As we saw in our overview of American history, Americans are very concerned with equality as a value. Sometimes we don't live out the values in everyday life. In other words our normal behavior Doesn't always match with the value of equality. But at heart, we are very egalitarian. Americans take pride in our lack of hierarchy, our lack of rank and status. There is rank and status in the US, but it shouldn't be flaunted if anyone acts as if they're superior in any way to others.
We will say things like that promotion has gone through his head. Who does he think he is? Hillary Clinton had just announced her run for the White House. After that she was traveling and stopped for lunch at a common self serve restaurant. She waited in line like everyone else carried her own tray. She was trying to show that she is a normal person, the average American important for us presidential candidates.
A friend from Gujarat told us about walking into a physics building and meeting her Professor near the door. He held the door for her and she felt very awkward in her mind, she should have run ahead to the professor held the door open for him. Because he was her senior. I'm sure he didn't think anything about it. Here are some key points for how to behave in an egalitarian way. Younger Indian friends, even if they are in their 30s insist on calling me Mr. Peace or uncle David.
My American friends who have kids aged two to eight will come over to our house and they would call me they be aware of what others are calling people around you and what others are doing. If you hear other students saying Professor Hogan use that, if you hear Ralph, then it's okay to use that. Listen to hear a couple of people addressing someone. You also can ask, how should I address you? What should I call you in the door Other parts of the US sir and ma'am are not used. If you study in the south, you will hear that more often.
Use please and thank you, waiters in restaurants, the person bagging your groceries, anyone giving service, every person is to be respected, and saying thank you is a way to show that respect. I was a member of a wedding party of a roommate for my graduate school. at the reception, his parents took extra effort to thank the people who had served the food. The Be prepared to help in any small task, it may be moving a table to set up a room for a presentation or washing your own coffee mug. At fast food restaurants. Everyone takes their own trash to dump in the trash bins.
You may even want to clean up for someone else. It doesn't mean you're lowering yourself in Eyes are in anyone's eyes of those people around you. standing in line is very important. intercultural a sprint store T, tells about a quick thinking airline employee who was checking in a flight, when a man ignoring the long line rushed up to her and demanded to be served. When she told the man that he was have to get in line, he shouted, do you have any idea who I am? She got on the public address system and calmly announced to the entire concourse, there is a man at gate be 26 who doesn't know who he is?
If anyone could come help identify him, please come forward. If you cut in line, that's when people may say Who does he think he is? Say hi to everyone. Well, not everyone but liberally. This is different in urban areas, but it's Small towns, people say hi to total strangers. Americans will often say, Hi, how are you?
As they're walking by? You won't even have a chance to answer. You just say fine. Thanks or fine. And you. A friend of ours from Switzerland was visiting Korea for her brother's wedding.
As the group of Swiss folks were out taking a walk, there was an American military fellow that was jogging. And as he came to words, and he said, Hi, how are you doing? The Swiss? What is he doing? What is he saying they didn't understand. It was a simply greeting, simple greeting and they were very confused.
Be careful that you don't interpret the hi for more than it is. It's generally just a passing greeting. Americans are extremely friendly to everyone and being so is seen as treating everyone equally.