Life and Culture

2nd Meeting Project

 Read all of the points in this PowerPoint Slides.

 Find the most interesting point in each slide.
It means that you need to choose at least 13 points.
 Elaborate that interesting point in some paragraphs (each
point should be elaborated in more than 5 sentences). You can
explain about that culture, how is that culture different or
same from Indonesian culture, what do you think about that
culture, etc.
 Provide related pictures to your paragraphs/ elaboration.
 Write this project on Ms. PowerPoint, Ms. Word or Double
folios, up to you, but rename the file as “CCU_2_Your Name”
 Send the project to Elearning Web before the deadline.
Everyday Manners in America

 When addressing a stranger use Sir, Ma'am, or Miss.

 Stand at an approximate distance of one arm's
length from an individual when introducing yourself.
 Keep aware of people's personal space
 Use first names when addressing someone only
after being asked to do so, otherwise use Mr., Mrs.,
Miss, and Ms.
 When asking for anything use "Please" with your
request and follow up with "Thank You".
Life in America
Don’t
 pick at your nose in public
 talk about someone's weight
 ask "how much did you pay for that" or "how much
money do you make".
 smoke indoors (unless given permission).
 change the TV station, the air conditioner or fan controls
in someone else's home
 hit anybody - animal or human.
 talk about the bathroom.
 spend more than 5 to 10 minutes on someone else's
phone.
 burp, belch, or pass gas in public Don’t
 wipe off your cup or silverware in a restaurant.
 honk the horn when driving, except in very dangerous
emergencies.
 flash your lights at someone to tell them to hurry or get
out of your way
 address your school teacher as "teacher". Call him by
name.
 throw trash on the ground or out a window--it is illegal
 spend more than 20-30 minutes in the bathroom at one
time--others may be waiting
 bring a friend with you to a party or dinner - unless you
have asked the host if it is okay.
 Do

 Always be on time - between 5 minutes early and 5 minutes

late, no more.
 If for some reason you cannot attend, call the host ahead of
time to explain.
 If you sneeze in public, cover your mouth and say "excuse
me".
 If you say that you will attend something--attend! Don't say
"yes" to be nice and then not show up.
 Use deodorant and brush your teeth or use mouthwash.
Western people are very sensitive about body odors.
 If you are driving on bright lights for better visibility and a car
comes toward you, dim your lights.
 Before 8 AM and after 9 PM Be Quiet. No loud TV or radio.
 Do
 When moving out of your dorm room or apartment-leave it
clean.
 Buy trash bags for your trash and put it out only at the
appointment time at the right place.
 When you have a guest come to visit, turn down, or off the TV
set
 Queues; when you have to take a turn, just let someone in front
of you be served first
 Give gift; we can give gift to our friends to make a good
friendship
 Drive on left; when you drive, you run your vehicle on the left
 Pay as you order; give a tip is sometime not good
 Shake hand; everybody welcome when you want to shake their
hand in western
 Table Manner Don’t
Do

 Try not to place elbow on the

 Wait for others to start table
eating  Do not hold plate/bowl up to
mouth
 Cut bite size pieces
 Do not burping, slurping and
 Try a little of spitting anything out
everything  Don’t touch nose, hair, or teeth
at the table
 Watch of people’s  Don’t leave the table during the
eating speed meal
 Do not reach across the table or
in front of someone to get
something
 Australian Etiquette & Customs

Meeting Etiquette
• A handshake and smile are enough.
• Australians are not very formal so greetings are
casual and relaxed.
• While an Australian may say, 'G'day' or 'G'day, mate'.
Visitors should simply say, 'Hello' or 'Hello, how are you?‘
• Aussies prefer to use first names,
even at the initial meeting
 Dining Etiquette

. Many invitations to an Aussies home

will be for a 'barbie' (BBQ).
. Guests usually bring wine or beer when they
come to a barbeque to honor the owner of the party.
In some cases, very informal barbecues may suggest
that you bring your own meat! 
. Arrive on time if invited to dinner;
no more than 15 minutes late if invited to a barbeque
or a large party.
. Contact the hostess ahead of time to see
if she would like you to bring a dish.
. Offer to help the hostess with the preparation
or clearing up after a meal is served.
 Gift Giving
Etiquette
. Small gifts are commonly exchanged with
family members, close friends, and neighbors
on birthdays and Christmas.
. Trades people such as sanitation workers may be given
a small amount of cash, or more likely,
a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer.
. If invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to
bring a box of chocolates or flowers to the hostess.
A good quality bottle of wine is always appreciated.
. Gifts are opened when received.
 British; Do
• Stand in line: In England they like to queue (standing in
line) and wait patiently for their turn e.g. boarding a bus.
It is usual to queue when required, and expected that
you will take your turn and not push someone in front.
'Queue jumping' is frowned upon.
• Take your hat off when you go indoors (men only)
It is impolite for men to wear hats indoors especially in
churches. Nowadays, it is becoming more common to
see men wearing hats indoors. However, this is still
seen as being impolite, especially to the older
generations.
• Say "Excuse Me“ If someone is blocking your way and
you would like them to move, say excuse me and they
will move out of your way.
 Don’t do these in
British Countries

• Greet people with a kiss:

They only kiss people who are close friends and relatives.
• Avoid talking loudly in public
• It is impolite to stare at anyone in public.
Privacy is highly regarded.
• Ask a lady her age
It is considered impolite to ask a lady her age
• Avoid doing gestures such as backslapping and
hugging
This is only done among close friends.
• Do not spit.
Spitting in the street is considered to be very bad mannered.
 Signs of culture shock
• Anger over minor frustrations
• A desire to go back home
• Disturbed sleep patterns - too much or too little
• Changes in mood or behavior such as anger,
irritability, resentment, or a persistent preference
to be alone
• Idealizing your home country
• Inability to solve simple problems
• Lack of confidence
• Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or
abused
 How to Reduce Culture Shock

• Take a class, develop a hobby.

• Be patient, becoming accustomed to the Foreign Country
and culture will take time.
• Include a regular form of physical activity in your routine.
• Relaxation and meditation
• Maintain contact with people from your own country.
• Seek out opportunities to interact with Western People.
• Be a Volunteer in community activities
• Pay attention to relationships with your host parents and
your new friends.
• Maintain confidence in yourself.
• If you feel stressed, ask your counselor for help.