American Work Culture

English: 5$ silver certificate, depicting American Indian (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The United States, the work environment is both professional and causal as well. Don’t be surprised if you see people bring their pets to work! The work culture and dress code here are different than in India. Schedules are flexible, and the atmosphere is informal .

OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

The office environment is informal, and there is no apparent hierarchy between managers and their subordinates. Employees are treated as equals, and independent views are welcomed.

United States (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

American work culture involves a lot of meetings. These meetings need not deal with big decisions, but are more like discussions, and are centered on the analyzing, planning and review of any project. Opinions and ideas are shared, and objections are made.

WORKING HOURS

Normal office timings go from 8 AM to 5 PM. You do need to maintain a minimum of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Results matter more than anything; you must be able to deliver on demand.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Looking south from Top of the Rock, New York City  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Americans are very particular about time-management. They come to office early and leave on time. You will rarely find them working late hours, or on weekends. They have their weekends pre-planned, and value their privacy.

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.

Don’t be surprised if complete strangers greet you. Be polite and greet them back.

They are particular about their leisure time, health and hygiene.

DO’S

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.

DO’S

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.

DON’T’S

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.

Music Culture of the United States

U.S. popular culture has a significant influence on the rest of the world, especially the Western world. U.S. musicis heard all over the world, and it is the sire of such forms as blues and jazz and had a primary hand in the shaping of modern rock and roll and popular music culture. Many great Western classical musicians and ensembles find their home in the U.S. New York City is a hub for international operatic and instrumental music as well as the world-famed Broadway plays and musicals, Seattle is a world leader in the grung and heavy metal music industries, and Nashville is the capital of country music. Another export of the last 20 years is hip hop music, which is growing in influence and branching into the fashion, food and drink and movie industries. New York, Seattle, and San Francisco are worldwide leaders in graphic design and New York and Los Angeles compete with major European cities in the fashion industry

Dress codes

Dress codes may apply:

by law for employees, pupils/students, etc. - sometimes a uniform; sometimes depending on the day, see Casual Friday; see also international standard business attire

for customers, e.g. for a disco, nightclub, casino, or more relaxed rules (e.g. shoes required, and not bare chested) in shops and restaurants

on special parties; sometimes a special kind of clothes is the theme of the party in social life in general

Legal dress code

Almost universally nudity in a public place is illegal, except in special nudist areas, which exist in fairly many countries. (However, among some peoples full nudity is accepted or the norm.) For woman bare breasts are also often illegal; however, see also top free equality. In a non-public place nudity tends to be forbidden if another person is unwillingly confronted with it.

Wearing only underwear is sometimes also illegal, and in some countries even less bare skin may already be illegal, especially for women.

Cross-dressing may also be illegal, especially a man wearing women's clothing.

In Tonga it is illegal for men to appear in public without shirt. Indecent exposure is the display of unclothed parts of the human body in a manner that is contrary to local custom and law. In most places (other than areas where nudity is acceptable, such as in nude beaches), public exposure of an adult's genitalia is the most blatant example of indecent exposure.

Beachwear refers to clothing suitable
 for wearing on a beach or urban beach

Men's swimsuit styles tend to be shorts, trunks, board shorts, hammers, Speedo-style briefs, thongs, or cut-off jeans .

Women's swimsuits are generally either one-piece swimsuits, bikinis, or thongs.

SALARY PLANS

Paid vacations are usually two weeks. Other company benefits include sick days and personal days.

RETIRMENT AGE

Americans usually retire at the age of 65, but may retire earlier if their pension plans permit it.