The United StatesThe United Statesof Americaof America

Survey of Major English-Speaking Survey of Major English-Speaking CountriesCountries

Getting Getting StartedStarted

Many of you have already studied some Many of you have already studied some about American culture, but we’ll review about American culture, but we’ll review some basic information in the next few some basic information in the next few weeks.weeks.

As we get started, let’s take a short As we get started, let’s take a short quiz about culture and find out if you quiz about culture and find out if you know what to do in America…know what to do in America…

Question 1:Question 1:1. You just found out that your mother is 1. You just found out that your mother is sick. You go to work, and an American co-sick. You go to work, and an American co-worker asks you, “How are you?” What do you worker asks you, “How are you?” What do you say?say?

a) “Not good.”a) “Not good.”b) “Fine, how are you?”b) “Fine, how are you?”c) “I’m not doing too well—I just found out c) “I’m not doing too well—I just found out that my mother is sick.” that my mother is sick.”

Question 2:Question 2:

2. An American has invited you to their house 2. An American has invited you to their house for dinner. Should you bring anything?for dinner. Should you bring anything?

a) Yes.a) Yes.b) No.b) No.c) Only if they ask.c) Only if they ask.

Question 3:Question 3:3. Two of your co-workers are talking, and you have to 3. Two of your co-workers are talking, and you have to

ask one of them a question about a project you’re ask one of them a question about a project you’re working on. What should you do?working on. What should you do?

a) Go back to your desk and wait until the a) Go back to your desk and wait until the conversation is over.conversation is over.b) Interrupt their conversation and ask the question. b) Interrupt their conversation and ask the question. c) Stand there and watch them until the c) Stand there and watch them until the conversation is over.conversation is over.

Question 4:Question 4:

4. You are invited to a wedding reception that 4. You are invited to a wedding reception that is going to begin at 3:00 pm. What time is going to begin at 3:00 pm. What time should you arrive?should you arrive?

a) Anytime—it doesn’t matter.a) Anytime—it doesn’t matter.b) At 3:00.b) At 3:00.c) Between 3:00 and 3:30.c) Between 3:00 and 3:30.

Question 5:Question 5:

5. You’ve been married for 10 years, but you’ve 5. You’ve been married for 10 years, but you’ve never worn a wedding band. Should you wear one in never worn a wedding band. Should you wear one in the United States?the United States?

a) No.a) No.b) Only at formal events.b) Only at formal events.c) Yes.c) Yes.

Question 6:Question 6:6. You and your neighbor get along very well, and they 6. You and your neighbor get along very well, and they

tell you, “Come over anytime.” What should you do?tell you, “Come over anytime.” What should you do?

a) Do what they say—go to their house whenever a) Do what they say—go to their house whenever you want.you want.b) Never go to their house.b) Never go to their house.c) Call before you go over.c) Call before you go over.

Question 7:Question 7:7. You meet an American at a luncheon. They ask you 7. You meet an American at a luncheon. They ask you

what you do for a living, and after you tell them, you what you do for a living, and after you tell them, you ask them:ask them:

a) What they do and how much money they make.a) What they do and how much money they make.b) What they do.b) What they do.c) What they do and where they work.c) What they do and where they work.

Question 8:Question 8:8. You just started a new job, and you need to make a 8. You just started a new job, and you need to make a

personal call. What should you do?personal call. What should you do?

a) Ask someone if it is okay to make a personal call.a) Ask someone if it is okay to make a personal call.b) Make the call—it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re b) Make the call—it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re an employee.an employee.c) Don’t make the call until lunch time, and do it c) Don’t make the call until lunch time, and do it outside your workplace.outside your workplace.

Question 9:Question 9:

9. An American tells you that your shirt is nice. 9. An American tells you that your shirt is nice. What do you say?What do you say?

a) "Thank you."a) "Thank you."b) "No, it's not that special."b) "No, it's not that special."c) Don't say anything because the c) Don't say anything because the compliment wasn't sincere.compliment wasn't sincere.

Question 1:Question 1:1. You just found out that your mother is 1. You just found out that your mother is sick. You go to work, and an American co-sick. You go to work, and an American co-worker asks you, “How are you?” What do you worker asks you, “How are you?” What do you say?say?

a) “Not good.”a) “Not good.”b) “Fine, how are you?”b) “Fine, how are you?”c) “I’m not doing too well—I just found out c) “I’m not doing too well—I just found out that my mother is sick.” that my mother is sick.”

Question 1:Question 1:1 – b1 – b

“How are you?” is a common American “How are you?” is a common American greeting. Usually, when someone says that greeting. Usually, when someone says that to you, they don’t really want to know a lot of to you, they don’t really want to know a lot of information about how you are. However, information about how you are. However, you can tell a good friend how you really are.you can tell a good friend how you really are.

Question 2:Question 2:

2. An American has invited you to their house 2. An American has invited you to their house for dinner. Should you bring anything?for dinner. Should you bring anything?

a) Yes.a) Yes.b) No.b) No.c) Only if they ask.c) Only if they ask.

Question 2:Question 2:

2 – bUsually we do not bring a gift to someone’s house when we visit. If you really want to bring something, however, it’s okay, of course.

Question 3:Question 3:3. Two of your co-workers are talking, and you have to 3. Two of your co-workers are talking, and you have to

ask one of them a question about a project you’re ask one of them a question about a project you’re working on. What should you do?working on. What should you do?

a) Go back to your desk and wait until the a) Go back to your desk and wait until the conversation is over.conversation is over.b) Interrupt their conversation and ask the question. b) Interrupt their conversation and ask the question. c) Stand there and watch them until the c) Stand there and watch them until the conversation is over.conversation is over.

Question 3:Question 3:

3 – aOnly interrupt the conversation if your question is urgent, or if there is some kind of crisis.

Question 4:Question 4:

4. You are invited to a wedding reception that 4. You are invited to a wedding reception that is going to begin at 3:00 pm. What time is going to begin at 3:00 pm. What time should you arrive?should you arrive?

a) Anytime—it doesn’t matter.a) Anytime—it doesn’t matter.b) At 3:00.b) At 3:00.c) Between 3:00 and 3:30.c) Between 3:00 and 3:30.

Question 4:Question 4:

4 – b4 – bIn general, it is important to be on time In general, it is important to be on time to events, especially formal ones, such to events, especially formal ones, such as weddings.as weddings.

Question 5:Question 5:

5. You’ve been married for 10 years, but you’ve 5. You’ve been married for 10 years, but you’ve never worn a wedding band. Should you wear one in never worn a wedding band. Should you wear one in the United States?the United States?

a) No.a) No.b) Only at formal events.b) Only at formal events.c) Yes.c) Yes.

Question 5:Question 5:

5 – c You should always wear a wedding ring to let other people know that you are married. Sometimes, if people are romantically interested in you, they will look at your finger to see if you’re wearing one.

Question 6:Question 6:6. You and your neighbor get along very well, and they 6. You and your neighbor get along very well, and they

tell you, “Come over anytime.” What should you do?tell you, “Come over anytime.” What should you do?

a) Do what they say—go to their house whenever a) Do what they say—go to their house whenever you want.you want.b) Never go to their house.b) Never go to their house.c) Call before you go over.c) Call before you go over.

Question 6:Question 6:

6 – cIt is polite to call before going to someone’s house.

Question 7:Question 7:7. You meet an American at a luncheon. They ask you 7. You meet an American at a luncheon. They ask you

what you do for a living, and after you tell them, you what you do for a living, and after you tell them, you ask them:ask them:

a) What they do and how much money they make.a) What they do and how much money they make.b) What they do.b) What they do.c) What they do and where they work.c) What they do and where they work.

Question 7:Question 7:7 – b7 – b

Some people don’t want to talk about Some people don’t want to talk about where they work, for various reasons. where they work, for various reasons. If you want to know, it’s best to ask If you want to know, it’s best to ask that question after you talk to the that question after you talk to the person for a while.person for a while.

Question 8:Question 8:8. You just started a new job, and you need to make a 8. You just started a new job, and you need to make a

personal call. What should you do?personal call. What should you do?

a) Ask someone if it is okay to make a personal call.a) Ask someone if it is okay to make a personal call.b) Make the call—it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re b) Make the call—it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re an employee.an employee.c) Don’t make the call until lunch time, and do it c) Don’t make the call until lunch time, and do it outside your workplace.outside your workplace.

Question 8:Question 8:8 – c8 – c

Workplaces have different rules for personal Workplaces have different rules for personal phone calls, so play it safe until you find out. phone calls, so play it safe until you find out. In some situations, "a" is acceptable. In some situations, "a" is acceptable. However, to avoid being seen as However, to avoid being seen as presumptuous, it is better to wait and see presumptuous, it is better to wait and see what the workplace is like.what the workplace is like.

Question 9:Question 9:

9. An American tells you that your shirt is nice. 9. An American tells you that your shirt is nice. What do you say?What do you say?

a) "Thank you."a) "Thank you."b) "No, it's not that special."b) "No, it's not that special."c) Don't say anything because the c) Don't say anything because the compliment wasn't sincere.compliment wasn't sincere.

Question 9:Question 9:

9 – aIf someone gives you a compliment on anything, say “thank you.” Otherwise, people will wonder if you have any self-confidence.

Basic FactsBasic Facts

Population: 281.4 millionPopulation: 281.4 million

Borders: Canada (north), Atlantic Borders: Canada (north), Atlantic Ocean (east), Mexico and Gulf of Ocean (east), Mexico and Gulf of Mexico (south), Pacific Ocean (west)Mexico (south), Pacific Ocean (west)

Currency: US Dollar (1 USD= about Currency: US Dollar (1 USD= about 6.2 RMB)6.2 RMB)

EconomyEconomy

The United States has the world’s largest The United States has the world’s largest economy resources and leads the world in economy resources and leads the world in technological development.technological development.

The United States has about 5% of the The United States has about 5% of the world’s population, but has produced about world’s population, but has produced about 21.5% of the global GDP (gross domestic 21.5% of the global GDP (gross domestic product, the value of goods and services).product, the value of goods and services).

EconomyEconomyHowever, the American economy entered a period when it However, the American economy entered a period when it

stopped its rapid growth in the early 21stopped its rapid growth in the early 21stst century, century, especially after the September 11 terrorist attack.especially after the September 11 terrorist attack.

In 2007, the housing and credit markets began to fail, In 2007, the housing and credit markets began to fail, and despite some government attempts, have remained and despite some government attempts, have remained very poor.very poor.

The economy has refused to grow in many ways and the The economy has refused to grow in many ways and the unemployment rate has been as high as 9.6% in 2010.unemployment rate has been as high as 9.6% in 2010.

EconomyEconomyWealth distribution in the U.S. is unbalanced. The top 20% of the population controls more than 80% of the nation’s wealth, while the bottom 40% shares only 0.2% of the wealth. A 2005 survey shows that 12.7% of Americans fell below the national poverty line.

The United States has some developed “social welfare” programs to help people out of economic difficulties. The programs are different in different states.

EducationEducationPre-schoolKindergartenPrimary School/ Elementary School/ Grammar School/ Grade School

Middle School/ Junior High SchoolHigh SchoolUniversity/ College: Bachelor’s Degree- Master’s Degree- Doctorate

Families & Families & RelationshipsRelationships

Families and relationships in America have many similarities and differences with families and relationships around the world. These things are often complicated and are quickly changing with a modernizing society and world. Please think of at least two questions you’d like to ask about families and relationships in America (including dating, marriage, parent-child relationships, independence, homosexuality, etc.).

Five More ThingsFive More Things

1)  1)  The individual is important.The individual is important. 2)  2)  Independence is strength.Independence is strength. 3)  3)  Women are considered equal.Women are considered equal. 4)  4)  A multicultural society requires flexibility.A multicultural society requires flexibility. 5)  5)  Respect people’s space.Respect people’s space.