There are many different ways to act in a social setting around the world. What may be acceptable in one country or culture is not necessarily the case in another. American etiquette and customs for the most part are quite informal, but there are certain ways to behave in order to put across one's best impression of self.
It is not always necessary to be introduced to someone in order to strike up a conversation with them. In America, all it takes is a simple handshake, smile or just a "hello" to start talking to someone new. This very informal social setting may be uncomfortable to some, but know that this is completely acceptable and actually the norm.
Punctuality is a big deal in this society. People generally plan their schedules around how they will spend their time and being late for a meeting or appointment is generally frowned upon. Showing up on time shows others that one is reliable and dependable, which are very good traits to have.
For social gatherings, being on time comes with a small margin of leeway. For example, if invited to an affair at someone's house, a guest should always be within 10 minutes of the stated time of arrival. In a bigger social setting with more people, it is fine to arrive within half an hour of the event start time.
When visiting someone's home, it is generally a good idea to arrive with a small gift as a token of appreciation for the invitation. This could be as simple as a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers for the hostess. For a dinner at someone's home, the family-style way of eating is the norm, meaning food is served in larges dishes that guests can pass around the dinner table to take from.
Don't feel like you must go back for more food. You can say no to any offers of seconds or a drink top up without having to explain yourself. You should, however, always leave back some food in your plate at the end of a meal so that you do not look too greedy.
As a guest in someone's house, it is polite to take a seat when the hostess says so. As soon as one is seated at the dinner table, the napkin should be opened in his or her lap right away. Don't be hesitant to begin socializing with other guests at the table. It is fine to refer to others by their first name, unless indicated otherwise due to their social standing.
While there is no mandatory eating style in America, due to the many variety of foods and cultures present, it is generally correct to eat with a fork in the right hand. The fork must be switched to the left hand when a knife is being used for cutting or spreading. It is absolutely fine to eat certain foods with one's hands. Placing the knife and fork parallel to each other on the plate indicates that one has finished eating, while crossing them on the plate shows that one is not yet done with the meal.
It is not always necessary to be introduced to someone in order to strike up a conversation with them. In America, all it takes is a simple handshake, smile or just a "hello" to start talking to someone new. This very informal social setting may be uncomfortable to some, but know that this is completely acceptable and actually the norm.
Punctuality is a big deal in this society. People generally plan their schedules around how they will spend their time and being late for a meeting or appointment is generally frowned upon. Showing up on time shows others that one is reliable and dependable, which are very good traits to have.
For social gatherings, being on time comes with a small margin of leeway. For example, if invited to an affair at someone's house, a guest should always be within 10 minutes of the stated time of arrival. In a bigger social setting with more people, it is fine to arrive within half an hour of the event start time.
When visiting someone's home, it is generally a good idea to arrive with a small gift as a token of appreciation for the invitation. This could be as simple as a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers for the hostess. For a dinner at someone's home, the family-style way of eating is the norm, meaning food is served in larges dishes that guests can pass around the dinner table to take from.
Don't feel like you must go back for more food. You can say no to any offers of seconds or a drink top up without having to explain yourself. You should, however, always leave back some food in your plate at the end of a meal so that you do not look too greedy.
As a guest in someone's house, it is polite to take a seat when the hostess says so. As soon as one is seated at the dinner table, the napkin should be opened in his or her lap right away. Don't be hesitant to begin socializing with other guests at the table. It is fine to refer to others by their first name, unless indicated otherwise due to their social standing.
While there is no mandatory eating style in America, due to the many variety of foods and cultures present, it is generally correct to eat with a fork in the right hand. The fork must be switched to the left hand when a knife is being used for cutting or spreading. It is absolutely fine to eat certain foods with one's hands. Placing the knife and fork parallel to each other on the plate indicates that one has finished eating, while crossing them on the plate shows that one is not yet done with the meal.
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