America is well-known for its equality, liberty and fraternity. Everyone is very friendly and informal. Children often call their parents by their first names and at work, subordinates do not normally use "Mister" when addressing their supervisors.

Although Americans are known for their frank and outspoken manner, most are polite. They may openly share their views on life, family, religion, and politics, buy they also respect another person's desire for privacy. A good sense of humor is important to Americans. Laughing at themselves or their country is something they do very well. But they may not appreciate a foreigner doing the same, especially in a critical tone.

As a gesture of friendliness, if a person offers you his hand, you should shake it; however, shaking hands is not a necessity in most greetings, especially informal ones. Many times men ate the only ones who shake hands in a mixed group. It is customary for a man to shake a woman's hand only if she offers her hand first. An acknowledgment such as " How do you do" or " I'm glad to meet you" is appropriate. Just because people say " How are you" does not mean they want to hear about your health conditions. They simply are using it as a greeting or recognition of you.

Texans adopt a friendly, casual attitude with new acquaintances and will call you by your first name immediately after being introduced. Most people prefer being called by their first names. If they hold some rank or distinction (such as Dean or Mayor ) you should wait until they suggest that you call them by their first name. Faculty members are generally referred to as " Mr. or Mrs. +the last name". If he or she holds a doctoral degree (Ph. D.) the correct form of address is "Dr.+ the last name".

美国因它的平等、自由、友爱而闻名于世。每个人都是非常友好和随意的。孩子们会直呼父母的大名，而在公司，下属们在称呼上司的时候通常也不会使用“先生”这个敬称。

尽管美国人素有坦率直白的特点，他们在大多数情况下却是很有礼貌的。 他们会公开地与他人分享自己对人生、家庭、宗教和政治的观点，但是也会尊重别人想要隐私的权利。对美国人来言，幽默感是很重要的。他们善于自嘲和讽刺他们的国家，然而却不太欣赏一个外国人做相同的事情，尤其是以批评的口吻。

在美国， 如果有人对你伸出手，这是友好的象征，你应该伸出你的手与他相握。但是握手在大多数打招呼的场合并不都是必需的， 特别是在非正式场合。很多情况下，在男女混合的集体场合中， 只有男士之间才会握手。按照惯例，只有在女士先伸出手后，男士才能与之握手。握手的同时还可致以问候，比如“你好”或者“很高兴见到你”。当人们对你说“你好吗”时， 他们并不是想知道你的健康状况，只是想要问候你或者表示认出你而已。

德克萨斯州的人们对于新结交的朋友都是很友好和随意的。在相互介绍认识后他们会立刻以你的名字来称呼你。许多美国人更喜欢人们以名字相称。如果他们有一些官衔或官阶（如院长或者市长），那么你应该等到他们建议你以名字来称呼他们时方可直呼其名。 教师通常都是以“姓氏+先生/女士”来称呼。如果他/她取得了博士学位，正确的称呼则为“姓氏+博士”。

fraternity n. 友爱

critical adj. 批评

acknowledgment n. （打）招呼

recognition n. 认出

subordinate n. 下属

customary adj. 习惯的，惯例的

May 和 Gucci 是好朋友， 但是两人好长时间都没有联系过了。一天，她们在街上偶然相遇了。

M = May 美 = 阿美 G = Gucci 古= 古奇

M : Hey, Gucci!

G: Hi, May! Long time no see! I miss you so much!

M: Me too! What are you up to these days?

G: Oh, don't mention it. I had been busy like hell. I had an American client coming to China last week.

M: Really? It is said that American people are friendly and informal. How is your client?

G: Well, I think what we get from the books are right. My client is a typical American. He is easy-going, frank , and humorous, and he is outspoken as well as polite.

M: That's good. How do you call him?

G: I call him by his first name John. You know, his name is John Smith. At first I called him Mr. Smith. But he asked me to call him John. He said that it was the way they call each other in America.

M: Oh, it's funny! Can you introduce this guy to me? I want to know more about America.

G: No problem!

美：嗨，古奇！

古：嗨， 阿美！很久没见了！ 好想你！

美：我也是。最近在忙什么呢？

古：噢，别提了，忙得要死。上个星期我有个美国的客户到中国来了。

美：真的吗？据说美国人都很友好和随意。你的客户怎么样？

古：我想我们从书上所得知的是正确的。我的客户是个典型的美国人，他很随和、坦率、幽默。他很直言不讳但又不失礼貌。

美：那不错。 你怎么称呼他呢？

古：我直接叫他的名字约翰。开始的时候我叫他史密斯先生，他的全名叫约翰.史密斯。 但是他让我叫他约翰。他说在美国他们都这样称呼。

美：啊，那真有趣！你能介绍我认识他么？我想知道更多关于美国的事情。

古：没问题！

client n. 客户

frank adj. 直率的

typical adj. 典型的

outspoken adj. 直言不讳的

假设你刚刚到美国留学，这天你和当地一位新认识的朋友通电话。试着完成下面的对话。

1. 美国朋友：How is your life here?

你：______________________________?

2. 美国朋友：Have you made any friends here?

你：______________________________?

3. 美国朋友：What kind of nation is America?

你：______________________________?

1. Fine. The only trouble is that I have a lot to do.

2. Yeah. People here are very friendly. It's easy to make friends with others.

3. America is well-known for its equality, liberty and fraternity.

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