1. CHAPTER 1: Cross-cultural Contact with Americans

2. Is it possible to describe an American?
movies
television
pictures
newspapers

3. North
America
AMERICAN
Central
America
South
America

4. Native
American
Americans
Immigrant
Refugee
group

5. STEREOTYPES AND GENERALIZATIONS
Stereotypes are exaggerated beliefs and images about groups of people and are often based on a lack of information or contact. It is easy to overgeneralize and apply the actions and behavior of a few people from a particular group to the entire group.

6. society we
they
positive
negative

7. Melting pot
Mosaic
A society in which ethnic group blend and become one group.
A society in which ethnic groups retain their separate identities but together form the larger community.

8. Mainstream American Values
As you know U.S. society is made up of a diversity of ethnic groups and cultures that have helped shape American values.
The behavior of the groups based on its values and beliefs.

9. >< American values Personal control over the Fate environment
Change
Tradition
Time flies
Time walks
Equality and egalitarianism
Hierarchy, rank, status
Future orientation
past or present orientation
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Action and work orientation
“being” orientation
Materialism
spiritualism
Individualism and privacy
Group orientation
Self -
help
Birthright inheritance
Informality
Formality
Directness, Openness, Honesty
Indirectness and "saving face"

10. Personal control over the environment
Fate
People can determine the direction of their lives. They believe every single individual should have control over whatever in the environment might potentially affect him or her
Some believes that what happens in life is a result of a grand plan and destiny.

11. Change
Tradition
Change is seen as an indisputably good condition. It is strongly linked to development, improvement, progress and growth.
Many older, more traditional cultures consider change as a disruptive, destructive force.

12. There is no need for people to feel so pressured on time.
Time flies
Time walks
People should not waste or kill time. They must follow their schedules to be productive.
There is no need for people to feel so pressured on time.

13. Equality and egalitarianism
Hierarchy, rank, status
Most Americans believe that Gods views all humans alike without regard to intelligence, physical education or economic status.
People’s role are defined in terms of their relationships to other people .

14. past or present orientation
Future orientation
past or present orientation
look to the future and not to the past.
people should live for today or for their ancestor; they should live according to tradition.

15. Action and work orientation
“being” orientation
work often defines people; their identities come from what they do.
work is not the center of people’s identity; it is acceptable not to focus on work, accomplishments, and achievements.

16. Materialism
Spiritualism
tendency to be more concerned with material than with spiritual or intellectual goals.
the philosophy that all reality is spiritual and that nothing material is as important.

17. Individualism and privacy
Group orientation
Each individual is seen as completely and marvelously unique, that is, totally different from all other individuals and, therefore, particularly precious and wonderful. So, individual needs are considered primary.
The individual sacrifices his or her needs to those of the group.

18. Birthright inheritance
Self-help
Birthright inheritance
Americans have the belief that people can "pull themselves up by their own bootstraps"
People are born into either wealth or poverty, they can't change their status in life.

19. Informality
Formality
First name usage, casual clothes, and the lack of formal ritual are typical in American life.
Use of titles and last names are common. People are retrained and polite with each other. Americans seem to be extremely informal, and will probably feel that they are even disrespectful of those in authority.

20. Consider one another's feelings when deciding what to say.
Directness, Openness, Honesty
Indirectness and "saving face"
Having always preferred the first approach. People should express themselves openly. It is not considered good to "beat around the bush"
Consider one another's feelings when deciding what to say.
Honestly is not always the best policy.