american history & culture

United States of America

Time Zone

9.00 am 10.00 am 11.00 am 12 noon

Los Angeles Denver Chicago New York

(Pacific) (Mountain) (Central) (Eastern)

TemperatureFahrenheit (F) Celcius (C) Sensation

90 32 Hot

80 27 Warm

70 21 Pleasant

56-60 13-15.5 Cool

32-50 0-13 Cold

>32 >0 Freezing

US Currency $

The currency of United States is the U.S. Dollar (US$).

• Denominations

The U.S. Dollar comes in coin denominations of US$1, and 50,25,10,5 and 1 cents; and banknotes of US$1, 2,

5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000.

Education

Education is compulsory throughout the country through age 16. Colleges include junior or community colleges (offering two-year degrees), four-year colleges and universities, and graduate or professional schools.

Language

Languages Spoken

There is no official language. English is the most common, especially in business and government, but a number of foreign languages are spoken in various areas.

Age Structure

0-14 year

15-64 years

85 year & above

21.25%

66.11%

12.64%

Ethnic Composition

78%

10%

8%

4%

White

African-American

Hispanic

OthersAfrican-American

Hispanic

Others

US HolidaysNew Year’s Day January 1

Martin Luther King Day January 19*Presidents’ Day February 16*

Memorial Day May 25*Independence Day July 4Labor Day September 7*

Columbus Day October 12*Veterans’ Day November 11

Thanksgiving Day November 26*Christmas December 25

*Exact date may vary.

The Economy

An open, vibrant economic climate, an entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative the manufacturing and industrial sectors have helped the U.S to become the most powerful economy in the world. As a country rich in resources it has focused on upgrading its broad industrial base and developing its highly sophisticated services sector to maintain its position as the world’s largest economy. Although its markets are now maturing and growth rates in certain industries have slowed substantially, the U.S. remains one of the world’s most efficient markets, offering extensive opportunities to traders from all over the world.

Labor Force by Occupation

13%29%

30%3%

25%

Technical Sales & AdminManagerial & ProfessionalServicesManufac, mining., transportation & craftFarming, forestry & fishing

Technical Sales & Admin

Managerial & ProfessionalServicing

Manufac, miningtransportation & craft

Farming, forestry & fishing

SportsAmerican sports developed separately from the rest of the world and consequently, home-grown games such as baseball, football and basketball dominate the sports scene. The success of the American-hosted 1994 World Cup has raised the profile of soccer, especially among recent immigrants, but ice hockey continues to be the most popular runner-up to the established sporting trinity. Urban America also invented the great indoors: aerobics and the gym, indoor rock-climbing and indoor beach volleyball

Some Common Conversions

• Temperature

• Millions

• Weight

• Distance

• Date/Address Format

American Values

Progress Individualism Achievement and success

Freedom Involvement and Activity

Efficiency and Practicality

Diversification

Regional Characteristics

Americans think of themselves as linked geographically by certain traits:

New England – Self Reliance Southern US – Hospitality Midwestern U.S – Wholesomeness Western U.S – Mellowness

Six Main Regions

New England The Middle Atlantic Main New Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island

New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland

Six Main RegionsThe SouthSouth West Virginia

Florida

Central Texas

Kentucky

Tennessee

North & South Carolina

Georgia

Alabama

Mississippi

Arkansas

Louisiana

Parts of Missouri

Oklahoma

The MidwestOhio

Nebraska

Michigan

Indiana

Wisconsin

Illinois

Minnesota

Iowa

Parts of Missouri

Dakota

Kansas

Eastern Colorado

Six Main RegionsThe SouthwestWestern Texas

New Mexico

Arizona

Nevada

Parts of Oklahoma

Parts of California

The WestColorado

Wyoming

Montana

Utah

California

Nevada

Idaho

Oregon

Washington

Alaska

Hawaii

Percentage of immigrants from different countries in 1990

18%

16%

14%9%9%

8%

8%7%

6% 5%

Mexicans Philipines Vietnamese DominicansKoreans Chinese Indians RussiansJamaicans Iranians

Mexicans

KoreansDominicans

Vietnamese

Philippines

Chinese

Indians

Russians

Jamaicans Iranians

Culture Perspective

United States of America

Objective

At the end of the program the participants will

• Have got some vital information people

• Have learned the basics of dealing with Americans as a people

YOU

Represent your Country

Represent your Company

More importantly – you represent yourself !!!

That is a lot of responsibility !!

Are you ready for it?

Forewarned is forearmed …..What do you need to know about your job?• Industry knowledge• Basic Quality Principles and terminology• Goldshield values• Integrity policy• Knowledge of Goldshield business• Where does your destination fit into the big picture

While it is the responsibility of your Manager to tell you your tasks, you must also find out

At a Glance• Full country name: The United States of America

Population: 275,000,000Area:3,618,000 sq miles (9,370,000 sq km)Capital city: Washington, DC (pop: 607,000)People: Caucasian (74%), African American (12%), Latino (9%), Asian (3%), Native American (0.8%)Languages: English, plus many secondary languages, chiefly SpanishReligion: Protestant (56%), Roman Catholic (28%), Jewish (2%), Muslim (1%)Government: Federal republic of 50 statesPresident: George Walter Bush

Social Etiquettes

As ambassadors we need to be familiar with Global Social Etiquette

Office Protocol.

What does it all involve?

1. Americans are very precise about deadlines and time2. American are to the point and appreciate the same in

others3. First names are preferred in American, nick names

or shortened names are to be used only if you are invited to do so

4. All Email messages and phone messages are to be answered promptly and it not done an indication of unreliability

5. Boundless cordiality does not mean friendship. Friendly not friends!

Generally, the working week is Monday through Friday, 8.30 or 9.00 to 5.00 or 6.00 pm.

Many people, however, work overtime.

Usually, business is conducted at an extremely fast pace in a meeting, the participants will proceed with business after some brief, preliminary small talk keep your business cards ready. You may not get one in return always regardless of the negotiator, company policy is always followed

There are established rules for everything and experts are relied upon at all levels.The concept ‘time is money’ is taken seriously in U.S. business culture, so always get to the point.American businesspeople can be very blunt and will not hesitate to disagree with you.Anxiety often develops over deadlines and result. The work ethic is strong. So that it appears that Americans’ lives revolve around workRefrain from discussing personal matters during business negotiation.

Verbal Communication Courtesies:

• Greet strangers or acquaintances if eye contact is made.

• Smile and greet briefly. It does not indicate that a conversation should follow unless started by the other individual

• Use please while asking and thank you extensively• Do not interrupt when others are speaking, wait.• Avoid barging into conversation, or eavesdropping• Avoid speaking in any Indian language on the side.• Use of four letter words is highly offensive

Smart Communication• In case you do not understand anything – ASK II• Admit to any mistake (big or small) that you may

have• Answer questions to the point in short and crisp

sentences. • Be direct and honest.• Subtle reminders after deadlines are missed are

appropriate• Assertion – no aggression or raising the voice.• If in doubt about stretch targets say so!• Unsetting remarks are best ignored or side stepped

• Email Etiquettes Keep them short, simple and to the point Respond in time Do not use uppercase while writing

• Conference Call Tips Be on time Know the agenda and be prepared. Keep all documents, facts and figures ready. Use verbal cues to indicate your understanding. Summarize clearly for all action plans at the end with

dates and responsibilities

• Voice Mail Etiquette Find out if there is any set pattern for voice mails Give your name and reason for calling and where and

when you can be reached. Telephone Etiquette’s Avoid phraseology like ‘ya’ or ‘ok’ Be clear of what is being discussed, ask if in doubt At the end of the conversation summarize what is

expected of you or vice-versa Take notes do not depend on memory End on a cordial note

Famous RestaurantsOlive Garden

Red Lobster

Macayo’s

Chili’s

Claim Jumper

TGIF

Cracker Barrel

Denny’s

Outback Steakhouse

Lone Star

Ruby Tuesday

Shoney’s

International House of Pancakes

Macaroni Grill

Applebee’s

PF Changs

Tony Roma’s

Village Inn

Starbucks Café

Perkins

Gas Stations

Texaco

Mobil

Exxon

Citgo

Shamrock

Amoco

Shell

AARCO

Retail StoresMacy’s

Kmart

Old Navy

Nordstrom’s

JC Penney

The Gap

J Crew

Walmart / Supercenter

Target

Dillard’s

Lord & Taylor

Marshall Fields

Banana Republic

Dressbarn

Sears

Mervyn’s

TJ Max

Ross

Ulta 3

Pier 1

More StoresFao Schwarts

Bath & Body Works

Hallmark

Costco

Blockbuster Video

Barnes & Noble

Victoria Secret

AmberCrombie & Fitch

Crate & Barrell

On Line Services

America On-line (AOL)

QWEST

COX Communications

Microsoft Servicing Network (MSN)

AT & T WorldNet

Cellular Phone Services

Cellular One

Cox

Cricket

At & T Wireless

Voicestream

Qwest

Verizon

Electronic Stores

Best Buy

Circuit City

Radio Shack

Gateway Computers

Dell (online)

Office Supply Stores

Kinko’s

Office Max

Staples

Office Depot