Job Discussion Forums

[Volver]

I have a class of 16 students who will be leaving for study in the US this June. They all want to know how to act in the States and what they should not do. Here is what I have so far for completely unacceptable behaviors:

hacking and spitting
spitting out your bones onto the table or floor
1 finger nose blows
chewing with your mouth open
talking at the movies
cutting in front of people in lines
helping each other when the teacher calls on a person in class
public urination
footprints on the toilet seat
not flushing afterwards
giving red roses to the wife/gf of someone who invites you to a party

There must be more that I am missing. Any and all suggestions welcome and I will incorporate them into my lessons over the next few months.

Thank you.

V

[twilothunder]

Not rushing for the plane the minute the gate opens - you have assigned seats and you won't get there any quicker.

Similarly, standing up and opening the overhead luggage bins the minute the plane lands - again, it won't get you off any quicker and you'll just embarrass your countrymen when the Delta stewardesses play whack-a-mole to try and get you back in your seats.

[Shroob]

I think the best advice is to just try and be polite.

What's the purpose for their visit? Is it a short holiday or for study? I ask as if they're going to study, they should be aware of the different academic attitudes and etiquette.

[Shroob]

I think the best advice is to just try and be polite.

What's the purpose for their visit? Is it a short holiday or for study? I ask as if they're going to study, they should be aware of the different academic attitudes and etiquette.

EDIT: Also, I know it's a bone of contention on this website but Americans in America are not 'laowai'.

[Volver]

The reason for their visit is for schooling. They will be in the States for 1.5 years so, yeah, I should probably be teaching them school etiquette. Suggestions welcome.

V

[Mr. Leafy]

[Guerciotti]

Wait for the people in the elevator (lift) to exit before you enter.

Shoving money at the KFC girl and shouting your order generally won't work. Wait in line.

Guys, please don't tell your male professors/teachers/ any male that they are handsome or 'very handsome!'. Just don't.

Don't ask everyone how old they are and if they're married. Talk about the weather, or your classes, or your major. Seriously.

Guys, enunciate and use your dam vocal chords. Use your lungs. Stop freaking whispering. So annoying. Speak up! Sorry, it's a pet peeve of mine.

Do not ask everyone their favorite band and then ask them if they like One Direction/Westlife/ Any Crappy Boy Band. Grow the heck up. Don't follow up by asking them to listen to a Westlife/etc./etc. song. Back off. We get it, you really only want an excuse to listen to another lame BB song. If you tell everyone you like boy bands they will think you're gay. You will not enrich anyone's life by introducing them to the wonders of boy bands. You're in the west now so for the sake of all that is good, listen to something else.

Oh, and guys, doing boy band dance routines between classes will not win you any honey. Trust me.

Do not ask people detailed questions with respect to why they do what they do, then offer critiques. That is rude. If they want your advice, they'll ask for it.

The above includes criticizing what and how people eat. Not everyone eats vegetables and rice.

Yes you've been told that Chinese are vastly superior to others, but may I suggest you keep it a secret? You might experience a rude awakening.

Surprise! Western girls are not all 'hot blooded'. Sorry! Sad but true. (Dang I wish it were true!) Treat women well and you'll be fine. Miley Cyrus is a talentless embarrassment, not an icon. I really want to keep this a secret so you'll all repeatedly crash and burn on the dating scene, but ... dam I guess I'll be nice.

Try not to have a heart attack when you see a woman in a bikini. Western women have curves. You'll get used to it.

Do not expect to improve your test score by imploring the teacher with various pleas and excuses or by other means. Do not fail every exam and expect to hongbao your way into a good final grade. Won't happen.

[buffalobill12323]

[hochhasd]

Make sure they take a shower each day.

[damn_my_eyes]

Don't snigger and stare at the 120kg locals, you're not in China anymore and they are likely to punch you in the face!

Learn how to give a sincere and measured "hello or hi" when you meet someone.

Tell the boys that if they are virgins now that it's pretty much 100% guaranteed they'll still be virgins when they come back.

[muffintop]

Change your clothes on a daily...not weekly..basis.

Breathmints are your friend.

If you insist on playing basketball or whatever during downtime, take a shower before returning to class.

Boys...if you smack another boy on his butt, expect a punch in the face.

Learn to carry your own damn bags. You do not need 2 people to carry one bag of groceries or a bookbag.

Learn what personal space is...and respect it.

Boys...If somebody is criticizing you, do not bow your head and stare at your feet if you are alone. Man up. Learn how to stand up for yourself without 6 of your buddies around.

Forget about the concept of 'face' entirely.

Do not kiss the butts of everyone you feel has a higher position than you do.

Boys I do not care how hot it is....do not lift your shirt above your belly. You look absurd.

Do not tell somebody you love them on the first date or encounter.

Girls...learn how to dress appropriately for the occasion and time of day.

Nobody wants to listen to what you're listening to. Ever. Invest in earbuds if you want to listen to music on your phone.


EDIT: To add to something Choudofu said...
Lose the habit of saying 那个(nage) all the time. Depending on how you pronounce it....it may sound similar to something you should not be saying.

[BadBeagleBad]

OK, I totally don't get the one about not taking red roses to the wife or GF at a party you are invited to. It wouldn't bother ME in the least. I'll take my roses where I can get them, and I suspect many women would feel the same.

[cps82856]

I agree and second all the comments so far. A couple of my pet peeves that haven't been mentioned:

On an escalator, stand right, walk left. They're still stairs, so if you're going for the free ride, at least leave room. Don't stand two abreast and block people from moving past you. Also works on moving walkways.

Same idea applies to entering/exiting doorways, using staircases and even the sidewalk. Keep right in general and you'll move more smoothly.

No need to shout on your cellphone. (A lot of Americans need to learn this one, too. And it's a cellphone in the US, sorry.) Maybe when you invest in the previously mentioned earbuds, get one with a mic so you can hear yourself a little better.

All the hygiene tips mentioned are valid. A handkerchief is a good investment.

Don't ask people, "Where are you going?" Sounds too abrupt. Put "So" in front of a question like that. (So, what are you up to later?) Learn to use contractions.

And so many more.

[twilothunder]

[teenoso]