facts about the
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The USA has no official national language de jure. We are one of the only countries that do not. Bills have been proposed to Congress numerous times, but have never made it to the White House because people get offended about it and cry" discrimination!" Look at Europe, geniuses. Each country has at least one official language, and an Italian who goes to Germany without speaking German doesn't get shot for not speaking German, so why assume that that will be the case here? SMH.
- While many Americans are closed-minded, monolingual, uniculturalists,
Americans come in all colors, have all types of religions, and speak many languages from all over the world. We truly are the lang that epitomizes diversity, though we have a history of xenophobia and discrimination.
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Weight. 66% of Americans are overweight; 37% of those are obese.
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Approx. 1% are homeless. 3.5 million people. Americans talk easily to the homeless but use good judgment and are careful with whom they talk.
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We are to focuses about political correctedness for our own good. Making any insulting statement about someone else’s religion or ethnicity is against the law
and could be punishable as a hate crime.
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Drinking age. 21 is the legal age.
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Marijuana. Illegal.
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Prostitution. Illegal. I have opinions on why it should be legalized like The Netherlands. Buuut, whatever.
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Loitering, the act of standing around and doing ntohing, is against the law.
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Personally, I prefer this. Americans are extremely informal and call most people by their first name or nickname.
For example, I am on a first name basis with most adults that attend my church. I'm 15. There's a man at my church that is a lawyer, I just call him 'Bryan.' My pastor's wife, I call 'Debbie,' and occasionally if I;m trying to get her attention, I make it more formal with 'Ms. Debbie." I call my youth leaders simply "Brad and Cindy.' Noted, I established relationship with these adults before I began to address them informally.
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DO(n't) talk to strangers... Americans smile a lot and talk easily to strangers, sharing personal stories. If an American smiles at you a lot, they are probably not flirting with you, as in other cultures. That's just what we do.
- Some
body language. When Americans put their hands on their hips, they are usually relaxed; when they fold their arms tightly across their chests, they are angry or very serious (or cold).
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Queuing/Waiting in line Americans don’t push or stand too close to anyone in line. They always wait their turn, and it is considered very rude to cut in line. Often times, if you have a full cart and the person behind you only has a few items, it is polite and expected, though not required, for you to tell them to move in front of your an go first. If there is an elderly man or woman behind you, even if they have a full cart, it is customary to tell them to move in front of you, particularly in the South (where I live.)
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Chivalry, or rather, just common courtesy. Hold doors open for people, particularly in the South. Nothing pisses me off more than when someone, particularly a man, sees that my hands are full and won't open and hold a door for me. Women are also expected to extend this courtesy to someone with full arms. It is polite to say "Thank you," to the person who holds the door. However, don't expect someone to hold a door for you. Most older men will, many men ages 30s-50s will, and make it a point to thank any man younger than 30 for extending this courtesy.
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Restaurants- Usually, when friends meet at a restaurant they each pay their
share of the bill or split the bill in half. It’s called going Dutch.If anyone on here is Dutch and has any clue as to why we say this, I'll love you forever. Because, I'm confused.
- In a restaurant, the server is usually very friendly and helpful
and often will tell you his or her name.
- We tip. Tipping is not based on good service. It's almost unheard of to leave a tip below 15% of the bill. If service is excellent, or you really enjoyed your server, you tend to tip higher.
- Regarding
parties.- Americans have parties for many reasons. Sometimes they are
held for friends to get together and to meet new people. There
is rarely music or dancing at a typical American party. HOWEVER, often times,a few families will get together at someone's house, the adults will drink alcohol, smoke, and usually WILL play music, and the kids will play together. If the kids are preteens or teens, they'll hang out with the parents part of the night and drink soda and listen to music. This is more of a socail get-together than an all-out party.
- Americans open presents and cards in front of people
- Include a card with your gift.
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Funerals.- At an American funeral, it is not normal to make loud sad sounds. Americans try to keep strong emotions inside.
- There is no traditional color or flower that symbolizes death.
Any and all flowers can be used at funerals.
- We do not give money at a funeral. Sometimes, we send
flowers or plants to the ceremony.
- After the funeral, there is usually a reception at the home of the
family. There is usually a lot of food and sometimes alcohol
- Do
keep it noted that you should make small talk at the beginning of a conversation. After a few questions, you will be asked, “What do you do?” (This means what is your job?)
- Some general
don'ts.- Never ask Americans a direct question about their religion,
age, money, salary, weight, or dress/suit size.
- Do not make any racist or negative remarks about someone’s
religion, family background, or sexual preferences.
- Men should not make any “sexist” remarks to or about
women—anything that would make women unequal to men.
- Americans say that they don’t want to talk about politics, but
sometimes they do. It’s best to just listen first to see the other
person’s point of view before you let them know your
thoughts.
- Never go to someone’s house without calling first to see if it is
convenient.
- If you are invited to an American party, do not bring your
children, friends, or family members without first asking the
permission of the host.
- Time is money. Never be late to classes, employment interviews,
appointments, parties (especially your wedding!), etc.
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Men and women- Some Americans hug a lot. It is okay for women and men to
hug even if they are not close friends.
- It is normal for American women to have male friends who
are just friends (and vice versa).
- It is not uncommon for American men and women to share an
apartment as roommates and not have a sexual relationship
with each other.
- Most American women do not like possessive or jealous men.
- Most American women do not feel comfortable having the
man pay for everything all of the time.
- Be careful: Meet new friends in a public place many times
before you get into a car or give out your address.
- Many American
parents don't hit thier children. Rather, punish them by taking things away. MY parents, however, did both.
- Yes, it's polite,
but be careful when you offer your seat on the bus to an older or a disabled person. Most older people do not want to be thought of as someone needing help.
- Because of pick-pockets, Americans carry credit cards and
checks, instead of a lot of cash.
- Pedestrians always have the right of way.
-Pedestrians must cross at a cross walk or unmarked
intersection. Crossing in the middle of the road is against
the law.
- If it is not a life or death emergency,
do not call 911.-Americans
love to hunt for bargains and often buy used
things. Yes, Macklemore has it right.
-If the police put the lights on to tell you to stop your car, move to the side of the road right away. Stay in your car. Look directly at the officer. Smile and say, “What seems to be
the problem, Officer?”
- When you drive, be sure to always have your license,
registration, and proof of insurance with you.
-Never, for any reason, argue with or give money to a police.
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Sexual harassment is against the law. So is rape, that should be a no-brainer.
- Students are expected to ask questions.
- Never use a cell phone in class.
- It is normal for an American teacher to sit on the desk.
- Always call your teacher by his or her name.
- It is never too late to go back to school and you can almost
always find free adult education classes.
-It is permitted to visit most college and university campuses to
see what they are like.
- Children from the ages of 6 to 16 must attend school in the
United States. I however, started Kindergarten at age 4.
HYGIENE To put it politely, we are anal about it.
- Most Americans take at least one bath or shower each day.
-Most Americans put on a good underarm deodorant after
bathing
- Americans are really careful about not bothering anyone else
with their body odor or bad breath
- Throw all toilet paper and seat covers in the toilet to be
flushed away.
Moving along now............
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Twenty-seven percent of Americans believe we never landed on the moon. Conspiracy theorists
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Mooo! Montana has three times as many cows as it does people.
- So, you mean to tell me that a lot of us
are RELATED About 35 million Americans share DNA with at least one of the 102 pilgrims who arrived aboard the Mayflower in 1620.
- People tend to not wait to be introduced, and we will begin to speak with strangers as we stand in a queue/line, sit next to each other at an event, etc. Visitors can often be surprised when people are so informal to the point of being very direct or even rude. We don't intend to be rude, it's just how we are.
- The state of Alaska is
429 times larger than the state of Rhode Island, but Rhode Island has a significantly larger population.
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Ten points from the US Congress, said professor Snape. Although Ohio is listed as the 17th state in the U.S., it is technically 47th because Congress forgot to vote on a resolution to admit it to the Union until 1953.
- Snake Alley, the most crooked street in the world, can be found in Burlington, Iowa.
- Venus Fly Traps can only be found natively in the Carolinas and nowhere else in the world.
- The US bought Alaska from Russia for 2 cents an acre in 1867.
- The family unit is generally considered the nuclear family, and is typically small (with exceptions among certain ethnic groups). Extended family relatives live in their own homes, often at great distances from their children.
- Individualism is prized, and this is reflected in the family unit. People are proud of their individual accomplishments, initiative and success, and may, or may not, share those sources of pride with their elders.
- If you are more comfortable eating in the Continental manner, go ahead. It will not offend anyone.
- The hand shake is the common greeting.
-Handshakes are firm, brief and confident.
-Maintain eye contact during the greeting.
-In most situations, you can begin calling people by their first names.
-Most people will insist that you call them by their nickname, if they have one.
-In formal circumstances, you may want to use titles and surnames as a courtesy until you are invited to move to a first name basis, which will happen quickly.
United States, people who are homosexual, can't give blood. I think this is funny. They can reject you even if you "look" gay.