When you are
introduced to someone in the US, often
you will be given the name the person wishes to be called. If a person has a
title such as doctor, pastor, or professor, it is appropriate to use the title
when addressing them. If the person is the same age or younger, it is all right
to address him or her with only the first name. If you are uncertain, you may use
Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss. Most of the time, a person will indicate what they
would like to be called. When in doubt, just ask the person how you should
address them. For the most part, the average American is very informal with
their greetings. However, it’s always best to be polite and use a title with a
business associate.
If you see good
friends and family members giving a hug or kiss to one another, don’t assume that
you should, too. A hug and kiss are used with people who know one another well.
It is not common to hug or kiss a person when first being introduced.Personal
space is also important in the US.
Americans generally stand one arm length from another person. If you invade the
personal space of an American, he or she might move to avoid contact.
