新综合教程 第二册 教学课件 熊选琴 刘重霄Unit 1 2 U1.pptVIP

Unit 1 Text A：American Characters If you choose to study or live in America, it will help a lot to get some idea of the main cultural differences before your departure. The following list may help you better understand American culture and American characters. Individualism Remember, individualism is deeply rooted in American culture. Many Americans believe the ideal person is independent and self-reliant, and they like to think of themselves this way. People in the US do not just think of themselves as representatives of their families, communities, or social class. Some international students consider this a “selfish” attitude but you will see examples of this individualism reflected in the classroom. Teachers expect students to be independent and individualistic, work alone and produce original work. Informality People in the US treat one another very informally, even when there are great differences in age or social status. This is not through a lack of respect, but simply the custom in the United States. Americans do tend to be more informal than people from other cultures. It is not unusual for them to wear causal clothing to school and to greet professors by their first name. However, good manners and politeness are always appropriate. Personal Space The concept of personal “space” varies from culture to culture, but Americans seem to require more personal space than people in other cultures. If you get a little too close to an American during your conversation, he or she will feel uncomfortable and will probably back away. People expect others to be at least an arms length away from them. If you get closer than this, people will move away from you. This is not because they dislike you, but simply because you are “in their space”. You do not have to touch people to make them nervous. In general, you should try to avoid physical contact, since this may lead to discomfort. Unless you know the person very well, avoid putt