North American's Zone

Hello Pals!

To people from other countries, Americans may seem deafening and embarrassing to be with, and too willing to share their entire life stories with even unfamiliar person.  To Americans, however, it is considered normal and friendly behavior.  What matter confuse newcomers to the United States is that even though they may have shared some very private information with them, it does not necessarily mean that they need to be friends for a long period to maintain it.  Honesty and frankness are just part of the American character, and any reserve or coyness on the part of strangers may be taken as self-importance or a sign that they may have something to conceal.  But when it comes to doing business, Americans are generally quite informal and relaxed in their relations with people, but they are found to be very serious about business itself.  Most people who work together call each other by their first names.

In case of meeting someone for the first time, it is best to wait for them to ask to be called them with their first name, until, it is almost certainly best to call them by their title.  They tend to be friendly and polite in their business transactions, but the bottom line is that it is still business, no matter how friendly they are.  They are also very honest and up-front, and will not be uncertain to say what needs to be said.  To some people it may seem very direct and even impolite, but if something is not happening the way it should, Americans will speak up and expect the person they are dealing with to do something about it.  In opposite situation, if someone has done a job predominantly well, then the business associate will be enthusiastic to praise that person immediately.