What are some common social rules people should know beforehand?
- Don’t be a jerk to people you don’t know. If you’re in a group of people and you start talking to them and they’re not interested in what you have to say, it’s a sign that you need to get out of the group and find someone else to talk to. It’s also a good idea to keep your distance from people who are rude to other people, especially if they are strangers to you. This is especially true if you are in an unfamiliar city or country, where you may not be familiar with the language or culture of that country or city. You may be able to find a friend or relative who will be willing to help you out, but it may take some time to do so.
- Be polite to everyone, no matter what they say or do. When you see someone being rude or disrespectful to another person, do not respond in kind. Instead, say something like, “Excuse me, are you okay?” or “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.” If the person doesn’t seem to be offended, then you can move on to the next person. However, if the other person continues to act rudely or disrespectfully toward you, you should take a step back and try to figure out what is going on with that person and what can be done to make them feel more comfortable in your presence. For example, they may have a problem with you being in the same room as them, so you might want to ask them to move to a different room. Or they might be having a bad day and need a break from the stress of their day-to-day life. Whatever the reason for the rude behavior, try not to respond to it in any way, even if it makes you feel better. Just let it go and continue on your way. Remember, everyone has a right to their own opinions and feelings, and it is your responsibility to respect that right and treat everyone with respect and courtesy.
- Always be polite to others, regardless of whether or not you agree with their opinions or actions. In other words, always treat others the way you would like to have been treated yourself.
- Never, under any circumstances, insult, belittle, or make fun of someone different or different-looking from you or your friends.
- Do not make assumptions about someone’s race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, physical appearance, mental or physical abilities, medical condition, genetic information, or any other aspect of a person’s physical or mental characteristics.
- Respect the rights of others to express their views and opinions without fear of being offended or ridiculed.
- Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a “typical” American. Everyone is unique and has his or her own unique set of values and beliefs.
- There are no “right” answers to any of these questions. The best way to learn more about a topic is to listen to as many people as possible and ask the questions that interest you the most.