Life in the USA

by Price, Planaria J.

• ISBN13: 9780472033041
• ISBN10: 0472033042
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-08-14
• Publisher: Univ of Michigan Pr

Summary

Life in the USA is not quite like it is in the movies or on TV. For people who are unfamiliar with its culture, there is the potential for confusion and embarrassing situations. This book,Life in the USA,has been written to help those new to the United States. Nine broad topics (first impressions of America, body language, social customs and manners, relationships, celebrations and gifts, surviving the city, the workplace, schools, and health and personal matters) are covered through an engaging and easy-to-read question-and-answer format in form of letters from immigrant students to their teacher. Students are also advised to read comic strips, listen to popular music, and read classic American children's stories in order to become familiar with the many the nuances of American culture and to better understand Americans. From tips for job interviews to garage sales and dating, Life in the USAoffers immigrant students helpful hints and answers for becoming comfortable in the United States of America.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. vii
First Impressions	p. 1
America's Size and Its People	p. 2
A Brief History of the USA	p. 8
The Melting Pot of America: Statistics on Where People Come From and Their Languages	p. 11
Puzzles of American Culture: Basic Values and Unpleasant Realities	p. 14
Body Language	p. 17
Translation of American Body Language	p. 18
Personal Space	p. 20
Touching	p. 22
Gestures	p. 25
Social Customs and Manners	p. 31
Smiling Faces	p. 32
"How Are You?"	p. 34
Eating in Restaurants	p. 36
Being Invited or Inviting Americans to the Home	p. 43
American Parties	p. 45
What to Wear	p. 50
Things We Don't Talk About	p. 55
Relationships	p. 59
Dating	p. 60
Marriage and In-Laws	p. 64
Children, Parents, and Pets	p. 68
Senior Citizens	p. 73
Homosexuality	p. 77
Domestic Violence	p. 79
Celebrations and Gifts	p. 83
Weddings	p. 84
Birthdays and Anniversaries	p. 87
Baby and Wedding Showers	p. 90
Funerals	p. 93
Surviving in the City	p. 95
Public Transportation	p. 96
Walking in the City	p. 101
Driving in the City	p. 104
The Police	p. 106
City Services	p. 109
Tenant/Landlord Rights	p. 111
Strange Laws	p. 115
Garage Sales	p. 117
The Workplace	p. 121
Job Interviews	p. 122
Unwanted Attention	p. 125
Schools	p. 127
Taking Tests and Cheating	p. 128
Teacher Expectations and Student Responsibilities	p. 132
Health and Personal Matters	p. 135
Staying Clean and Healthy	p. 136
Talking to a Doctor	p. 138
Using Bathrooms	p. 142
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