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-- FAO: Lira. A comprehensive guide on foreigners visiting the US
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| Originally posted by Lagrangian my British friends always tell me the yanks are always in a hurry in the UK. |
American culture is very work-centric. People mostly seem to define themselves by what they "do," meaning the way in which they make money. Often their social lives are completely centered around whatever people they happen to meet at work, too. If they were unemployed they would have no idea what to do with all the time.
But I've never lived in another country, so I can't say how it compares to other places.
What? That's not true. Not everybody hangs out with their coworkers. I hang out with one guy from my office and we try to refuse to talk about work while we are together, the rest of my friends are from school or somewhere else.
It's rare for a generalization to be true in every case.
It's not a very good generalization, though. I pretty much don't know anyone who primarily hangs out with their coworkers outside of work.
I think that's been an extremely prevalent perception of the western world for quite some time. Our fathers' generation (and the previous one) probably represents this best. It's in no small part due to the work ethic (I use that term so tentatively) that glues people to the office 50 hours a week, Monday through Friday, gotta get work done to do work to do more work, etc. Naturally, this has lead to a huge boom in obesity, high blood pressure, stress, depression, subsequent addictions, etc. That was how it went for the post-post-industrial world. Crabgrass and planned obsolescence.
I think we're steadily becoming a more mentally cognizant society, and socially-speaking, social networking is no small contributor to this paradigm shift of telescoping social circles. Naturally, some are bound to become more withdrawn by it (hsss!), but I am sure those people will lose their say as time progresses. 
America from my POV
1.Tipping: Tip from 1% to 100% based on the service you feel so and so did. Simple. A tip is never pre-determined by a % unless the establishment tells you before you order
Example:Party of 10 or more, before your valet you have to pay so and so.
If nothing is said to you before hand of the service you expect then you can give whatever you want after. If you don't know ask what people usual give and if you feel the person is lying give less that what they stated!
In the end remember your not the only 1 person that will be tipping so and so. It will be 1 of thousands and that shit adds up right!
So no worries! Good service = good tip! Simple!
2. Interaction: 95% of Americans will help when a question is asked. No one wants to go to jail or start issues over asking a question. But don't do this in an area you would feel unsafe. Common sense comes first. GPS's will not always take you to your destination via rainbow but just crowded place ok do ask whomever and rural scary looking places just keep moving.
3. Eating
Tableware used when you see it at the table you sit and hands can be used for food typically when you see forks, knives, spoons, in a holder to the side of the place your at. No matter what you are allowed to eat anything the way you want like Candybars with forks/knives and plate food with hands but those typically happen in your own privacy with friends. Just don't do stuff like that in a public place. I.e Spoons for soup in public and soup without a spoon in private like when you hold it to your mouth! 
Someplaces might allow the prviate stuff to happen so be aware of your surroundings so you feel comfortable as you eat.
Conclusion:
In America you can do anything as you please but if someone pulls you to the side and says something you did wrong then just listen and conform. Like not tipping at all if your supposed to tip, eating totally crazy, interacting with the wrong person. They don't want to hurt you but just inform you! Like I said who wants to go to jail over a tourist. Unfortunately thats the other 5% you try to avoid!
1. Be aware of screen doors.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger.
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| Originally posted by Halcyon+On+On 1. Be aware of screen doors. 2. Keep your finger off the trigger. |
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| Originally posted by ziptnf Here's a guide to cultural etiquette around the world: http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultura...l_etiquette.htm |
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| Do not stand close to a Norwegian, back slap or put your arm around anyone. |
So I went to England and headed to a restaurant for food, but my watch was set to my home town, I asked someone what time it was and he said "TOYME WOTS THAT?" I noticed he didn't have a watch, I also noticed that no one in England had a watch on. Suddenly Big Ben started to chime, everyone stopped what they were doing to count the bongs on their fingers, a man swerved off the road, crashed into a grocery store and still counted the bongs after he crashed. The waitress dropped my order on the floor while counting the bongs on her fingers. Then I saw a man panting while frantically running down the street saying "OI EVEYWANE ITS SEVEN BONG!" Shortly afterwards everyone in the restaurant started clapping and cheering.
Did anyone else have a similar experience in England?
Actually, the Big Ben plays a melody, and it's the tune that changes according to the time, not the number of bongs 
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| Originally posted by Vector A American culture is very work-centric. People mostly seem to define themselves by what they "do," meaning the way in which they make money. Often their social lives are completely centered around whatever people they happen to meet at work, too. If they were unemployed they would have no idea what to do with all the time. But I've never lived in another country, so I can't say how it compares to other places. |
When I was in the US doing sales/training it wasn't so much the hours they put in which are comparable to quite a few countries (60+ is excessive anywhere) its the lack of paid overtime and ridiculously small amount of annual leave. They have a few public holidays but its nowhere near the 'away from work' time elsewhere.
Upside as a visitor is that they are ubiquitously friendly and fairly easy to spot one that isn't, if they appear a bit condescending about where you come from its more than likely just some unintended ignorance or misguided curiosity.
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| Originally posted by Lilith When I was in the US doing sales/training it wasn't so much the hours they put in which are comparable to quite a few countries (60+ is excessive anywhere) its the lack of paid overtime and ridiculously small amount of annual leave. They have a few public holidays but its nowhere near the 'away from work' time elsewhere. |
Wait, do most people in North America work from 9 AM to 5PM? How long is the lunch break?
I'm jealous, Brazilians usually work from 8 AM to 6 PM, with a 2-hour long lunch break.
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| Originally posted by Lira a 2-hour long lunch break. |
From midday to 2 PM.
How long is yours!? 
Hahahahahahahahahaha.
12-12:30 is pretty standard. Maybe 12-1 in some more relaxed working areas.
How are you even supposed to eat in half an hour!?
You still get to wake up later, so my jealousy remains intact. Well fed and nourished thanks to our long lunch breaks. But intact.
Edit: Oh, wait, I almost forgot. Breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day for you guys, right? Here lunch is the master of all meals
In America, we don't use car seats for children:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sidesho...-132717697.html
That's what the Breakfast Industrial Complex would have us believe. Sooooo many people skip breakfast entirely though, myself often included.
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| Originally posted by Lira From midday to 2 PM. How long is yours!? |
45 minutes here and we get a weekly shipment of fruit into the office. You can eat them whenever you want to
Well at least we have two coolers stocked up with all kinds of free Coca-Cola products 
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