6 Etiquette Rules in the U.S. That May Surprise You

Hi there. I'm Jennifer from English  with Jennifer. Learning a language is  

more than grammar and vocabulary. It's  also about learning to navigate social  

customs. Here are six things you need to know  if you're new to the US or planning to visit.

Number one. Leave a tip. The tipping culture is  getting a bit out of control here, but you can't  

avoid it. Tipping for most services is expected  ,especially in a restaurant, where we pay 15 to  

20%. It's also not really cool to leave a  bunch of coins, especially pennies, so if  

you're tipping with cash, round up and use dollar  bills. I'd say 20% is the new norm at restaurants.

With fast food, you don't need to tip.  If you're ordering for pickup or takeout,  

it's up to you. Was the food ready on time? Did  they pack it nicely? Did they forget anything?  

15% is fine. At a cafe, where you might order  coffee or baked goods, you're invited to tip.  

Not everyone does because you're not being  served at a table, but if you're making very  

specific requests, you should leave something.  How about a dollar for a specially made coffee?

I try to thank my hair stylist by  tipping 25% because I've been going to  

her for years. Otherwise, 20% is already  generous for a hair stylist or barber.

Let's talk about traveling within the  US. If I take a shuttle to the airport,  

I tip the driver $1 to $2, especially if he  helps me with my heavy suitcase. At a hotel,  

I'll tip house cleaning a few dollars a day.

There's a lot to know about the tipping culture  in America, but that should be enough to get  

you started. You'll figure out the rest as  you spend time here and observe practices.

Tip number two. Use first names. In  everyday situations here in the US,  

calling people by their first names  is acceptable. At a doctor's office,  

at a job interview, or with my neighbors,  I'd expect to be addressed by my first name:  

Jennifer. Titles of courtesy like "Ms. Lebedev"  are rarely used, even in business email. "Hello,  

Jennifer" is already polite. And while you  don't want to seem overly formal, you also  

don't want to come across as being too familiar.  Often there are nicknames for common names,  

like Rob or Bob for Robert. But here's a rule  of thumb. Don't use a nickname unless the person  

invites you to or if that's the name they use on  all their social media accounts. So, if you have  

a new colleague and she signs her name Elizabeth,  don't call her Liz or Beth unless she asks you to.

Tip number three. Become comfortable with  chitchat. Americans are generally friendly,  

and making small talk happens in many public  places. I do this quite a lot in stores when I  

interact with salespeople. Sometimes it's a quick  exchange of comments or observations. It's less  

common in the waiting area of a doctor's office,  where privacy is respected, but in grocery stores,  

chitchat with complete strangers happens  while we're making our selections or while  

we're waiting in the checkout line. We can  talk about the crowd, the weather, someone's  

cute kid...or dog for that matter. Yes, sometimes  you'll see dogs out shopping with their owners.

Tip number four. Know the difference between  service animals and pets. People with various  

disabilities are visible and functional within  American society. Some people depend on service  

animals. They're usually identified by  a special vest or harness. Even if you  

love dogs and have a special way with them,  you shouldn't try to approach such an animal  

because it's there to take care of the  owner's needs. As for a companion dog,  

ask for permission first if you  want to approach it or pet it.

Tip number five. It's okay to have  strangers take your photo. In tourist areas,  

Americans might offer to take your photo  or they might ask you to take theirs.  

I've never had anyone steal or drop my  phone. It's okay to do this. You might  

take a couple of shots and then ask the  people to check and see if they're happy.  

You can say, "Why don't you check and see  if they're okay?" By the way, you can also  

ask a server at a restaurant to take a group  photo for you. Just remember to leave a tip.

And the final tip -- number six. Open  a present when you receive it and show  

that you appreciate it. Here in the US,  if someone wants to give you a present,  

I don't suggest immediately grabbing it and  tearing into it, but the person probably wants  

you to open it then there. You can ask,  "Can I open it?" They'll probably say,  

"Of course" or "Please do." The only exception  is if someone is giving you a present in advance,  

for example, before Christmas or before your  birthday, because they won't see you on the  

actual day. Then you can ask, "Should I wait?"  And you don't have to be super careful when you  

open a present. It's okay to tear the wrapping  paper. Just be sure to smile and say thank you.  

You and pay some kind of compliment like,  "Oh wow. I love it" or "I really need this."

At American birthday parties and baby showers,  there's usually a time when everyone sits down  

and all the guests ooh and ahh as the person of  honor opens up each gift in turn. You'll be sure  

to get a thank-you note within a few days.  That's proper etiquette after such a party.

Do you think you can remember all that? let  me quiz you on the most important rules.

Number one. In the US, it's common to  tip 20% for services. True or false?

True. 15 to 20% is still the norm, but 20% has  become more popular especially in restaurants.

Number two. Using a person's nickname is always  the best way to be friendly. True or false?

False. Use a nickname only if someone  invites you to or if that's how they  

identify themselves on social media  and an all written correspondence.

Three. Making small talk with complete strangers  is acceptable in the US. True or false?

True. In public places, chitchat and  casual comments are normal among strangers.

Number four. Service animals in the US are  very friendly with strangers. True or false?

False. Don't try to interact with  a service animal. It's on duty.

Five never ask Americans to take your  photo unless you know them. True or false?

False. It's fine to ask a stranger to take your  photo in public, especially at a tourist spot.

Six. It's usually acceptable to open a gift  as soon as you receive it. True or false?

True. You can ask permission  first, but in American culture,  

it's completely normal to open a gift on the spot.

How did you do? we'll end here. Please  remember to like and share the video if  

you found the lesson useful. As always,  thanks for watching and happy studies!