American Customs & Traditions

By Enache Alexandra

American Customs & Traditions

AMERICAN CUSTOMS, HABITS, & TRADITIONS

When moving to another country, often it is the little things that we notice first, and that make a bigger impact on our stay. America is full of different customs, and traditions that are unlike France .
Meeting someone

When meeting someone for the first time, it is customary to shake hands, both for men and for women. Hugs are only exchanged between close friends. Kissing is not common, and men never kiss other men. Americans will usually introduce themselves by their first name and last name (such as Hello, Im John Smith), or, if the setting is very casual, by their first name only (Hi, Im John). The common response when someone is introduced to you is Pleased to meet you. Unless someone is introduced to you with their title and last name (such as Mister Smith or Miss Johnson), you should address them by their first name. Americans normally address everyone they meet in a social or business setting by their first name. However, you should always address your college professors by their title and last name (such as Professor Jones), unless they ask you to do otherwise.
Speaking on the telephone

Americans normally answer the telephone by simply saying Hello. If the person you would like to speak to has answered the phone, you should say hello and state your name. If not, you should ask for that person politely: May I please speak with Andrew Brown ?
Eating out

All restaurants in America accept cash for payment, and most (even some fast food restaurants) also accept credit cards. A few restaurants also accept ATM cards for payment. You will rarely find a restaurant that accepts checks. The drinking age in America is 21. If you look young, be prepared to show proof of your age when ordering alcohol.
Tipping

Tipping is expected at restaurants, since American restaurants do not add a service charge to the bill. Therefore it is expected that the customer will leave a tip for the server (as they are paid very little and depend on tips to make any money). Common practice is to leave a tip that is equal to 15% of the total bill for acceptable service, and about 20% for superior service. If the service was unusually poor, then you could leave a smaller tip, about 10%. Other professions where tipping is expected include hairdressers, taxi drivers, hotel porters, parking valets, and bartenders. The general rule is to tip approximately 15% of the bill. In situations where there is no bill (as with hotel porters and parking valets), the tip may range from $1 to $5, depending on the type of establishment and on how good the service was.
Smoking

Smoking is not as common in America as in many other countries. It is a practice that is becoming less and less socially acceptable. Smoking is prohibited in many places. It is not allowed in any public buildings, on any public transportation, in shops, movie theaters, schools, and office buildings. The general rule is if you are indoors, then you probably are not allowed to smoke. Some states have exceptions for bars, nightclubs, and some restaurants, but they are very few. If a restaurant does allow smoking, it will only be in an area that is designated for smokers. If you are with someone, even outdoors, it is polite to ask if they mind before you start smoking. The legal smoking age in America is 18 or 19 (depending on the state). If you are buying cigarettes (or another tobacco product) and you look young, the store clerk is required by law to ask you for proof of legal age. You should be prepared to provide identification.

Friendship

Americans are reputed to be friendly people. It is not uncommon for Americans to be informal and casual, even with perfect strangers. When in the United States, do not be surprised if somebody you do not know says "Hi!" to you for no reason, and people will quickly volunteer information about their professions, family, and other personal details. However, there is a difference between friendliness and friendships. As in any culture, it takes time for friendships and close relationships to form. Americans' friendships tend to be shorter and more casual than friendships among people from some other cultures. It is not uncommon for Americans to have few close friendships during their lifetime and to consider other friends to be merely social acquaintances. This attitude probably has something to do with American mobility and the fact that Americans do not like to be dependent on other people. They tend to compartmentalize friendships, having "friends at work," "friends on the basketball team," and "family friends," for example.

Traditions and legends of Christmas in America is, like many other aspects of the spiritual heritage of the United States, a unique blend of diverse cultural influences of the world. It is said that in America, Christmas is celebrated in every way possible! That does not mean that Americans have established new traditions related to the winter holidays. Characters such as reindeer Rudolph and Frosty have become as famous as Santa Claus (Father Christmas). There is lack of interest in American culture infusion of symbolic images in advertising, Coca Cola polar bears specific. Americans boast that the current Santa Claus, Santa Claus called them, would be "born" in the United States, thanks to a myriad of artists, writers and legends. It is said that the name Santa Claus would come from the Dutch word which tells of Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas meaning. Although the Dutch have brought this character in America in the eighteenth century, he became a symbol of Christmas until, in 1809, writer Washington Irving did not write a book about him. This first American Santa Claus was also known under the name of St. Nicholas, smoking a pipe, and fly in a sleigh autopropulsata (which was pulled by reindeer) was dressed in red and do not live at the North Pole as it is known children present. In 1863, Santa Claus "made in America" was named Santa Claus and was endowed with a red dress and a sleigh with reindeer. Nowadays, Christmas celebration takes place in different ways in different regions of the United States because of the variety of nationalities that have settled all across America. In Pennsylvania, Moravians continue their tradition of building a winter landscape under the tree, wearing the numierea of "putz" in the same state, the ordinary German immigrants children receive gifts from Belsnickle (a German Santa Claus), who beat sometimes with a stick those who have been naughty during the year. Europeans established early in the southern United States sent habit Christmas congratulating their neighbors removed by gunshots and fireworks. In Hawaii, the practice continues today. Santa Claus arrives on these sunny lands on a boat and Christmas dinner takes place outdoors.

In Alaska, a star is taken from one house to another, followed by so-called men of Herod, trying to capture. Doors of homes in this area are often decorated with pineapples, a symbol of hospitality. In Washington DC, a huge and spectacular lights Christmas tree is lighted every year during a ceremony in the main staff of the U.S. president himself In Boston, the festivities are famous carols, singers are accompanied by hand drums. In New Orleans, is walking the streets of a huge buffalo, whose corne are adorned with ribbons and holly branches. In Arizona, the Mexican ritual called Las Posadas place, within which there is a process and a play depicting Mary and Joseph in search of hosting. In fact, this staging takes place among family members, each of them playing a special role, especially during visits to relatives. Also, every house is a small setting in which, by means of figures and other detail parts is reconstructed birth of Jesus. In California, Santa Claus arrives in a board lately surfboarding. American traditional Christmas table consists of a roast turkey, accompanied by vegetables and sauces. Other specific foods are roast goose, the duck or ham served with cranberry sauce. For dessert, prepared pudding (pudding), fruit (mostly plums) with a brandy juice or pumpkin pie. Other sweets are traditional mince pies and pastries filled with a mixture of dried fruit. American homes are decorated with branches of holly, mistletoe and Christmas trees, devoid of most them a Christmas tree decorated with lights, tinsel, ornaments, garlands of popcorn and candy colored form of rods. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is customary to light a major star since the beginning of December. On Christmas Eve, the Americans of Polish origin fan spread on the kitchen floor and under the table, as a commemoration of the barn and ieslelor where Jesus Christ was born. When preparing the festive meal, they place two extra seats reserved for the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, if when they knocked on the door to ask for shelter. In Philadelphia, a process called "pantomime parade" lasts all day, is spiced by the presence of numerous musical bands, dancers and participants dressed in fanciful costumes. In America, Santa Claus known to have actually two houses. One of them is the Tirrington, Connecticut, where Santa and his helpers Christmas presents. A second is located in Wilmington, New York, a place where there is a village that houses the Santa Claus and his reindeer.