American culture and etiquette

1. Social etiquette in USA /Social etiquette in USA /
UK / ALBANIAUK / ALBANIA

2. American culture andAmerican culture and
etiquetteetiquette
How we look upon andHow we look upon and
judge the lifestyle andjudge the lifestyle and
workplace of other culturesworkplace of other cultures
depends on how we viewdepends on how we view
the world from our ownthe world from our own
cultural background.cultural background.

3.  American culture andAmerican culture and
etiquetteetiquette
 How we look upon and judge theHow we look upon and judge the
lifestyle and workplace of otherlifestyle and workplace of other
cultures depends on how we viewcultures depends on how we view
the world from our own culturalthe world from our own cultural
background.background.

4.  The first impressionThe first impression
First impressions are important. Americans know how to sellFirst impressions are important. Americans know how to sell
themselvesthemselves
and expect others to do the same. Be very present and expressand expect others to do the same. Be very present and express
your will to work hard. Appearance should be healthy andyour will to work hard. Appearance should be healthy and
energetic. Dress and good mannersenergetic. Dress and good manners
are less important than the above-mentioned qualities.are less important than the above-mentioned qualities.
• The dress code is usually rather informal. A business-casual• The dress code is usually rather informal. A business-casual
jacket for men and a business suit for women. A tie for men is notjacket for men and a business suit for women. A tie for men is not
always required.always required.
• Show that you will invest time and effort to reach your goal.• Show that you will invest time and effort to reach your goal.

5.  Competition or motivationCompetition or motivation
Competition is seen as positive. In the educational systemCompetition is seen as positive. In the educational system
competition is promoted. Good grades are awarded by thecompetition is promoted. Good grades are awarded by the
system. Organizations promote competition by selecting thesystem. Organizations promote competition by selecting the
employee of the year, or by giving big bonuses for sellingemployee of the year, or by giving big bonuses for selling
products and services. The work ethos is very high andproducts and services. The work ethos is very high and
individuals work hard to reach their target and obtain theirindividuals work hard to reach their target and obtain their
individual bonuses.individual bonuses.

6. Excellent client serviceExcellent client service
The Americans are champions in customerThe Americans are champions in customer
service and customer friendliness. Theservice and customer friendliness. The
customer is considered King and everything iscustomer is considered King and everything is
done to please the customer. Americans do notdone to please the customer. Americans do not
understand the laid-back attitude manyunderstand the laid-back attitude many
cultures have towards clients.cultures have towards clients.

7.  Communication styleCommunication style
Energetic and positiveEnergetic and positive
Americans usually speak in the present or imperative tense withAmericans usually speak in the present or imperative tense with
lots of action oriented words. “Let’s do this”. “Make it work”lots of action oriented words. “Let’s do this”. “Make it work”
“Instant solution”. This energizes people. Many powerful words“Instant solution”. This energizes people. Many powerful words
and expressions are used such as; greatest, excellent, brilliant,and expressions are used such as; greatest, excellent, brilliant,
thrilling, ultimate, a roller coaster ride.thrilling, ultimate, a roller coaster ride.

8.  MeetingsMeetings
Meetings are usual informal. PeopleMeetings are usual informal. People
shake hands or just say “hello” whenshake hands or just say “hello” when
entering the meeting room. People areentering the meeting room. People are
time conscious. One usually sticks to thetime conscious. One usually sticks to the
agenda. Meetings are held to discussagenda. Meetings are held to discuss
matters in brought outlines, to obtainmatters in brought outlines, to obtain
information and various opinions as wellinformation and various opinions as well
as communicating decisions taken at theas communicating decisions taken at the
top. Seldom decisions are made duringtop. Seldom decisions are made during
meetings.meetings.
• Stick to general ideas and broad• Stick to general ideas and broad
outlines. Avoid getting into detailsoutlines. Avoid getting into details
• Schedule time for questions• Schedule time for questions

9.  Presentations during meetingsPresentations during meetings
When you present for an AmericanWhen you present for an American
audience break the ice by cracking aaudience break the ice by cracking a
joke (check beforehand with anjoke (check beforehand with an
American colleague if the joke is o.k.)American colleague if the joke is o.k.)
• Speak with a loud voice.• Speak with a loud voice.
• Have a bullet point presentation with• Have a bullet point presentation with
usually some images.usually some images.
 •• To understand that your team leaderTo understand that your team leader
will try to energize you through his up-will try to energize you through his up-
beat communication style.beat communication style.

10.  UK ETIQUETTEUK ETIQUETTE
 Every culture across the ages has been defined by theEvery culture across the ages has been defined by the
concept of etiquette and accepted social interaction.concept of etiquette and accepted social interaction.
However, it is the British – and the English in particularHowever, it is the British – and the English in particular
– who have historically been known to place a great– who have historically been known to place a great
deal of importance in good manners. Whether it be indeal of importance in good manners. Whether it be in
relation to speech, timeliness, body language or dining,relation to speech, timeliness, body language or dining,
politeness is key.politeness is key.
 British etiquette dictates courteousness at all times,British etiquette dictates courteousness at all times,
which means forming an orderly queue in a shop or forwhich means forming an orderly queue in a shop or for
public transport, saying excuse me when someone ispublic transport, saying excuse me when someone is
blocking your way and saying please and thank you forblocking your way and saying please and thank you for
any service you have received isany service you have received is de rigueur.de rigueur.
 The British reputation for being reserved is not withoutThe British reputation for being reserved is not without
merit. Overfamiliarity of personal space or behaviour ismerit. Overfamiliarity of personal space or behaviour is
a big no-no! When meeting someone for the first timea big no-no! When meeting someone for the first time
a handshake is always preferable to a hug and a kiss ona handshake is always preferable to a hug and a kiss on
the cheek is reserved for close friends only. Askingthe cheek is reserved for close friends only. Asking
personal questions about salary, relationship status,personal questions about salary, relationship status,
weight or age (particularly in the case of more ‘mature’weight or age (particularly in the case of more ‘mature’

11.  Traditionally, one of the best examples ofTraditionally, one of the best examples of
the British etiquette is the importancethe British etiquette is the importance
placed on punctuality. It is consideredplaced on punctuality. It is considered
rude to arrive late to a business meeting,rude to arrive late to a business meeting,
medical appointment or formal socialmedical appointment or formal social
occasion such as a wedding. As such it isoccasion such as a wedding. As such it is
advisable to arrive 5-10 minutes early toadvisable to arrive 5-10 minutes early to
appear professional, prepared andappear professional, prepared and
unflustered as a mark of respect to yourunflustered as a mark of respect to your
host. Conversely, should you arrive toohost. Conversely, should you arrive too
early to a dinner party this could alsoearly to a dinner party this could also
appear slightly rude and ruin theappear slightly rude and ruin the
atmosphere for the evening if the host isatmosphere for the evening if the host is
still completing their preparations. Forstill completing their preparations. For
the same reason an unannounced housethe same reason an unannounced house

12.  Should you be invited to a British dinner partyShould you be invited to a British dinner party
it is customary for a dinner guest to bring a giftit is customary for a dinner guest to bring a gift
for the host or hostess, such as a bottle offor the host or hostess, such as a bottle of
wine, a bouquet of flowers or chocolates. Goodwine, a bouquet of flowers or chocolates. Good
table manners are essential (particularly if youtable manners are essential (particularly if you
want to be invited back!) and unless you arewant to be invited back!) and unless you are
attending a barbeque or an informal buffet it isattending a barbeque or an informal buffet it is
frowned upon to use fingers rather than cutleryfrowned upon to use fingers rather than cutlery
to eat.to eat.
 The cutlery should also be held correctly, i.e.The cutlery should also be held correctly, i.e.
the knife in the right hand and the fork in thethe knife in the right hand and the fork in the
left hand with the prongs pointing downwardsleft hand with the prongs pointing downwards
and the food pushed onto the back of the forkand the food pushed onto the back of the fork
with the knife rather than ‘scooped’. At awith the knife rather than ‘scooped’. At a
formal dinner party when there are numerousformal dinner party when there are numerous
utensils at your place setting it is customary toutensils at your place setting it is customary to
begin with the utensils on the outside and workbegin with the utensils on the outside and work

13.  As the guest it is polite to wait until everyone atAs the guest it is polite to wait until everyone at
the table has been served and your host startsthe table has been served and your host starts
eating or indicates that you should do so. Onceeating or indicates that you should do so. Once
the meal has begun it is impolite to reach overthe meal has begun it is impolite to reach over
someone else's plate for an item such assomeone else's plate for an item such as
seasoning or a food platter; it is moreseasoning or a food platter; it is more
considerate to ask for the item to be passed toconsiderate to ask for the item to be passed to
you. Leaning your elbows on the table whilstyou. Leaning your elbows on the table whilst
you are eating is also considered rude.you are eating is also considered rude.
 Slurping or making other such loud noisesSlurping or making other such loud noises
whilst eating is completely frowned upon. Aswhilst eating is completely frowned upon. As
with yawning or coughing it is also consideredwith yawning or coughing it is also considered
very rude to chew open-mouthed or talk whenvery rude to chew open-mouthed or talk when
there is still food in your mouth. These actionsthere is still food in your mouth. These actions
imply that a person was not brought up toimply that a person was not brought up to

14.  Social classesSocial classes
 Rules of etiquette are usually unwritten and passedRules of etiquette are usually unwritten and passed
down from generation to generation, although in daysdown from generation to generation, although in days
gone by it was common for young ladies to attend agone by it was common for young ladies to attend a
finishing school to ensure their manners were up tofinishing school to ensure their manners were up to
scratch. An attribute which was felt particularly crucialscratch. An attribute which was felt particularly crucial
in securing a suitable husband!in securing a suitable husband!
 Whilst today good manners and etiquette are seen as aWhilst today good manners and etiquette are seen as a
sign of respect, particularly to those more senior (insign of respect, particularly to those more senior (in
either age or position), in Victorian England when theeither age or position), in Victorian England when the
class system was alive and well, etiquette was oftenclass system was alive and well, etiquette was often
used as a social weapon in the interests of socialused as a social weapon in the interests of social
advancement or exclusion.advancement or exclusion.

15.  The evolution of etiquetteThe evolution of etiquette
 . For instance the “okay” gesture - made. For instance the “okay” gesture - made
by connecting the thumb and forefingerby connecting the thumb and forefinger
in a circle and holding the other fingersin a circle and holding the other fingers
straight, is recognised in Britain andstraight, is recognised in Britain and
North America as a signal to question orNorth America as a signal to question or
confirm that a person is well or safe.confirm that a person is well or safe.
However in parts of southern Europe andHowever in parts of southern Europe and
South America this is an offensiveSouth America this is an offensive
gesture.gesture.

16.  Thus the etiquette of business has become a set of written andThus the etiquette of business has become a set of written and
unwritten rules of conduct that make social interactions run moreunwritten rules of conduct that make social interactions run more
smoothly, whether during interaction with a co-worker or contactsmoothly, whether during interaction with a co-worker or contact
with external or international colleagues.with external or international colleagues.
 Indeed, the rise in online business and social media sites has evenIndeed, the rise in online business and social media sites has even
seen the creation of a worldwide ‘online society’, necessitating itsseen the creation of a worldwide ‘online society’, necessitating its
own rules of conduct, commonly referred to asown rules of conduct, commonly referred to as Netiquette, Netiquette, oror
network etiquette. These rules regarding the protocol for suchnetwork etiquette. These rules regarding the protocol for such
communications as email, forums and blogs are constantly beingcommunications as email, forums and blogs are constantly being
redefined as the internet continues to evolve. So whilst theredefined as the internet continues to evolve. So whilst the
traditionally accepted behaviours of old may not have thetraditionally accepted behaviours of old may not have the
influence they once did, it could be argued that etiquette is asinfluence they once did, it could be argued that etiquette is as
crucial in today’s far-reaching society as it has ever been.crucial in today’s far-reaching society as it has ever been.

17.  Albanian culture, customs and etiquetteAlbanian culture, customs and etiquette
 In Albanian culture, Albanians are very hospitable. Even more soIn Albanian culture, Albanians are very hospitable. Even more so
than the rest of the Balkans, elder males expect to be shownthan the rest of the Balkans, elder males expect to be shown
respect on account of their age. Men of the family have to berespect on account of their age. Men of the family have to be
respected in particular. Shake hands with them and do not arguerespected in particular. Shake hands with them and do not argue
about topics such as religion and politics. Certain topics are strictlyabout topics such as religion and politics. Certain topics are strictly
taboo, although they may be fine in the United States or othertaboo, although they may be fine in the United States or other
countries. Homosexuality is one good example. Don’t speak aboutcountries. Homosexuality is one good example. Don’t speak about
gay rights, no matter what. Just remember that the situationgay rights, no matter what. Just remember that the situation
changes a lot according to the location (village or city) and thechanges a lot according to the location (village or city) and the
people with whom you speak as well. Of course, in the hiddenpeople with whom you speak as well. Of course, in the hidden
north, avoid topics that go beyond local understanding, but benorth, avoid topics that go beyond local understanding, but be
sure that in Tirana you will find very cosmopolitan people that aresure that in Tirana you will find very cosmopolitan people that are
as open to new ideas as the citizens of Western Europe. There isas open to new ideas as the citizens of Western Europe. There is
nothing particular to worry about; all you need to remember is tonothing particular to worry about; all you need to remember is to
respect local people as much as you do back home.respect local people as much as you do back home.

18.  Sometimes, if you stay for a night or so at someone’s house, don’tSometimes, if you stay for a night or so at someone’s house, don’t
be surprised if you see a big, old AK-47 Kalashnikov staying at thebe surprised if you see a big, old AK-47 Kalashnikov staying at the
wall. It’s pretty normal for Albanians to keep guns in the house.wall. It’s pretty normal for Albanians to keep guns in the house.
 In Albania it’s common to kiss cheeks of males of your age orIn Albania it’s common to kiss cheeks of males of your age or
younger (if you are a man), even the very first time you meetyounger (if you are a man), even the very first time you meet
them. This is especially for the regions of Fier, Tepelena, Vlora andthem. This is especially for the regions of Fier, Tepelena, Vlora and
Gjirokastra. In Northern Albania, you will simply touch each othersGjirokastra. In Northern Albania, you will simply touch each others
cheeks, but not kiss them. Women also do kiss one another,cheeks, but not kiss them. Women also do kiss one another,
sometimes from the very first time they meet, but men andsometimes from the very first time they meet, but men and
women do not kiss each in the cheek unless they are friends for awomen do not kiss each in the cheek unless they are friends for a
long time.long time.

19.  Kissing cheeks between young people, 15-20 years old,Kissing cheeks between young people, 15-20 years old,
is however very common. If a baby is in the family,is however very common. If a baby is in the family,
always ask to see him or her, and don’t forget to add aalways ask to see him or her, and don’t forget to add a
compliment (usually “qenka i shendetshem, me jete tecompliment (usually “qenka i shendetshem, me jete te
gjate” or “what a sweet baby” works best). If you are agjate” or “what a sweet baby” works best). If you are a
man, or a woman with a group of men, don’tman, or a woman with a group of men, don’t
compliment females, unless they are under 10-12compliment females, unless they are under 10-12
years. If you don’t speak English, but a language whereyears. If you don’t speak English, but a language where
“you” in singular and “you” in plural are not the same“you” in singular and “you” in plural are not the same
(like Italian, Greek, German, etc.), be aware that some(like Italian, Greek, German, etc.), be aware that some
Albanians do not use the plural form in their language.Albanians do not use the plural form in their language.
Sometimes, even the prime-minister is addressed withSometimes, even the prime-minister is addressed with
“ti” (you in singular, “tu” in Italian, “Du” in German or“ti” (you in singular, “tu” in Italian, “Du” in German or
“Esi” in Greek), if the journalist is a friend of him.“Esi” in Greek), if the journalist is a friend of him.
However, when meeting people for the first time, itsHowever, when meeting people for the first time, its
better if you address them in plural, although they willbetter if you address them in plural, although they will
shortly after ask you to address them in singular.shortly after ask you to address them in singular.