<<Our Own Stories>>, 关于美国的culture

azhuuuUID: 140682

这些都是很简单的关于culture, 大家一定差不多都知道，我当时借来看是想学一些东西的正确表达，大家有空再看吧。 每个culture 后的一些短语，是我自己从文中故事中摘抄出来的想学的正确表达。随便看吧。这些摘抄因为在电脑上，所以就贴上来了。
不知大家是否到图书馆借ELS得书看，虽然很简单，但我觉得很多我们是不知道怎么用的，而且很多关于日常生活， 我觉得有帮助。

azhuuuUID: 140682

<< Our Own Stories>>, reading for cross-cultural communication
Norine Dresser
Culture capsule
1.        Clothing: Jeans, T-shirts and sneakers are popular among both girls and boys. Students dress according to their personal preferences and sometimes are influenced by fads (short-lived popular interests practice) or latest fashions.
In some private school and religious school, students wear their uniforms. Some schools have “dress code”, or rules about what clothes may not be worn to school

The dress of lace:
Linh whose ethnic background and native language are Vietnamese:
My first day of school in American;
Want to impress others;
A nightgown;
I almost burst into tears;
I embarrassed myself;
The dress of lace;
Sit all the way in the last row of the back of the room;
I felt like not going to school anymore;

2.        Holidays: On Halloween, which comes on October 31, children go “trick-and-treating”. The children dress up in costumes, often pretending to be something scary, like ghosts and witches. They then go from house to house asking for candy or other treats. If they do not receive any, they maybe threaten to play some tricks – like overturning trash cans or spray windows with shaving creams.
At Halloween time, you will see many jack-o’-lanterns. They are pumpkins that have been cut to look like human faces and often have a candle inside.

Trick or Treat:
The first Halloween;
That year Halloween came on Saturday;
Get a drink of water;
The doorbell ring;
Ghosts and witches;
I was relieved after the realizing the truth;
That was my first experience with Halloween;

3.        Health and illness: For certain illnesses like cold and flues, Americans often try home remedies, that is, methods of getting better that do not involve a doctor or medicines. For example, a person might stay in bed, have lots of soup and other liquids, use lot steam to make the air moist and take lots of vitamin C. American also buy some over-the-counter medicines like Aspirin and cough syrup. Over-the-counter medicines are medicines that do not require a prescription, or singed order from doctor.
For most illness though, American people would go to doctors, who examine them and often write out prescriptions.  Home remedies are less common in the United States than in many other parts of the world.

azhuuuUID: 140682

Coining:
Cambodia;
Adopt the traditional values of their cultures;
My mother felt my forehead;
So I would stay still;
I was the victim of child abuse;
Each red mark was the size of a ruler in width;
An Asian translator;
They had angry faces;
When he finally understands what had happened, he dropped the case;

4.        Food taboos: From our parents and our culture we learn what is considered good to eat and what is considered bad, what is permitted and what is forbidden. In the United States, no one eat dogs and most people will not eat horse. Some food, although not taboo, are not common either. So some Americans will not eat snails or raw fish, for example.
Certain religious groups have taboos – pork for Jews and Moslems, beef for Hindus. Even individuals may decide not to eat certain foods. People who object to animals being killed may be vegetarians and refuse to eat meat.

Hamburgers:
A second-generation American of Hispanic descent;
I am ignorant of other culture;
There was an accident when I experienced culture shock;
I seated myself at the table;
Their stares and the silence that accompanied the stares sent chills through my body;
The cow is considered sacred;
The Hindu religion made it holy;
Hinduism;

5.        Eating out: In American home table settings usually just include a fork, a knife and a small spoon (teaspoon). In some restaurants, though, there may be two of each kind of utensil – one large and one small. There is a small spoon for stirring coffee or tea and a large spoon for soup. The large fork and knife are for the main course. The small fork is for salad or dessert, while the small knife is for buttering bread. For some foods, there are special utensil – for example, a very small fork for shellfish and a spoon with a sharp edge for grapefruit.
Usually, it is the more elegant restaurants that use a lot of utensil.  Many restaurants have only the basic knife, fork, and spoon, and at places that sell pizza, people usually do not use any utensil at all.

Eating the western way:
The eating utensils;
The spoon is usually made out of porcelain;
We used it to sip our soup or to scoop our soup;
I should dress formally;
My heart sank (sink);
At this point my face was red;

6.        Guests and hosts: Although friends and neighbors sometimes “drop in”, usually Americans do not visit one another without an invitation. If you are invited to someone’s home for dinner, the invitation might be only for you and your spouse. Do not bring your children or parents unless they were invited or you have asked the host. Do not arrive earlier than the time mentioned and try not to be too late.
You might ask your hosts if you can bring something. If they say no, then you can bring a small gift – for Example, flowers, a box of candy, or a bottle of wine. If you are invited to a potluck, of course, you are expected to bring some food.

Potluck:
Interpreter;
A bottle of liquor;
Some typical Chinese food;

azhuuuUID: 140682

7.        Confusing phrases: there are many idioms about legs in American English. “Pulling someone’s leg” means not telling that person the truth. To “shake a leg” means to hurry, and if someone tells you to “break a leg”, it means he or she is wishing you good luck.
Other parts of body are also frequently used in idioms. “Don’t lose your head” means to stay calm. To have “sticky fingers” means to steal. To “win by a hair” means to barely win, and if someone says you’re “wet behind the ears” means you lack experience.

Quit pulling my leg:
The accident all began one night when I stayed up until midnight doing homework for the next day;
Pass your homework to the front of your row;
She used the homework to take attendance;
I’m sure I had a perplexed look on my face;

8.        Greetings: In the United States the form of greetings depends on how well people know each other and on the situation. When people are first introduced, they usually shake hands. Handshakes are especially common in business or formal situations.
When two women friends meet, they might hug and kiss one another on the cheek. (Although in many cultures people kiss on both cheeks, Americans usually just kiss on one cheek.) Male friends would not kiss, but they embrace for a moment. A male friend and female friend might kiss on the cheek, even though they are not romantically involved. If people know each other but not very well, they might just say hello. Friends often do this, too. A stranger might greet an old person with a handshake. A grandchild would probably greet his or her grandparents with hugs and kisses.

Hand kissing:
Grandparents had lived the longest;
Close friends;
Jumped on his lap;
We stayed very good friends;

9.        Forms of addresses: Children are called by their first names, but adults are often addressed by their last name with a title in front. The title “Mr.” (mister) is used for men. The title “Miss” is used for single women. “Mrs.” (pronounced “missus”) is used for married women, and “Ms.” (pronounced “miz”) is used for single or married women. In school, students usually address their teachers by whichever of these titles is appropriate and their last name (Ms. Fontes). In college, however, teachers are often called by the special title “Professor” and their last name (Professor Dresser). Political figures are also addressed with special titles (Senator Wong, Mayor Garey), as are doctors (Dr. Diaz).

What should I call you:
With a not-so-happy face;
I am not being myself;

10.        Body Language: We communicate not only with words but also with “body language” such as facial expressions, gestures, and movements. Like words, body language differs from culture to culture. In some cultures, for example, looking someone in the eye is disrespectful, but in the United States it is a way of showing you are being honest and truthful.
Gestures are the easiest part of body language to describe and learn. Some gestures are as common as words. Moving your head up and down means yes. Moving your head from side to side means no. Lifting your shoulders up and down means you don’t know. You can say hello or goodbye by waving you hand up and down or from side by side.
Making a fist with the thumb extended downward is a sign of disapproval, called “thumbs down.” Making a fist with thumb extended upward is a sign of approval, “thumbs up”. Another sign that means everything is all right, or “A-OK,” is when the index finger joints the thumb to look like a big O.

An eye for an eye:
My hand got moist;
My heart beat fast;
I took slow, shot steps up to her;
We learned the hard way, but it helped us both;

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11.        Touching in public: In the United States, unlike some culture, lovers can walk down the street holding hands or with their arms around each other. They may even kiss each other in public and people usually don’t mind. A husband and wife can also hold hands or kiss in public. On the other hand, although in many cultures friends walk hand in hand or with their arms around each other, friends in American rarely show affection in these ways.

I want to hold your hand:
Friends of the same sex;
Walk hand in hand;

12.        Dating: Some boys or girls start dating, or “going out” as early as thirteen or fourteen years old. That means they will go somewhere alone or with other friends without any adults along. Later, when they can drive (around sixteen or seventeen), it is acceptable for a boy or a girl to go out together in a car. Dating does not mean that they will get married. On the contrary, people think it is a good idea for young adults to go out with different members of the opposite sex. That way they will meet different kind of people and learn that what kind of person they really want to marry.
Some people who are in their twenties or older may share an apartment and “live together” before they get married. They think this helps to see whether a marriage might work. But many parents are still opposed to young people living together before marriage.

Breaking up:
The American concept;
Making commitments;
My parents are very old-fashioned;
A nice relaxing dinner;
His parents’ occupations;

13.        Weddings: At a traditional wedding, the bride wears a long fancy white dress and a veil and the groom wears a tuxedo. Friends and family of the bride and groom take part in the ceremony. The bride chooses a maid of honor to help her during the ceremony and bridesmaids who also walk down the aisle. Generally, the maid of honor and the bridesmaids wear matching dresses. The best man helps the groom during the ceremony. He and other male assistants, called ushers, all wear tuxedos, or formal suits. Other wedding guests often wear their nice clothing. There are no rules, though, except that females generally do not wear white, to avoid competing with the bride.
Different ethnic and religious groups have their own customs for weddings, including customs about what to wear. Also, many couples decide not to have traditional weddings, preferring wedding ceremonies that less formal.

Lady in red:
Lunch time talking;
The color represents the devil;
A culture misunderstanding;
End their friendship;

14.        Good luck and bad luck: Thirteen is thought to be an unlucky number. Most hotels do not have a thirteenth floor or a room number thirteen. Friday the thirteen is thought to be an unlucky day. Many people do not want to do anything dangerous, like have surgery on Friday the thirteenth, and some do not even like to leave their houses. Some people believe that bad luck can come if a black cat crosses their path or if they open an umbrella inside the house, walk under the ladder, or break a mirror. There are also many superstitions about good luck. Some people think that they will have good luck if they find a four-leaf clover, hang a horseshoe over their door, or wear a rabbit’s foot.

Debby’s birthday present:
The American life-style and culture;
Hispanic-American;

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15.        Parents and children: Generally, American parents want their children to be independent. Therefore, they encourage their children to make their own decisions, give their own opinions, and get jobs outside the home. It is also generally acceptable for children over eighteen to move out and get their own apartments, especially since eighteen is the usual age for finishing high school and going on to the colleges or getting a full-time job.
American parents may seem to be less strict than parents on some other cultures. But rules and discipline vary a lot from family to family; while some parents are lenient, others are strict.

A very conservative family;
Many sleepless nights;
My obligation as a daughter overcame my yearning for independence;

16.        The classroom: Teachers will not be angry if students disagree. Actually they like students who speak up in the class by asking questions and giving their own ideas. Because it encourages participation, teachers often use small-group discussion to ask for students opinions. Generally teachers no not require memorization of many facts.
Students are also encouraged to participate in after-school activities such as sports teams, orchestra, and leadership classes. It is generally believed that students who have interest beyond getting good grades will have more chance of getting into better college and universities.

School daze:
Rarely will students raise their hands;
My classes were hardly ever quiet;
Teachers keep distance from the students;

17.        The changing role of women: Women’s roles have been changing. Thirty years ago most women are housewives and did not work outside home. Today, most women have jobs, including jobs - such as truck driver or business executive - that used to be held by men.
With the changes in roles have come changes in customs. Women used to expect that men would open doors for them, but now they open their own. When a man invited a woman out for dinner, he was expected to pay for everything. Today a woman might share the expenses when she goes out with a man. She can be the one who calls him up and asks him out. She might even pay the expenses for the entire date.

Who pays the check:
My senior year in high school;
Gentleman-like, Eddie offered to pay for our prom tickets;
An American custom of “splitting the bill”;
Adapt the custom;

18.        Attitude towards aging: American tends to be a young-oriented culture. Although some culture people tends to value getting old, in America people tend to value being young.  This is shown, for example, by the large amounts of money spent on products that prevent wrinkle or cover up gray hair. Being a “senior citizen” (sixty-five years of age or older) brings certain privileges, such as reduced prices for theater or traveling tickets. But because of the society’s attitude, people do not look forward to growing old. However, attitudes towards aging might be change. In a sense, the American population is aging; by the year 2030, over 20 percent of Americans are sixty-five years or older. As the population ages, people become more aware that older people have a lot to contribute to society.

Jack’s tale:
Serve food to someone;
The old have the most knowledge and experience;

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19.        Stereotypes and prejudice: The United States is often called “melting pot” – a place where many people from many different countries blend together and all become Americans. But many people argue that this description is not accurate. They say The Unites States is more like a salad bowel – many ingredients tossed together but never completely blend. On one hand, this is what makes the United States more interesting: People are not just Americans; they are Americans and something else. On the other hand, the differences have sometimes led to problems -   to stereotypes and prejudice, to discrimination, and at times even to violence.
With the civil rights movement, led by African Americans in the 1950s and 1960s, some important changes were made to fight prejudice and discrimination. Bus, sending African American and Hispanic children from poor schools to Anglo schools in better neighborhoods, was an attempt to provide equal education opportunities. As American society becomes more racially and ethnically mixed, many more changes must be made.
Anglo: 美国西南部北欧裔英语系美国人

Sticks and stones:
Up to then I have been in a completely Hispanic neighborhood and school;
These verbal and confident individuals;
They have hundreds of stereotypes about us;

20.        Religious practices and beliefs: The United States has no official religious, as the U.S. Constitution says that church and state (religious and government) must be kept separate. This is not surprising since early settlers (like many later immigrants) came to the United States for religious freedom. For this reason, it is also not surprising that The United States has thousands of religions. Over 90 percent of Americans are Christians, but Christians in the united States includes many different groups.
Religions play an important part in the lives of many Americans. In addition to being places of worship, churches and temples are centers for education, social activities, and community events.
Christianity: 基督教

The surprise:
Embarrassing experience;
I wish they would at least laugh at me or something;
I learned not to make assumptions;
Make another misunderstanding

smile_stoneUID: 163246

Excellent! Thank you!

snowcatUID: 162167

good job! up

weiweiddUID: 119195

Thank you so much! :)

azhuuuUID: 140682

You are all welcome! Hehe!

desireUID: 140547

Thanks

甜橙UID: 38825

well done. thanks.

MelanieKUID: 160291

谢谢分享。：）