什么是美国文化?（下）

Ronny Reeves
America Culture
Meeting someone
When meeting someone for the first time, it is customary to shake hands, both for men and for women. Hugs are only exchanged between close friends. Kissing is not common, and men never kiss other men.
Americans will usually introduce themselves by their first name and last name (such as "Hello, I'm John Smith"), or, if the setting is very casual, by their first name only ("Hi, I'm John"). The common response when someone is introduced to you is "Pleased to meet you." Unless someone is introduced to you with their title and last name (such as Mister Smith or Miss Johnson), you should address them by their first name. Americans normally address everyone they meet in a social or business setting by their first name. However, you should always address your college professors by their title and last name (such as Professor Jones), unless they ask you to do otherwise.
 
美国文化中，当你第一次与人见面时，通常的做法是握手，无论男女都适用。只有亲密朋友之间才会拥抱，而亲吻并不常见，男性之间不会互相亲吻。
美国人通常会自报姓名，包括名和姓（例如：“你好，我是约翰·史密斯”），或者在非正式场合只说名字（“嗨，我是约翰”）。当别人向你介绍时，你通常会回答“很高兴认识你”。除非某人是以头衔和姓氏介绍的（如史密斯先生或约翰逊小姐），否则你应直接称呼他们的名字。在美国，无论是社交还是商务场合，人们习惯于用名字来称呼对方。不过，对于大学教授，除非他们另有指示，否则你应该使用他们的头衔和姓氏来称呼（如琼斯教授）。
 
Speaking on the telephone
Americans normally answer the telephone by simply saying "Hello." If you are calling a business, the person answering the phone will give the name of the business and usually their own name as well. If the person you would like to speak to has answered the phone, you should say hello and state your name. If not, you should ask for that person politely: "May I please speak with Andrew Brown?"
The majority of Americans have answering machines in their homes. Also, the majority of businesses have voice mail accounts for their employees. When leaving a message, state your name clearly and leave a telephone number where you can be reached. Telephone messages should be brief and to the point.
 
接打电话
美国人习惯直接用“Hello”来应答。如果你是在给一家公司打电话，接电话的人通常会先报出公司名称，然后可能还会说出自己的名字。如果你要找的人亲自接了电话，你应该先打招呼，然后报上自己的名字。如果接电话的不是你要找的人，你应该礼貌地询问：“我可以和安德鲁·布朗先生通话吗？”
在美国，大多数家庭都装有答录机，而且大多数公司也为员工配备了语音信箱。留言时，请确保清楚地说出你的名字，并留下一个可以联系到你的电话号码。电话留言应该尽量简短并直截了当。
 
Eating out
All restaurants in America accept cash for payment, and most (even some fast food restaurants) also accept credit cards. A few restaurants also accept ATM cards for payment. You will rarely find a restaurant that accepts checks.
It is common to have to wait for a table at a popular restaurant. There are many popular restaurants that do not accept reservations, or will only accept reservations for large parties (for example, six or more people). At these restaurants, the wait can be very long on a weekend night, sometimes up to 1 hour. However, almost all upscale, or more formal, restaurants will accept reservations.
Many restaurants in America (except for fast food restaurants) have a license to serve alcohol. Beer and wine are always available, and at some restaurants hard liquor (such as vodka or whisky) is also available. Restaurants that serve hard liquor are said to have "a full bar." The drinking age in America is 21. If you look young, be prepared to show proof of your age when ordering alcohol.
 
外出就餐
在美国的餐馆就餐，几乎所有餐馆都接受现金支付，而且大部分餐馆（包括一些快餐店）也接受信用卡。少数餐馆还接受使用ATM卡结账，但接受支票的餐馆则较为罕见。
热门餐厅常常需要等位，许多受欢迎的餐厅不接受预订，或者只对大型聚餐（比如六人以上）开放预订服务。在这些餐厅，周末晚上可能需要等待很长时间，有时甚至要等上一个小时。不过，大多数高端或正式的餐厅通常接受预订。
美国很多餐厅（快餐店除外）都有售酒许可。啤酒和葡萄酒是标配，某些餐厅还提供烈酒，如伏特加或威士忌。提供烈酒的餐厅通常被称为有“全吧”。美国的法定饮酒年龄为21岁，如果你看起来比较年轻，在点酒时可能需要出示身份证明。
 
Tipping
There are only a few situations where tipping is expected. The one you will encounter most often is at restaurants. American restaurants do not add a service charge to the bill. Therefore it is expected that the customer will leave a tip for the server. Common practice is to leave a tip that is equal to 15% of the total bill for acceptable service, and about 20% for superior service. If the service was unusually poor, then you could leave a smaller tip, about 10%.
Other professions where tipping is expected include hairdressers, taxi drivers, hotel porters, parking valets, and bartenders. The general rule is to tip approximately 15% of the bill. In situations where there is no bill (as with hotel porters and parking valets), the tip may range from $1 to $5, depending on the type of establishment and on how good the service was.
 
小费
在美国，小费文化主要适用于几种特定场合。最常见的是餐厅就餐。美国的餐厅不会在账单上自动加上服务费，因此，顾客给服务员小费是一种普遍的礼节。通常情况下，如果服务令人满意，小费的标准是账单总额的15%，如果服务非常出色，则给20%。如果服务非常差，你也可以选择给10%的小费。
其他需要给小费的行业还包括美发师、出租车司机、酒店行李员、代客泊车服务人员和酒吧调酒师。一般规则是，小费金额大约为账单的15%。在没有账单的情况下，比如酒店行李员和代客泊车服务，小费通常在1到5美元之间，具体金额取决于服务的质量和场所的档次。
 
Smoking
Smoking is not as common in America as in many other countries. Generally, Americans smoke less than Europeans and much less than Asians. It is a practice that is becoming less and less socially acceptable.
Smoking is prohibited in many places. It is not allowed in any public buildings, on any public transportation (including airplane flights within the United States), in shops, movie theaters, schools, and office buildings. The general rule is if you are indoors, then you probably are not allowed to smoke. The exceptions are bars, nightclubs, and some restaurants. Perhaps this is the reason why people are making the switch to those portable vaporizers since it's discreet, a healthier alternative and a good way to start on the path of actually quitting smoking. If a restaurant does allow smoking, it will only be in an area that is designated for smokers. If you are with someone, even outdoors, it is polite to ask if they mind before you start smoking.
The legal smoking age in America is 18. If you are buying cigarettes (or another tobacco product) and you look young, the store clerk is required by law to ask you for proof of legal age. You should be prepared to provide identification.
 
吸烟
在美国，吸烟并不像在许多其他国家那样常见。通常来说，美国人吸烟的比例低于欧洲人，更远远低于亚洲人。吸烟正逐渐变得不太被社会接受。
许多场所都明确禁止吸烟。任何公共建筑、公共交通工具（包括美国境内的航班）、商店、电影院、学校和办公楼内都不允许吸烟。基本上，如果你身处室内，很可能是禁止吸烟的。酒吧、夜总会和部分餐馆是例外。这也许是为什么越来越多的人选择使用便携式电子烟，因为它们使用起来更隐蔽，是更健康的替代品，并且有助于逐步戒烟。如果餐馆允许吸烟，通常也只能在特定的吸烟区内。如果你和别人在一起，即使是在户外，开始吸烟前礼貌地询问他们是否介意也是很重要的。
美国的法定吸烟年龄为18岁。如果你购买香烟或其他烟草产品，并且看起来比较年轻，店员依法必须要求你出示年龄证明。因此，你应该准备好提供身份证件。
 
What Americans generally believe
That all people are equal and deserve an equal opportunity in life. They should all be treated fairly and with the same level of respect. This is one of the most basic principles of American philosophy.
That everyone is free to be an individual. Americans do not believe in conforming to a general ideology or behavior. Individuality and self-expression are encouraged.
That competition brings out the best in people and in businesses. Competition is another of the basic principles of American philosophy.
 
美国人普遍认同以下几个观点：
人生而平等，每个人都应享有平等的生活机会，并且应受到公正对待和同等的尊重。这是美国最基本的哲学原则之一。
每个人都应该有权展现个性。美国人鼓励展现个性和自我表达，不主张盲目遵从某种普遍的思想或行为模式。
竞争能够激发人们的潜能和企业的活力。竞争是美国哲学的核心原则之一。
 
That you are responsible for taking control of your own life and determining your own future. Americans do not believe in luck or fate. They are very proud of their individual achievements.
That change is good and necessary. It brings about progress and improvement. Tradition is not as valued in America as it is in other cultures.
That it is best to be honest and direct. In many cultures, it is considered impolite to speak too frankly or directly about a subject. Americans prefer to speak openly, even when giving a negative opinion or delivering bad news.
 
你应该掌握自己的命运，决定自己的未来。美国人不相信运气或命运，他们为自己的个人成就而自豪。
变化是积极的，也是必要的，它带来进步和改善。相比于其他文化，美国不太重视传统。
诚实和直接是最好的沟通方式。在许多文化中，过于直率或直接谈论某个话题可能被认为是不礼貌的，但美国人倾向于坦率交流，哪怕是在表达负面意见或传递坏消息时也是如此。
 
What Americans love
Their country. Americans are very patriotic. They are very proud of their country and their way of life. They also have great respect for those who serve or have served in the armed forces.
Their free time. Americans may not have much free time compared to people in some countries, but they value what they have. They will spend that time doing something for themselves, their family, or their community. Weekends and vacations are always full of activities.
 
美国人深爱的事物包括：
他们的国家。美国人非常具有爱国情怀，他们对自己国家和生活方式感到无比自豪。对于那些正在或曾经在军队服役的人，他们也怀有极高的敬意。
他们的闲暇时光。尽管与某些国家的居民相比，美国人的休闲时间可能并不多，但他们非常珍视这些时间。他们会利用这些时间来为自己、家人或社区做些事情。周末和假期总是被各种活动安排得满满当当。
 
The outdoors. The United States government protects large sections of land from development and preserves them for the enjoyment of all. Americans enjoy outdoor activities all year round. Depending on the region, popular activities include sailing, hiking, mountain climbing, camping, and skiing.
Sports. The United States probably has more professional athletes participating in a greater number of professional sports than any other country. Americans love to watch sports, either live or on television. They also love to participate in sports, and there are countless leagues for players of all ages and skill levels.
 
户外活动。美国政府对大片土地进行了保护，避免被开发，以供所有人享受。美国人全年都热衷于各种户外活动，根据地区不同，他们喜欢的活动可能包括帆船、徒步、登山、露营和滑雪。
体育运动。美国可能比其他任何国家都有更多的职业运动员参加职业运动，职业运动类别也更多。美国人非常喜爱观看体育赛事，无论是在现场还是通过电视转播。同时，他们也热衷于参与体育活动，无论是哪个年龄段或技能水平，都能找到适合自己的体育联赛。
 
Muhammad Zaman
What does 'American Culture' mean to you?
Puritanical hard work, exemplified by a work hard, play hard mentality
Independent and self sufficient, exemplified by little support for universal healthcare
Hero worship for winners, but complete disregard of losers. From adulation of sports teams and celebrities to very little thought for the poor.
 
“美国文化”在你看来意味着什么？
清教徒式的勤奋：一种“努力工作，尽情娱乐”的生活哲学。
独立自主：不太倾向于支持全民医疗保健系统。
成功者的崇拜：对胜利者和名人的极度追捧，而对失败者和贫困人群的关注不足。
 
Practical but also emotive - they will love guns despite the many tragedies steming from gun related mass killings; they can really dislike an individual or group, but will hire them if they perceive talent or benefit
Accepting, accommodating but demanding - they will welcome foreigners, and appreciate any efforts to integrate. However you must integrate. This is a very sensible and fair outlook. Talk about demanding - I’d hate to be a sandwich in the US - customers are so demanding about what they want on them.
 
实际而又充满情感：他们可能因为枪支暴力事件而饱受痛苦，但仍然热爱枪支；他们可能对某个人或团体有强烈的反感，但如果认为对方有才华或能带来好处，他们还是会毫不犹豫地聘用。
开放而又要求严格：他们欢迎外国人，并赞赏那些努力融入当地社会的行为。但同时，他们期望你真正地融入其中。这是一种非常理性和公正的态度。说到要求严格，在美国做三明治生意可能会很有挑战——顾客对他们想要的配料非常挑剔。
 
Lynn E.
Could you tell me about the U.S culture?
Although Americans love their family, they are more individualistic in their thinking than people in many other cultures. They (we) are raised that way—babies are expected to sleep in their own room, away from their parents. Little kids are asked to choose things for themselves all the time (do you want this cereal or that cereal for breakfast?) It doesn’t feel “cold” to us (as others might perceive it)—it feels free, to depend on yourself and make your own choices. We are people who left our homes and our countries and came here, and then left the settled parts of the country and went west. There is community and family and interdependence, but not to the extent that there is in more settled and ancient cultures. Immigrants who come here often find this trait disturbing, but they too are people who left and struck out on their own!
This is why we are so bad at things like wearing masks when we’re told it’s for the good of the community!
 
你能给我讲讲美国文化吗?
美国人虽然深爱着自己的家庭，但相比其他许多文化中的人，他们在思想上更加倾向于个人主义。这种思想是从小培养的——婴儿被期望独自在自己的房间睡觉，与父母分开。孩子们常常被要求自己做决定（早餐你想吃这种麦片还是那种？）。对我们来说，这并不是“冷漠”，而是一种自由——依靠自己，做出自己的选择。我们的祖先离开了自己的家园和国家来到这里，然后继续向西部未开发的地区进发。我们有社区、家庭和相互依赖，但这种联系并不像在那些历史悠久、更加稳定的文化中那样紧密。许多移民刚到这里时可能会觉得这种特质令人不适，但要知道，他们自己也是离开故土、独立奋斗的人。
这也许就是我们在被告知戴口罩是为了社区利益时，却往往执行得不够好的原因。
 
Connie Commie
What is the culture in America?
Well here is a misconception from those who don’t live or study the United States of America, their only knowledge of us comes from stereotypes on the media or sassy political cartoons poking fun at our government’s hubris. So often they made broad generalizations based on those “surface level observations” alone and not much else. We’re not a monolith.
 
美国的文化是什么?
有一种普遍的误解，那些没有在美国生活或深入了解美国的人，他们对我们的认识往往只停留在媒体刻板印象或政治讽刺漫画上，这些内容常以戏谑的方式揭示政府的傲慢。因此，他们往往仅凭这些“表面观察”就草率地下结论，而忽略了更深层次的真相。美国并不是一个单一的、同质化的社会。
 
Though… to be fair, America exactly hasn’t been the best at showing our good sign, considering all the countries we bomb into oblivion and how much our leadership makes us look like complete asses in the world. But those people do not represent all of us, not even close, we’re a surprisingly diverse country with a rich history, an amalgamation of various different cultural, linguistic, religious, and ethnic groups that came together to make a giant whole. Now we’re not the most diverse country in the world, that titles goes over to Papua New Guinea. But that doesn’t discount our culture(s) as any more or less special than any other country on Earth.
 
不过,平心而论，美国在展示积极形象方面确实做得不够，无论是我们曾经轰炸过的国家，还是那些让我们在世界舞台上显得尴尬的领导层行为。但这些并不代表我们所有人，远远不够。美国是一个令人惊讶的多元化国家，由各种不同的文化、语言、宗教和族裔群体汇聚而成，共同创造了一个多元而统一的国度。虽然我们可能不是世界上多样性最丰富的国家——这一荣誉属于巴布亚新几内亚——但这并不会使我们的文化比地球上任何其他国家的文化更或更不特别。
 
The United State of America is more like a Nation of Nations, a country of various cultures united by a common semblance on national identity through shared values and virtues, built on the notion that “All men are created equal.”
 
美国更像是一个由众多民族组成的国家，不同文化通过共同的价值观和美德，以及“人人生而平等”的理念，形成了一种国家身份感。
 
Really American history could be described as a constant conflict between two conflicting interpretations of that phrase, those who champion for a more inclusive democracy, equal civil rights, and unity through universal liberal values and those who champion for an exclusive, reactionary society where some are more equals than others, and unity through nationality and oppression of “inferior peoples”. A conflict that still persists to this day, especially during and after the Trump presidency, when he stirred up the reactionary base of the Republican Party to become more aggressive and ruthless in their pursuit of the ladder over the former. This conflict expands across all the different nations and groups that dwell and inhabitant this country.
 
美国的历程可以说是在两种对“人人生而平等”理念的解释之间不断斗争的历史。一方面是那些支持更具包容性的民主、平等民权和通过普遍自由价值观实现团结的力量；另一方面则是那些支持排他性、反动的社会，主张某些人比其他人更平等，并通过民族主义和对“劣等民族”的压迫来实现团结的力量。这种冲突至今依然存在，特别是在特朗普总统任期内及其后，他激发了共和党基础中的激进分子，使他们在追求自身利益的过程中变得更加激进和无情。这种冲突渗透于这个国家的所有不同民族和群体之中。
 
Early America was founded by English religious dissents like the Puritans and Quakers, Opportunistic English Businessmen, Dutch merchants, German Protestants, Scots-Irish Immigrants, and of course African-American slaves.
Then later we had a flurry of immigrations coming from southern and eastern Europe, like Italy and Poland, as well as immigrants from Latin America and East Asia.
 
早期的美国是由英国宗教异见者如清教徒和贵格会教徒、机会主义的英国商人、荷兰商人、德国新教徒、苏格兰-爱尔兰移民，以及非洲裔美国奴隶所建立的。
后来，我们又经历了来自南欧和东欧的移民潮，如意大利和波兰，以及拉丁美洲和东亚的移民潮。