USA Customs and Habits:

Social Life:

Your interface with other people and your social life both are the internal parts of your staying in USA. To make maximum use of it, make yourself ready to initiate with other students, professors and people during both on-campus and off-campus in a positive way.

Your first introduction towards the social life in USA will be in “The International Student Orientation Program” synchronized by Admissions Office or with Office of International Programs. But remember that orientation will vary from school to school although the objectives of all the schools are same. Many times, topics including immigration, academic advisors, computer resources, library resources, telephone services, public safety, medical services, banking and transportation options etc. are prepared to introduce Non-US students with each other.

Throughout the orientation, students study the upcoming activities like trips of local points of attractions.

Universities and colleges campus are flourished with activities made to promote friendships. Many schools also appoint ‘Student Activities Center’ which is also known as ‘Student Union’ where students learn different activities and programs such as newspaper staff, student government and many more outdoors activities.

Developing Deeper Friendships:

After getting first interaction with some people in USA, you may feel more compatible to some of them.

At the very first arrival you will notice a friendly environment by everyone. You will find people whom you do not know saying ‘Hi’, ‘How are you’ and how it is going on’. But this is not fact. You will find people in US often keep on walking not waiting for your response. Perhaps, at initial stage you may find this type of attitude quite rude or superficial. But this type of behavior is considered as polite and friendly. They feel as outgoing and ingoing. These are the social customs which has some little to do with that of friendships.

Moreover, people ask you about your name and about your native country this minute which may interest to them for few minutes. Another minute they go and talk to some other person. This type of attitude will confuse you for sometime.

You will easily find associates accompanying you on-campus that live, eat and study together. But true friendship will take some time to develop. You will realize at the first time that it takes too much time to build a true friendship but after some time you will appreciate this pattern in both home and at abroad.

Different Ways of Communications:

One of the latest and most popular forms of communication in USA is through Internet and E-mail. Internet and E-mail has ease to exchange all types of information in less time and in less expense. In USA use of Internet and E-mails are very common in campuses. E-mails play an important role in building the social life of the Americans as they regularly send and receive messages from their friends and relatives.

But restrict to contact with the person only through sitting on the computers. Personally visit outside for meeting people for having a full American experience.

Being a socialite is one of the most important parts of your experience while taking international education. According to the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, being socialite is strongly imposed by the school, families and the peer groups. It is also helpful for the development of individuals who are participating and functioning within their societies and for carrying this to new generations. Socialization is something which continues with a person throughout his life. Moreover, your studying experience in USA will even develop your ‘people skills’ more.

Meeting Someone:

Meeting someone for the first time, it is expected to shake hands with both man and woman and hugs are made only while meeting close friends. Kissing is not so common especially when a man meet to another man.

People of America usually give their introduction by specifying either their first name or the last name. For e.g. Hello I am John Smith, or if there is casual meeting then introduction is given only by giving first name. For e.g. Hello I am John. The usual response that you should give when some one introduce himself to you is “Pleased to meet you”. If someone gives you his title name like Mr. Smith or Ms. John even than you should address him with his first name. But in case of addressing your college professors, always call them either with their title or with their last name. For e.g. Professor John till they specify you to call them by any other name. Americans often addresses a person by their first name when they meet in a social or business settings.

Speaking on the Telephone:

People of America generally answer to their phones by saying “Hello”. In case of answering a business call, then they give the name of the business along with the own name. If the person whom you want to talk, answers then say hello first and specify your name, and if not, ask about the respective person politely, For e.g. May I speak to Mr. John?

Mostly all the houses in USA has answering machine. While mostly all the businesses have a voice mail account for their employees. When you are leaving a message then specify your name and telephone number clearly. Don’t forget the telephone message must be concise and to the point.

Eating Out:

Almost all the restaurants in USA accept both cash and credit cards payments. Some restaurants also prefer ATM cards as the mode of payments. You will hardly find a restaurant that accepts check for payment.

It is common to have waiting in some famous restaurants. Many famous restaurants either allow reservations or allow reservations only at the time of large parties i.e. six or more than six peoples. The waiting time in these restaurants are generally very long, about 1 hour. But almost all expensive and formal restaurants allow reservations in their restaurants.

Many restaurants in USA except fast-food restaurants have license to serve alcoholic drinks to their customers. Beer and wine are always available in these restaurants along with some hard liquor like vodka or whisky. Restaurants which serve hard liquors are commonly known as “full bar”. The age of drinking in America is 21 or more. Have an age proof with yourself while you are ordering for alcohol if you look quite young.

Tipping:

Tipping is expected only in few cases. One is when you encounter someone mostly in a restaurant. Restaurants of America do not charge additional service charge in the bill which they provide. For this it is expected from the customer to give a tip for the services. Tip should be of 15% of the total bill and about 20% of the superior service. If the services are poor, than tip should be 10% of the total bill.

In professions like taxi drivers, hairdressers, hotel porters, parking valets and bar tenders tipping is required. According to the custom the tip at 15% of the total bill has to be given. The places like hotel porters and parking valets that do not provide bill, in that case the tip ranges from 1% to5% depending upon the kind of services the person gives.

Smoking:

Smoking is not common in USA as compared to many other countries. American smokes the least as compared to Europeans and the Asians. It is less and less socially accepted in USA.

In America, smoking is restricted in many places like in public buildings, public transportations, in shops, in movie halls, schools, office buildings etc. Generally, if you are in-doors you are strictly prohibited to smoke. Smoke is allowed in bars, some restaurants, and nightclubs. The special place is made for the persons who want to do smoking.

In America, the legal smoking age is 18 or more. If you look young and ask for cigarette then the store clerk will ask the age proof of yours before giving the cigarette. So it is advisable to carry an age proof while buying a cigarette.