Etiquette guide

Etiquette manual for Colombians

USA

START

index

3. ETIQUETTE 3.1 Etiquette 3.2 Ethnic and racial sensitiity 3.3 Business culture 3.4 Classroom etiquette 3.5 Trash, littering and recycling 3.6 Eating culture and etiquette 3.7 Gender roles and interactions 3.8 Matters of religion 3.9 Money 4.3. ETIQUETTE - 2 4.4 Personal Hygiene 4.5 Standars of safety 4.6 Time management

5.LAWS OR STATUTES 5.1 Tipping 5.2 Alcohol, smoking, drugs 5.3 Animals, pets 5.4 Driving laws and etiquette 5.5 Gas 5.6 Public Transportation and CAR RENTAL 5.7 Measurement units

1. SOCIETY 1.1 Social courtesies 1.2 Getting line 1.3 Eye contact 1.4 Greetings 1.5 Family 1.6 Dating and marriage 1.7 Gifts 1.8 Visiting 1.9 Communication 2. SOCIETY - 2 2.1 Relationships 2.2 Dress and modesty standars 2.3 Naming, tittle

Americans use many gestures when speaking, such as moving their hands, as do Colombians because they are very expressive too.

Gestures

For a good experience in the USA, you must know their social customs.

SOCIETY

sOCIAL COURTESIES

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• In both countries, smiling is a friendly gesture.
• In America, personal space is needed when accidentally bumping into someone you may say, "Sorry". When needing to get by someone, always say, "Excuse me"
• Displays of affection are acceptable in public

In Colombia, getting in line is also mandatory, and you must respect the turn of others.

Similar to Colombia, making eye contact is polite and shows confidence.

It is essential to let the other person know you are interested in the conversation.

Eye contact

• In the U.S., people get in line and wait for their turn when buying tickets, shopping, using the restroom, or waiting for a bus, etc. • It is considered rude to cut in line or push your way through.

Getting in line

SOCIETY

• Many people hug in informal situations or to greet close friends and family.
• It is important to smile during greetings.
• Americans generally smile a lot and are likely to appreciate when similar warmth is reciprocated.

It is the same as a greeting in Colombia.

• A handshake is the most common greeting when meeting someone for the first time or in professional settings.

Greetings

The family is the same in Colombia, there is a lot of diversity among their members.

Independence is instilled in children to become self-sufficient adults; many families have only one parent and one child, or two parents of the same sex, or an elderly couple.

There are different types of families

Regular

Dynamic

The average American family consists of a wife, husband and children.

Family

In Colombia it is also common to live without marrying, or to marry after having a family.

More Americans are marrying later in life, living with an unmarried partner (cohabitation) and having children whilst still unmarried.

It is common for women in the USA to take the initiative to ask their crush out on a date, in Colombia it is common for the man to initiate the conquest.

It is common for couples to meet though their social circles, workplaces or hobbies. Dates usually happen in contexts that allow the couple to engage in enough conversation to get to know one another An American will often pursue that one person until he or she agrees to be in a committed relationship with them or indicates a lack of interest.

Dating and marriage

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it is usual to arrive 10 to 30 minutes after the party starts.

A gift of $25 is well accepted, in Colombia giving a gift is not fundamental, but in the USA, it would be disrespectful not to do it.

Let them know when you are going to visit someone, do not arrive without asking permission or being invited.

Gifts are usually only given on special occasions and are almost always accompanied by a card. People tend to open gifts in front of the giver, either upon receiving them or later along with other presents.

you can bring wine or chocolaten

Gifts and visiting

In Colombia we are too friendly and sometimes we do not respect the personal space of others, you must be friendly, but knowing the limits of each person.

NON-VERBAL

Verbal

• Eye contact should be maintained directly. It demonstrates warmth, openness,honesty and approachability.
• They only have physical contact with family or close friends.
• Respect their personal space, and show interest in conversation, it is also very common to smile at strangers on the street, this is friendly.

• Americans are generally quite enthusiastic, assertive and persuasive in their speech. They use sarcasm or ironic statements.
• They are not very modest, enjoy talking about their success.
• They speak at high volume, and are uncomfortable with long silences in a conversation.

Communication

This is similar to Colombia, it depends on the type of work or company, how the work environment will be.

Take the time to get to know the company, and little by little you will know if you can establish a relationship or if it's just about the job.

Depending on the industry, business is seen as strictly professional with little association to one’s personal life.

Americans are often friendly and create a close relationship when doing business, but in some companies this is not the case.

Relationships

In Colombia it is common to see people with little clothes but if the weather is hot, this varies according to the climate of each city. It is normal and acceptable for each person to dress as they feel comfortable without judging others.

Students tend to dress casually during the daytime at school. • Most Americans have no problem shopping in their sweatpants! • Women may dress immodestly, but it is NOT an invitation for men

Dress and modesty standars

The use of "Sir" and"Madam" is not common in the US, because they called for his last name and depending the context the next titles. In Colombia, this titles are 'señorita', 'señora', 'señor' y 'profesion'

uSe of the first name, last name and title

Profession Used to refer to job or studies of the person (doctor, professor,etc)

MrIt is not posible to determine the marital status

MrsUsed to refer to a married woman

MissUsed to refer to a single woman

sOCIAL COURTESIES

Colombians accept food so as not to be rude, on the contrary, it is normal for Americans to reject it.

Americans try to save time, they say that time is money, and unpunctuality makes them angry.

In Colombia it is common to be unpunctual.

• It is rude to ask about someone's weight, age and health in a very direct way.
• If someone coughs while smoking you should stop, it means it bothers them.

In both countries it is normal to sit next to a stranger or talk to someone you don't know to be friendly.

ETIQUETTE

It is impolite to ask some personal questions to strangers in the U.S., in Colombia we are very expressive and ask anything without having bad intentions, but in the U.S. this can be impolite.

In Colombia there is less racism than in the U.S., and we must be prepared to be discriminated against for being Latinos in the U.S., just as we should not discriminate against anyone because of their appearance and origin.

It is offensive to culturally appropriate the Native Indian headdress for a decorative costume or a non-black person paints themselves black to imitate being of that race is extremely offensive

It can be offensive to assume that someone is not Latino or Hispanic because they have white or Anglo-Saxon physical features. The same applies to indigenous peoples.

The United States is a multicultural country, there are many ethnic groups and there can be confusion when naming and offending these groups, it is good to know what to call them.

*The best option is to call the person by his or her nationality, and if you don't know it, just refer to him or her in the traditional way, as he or she.

Ethnic and racial sensitivity

Bussines culture

Business cards are usually only exchanged if there is a need for contact information following a discussion or meeting.

Keep in mind that nothing is finalised until it is on paper.

Expect them to seek a verbal agreement sealed with a handshake at the end of the meeting

Try not to be offended if disagreement is shown bluntly. When ideas are negated, it does not necessarily reflect poorly on the person who proposed them.

Individuals may think aloud during meetings, imagine ideas on the spot and verbalise them without intending to seriously propose them.

Arrive on time or slightly early to show your professionalism.

Americans are very nice to other students and teachers have a kind of friendly relationship with their students, also in Colombia.

In Colombia you must stand up when a teacher comes to the classroom, but in USA you remain sited

Many teachers allow to consume food during classes. contrary to Colombia where the consumption of food in class is prohibited

Classroom etiquette

In Colombia we do not have a highly developed recycling culture

Local governments and organizations have made it an easy responsibility by providing recycling bins to homes, institutions, and public places.

The idea of recycling has become very popular among Americans in a collective effort to take care of the environment.

In general, littering is greatly frowned upon. It is viewed as being dirty, lazy, irresponsible, and un-cultured.

Trash, Littering, and Recycling

$2.95

$1.00

$9.99

$5.00

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Americans tend to value convenience when it comes to food. They don’t spend as much time cooking and savoring their food.

Burgers, sandwiches, and pizza are eaten with hands, instead of utensils. In Colombia some people like use utensils for eat these food

For both cultures burping is seen as rude, not as a compliment to the cook.

In general, Americans and Colombians eat quietly with their mouths closed.

Eating Culture and Etiquette

• The perception of same-sex physical touch (hand- holding, arms locked, etc.) is that the couple is homosexual.
• In USA and Colombia, public physical affection is acceptable.
• In the States, It is normal for both men and women to share the responsibilities of the home and children. In Colombia it is still considered strange

• Safety for women: It is not a good idea for women to walk around on their own at night. It is better to stay as part of a group.In Colombia it is also dangerous for a woman to walk alone at night

• American women curretly exceeding the male average in levels of education.

• the womens in USA and Colombia, on average earn less and have reduced work hours in order to be the primary care takers od children

• There are also discrepanses of opportunity between women of different races and ethnicities.

Gender role and interactions

Many people use religion as a way to stick together in America since many churches are formed to cater to specific groups of people.

Americans do not go to church in dresses, in Colombia we do not have a dress code to go to church

The services last 45 minutes in the USA, but in Colombia the services usually last between an hour and an hour and a half

Matters of religion

Americans always pay their own bills when they hang out together, even if they are best friends or in a relationship. In Colombia we divide the bill in equal parts.

The americans love their privacity. They would not like to be asked how much things cost or how much money they make. In Colombia we don't mind talk about this topic.

Money

sOCIAL COURTESIES

It is expected to flush the toilet after use and to dispose of toilet paper in the toilet. In Colobia we dipose the garbage in a trash.

Americans and Colombians typically shower every day and wear deodorant.

ensure to wash hands after using the toiled

They blow their noses with tissues and dispose of them in a trash can.

Tap water is clean enough to drink and to brush your teeth with.

Personal hygiene

sOCIAL COURTESIES

Americans value safety!

Seat belts are necessary.

Bike helmets are worn.

• Time is an American value. There is an expression that says, “Time is money”. Americans “save” time and “spend” time like money in a bank. In Colombia we waste a lot of time and we like to procrastinate.
• The work/class week in America runs Monday-Friday. Saturdays and Sundays are both set apart as the "weekend". In Colombia the class are in the samen way but in som jobs here, the employees work on saturday.
• It is important to show up to class, meetings, and social gatherings on time. In Colombia usually the persons arrive late to the events.

Time management

Standars of safety

In the United States, the people usually tipping between 15% - 20% of the bill, because the waiters have a low salary. Also the barbers, taxis and other services, they also usually recive tips. In Colombia we do not usually tip.

Tipping

sOCIAL COURTESIES

• ID is mandatory in the U.S.A you will always be asked for your ID every time you buy alcohol or cigarettes

• If you break these rules or are an accomplice, you will be arrested

• If you are a tourist and you break the rules, you will be deported

The legal age to consume and purchase cigarettes is 18

Buying and selling drugs is illegal

The legal age to consume and purchase alcohol is 21. In Colombia, the age is 18.

Alcohol, smoking and drugs

sOCIAL COURTESIES

The americans love their pets, they spend a lot of money on insurace, premium food, toys, suplements and clothes. They prefer the cats and the dogs for adopt. Also the law protects these animals a lot.

Pets

• It is important to have the cash to pay tolls. Credit cards are not acceptable.

• It is illegal to drive less than 15 mph below the posted speed limit, therefore try to drive with the flow.In Colombia, we don't have a Minimum Speed Limit.

• The legal age in the U.S to drive and get a driver's license is 16

• You must STOP at least 10 feet away from a school bus when you see it stopped with its lights on or its sign extended. You must stay at a stop until the lights are off, the sign is retracted, and the bus begins to move

• Honking your horn means a lot in America and can make drivers angry. In Colombia the drivers enjoy honking the horn.

Driving laws

sOCIAL COURTESIES

in Colombia, the national average price of a gallon is $2.24 dollars per gallon.

Most people travel by car, gasoline is essential for this to work, gas stations are very distant, so it is good to always fill the tank.

Gas

The national average price of regular gasoline in the U.S. is US$ 3.24 per gallon.

In other countries you must have a driver's license.

In Colombia the speed limits also vary, but according to the zone, if it is for school and residential zones you must go at 30 km/hr, at 60 km/hr in urban zones, at 80 km/hr in rural zones, and at 100 km/hr in general zones.

• Wear your seat belt at all times.
• Do not drive under the influence of alcohol, the fine for breaking this rule is one of the highest.
• Do not use the cell phone while driving. In case of emergency it is better to park, or use hands-free.
• The speed limit is different in each state.

Speed restrictions

The price to rent a car ranges from $31/day for economy cars to $467/day for larger cars and family cars.

In Colombia it is totally different, public transportation is very popular, although in some cities it is not very good.

• The best option would be to rent a car, because in the United States distances are very long, and it takes a long time to go from one place to another.
• Try to travel in company, so you can rest and someone else can drive.

Public transportation & car rental

BIG CITIES HAVE GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, BUT IN OTHERS IT IS VERY LIMITED OR BAD, AND YOU HAVE TO DRIVE EVERYWHERE.

You should learn the way of measuring in this country to avoid confusion.

• In Colombia we measure and weigh things with the International System.

• The United States uses the Anglo-Saxon system for measuring distances and weights.

Measurement units

Sofía Castañeda

Andres Bernal

Authors

Have a good trip!