customers need to tip 25 cents for breakfast in a small coffee shop; when staying in a high-end hotel, they have to pay the cleaning lady $2 a day; in airports, train stations and bus stations where flat charges are implemented, every dollar For each piece of luggage, customers have to pay the porter 35 cents; women spend the most on going to barbershops, and they have to tip the barbers for shampooing, cutting and perming respectively, about 15% to 20%. Taxi drivers also ask for tips. If the fare is less than 1.5 yuan, you can pay 25 cents, otherwise you have to pay more. As for gas station service personnel, hotel counter personnel and cinema attendants, they do not need to pay. If you are not sure under what circumstances you should tip, you should ask your friends in advance.
There are many ways to pay tips: customers can put the tip under the tea tray or wine glass; they can also put the tip in the waiter's hand; or when paying, they can just give the whole ticket back. Put it away, don’t take change, it’s considered a tip.
2. Establish an excellent credit record. All bills should be paid on time. The payment deadline will often be stated on the bill. It is best to pay it about a week in advance. If you miss the deadline, you may not only be fined, but your credit will also be ruined. The bank deposit should also be kept above the amount sufficient to pay the bills at all times. If the check is bounced, it will also affect your credit.
3. General office hours.
Most stores in the United States are open from Monday to Saturday, from about 9:30 or 10 a.m. to about 5 or 6 p.m. Some shops in shopping malls are open until 9pm. On Sundays it will also be open from noon to six o'clock. Generally, companies work from 9 to 5, with Saturdays and Sundays off. Bank business hours are relatively short, usually from 9 am to 3 pm from Monday to Friday. Some banks will extend their business hours to 6 pm on Fridays, and they will also be open from 9 am to 12 am on Saturday mornings. Regardless of company, shopping mall, or school, there is generally no lunch break. At school, classes are held as usual at noon. This is more difficult for students who are used to taking naps to adapt to.