Studying abroad is a fun and once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it can definitely be a bit overwhelming to get used to a new culture. To make your time in the U.S. is both worthwhile and rewarding, it’s best to know how to interact with the locals.

How can you do that? Let’s start with five key American courtesies that are vital to understanding and succeeding in the U.S culture.

Put These American Courtesies Into Practice

1. Greet with “How are you?”

When Americans greet each other in a work or school setting, it is common to acknowledge one another by saying, “How are you?” This is mostly a formality; the answer is not all that important. The question is not meant to be inquisitive or pointed and definitely not personal.

The greeting is a courtesy and essentially a typical exchange rather than a genuine question. So, don’t expect a detailed response beyond “fine” or “good” when asking how someone is doing. You can vary the opening greeting after hello with “How d’ya do?,” “How you doing?,” “How are you?,” or even “What’s up?” depending on where you are in the U.S.

2. Keep Your Distance

You should give 2-3 feet of personal space between you and others during conversations. In general, there is little touching beyond a handshake when first meeting anyone. The best thing to do is give people space upon a first meeting.

3. Make Small Talk

Americans enjoy small talk and it’s important to engage in this type of interaction. This is essentially a pleasant conversation about common interests. Commonly, it’s all about weather, sports, and popular culture. A great way to improve your small talk skills is to learn more about American culture, including sports like football and baseball, and American music, television, and movies.

4. Avoid Discussing Race, Religion, or Politics

Americans are a diverse group of people and they generally don’t initiate or have serious conversations about race, religion, or politics, unless they know you very well. It may be considered rude to bring up these subjects in a casual social setting because of the high risk of offending people of different groups and circumstances.

5. Be Punctual

This may seem like common sense, but this is not the norm around the world. Always arrive on time for school, meetings, and especially work, no matter what part of the country you are in. There are many places in the U.S. where being late may be viewed as a sign of disrespect, so it’s better not to risk being tardy. If a meeting starts at 6pm, it’s best to show up around 5:50pm-5:55pm.

The Bottom Line: Making Your Life Easier with American Courtesies

All of these courtesies will make your experience in the U.S. more fun and comfortable. Remember, what makes studying abroad such an amazing opportunity is to be able to observe and learn about the culture and traditions of people on your campus and in your community. Even though it may be difficult to adjust to a culture very different from your own, you can make it easier on yourself by simply following these common courtesies. Know them well and you should be off to a great start in the U.S.

Are you ready to come to the U.S.? Contact our dedicated team and explore your esl courses options today!