AMERICAN ETIQUETTE

• 1. What are the American’s attitude in

social situations?
• 2. What shouldn’t you do in public
situations?
• 3. What is the dining, classroom, language
etiquette?
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1. American attitudes
- Etiquette: the proper way to behave in social situations
- All people are entitled to equal opportunity & respect
Ex: + no one is privileged/ worthless
+ humble & timid [=] domineering => making others
uncomfortable
- Be polite & assertive
- Direct talk: true feelings & thoughts (white lies are necessary
sometimes)
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2. Good manners
- Don’t be nosy: never ask very personal info. (age, weight,
income, cost of valuable possessions…)
- Don’t ask sensitive questions: politics, religion, sexual
orientation…
- Don’t smoke without permission: observe, ask or go out
- Don’t get too close: too close = domination/ forced
intimacy; too far = cold/ formal/ aloof  keep your distance
from others similar to what you observe
- Don’t touch: except handshake (intro/ bye), >< harass
- Don’t make ethnic slurs: in a multi-ethnic & multi-racial
USA
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3. Introduction & titles
Mr. Mrs. Miss. Ms.
- Say the woman’s name first (W – M)
- Say the older/ famous man first (M – W)
- Say the older first (M – M), (W – W)
- Handshakes are common for first greeting (M, W)
- Rude: Good morning Mr.! Hello Miss.
- Same age people, coworkers, neighbors call first
names
- The younger call the elder with surnames
- Don’t interrupt others while talking
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4. Congratulations
Say Congratulations! with enthusiasm: good news,
birthday, wedding, job promotion, anniversary,
graduation…
5. Condolences
- I was so sorry to hear about your loss/ father...
- I’m sorry = sympathy (bad experience), regret
(annoy, problem)
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6. Dining etiquette
- Dinner at an American home may be fairly informal
- Bring flowers/ wine/ garden fruit… or any (with heart)
- Arrive 5 to 15 minutes late. Never arrive earlier.
- If over 15’ late, phone your hosts and apologize.
- Never begin eating until everyone is served and your
hosts have begun. Serve all women at the table first.
- Feel free to take what you like. Americans like
people to eat a lot
- Stay a while after the meal.
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- Tip 10-15% for good service at restaurant

- Use the pieces of silverware farthest fro the plate
first
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7. Classroom etiquette at college
- T & S relationship is less formal in the USA
- S are expected to be polite & considerate of T &
classmates
- No interruption
- Raise hands and wait to be called on
- No whisper during T-S talk
- No talking, no cheating during exams
- Don’t address the teacher “teacher”  Mr. Nguyen,
Ms. Tran, Ms. Smith, Mr. Bush
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8. Language
- Politely ask the person to repeat or explain if you don’t..
- Don’t do s.t incorrect because of misunderstanding
- How do you do?  How do you do?
- Thank you.  You’re welcome
- A sneeze God bless you/ Bless you.
- How're you?  Great/ Fine/ couldn’t be better. Thanks
- Goodbye = See you later/ We'll have to get together/ Let's
do lunch
- You don't have to treat me to dinner—let's go Dutch.
- Can we split the bill?