Differences between American and European cultures.Greeting In Europe people have a tradition to greet each other when they meet. They say "Hello, Good morning, Good afternoon and so on." We greet to each other even when we don't know a person but want to ask him or her something. But in America people don't have such strict tradition, they may not greet each other if they want. They may simply come and ask what they want or start speaking.
Coffee People who visited US and Europe admitted that there is a great difference between the phrase "Would you like a cup of coffee?" in these two countries. I mean not exactly the phrase, but the action which follows it. When you come to someone's place in US and you're asked "Would you like a cup of coffee?" and you answers "Yes!", they make you coffee in a drip coffee maker. And if you're in the same situation in Europe, the hostess would make you the instant coffee. It's not always so, but in the most cases. So if you do not like instant coffee, it would be better to answer "Yes, but could you make it in a drip coffee maker?" or "Hm, I'd better like some tee".
Shoes When you come in someone's house in America, you don't have to put off your shoes. But in Europe it's not the same. When you come to someone's house in Europe you must put off your shoes because people may think bad of you or remark on it.
|
