U.S.

101
Knowing More About America

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Knowing More About America

American
Values and Culture
Knowing More About America

Salient Points On America

The US has long been known as a melting
pot
because many of its people are descendents
of settlers who came from all over the world.
The American people are always on the
move from one part of the country to
another, from one city to another.
Today three out of four Americans live in
towns, cities or suburbs : over 57 million live
in rural areas.

Salient Points On America

New York City is Americas largest city.
Each city has a downtown and suburbs.
Downtown is where the largely affluent and
yuppie crowd stays. It is more expensive
than living in the suburbs though the suburbs
have large bungalows.

Salient Points On America

New York City is Americas largest city.
Chicago is the second largest city, Los Angeles
is third, and Philadelphia is the fourth largest.

Salient Points On America

The nations capital, Washington D.C is
seventeenth in population. Specially
planned and built as a national capital,
Washington was laid out by a French
architect in the 18th century.
A city of great beauty and a center of
world affairs, it is becoming a leading
cultural center.

Salient Points On America

Living Standards :
Americans spend money freely and make
purchases on credit when necessary to buy
things they want. Most pay off these debts on
a regular monthly basis.
The buying habits of Americans have
changed in recent years. Since World War II,
the demand for household goods has slowed
down. More money is being spent on
education, medical care, services, travel and
recreation while a smaller percentage of
income goes for food, clothing and
automobiles.

Salient Points On America

Living Standards :
The majority of Americans live in apartments
or individual houses that have electric lights,
central heating, hot and cold running water
and inside toilets.
Because of the general rise in family
incomes, factory workers, owners of small
businesses, school teachers and sales
personnel can be found in the same
suburban communities, in homes very much
alike.

Salient Points On America

Education :
Americans take great pride in their schools
and want their children to have the best
possible education.
Only one percent of the population cannot
read or write.
New methods of instruction that encourage
children to develop their creative abilities are
being devised and tested in schools.
Today, there is a strong emphasis on
science, mathematics and foreign languages
and an effort is being made to broaden the
students knowledge of other people and
cultures.

Salient Points On America

Education :
Today, about half of the young people who
graduate from secondary school go to
colleges or universities.
The Americans popularly refer to even
colleges as Schools. And instead of class or
division they call it Level or Grade.

Salient Points On America

Youth :
Young people in America have a wide variety
of interests apart from their school
curriculum.
Schools offer a wide range of activities. Apart
from that most houses at least have a basket
ball court.
Also, most parks have tennis/squash/golf
facilities and taking-up a sport in US is very
easy.
Many young people hold part-time jobs after
school hours. Thousands earn money
delivering newspapers or being baby sitters.

Salient Points on America

Youth :
Majority of young Americans at the age
of 18 get a car to drive which could be
second hand.
The loan systems are very comfortable
for people to buy homes and cars at an
early age.

The American Economic System

The United States declared its
independence in the year 1776, the same
year that Scottish economist Adam Smith
wrote The Wealth Of Nations, a book that
has had an enormous influence on
American economic development. Like
many other thinkers, Smith believed that in
a capitalist system people are naturally
selfish and are moved to engage in
manufacturing and trade in order to gain
wealth and power. Smiths originality was to
argue that such activity is beneficial
because it leads to increased production
and sharpens competition.

Political Parties And Elections

As a result, goods circulate more widely and
at lower prices, jobs are created, and wealth
is spread. Though people may act from the
narrow desire to enrich themselves, Smith
argued, an invisible hand guides them to
enrich and improve whole of society.
Most Americans believe that the rise of their
nation as a great economic power could not
have occurred under any other system
except capitalism, also known as free
enterprise after a corollary to Smiths
thinking: that government should interfere in
commerce as little as possible.

AMERICAN BEHAVIOUR
Generally, Americans are very polite, friendly and
helpful, but have no patience with interference in
their private lives.
You may find it difficult to discuss everything with
an American friend, at least, when you are getting
to know each other.

AMERICAN BEHAVIOUR
Exercising is important, and they usually go for
aerobics, swimming, tennis or a jog a few times
during the week.
Dont be surprised if complete strangers greet
you. Be polite and greet them back.
They are particular about their leisure time, health
and hygiene.

DOS

At work or elsewhere while

talking, if you want to say
Yes, just say "YES". Don't
nod your head up and
down. Moving your head
side to side is found to be
very confusing, and its
mostly taken as NO.
Never, ever talk in your
native language in
presence of Americans
during a gathering.

DOS
When you are going to smoke, don't say "I
am going out for a fag".
Never ever ask for a rubber when you
need an eraser. Here a rubber means a
"condom" !!
Don't call a black person a "Negro" or any
thing else , it is always good to call them
"African Americans". Also never call an
"American Indian" as a "Red Indian", they
get very offended. You may call them as
Native Americans or American Indians.

DONTS
Don't say "The Phone was engaged", as
engaged means getting engaged. Instead
say "There was a busy tone".
Don't say "I'll ring you back." or "I'll give
you a ring later". Here ring is the
engagement ring, rather say "I'll call you, or
buzz you".
Don't offer chewing gum, or a breath
freshener to others. It gives them a
message that they have a bad breath. Your
intention may not be but it is easily
mistaken.

US HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS

Celebrating Holidays

US Festivals and Holidays

Holidays, festivals, annual events, and their
related traditions represent the cultural,
historical and religious backgrounds of
people.
Some of our holiday customs were brought
here from other countries.
Other holidays and festivals are related to the
history and the culture that developed in the
United States itself

New Years Eve & Day

December 31st &
January 1st
On New Year's Eve,
people around the
world begin
participating in a
variety of events to
prepare for the new
year.

Valentines Day
February 14th
People of celebrate
Valentines Day to
express love for
their friends and
family.
People exchange
cards, hearts are a
popular symbol, and
they say I love
you.

Presidents Day
3rd Monday of
February
America celebrate
this day to honor
George Washington
and Abraham
Lincoln, two
important presidents
in our countrys
history.

St. Patricks Day

March 17th
This holiday is
celebrated to honor
a saint named
Patrick, who was
known for being a
Christian priest.
Shamrocks and
leprechauns are
symbols for this day.

Easter
Easter is always the
first Sunday in April
following the full
moon.
On Easter morning,
the Easter Bunny
comes to peoples
houses and brings
candy and toys.

Earth Day
April 22nd
Earth Day is a
special day during
which people think
of all of the different
ways that they can
help the Earth.

Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
A day to remember
those who died in
service of their
country.

Independence Day
July 4th
Happy Birthday,
America!
On July 4th, 1776,
America claimed its
independence from
Britain.

Labor Day
Ist Monday in
Sept.
Holiday honoring
workers
The observance
includes parades
and speeches
reviewing labors
contributions to
society.

Halloween
October 31st
A fun-filled holiday
where you can
dress up in any
costume you want
from a ghost to a
butterfly.
Kids Trick-or-Treat
by going door to
door asking for
candy.

Veterans Day

November 11th
A day set aside to honor
all people, living and
dead who served in the
armed forces.

Thanksgiving
4th Thursday of
November
The pilgrims came
over to America
from Britain to gain
religious freedom.
This holiday allows
us to give thanks for
all the blessings we
have.

Christmas
December 25th
A time which has
been set aside for
giving or exchanging
gifts with family and
friends to show
them you care.
Some symbols of
this holiday are
Christmas trees,
Santa Claus, and
jingle bells.

Other Holidays

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

(January 15th)

Groundhog Day
(February 2nd)

International Womens Day

(March 8th)

Other Holidays
April Fools Day
(Ist April)
Mothers day
(2nd Sun. of May)
Flag Day
(14th June)
Fathers Day
(3rd Sun. of June)

End of Presentation