Culture and People
Small talk, manners, accents, friends
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"How are you?" and American small talk
Why strangers ask how you are, what to answer, safe topics, and how to start and end a short conversation.
3 min
Everyday manners: space, lines, time and politeness
The unwritten rules: personal space, waiting in line, please and thank you, eye contact, holding doors and being on time.
3 min
Invitations, RSVPs, potlucks and home visits
How to answer an invitation, what RSVP, potluck and BYOB mean, what to bring, and how a visit to an American home goes.
3 min
Directness, humor, feedback and topics to avoid
How Americans say no and give feedback, how humor works, how it differs by region, and which questions feel too personal.
4 min
Dating, consent and LGBTQ+ acceptance
How dating usually works, what consent means in practice and in law, and what to expect about LGBTQ+ people.
4 min
Making friends as an adult
Where adults meet people in the US: clubs, Meetup, sports leagues, classes, volunteering, faith and diaspora groups.
4 min
Understanding real American English
Fast speech, slang and accents: what to say when you do not understand, phrases for daily errands, and how to practice.
5 min
US units: temperature, miles, pounds, cups and dates
Quick conversions for weather, fever, distance, weight, height, gas, cooking cups, oven heat, dates and the 12-hour clock.
5 min
Public restrooms in the US
What Americans call a toilet, where to find one, the gaps in stall doors, and what you can flush.
2 min
Phone calls, voicemail and making appointments
Getting through phone menus, spelling your name, booking appointments, leaving a voicemail, and phrases that help.
4 min