10 TIPS FOR SURVIVING and THRIVING IN THE U.S. -- by Lyn Newbrander
DO EXPECT CULTURE SHOCK. Culture shock usually follows a “honeymoon.”
DO EXPECT MISUNDERSTANDINGS. Most misunderstandings are just cultural, not personal.
DO SAY YES. If you say “no” twice in a row, and you don’t ask the person to do something with you, you are saying, “I don’t want to be invited. Leave me alone.” So be careful about being “too busy” too many times. You might end up “too lonely.”
DON’T SAY “YES” AND THEN CANCEL. If you are invited, yes means yes. If you don’t show a couple of times, your American friend will stop inviting you.
DO SHAKE HANDS FIRMLY. Don’t be a “dead fish.”
DO TIP 15-20% AT A RESTAURANT. Servers don’t earn minimum wage. TAXI DRIVERS get 10-15% if they give good service.
DO CHECK OUT H-Mart for great Asian grocery shopping: 69th Street. Five Points Coffee at 69th and Long Lane has free wi-fi and people who are there to help. More wi-fi: McDonald’s and Starbucks.
DO USE THE HEALTH CENTER: Hospitals are for emergencies. If it can wait a while, like a sore throat or sniffles, you should visit the health center. Take your passport and insurance card with you when you visit the doctor the first time.
DO SPEAK ENGLISH exclusively and you’ll learn twice as fast as when you mix it with your own language!
DO CHECK www.isiphilly.com regularly for activities and fun stuff!
· An interesting book: What Foreigners Need to Know About America From A to Z: How to Understand Crazy American Culture, People, Government, Business, Language and More
DO EXPECT MISUNDERSTANDINGS. Most misunderstandings are just cultural, not personal.
DO SAY YES. If you say “no” twice in a row, and you don’t ask the person to do something with you, you are saying, “I don’t want to be invited. Leave me alone.” So be careful about being “too busy” too many times. You might end up “too lonely.”
DON’T SAY “YES” AND THEN CANCEL. If you are invited, yes means yes. If you don’t show a couple of times, your American friend will stop inviting you.
DO SHAKE HANDS FIRMLY. Don’t be a “dead fish.”
DO TIP 15-20% AT A RESTAURANT. Servers don’t earn minimum wage. TAXI DRIVERS get 10-15% if they give good service.
DO CHECK OUT H-Mart for great Asian grocery shopping: 69th Street. Five Points Coffee at 69th and Long Lane has free wi-fi and people who are there to help. More wi-fi: McDonald’s and Starbucks.
DO USE THE HEALTH CENTER: Hospitals are for emergencies. If it can wait a while, like a sore throat or sniffles, you should visit the health center. Take your passport and insurance card with you when you visit the doctor the first time.
DO SPEAK ENGLISH exclusively and you’ll learn twice as fast as when you mix it with your own language!
DO CHECK www.isiphilly.com regularly for activities and fun stuff!
· An interesting book: What Foreigners Need to Know About America From A to Z: How to Understand Crazy American Culture, People, Government, Business, Language and More