Unit 2. How to “survive” in the usa. General guidelines

Americans often ask, “What do you do?” [that is, “Tell me about your job and employer”] to start a conversation. This kind of question is not considered presumptuous, but rather is a way to show interest in the individual by showing interest in his or her job. Compliments are exchanged frequently and are popular “conversation starters.” If you wish to make conversation with someone, you can compliment an item such as his or her clothing or a work or sports related achievement. Generally, Americans like to laugh and enjoy being with people who have a sense of humour. Jokes are usually welcome, but in all situations, ethnic and religious humour should be avoided. Self-deprecating humour, however, usually goes over well.

Sports are very popular in the U.S., especially baseball, football, and basketball. Golf is another popular sport, especially among businesspeople. It is often a venue for business discussions and deals, so be prepared to play golf and talk business at the same time. Business breakfasts are common, and can start as early as 7:00 a.m. On weekends, many people partake in 'brunch', a combination of lunch and breakfast beginning anywhere from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Business meetings may be held over 'brunch.'

Business meetings are also frequently held over lunch, which begins at 12:00 noon and sometimes lasts until 2:00 p.m. Lunch is usually a lighter meal, since work continues directly afterward. Be careful about alcoholic beverages such as wine or beer at lunch. You may find some companies where this is common, and others that have strict policies against alcoholic drinks during lunch hours. Follow the lead of your host and order a soft drink if you are unsure. Dinner is the main meal of the day and can start between 5:30 and 8:00 p.m.

In the United States, little business is conducted on Sundays. This is the standard day of worship for many religions. If your stay in the U.S. is short, however, your American business counterparts may arrange to do business on this day.

If you are invited out for a business meal, the host will usually pay, but if your host does not offer to pay, you should be prepared to pay for your own meal. If you invite a U.S. counterpart out socially, you should make it clear whether you wish to pay. Common ways to express this wish include 'It's on me' or 'I'd like to buy you lunch.' When eating out, the cost is sometimes shared with friends or colleagues. 'Getting separate checks' and 'going Dutch' refer to paying for your own portion of the bill. It is also common to 'split the bill,' where the cost of the meal is shared equally among the individuals.

The dining etiquette in the USA is quite simple: the fork is held in the right hand and is used for eating. The knife is used to cut or spread something onto a food item. To use the knife, the fork is switched to the left hand or is laid down; to continue eating, the fork is switched back to the right hand. But, if you prefer to use the "continental" style of dining, in which the knife and fork are never switched, that is acceptable, too. Many people in the United States are casual in their use of the knife and fork and aren't particularly concerned with formal rules of etiquette. Some foods are eaten with the hands. As a general rule, you may follow the example of your companions.

It is common to invite a business guest to one's home in the U.S. This is considered a gesture to show goodwill between associates. Be aware that it is a custom in many U.S. homes to give guests a tour of the general rooms of the house when guests arrive. Unlike some other cultures, it's perfectly acceptable to refuse an offer of food or drink. In most cases, the host probably won't urge you to eat. Don't be afraid to ask for something. Use manners and ask politely. Before going to visit a friend, it's common courtesy to call ahead.

EXERCISES

Exercise 1. Answer the questions.

1. What does the question “What do you do?” mean?

2. Are compliments popular in America?

3. What kind of jokes should be avoided?

4. What does “self-deprecating humour” mean?

5. What sports are popular in the USA?

6. When do business breakfasts start?

7. What is the main meal of the day?

8. Is it common to do business on Sundays?

9. Who pays for a business meal: the person who invites or the one who is invited?

10. What should you do if the host does not offer to pay?

11. If you invite a U.S. counterpart out socially, how to make it clear that you wish to pay?

12. Is it common to 'split the bill?'

13. What is the difference between the American and the "continental" style of dining?

14. Is it common to invite a business guest to one's home in the U.S.?

15. Is it acceptable to refuse an offer of food or drink when you are invited to one’s home in the USA?

16. Is it possible to ask for something while visiting the house of your American counterpart?

Exercise 2. Make a few sentences using the following verbs and expressions.

Start a conversation, ask questions, show interest in smth. or smb., exchange compliments, laugh, enjoy being with smb., welcome smb. or smth., avoid, be popular, be held, begin, last, continue, follow, be unsure, stay, conduct business,

arrange smth., invite, be prepared to do smth. or for smth., express, include, share, refer, refuse, urge.

Exercise 3. Say whether these words are countable or uncountable. Make countable words plural.

1. job

2. kind

3. question

4. interest

5. individual

6. conversation

7. item

8. clothing

9. work

10. achievement

11. sense

12. humour

13. football

14. sport

15. venue

16. discussion

17. deal

18. weekend

19. lunch

20. meal

21. wine

22. beer

23. drink

24. business

25. bill

26. cost

27. etiquette

28. food

29. item.

30. rule

Exercise 4. Match the English words with their Russian equivalents.

1. presumptuous A. непосредственный (непрерывный)

2. frequent B. частый

3. usual C. неуверенный

4. ethnic D. понятный (недвусмысленный)

5. religious E. обычный

6. common F. бесцеремонный

7. direct G. национальный

8. unsure H. религиозный

9. standard I. случайный (бессистемный)

10. clear J. общепринятый

11. equal K. официальный

12. simple L. стандартный

13. acceptable M. одинаковый (идентичный)

14. formal N. простой

15. polite O. приемлемый (допустимый)

16. casual P. вежливый

Exercise 5. Complete the sentences.

1. Americans often ask, “What do you do?” to start …

2. Compliments are exchanged very ...

3. Americans enjoy being with people who … a sense of humour.

4. Self-deprecating humour is always … in America.

5. … are very popular in the U.S., especially baseball, football, and basketball.

6. The dining … in the USA is quite simple.

7. The knife is used to cut or … something onto a food item.

8. In the "continental" style of dining the knife and fork are never ...

9. Many people in the United States and aren't … with formal rules of etiquette.

10. It is common to invite a business … to one's home in the U.S.

11. Be … that it is a custom in many U.S. homes to give guests a tour of the house when guests arrive.

12. … some other cultures, it's acceptable to refuse an offer of food or drink.

13. Before going to visit a friend, it's common … to call ahead.