From our Free-Lance Correspondent

Notes on Etiquette and Customs in the United States

Invitations
Meals in the U.S.
Other Notes of Interest

Invitations : Back to Top
If you are invited to a party or to someone's home for a meal, you may inquire as to whether the occasion is "formal" or "casual." Usually, when this type of affair is formal it suggests a suit and neck tie for the gentleman and dress with nylons and heels or nice trousers (or pants) for the lady. When such an invitation is casual, the guest will most likely be expected to wear jeans, perhaps a sport jacket, and jeans or a simple skirt and blouse for the lady.

True formal occasions are generally heralded by engraved invitations received in the post (or mail). These may say either "formal" or "black tie." To a formal party, celebration such as a wedding or a dinner, a gentleman may wear a suit and tie, however, a tuxedo is preferable. To a black-tie affair, the gentleman should wear a tuxedo. These may be rented (or hired) from formal shops. The lady should wear a cocktail or evening gown to either of these events. In most instances these "rules" are being bent and broken and pushed to their limits by younger generations.

A cultural note: Traditional Indian attire would be not only acceptable, but most likely quite a hit at any social gathering where you wish to wear it or if you are in doubt about the appropriate western attire!

"R.S.V.P." re'spondez s'il vous plait (French) on an invitation requires a response as to whether or not you plan to accept the invitation and attend the event.

It is the usual custom when going to someone's home for dinner to bring flowers or a bottle of wine to your host or hostess. You might consider one of the small items you brought over with you just for this sort of occasion! If it is a birthday party, bridal or baby shower, or engagement party, you will be expected to bring a gift, unless expressly told "no gifts." Be forewarned that it is the custom in the States to open a gift in the presence of the giver and to express one's appreciation and delight immediately.

If you don't usually cook, learn one specialty which you can prepare for your new American friends or take to a "pot luck" or "covered-dish" supper. These are meals common in the U.S. where everyone invited is expected to bring one dish, thus defraying the work and expense from any one person. Since these social gatherings are common here, you should not take offense if an American friend shows up for your dinner party with an appetizer or dessert -- while we do not condone this, it is most likely a gesture from the heart.

Meals in the U.S. : Back to Top

• Breakfast, the morning meal.
• Lunch, the noon meal.
• Dinner, the evening meal.

Exceptions to this are :

• Brunch is a late and large morning meal which supersedes the need for the noon meal. Brunch is commonly served on Sundays (sometimes on Saturdays) for guests.
• Some parts of the country, especially farming communities, have the large meal in the middle of the day. In this case, Lunch becomes Dinner and the evening meal becomes Supper.
• Supper may also be a late night, heavy snack or light meal -- after the theatre, for example.

Tea is not customarily observed in the U.S. While coffee is more often the beverage of choice (especially in all its trendy variations such as cappuccino, latte and espresso), it is not enjoyed with the same ceremony and celebration as tea in India or the U.K. You may find, however, that your American friends will welcome an invitation to tea -- so much more civil than the rushed, frenetic schedules they follow. Nonetheless, they may prefer to drink their beloved coffee.

Other Notes of Interest : Back to Top

In India one drives on the LEFT. / In the U.S. one drives on the RIGHT.

date format in India (day/month/year) / date format in U.S. (month/day/year)

In the U.S. trash is paper and other non-decaying debris whereas garbage is compost.

In India, you might hire a car to drive. In the U.S. you would RENT a car to drive yourself, but you might HIRE someone to drive you.

Centigrade is the Indian temperature reading. / Fahrenheit is the U.S. temperature reading.

In India distance is measured in kilometers. / In the U.S. distance is measured in miles.

In the U.S. pickles usually refer to cucumbers in brine (vinegar), although there are other pickled vegetables as well. Some pickles are sweet, some sour or tart.

In the U.S. many amusements charge less admission for children and Senior Citizens. The age at which someone becomes considered a Senior is usually between 60 and 65 though sometimes younger and sometimes older.

If you have a "season ticket" in the States, it is usually to all the baseball games or all the opera performances or theatre events, etc. You have bought a "pass" (usually a month at a time) if you are not charged each time you board the public transportation system.

It is the "muffler" on your car's exhaust system which enables it to run so quietly. A "silencer" is used to quiet the sound of a gun. If you inquire about buying a silencer, or using one, you could find yourself being questioned by the authorities (police, etc.)!

In India you might ask, "When shall I join duty?" / In the U.S. you would ask, "When shall I report for work?"

In the U.S. a shower is when the water comes from the shower head above you. You may be standing in a tub or in a smaller space designed specifically for showers. (There are also gyms and locker rooms with a row of shower heads in a large space to accommodate many people at one time.) A bath would be when one fills the tub with water (and often oils or bubbles) and sits in the water to bathe.

Age in the U.S. is figured thus; age one is one year after birth, age two is two years after birth, etc. So one born in 1958 would be 40 years old on his/her birthday in 1998.

 

© The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C.