American Culture and Customs
Hello friends, today we will tell you about the American Culture and Customs.
Culture
First things first: the world-famous American says “How are you?” It’s not so much questions as it is a casual greeting. While “I’m fine, thanks” is a perfectly acceptable answer, go into a 5-minute monologue about how your Day is going so far.
That being said, Americans are, overall, amiable people and are happy to help when asked. (Southern have a well-earned reputation as the most hospitable people in the country and often go out of their way to make a foreigner feel more at home.)
They tend to be very direct and open, which may come as a surprise to people coming from more reticent cultures.
Outside of some large cities, most Americans will only speak English, which means it will be hard to communicate through the language barrier—though most Americans will happily try to help, even if they don’t understand you.
Americans are also a bit louder & more talkative than the average person, leading to some energetic conversation.
Getting around
U.S. Public transport is fragile outside major metro areas in the U.S.—even then, the service, reliability, and ease of use can be disappointing.
Chicago, New York City, and Boston have some of the country’s most robust public transportation systems, although they also cost less than options in many other countries.
More than 87% of Americans own a car, and many areas can only be navigated by a personal vehicle. Having a car is also a great way to see some of the most beautiful places in America, including a collection of stunning national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
Automatic transmissions also dominate the U.S. auto market, so don’t worry if you get into the car and can’t find the clutch.
East Coast cities are easily accessible from train, but many Americans prefer to fly because of the convenience and cost.
Even smaller cities have airports in the United States, and regional carriers such as Mesa Airlines (serving Southwest) & Cape Air (serving Cape Cod in Massachusetts) are reliable.
Emergency services
Dialing 911 will put you in the contact with a general emergency services dispatcher who will be able to contact the police & emergency medical vehicles on your behalf.
The 911 call operator will ask you for your location, the phone number you are calling from, and what type of emergency is occurring.
After moving to a U.S. city, it is essential to have the phone numbers of the local police department, fire department, hospital, and poison control center posted anywhere in your home for easy access. (American Culture and Customs)
Holidays
There are officially 10 public holidays on the American calendar where the federal government is closed for business:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday (3rd of the Monday in January)
- President’s Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labour Day (1st Monday in September)
- Columbus Day (the second Monday in October)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (the fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Thanksgiving Day and Independence Day ( 4th of July) are two quintessential American holidays where friends and family traditionally gather to celebrate.
Thanksgiving sees loved ones gather around a giant spread, with turkey serving as the traditional centerpiece, while fireworks, barbecue, and baseball dominate the 4th of July.
America’s multicultural history also means that holidays such as Passover, Eid al-Fitr, St. Patrick’s Day, and May Day are all celebrated in different ways in different regions.
New England also has regional holidays such as Patriots Day, commemorating the first Revolutionary War battle and taking a closer look at many government offices and schools. (American Culture and Customs)
Play
Americans love sports. Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey The four most significant sports in the U.S. by the audience are football, stock car racing, tennis, and golf, among other activities, each with a large and dedicated fan base.
You will hear the U.S. national anthem before most professional sporting events, and many Americans will stand up, remove their hats, and face the flag for the duration of the song. (American Culture and Customs)
Tipping
Due to loopholes in labor laws, service workers such as waiters and bartenders are allowed to be paid less than the legally mandated minimum wage.
This means they are making at least a few dollars an hour and rely on tips from clients to make up the difference in pay.
In some U.S. cities, such as New York and San Francisco, there is a growing movement to eliminate tipping by giving service workers livable pay. “No tipping” restaurants always have signage explaining that gratuities are unnecessary.
Specific guidelines for tipping are between 15% and 20% of the bill’s total cost. (A tipping tip: Move the decimal place on your account one place to the left and multiply the resulting amount by two to get 20%.)
It’s not just bartenders and waitstaff who depend on tips to survive, though. T tip taxi drivers, barbers, hotel housekeepers, car valets, professional movers, food delivery drivers, and even tattoo artists are customary!
If someone in America is offering you a service you wouldn’t do yourself, there’s a good chance you’ll give them a few extra bucks as a thank you.
We hope you like our article on American Culture and Customs.
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