Culture of the U.S.A

American Society and Culture 

America is ultimately a nation of immigrants . Not only is the country populated by people from foreign countries but all Americans in one way or another trace their ancestry back to another culture, whether Irish, German, Italian or Scottish. Language in the USA

Languages in USA

The United States does not have an official language, but English is spoken by about 82% of the population as a native language. The variety of English spoken in the United States is known as American English; together with Canadian English it makes up the group of dialects known as North American English. Spanish is the second-most common language in the country, spoken by almost 30 million people (or 12% of the population).

Customs and Etiquette in the U.S.A

Meeting and Greeting

• Greetings are casual.
• A handshake, a smile, and a 'hello' are all that is needed.
• Smile!
• Use first names, and be sure to introduce everyone to each other.

Gift Giving Etiquette

• In general, Americans give gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and major holidays, such as Christmas.
• A gift can be as simple as a card and personal note to something more elaborate for a person with whom you are close.
• Gift giving is not an elaborate event, except at Christmas.
• When invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring a small box of good chocolates, a potted plant or flowers for the hostess.
• Gifts are normally opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

• Table manners are more relaxed in the U.S. than in many other countries.
• The fork is held in the right hand and is used for eating. The fork is held tines down. The knife is used to cut or spread something. To use the knife, the fork is switched to the left hand. To continue eating, the fork is switched back to the right hand.
• If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.
• If you are more comfortable eating in the Continental manner, go ahead. It will not offend anyone.
• Feel free to refuse specific foods or drinks without offering an explanation.
• Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or says to begin.
• Remain standing until invited to sit down.
• Do not rest your elbows on the table.
• Put your napkin in your lap as soon as you sit down.
• Leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating.

Culture of South Africa

South African Society & Culture 

  

South Africa is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. In urban areas many different ethnic groups will make up the population. In addition to the indigenous black peoples of South Africa colonialism and immigration have brought in white Europeans, Indians, Indo-Malays, Chinese and many more. As such it is difficult to generalise at all on South African etiquettes and culture due to the diversity.

 Languages in South Africa

South Africa has 11 official languages.  English is the language of administration and is spoken throughout the country. The other official languages are: Afrikaans, Ndeble , Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsongo, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa  and Zulu .

Etiquette & Customs in South Africa

Meeting Etiquette

• There are several greeting styles in South Africa depending upon the ethnic heritage of the person you are meeting.
• When dealing with foreigners, most South Africans shake hands while maintaining eye contact and smiling.
• Some women do not shake hands and merely nod their head, so it is best to wait for a woman to extend her hand.

Gift Giving Etiquette

• In general, South Africans give gifts for birthdays and Christmas.
• Two birthdays - 21 and 40 - are often celebrated with a large party in which a lavish gift is given. It is common for several friends to contribute to this gift to help defray the cost.
• If you are invited to a South African's home, bring flowers or good quality chocolatess.
• Wrapping a gift nicely shows extra effort.
• Gifts are opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a South African's house:

• Arrive on time if invited to dinner.
• Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish.
• Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.

Dress Etiquette

• Business attire is becoming more informal in many companies. However, for the first meeting, it is best to dress more conservatively.
• Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits.
• Women should wear elegant business suits or dresses.

Culture of India

Indian Society & Culture 

The influences of Hinduism and the tradition of the caste system have created a culture that emphasizes established hierarchical relationships.

Indians are always conscious of social order and their status relative to other people, be they family, friends, or strangers.

All relationships involve hierarchies. In schools, teachers are called gurus and are viewed as the source of all knowledge. The patriarch, usually the father, is considered the leader of the family. The boss is seen as the source of ultimate responsibility in business. Every relationship has a clear- cut hierarchy that must be observed for the social order to be maintained.

languages in India

 The different states of India have different official languages, some of them not recognized by the central government. Some states have more then one official language. Bihar in east India has three official languages - Hindi, Urdu and Bengali - which are all recognized by the central government. But Sikkim, also in east India, has four official languages of which only Nepali is recognized by the central government. Besides the languages officially recognized by central or state governments, there are other languages which don't have this recognition and their speakers are running political struggles to get this recognition. Central government decided that Hindi was to be the official language of India and therefore it also has the status of official language in the states.

Indian Etiquette and Customs

 

Meeting Etiquette

• Religion, education and social class all influence greetings in India.
• This is a hierarchical culture, so greet the eldest or most senior person first.
• When leaving a group, each person must be bid farewell individually.
• Shaking hands is common, especially in the large cities among the more educated who are accustomed to dealing with westerners.
• Men may shake hands with other men and women may shake hands with other women; however there are seldom handshakes between men and women because of religious beliefs.

Gift Giving Etiquette

• Indians believe that giving gifts eases the transition into the next life.
• Gifts of cash are given to friends and members of the extended family to celebrate life events such as birth, death and marriage.
• If invited to an Indian's home for a meal, it is not necessary to bring a gift, although one will not be turned down.
• Do not give frangipani or white flowers as they are used at funerals.
• Yellow, green and red are lucky colours, so try to use them to wrap gifts.
• Hindus should not be given gifts made of leather.
• Muslims should not be given gifts made of pigskin or alcoholic products.
• Gifts are not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

• Much Indian food is eaten with the fingers.
• Wait to be told where to sit.
• If utensils are used, they are generally a tablespoon and a fork.
• Guests are often served in a particular order: the guest of honour is served first, followed by the men, and the children are served last. Women typically serve the men and eat later.
• You may be asked to wash your hands before and after sitting down to a meal.
• Always use your right hand to eat, whether you are using utensils or your fingers.
• In some situations food may be put on your plate for you, while in other situations you may be allowed to serve yourself from a communal bowl.
• Leaving a small amount of food on your plate indicates that you are satisfied. Finishing all your food means that you are still hungry.

Dress Etiquette

• Business attire is conservative.
• Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits.
• Women should dress conservatively in suits or dresses.

Titles

• Indians revere titles such as Professor, Doctor and Engineer.
• Status is determined by age, university degree, caste and profession.
• If someone does not have a professional title, use the honorific title "Sir" or "Madam".