U.S. Culture and Etiquette Test
What does the
'NASDAQ' stand for?
a. National Association of
Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System.
b. National Administration
of Secure Dealing Arrival Quotation System.
c. Natural Association of
System Dealers Annual Quotidian Sound.
d. Natural Avocation of
Software Dealers Annual Quota System.
e. National Annuity of
Special Diagnostics Actual Quotations Sounds.
When is it
appropriate to point at someone?
a. Pointing is acceptable
behavior in the US office (and in general).
b. Pointing is very rude in
the US office (and in general), and could lead to your dismissal.
c. Pointing is considered
rude in the US office (and in general), except if it is clear you are pointing
to an object.
d. Pointing is rude in the
US office (and in general)only if you use two hands. Pointing with one hand is
fine.
e. None of the above.
In the US, smoking
is banned in many states in public places. Which of the following US states has
NOT banned smoking in public places, especially places of work?
a. Texas
b. Arizona
c. Maine
d. New York State
e. California
How much is a
'touchdown' worth in American football, if you include 'the extra point'?
a. 5 + 1 = 6
b. 7 + 1 = 8
c. 5 + 3 = 8
d. 6 + 1 = 7
e. 1 + 4 = 5
What are 'states'
rights' in the US?
a. The legal rights of US
states whether in alignment or conflict with the US Federal system.
b. A political argument
based on the tenth amendment of the United States Constitution.
c. An argument used by the
Southern American states during the American Civil War (1861-1865).
d. Often a last-resort
political argument used by all political camps when they are unable to win at
the Federal level, in the belief that they can win political ground in at least
some states.
e. All of the above
Which of the
following best describes how to offer a good business-style handshake in the
US?
a. A reasonably swift
handshake, lasting about 1 second, upon greeting and leaving, without eye
contact.
b. A reasonably firm
handshake, lasting 3-4 seconds, upon greeting and leaving, maintaining good eye
contact.
c. A light handshake,
lasting 3-4 seconds, upon greeting and leaving, maintaining wide-eyed contact.
d. A very firm handshake,
lasting 3-4 seconds, upon greeting and leaving, maintaining good eye contact.
e. A reasonably firm
handshake, lasting 5-10 seconds, upon greeting and leaving, maintaining good
eye contact.
What is a
'franchise' in US sports?
a. The selling price of a
particular team, not including the annual ticket sales.
b. The annual tickets sales
for a particular team.
c. The financial worth of a
team including the players.
d. A team or the legal
arrangement that establishes ownership of a team (often as a branch or
relocation of a previously existing team).
e. The sum of the players'
contracts on a team.
What does it mean
to 'push the envelope' in the US?
a. To stack a crate with
envelopes and then push it, typically in an office environment.
b. To hand someone an
envelope.
c. To stretch the normal
boundaries or limits (without undue risk) in an attempt to be successful.
d. To be an individual,
especially in a group setting.
What is the Super
Bowl?
a. The championship game of
Minor League Baseball.
b. The championship game of
the National Basketball Association.
c. The championship game of
Major League Baseball.
d. The championship game of
the National Football League.
e. The championship game of
the National Hockey League.
What does 'the
fourth estate' commonly refer to in the US?
a. The public press.
b. The right to vote or
protest.
c. The TV and radio networks
specifically.
d. The industrial-military
complex.
e. The general public.
What does
'laissez-faire' refer to in US politics?
a. A private equity
investment fund for the super-rich.
b. A political doctrine
opposing government intervention in economic affairs, beyond the minimum
necessary to maintain property and peace.
c. A doctrine balancing
government intervention in the financial free market, with the emphasis on
government action.
d. A doctrine for the
expansion of welfare rights in the US.
e. A doctrine for government
intervention in economic affairs, should the financial system be at risk from
collapse (such as the sub-prime mortgage crisis).
What does the term
'off-peak' refer to when traveling in the US?
a. A special fare, usually a
supplement, that will bring you to your destination faster, using, for example,
an express train.
b. A time when travel is
less busy, and fares are usually lower.
c. A reduced-price fare
traveling at the regular time.
d. It is the same as an
open-ticket (meaning you do not have a reserved seat).
e. You pay slightly less,
but you do not quite reach your destination (hence the reduced fare).
How would you
define being 'politically correct' or 'PC'?
a. To be a part of a random
system of voting at the ballot box.
b. Being rude or offensive
in a way that violates social customs or general good manners.
c. To express a political
opinion usually on social matters and often characterized by the rejection of
language, behavior, etc. considered discriminatory or offensive.
d. To pay all your taxes and
to obey all laws, both state and federal.
e. To make a decisive
political action, usually taken by a politician to win an election.
Which of the
following is NOT an occasion for tipping in the US?
a. When getting a haircut.
b. When taking a taxi.
c. When paying a bar or
restaurant bill.
d. When helped with bags at
a hotel.
e. When served drinks on an
airplane.
In US employment
and education law, what is an H-1B Visa compared to a F-1 visa?
a. Both H-1B and F-1 visas
are work visas.
b. An F-1 is a work visa
valid for the duration of employment; an H-1B is a student visa valid for the
duration of study.
c. An F-1 is a work visa; an
H-1B is a student visa.
d. Both H-1B and F-1 visas
are student visas.
e. An H-1B is a work visa;
an F-1 is a student visa.
What does it mean
to 'pull strings' in the US?
a. To receive business
bribes behind the scenes in exchange preferential treatment, always in an
illegal political sense.
b. To receive stolen goods
or act otherwise outside the law.
c. To prepare taxes many
months in advance.
d. To exercise influence
over a decision, typically in a less than overt manner or 'behind the scenes'.
e. To operate a traveling
puppet show, especially in the South.
What is the
difference between the US and European style of using a knife and fork?
a. In the European or
"Continental" style, the fork is in your left hand while cutting,
then switches to your right hand to pick up and eat. In the US style, the fork
is always in the left hand.
b. In the US style, the fork
is in your right hand while cutting, then switches to your left hand to pick up
and eat. In the European or "Continental" style, the fork is always
in the right hand.
c. In the US style, the fork
is in your right hand while cutting, then switches to your left hand to pick up
and eat. In the European or "Continental" style, the fork is always
in the left hand.
d. In the US style, the fork
is in your left hand while cutting, then switches to your right hand to pick up
and eat. In the European or "Continental" style, the fork is always
in the left hand.
e. In the US style, the fork
is always in your right hand. In the European or "Continental" style,
the fork is always in the left hand.
What is
'propaganda'?
a. A lie or untruth told by the
government always for the benefit of all countries.
b. The spreading of
misinformation or rumor solely in order to injure an organization, a cause or a
person.
c. The spreading of
information or rumor in order to help or injure an organization, a cause or a
person – often associated with misinformation or outright lies.
d. The name of the ballot
papers used in a national presidential election.
e. The 4-year waiting term
between elections in the US.
What is the
appropriate dress for a business meeting in the US?
a. Formal clothing, such as
a suit and tie for men, a suit or dress and jacket for women.
b. Informal clothing, such
as khaki shorts for men, light beach-like clothing for women.
c. Formal clothing for
formal events, especially in major US cities, slightly less formal clothing in
rural areas and in hot parts of the US, such as the South.
d. Fancy dress or costume.
e. Tuxedo.
Are business cards
used in the US, and when are they exchanged?
a. Yes – and they are
generally exchanged when meeting, or parting, though there is no strict rule.
b. Yes – and they are always
exchanged when meeting.
c. Yes – and they are always
exchanged when parting.
d. No – but they are
sometimes generally exchanged halfway through a meeting.
e. No – but they are
exchanged on special request.
What is a team's
'territory' in both American football and basketball?
a. The half of the pitch or
court that a team protects against its opponents.
b. The basket in basketball
or touchline in football where points are scored.
c. The length of time on the
clock for an entire game (without including over-time).
d. The captain of the team.
e. The mound inside the
diamond in baseball from where the pitcher throws the ball.
Who are 'the powers
that be' in the US?
a. The incoming government.
b. Parents or grandparents.
c. Neighbours and/or your
boss at work.
d. A generic term for those
in authority.
e. A generic term for
descendants (who hold their own kind of power).
Which of the
following is considered poor table manners in the US?
a. Slurping soup.
b. Starting to eat before
others at the same table.
c. Using a toothpick or
blowing nose at the table.
d. Chewing with your mouth
open.
e. All of the above.
Which of the
following is appropriate in a US restaurant if you do not eat all of your food?
a. To request a bag to take
home the leftovers.
b. Never request a bag to
take home the leftovers.
c. To request the food be
saved so you can pick it up later.
d. To request the food be
given to the wait staff.
e. None of the above
What is a 'green
card' in the US?
a. The common name for a
VISA identity card issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. A
green card entitles a foreign national to enter and reside but not work in the
US.
b. The common name for a
Permanent Resident identity card issued by the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service. A green card entitles a foreign national to enter,
reside and work in the US.
c. The common name for a
VISA identity card issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. A
green card entitles a foreign national to work in the US for 6 months.
d. The official name for a
Permanent Resident identity card issued by the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service. A green card entitles a US Citizen to enter, reside and
work overseas.
e. The official name for a
Permanent Resident identity card issued by the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service. A green card entitles a foreign national to enter,
reside and work in the US indefinitely.
Which of the
following is expected in a US office environment?
a. Chewing gum.
b. Knocking before entering.
c. Displaying tattoos.
d. Displaying body
piercings.
e. Using your iPod at work.
What is a 'hub' in
US travel?
a. A major train terminal,
for example, Grand Central in New York City.
b. An airport where an
airline has a major presence that includes many flights to other destinations.
For example, Delta Airlines has a hub in Atlanta.
c. A destination airport to
which a lot of other airways connect into but not out from, for example, New Orleans.
d. A starting city from
where a lot of other airlines depart, for example, JFK to Europe.
e. A 'hub' is a major
television network that broadcasts travel news, for example, NBC, CBS or ABC.
What is a 'rookie'
in US sports slang?
a. An older, more
experienced player who generally leads the team.
b. A team mascot.
c. A new player to the team
who is relatively inexperienced.
d. A rank-and-file player
who neither leads the team nor stands out for being new.
e. The owner of the team.
Which of the following
is fast becoming a public taboo in the US workplace?
a. Drinking
b. Smoking
c. Eating
d. Talking
e. Smiling
How much personal
space is typical in the US, in both the workplace and in public?
a. About an arm's length,
otherwise Americans will feel uncomfortable.
b. About a foot.
c. About two arms' length.
d. About three arms' length.
What is 'AMTRAK' in
the US?
a. The name of a major bus
company.
b. The name of a major train
airline.
c. The name of a major train
company.
d. The name of the minor league
baseball division.
e. The name of a major taxi
company.
During a US
'business dinner', what is the appropriate behavior in terms of how much
business and how much socializing is common?
a. A business dinner is
treated as a social meal –socializing is more important than the business.
b. A business dinner is
still treated as a business meal – socializing should be kept to an absolute
minimum or it is considered rude.
c. A business dinner should
be long and dull – do not attempt to make general or light conversation.
d. A business dinner is
treated as a social meal and a time to build rapport – socializing is as
important as the business itself.
e. None of the above
What is a 'twin
room' when booking at a US hotel?
a. A room with two beds for
two people.
b. Two rooms with two beds
for two people.
c. A room with one bed for
one person.
d. Two rooms with one bed
for two people.
e. A room with a double bed
for two people.
What does it mean
to 'keep your nose to the grindstone' in the US?
a. To repeat the same action
even if the result appears to be the same (negative) one.
b. To keep working hard at a
difficult task.
c. To generate a lot of
personal wealth and secure it in an offshore account to avoid taxes.
d. To take early morning
walks on the beach as a healthy preparation for the day ahead.
e. To continue digging
yourself deeper into a metaphorical hole, often in a business setting, even
though you know it is wrong to do so.
What does it mean
to 'pull one's weight' or 'pull your own weight' in the US?
a. To try harder than you've
ever had to try before.
b. To literally lose weight,
using a gym and/or personal trainer.
c. To make a concerted
effort to do what one is capable of, especially when contributing to a group
effort.
d. To make a solitary personal
effort to overcome an obstacle.
e. To go on a 30-day crash
diet, but only one approved by your doctor.
What does the
phrase 'to pour cold water on' mean in common US usage?
a. To discourage or quench
enthusiasm for something.
b. To encourage something by
figuratively hydrating it.
c. To hurry up, literally or
figuratively.
d. To slow down, literally
or figuratively.
e. To deliver a message at
speed to someone.
Which of the
following is the best response if you make a mistake at work?
a. Find someone to blame.
b. Ignore it.
c. Accept responsibility and
set about correcting the mistake.
d. Deny you made any mistake
and start crying.
e. Find someone to share the
blame.
When using e-mail,
why is it NOT a good idea to type in CAPITAL LETTERS?
a. Because you might spell a
word incorrectly.
b. Because the message won't
reach its destination in capitals.
c. Because Caps Lock may
stay on and you'll type everything in capitals.
d. Because it sounds like
you're shouting at the e-mail recipient.
e. Because it sounds like
you don't know how to write.
What is generally
considered the good amount of tipping in the US?
a. 5%
b. 10%
c. 15-25%
d. 25-35%
e. 35-40%
What does 'bumping'
mean when traveling by airplane in the US?
a. Adding a passenger
without a reservation to a flight. Generally the first passengers to check-in
are the ones most likely to be bumped.
b. Removing a passenger with
a reservation from a full flight. Generally the last passengers to check-in are
the ones most likely to be bumped.
c. Removing a passenger with
a reservation from a full flight. Generally the first passengers to check-in
are the ones most likely to be bumped.
d. Adding a passenger to an
earlier flight if he or she arrives early enough at the airport.
e. Exchanging tickets for a
later flight, often with a favorable monetary return for the passenger.
If you bring a
personal cell phone to work, you should:
a. leave it on.
b. make sure it is on mute.
c. give it to your boss to
look after.
d. send text messages all
day.
e. consult it every 5
minutes.
What is the correct
wearing of a hat in the US office?
a. It is frowned upon to
wear a hat at work, but most people do not mind if that is your personal
preference.
b. It is generally impolite
to wear hats inside. A hat may be worn in a public corridor and elevator, but
it should be removed when entering a room.
c. It is rude and even
illegal to wear a hat inside. Remove it as soon as you enter the building.
d. Hats are banned in
public, inside and outside, in several US States.
e. None of the above
What do 'March
madness,' the 'sweet sixteen' and the 'final four' refer to in the US sporting
calendar?
a. The PGA Tour Golf
Championship
b. The NCAA basketball
tournament
c. The Super Bowl
d. The Olympic Swimming Team
e. The baseball World Series
Which of the
following represents a typical American breakfast as served in a hotel?
a. Fried bread, eggs, black
pudding, bacon; also hamburgers.
b. Donuts and coffee.
c. Choice of donuts, bagels,
fruit, coffee and orange juice; also a cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon, 'link'
sausages, pancakes and French toast.
d. German potato salad,
scones, rolls, tea with milk.
e. Blini with sour cream or
milk.
Which of the
following are essential to any current US office environment?
a. Instant message, scanner.
b. Phone, instant message,
fax.
c. Fax, printer, scanner,
website.
d. Phone, fax, e-mail,
printer, website, instant message, scanner.
e. Website, scanner, instant
message.
In the US, what is
the best way to say 'thank you' after a business arrangement?
a. Send a Christmas present
to your recipient's home to all the family.
b. Gift giving is
discouraged by many US companies - a gracious written note or invitation for a
meal is more appropriate.
c. The bigger the gift the
better: business in the US thrives on across-the-table gift giving.
d. Pay 10% extra to the
amount of the business deal (it acts as a tip).
e. Pay 20% extra to the
amount of the business deal (it acts as a tip).
Which of the
following is considered the least popular sport in the US?
a. Basketball
b. Athletics
c. (American) Football
d. Baseball
e. (Ice) Hockey
Which of the
following should arrive within ten minutes of sitting down at a US restaurant,
without asking the server?
a. Water
b. Milk
c. Beer
d. The wine list
e. The specials menu
Used for
navigating, what does 'GPS' stand for when driving a car in the US?
a. Gradual Position Site
b. Group Posture Section
c. Gradual Position Segway
d. Global Positioning System
e. Greater Positive Seat
What is a 'drop-off
charge' when renting a car in the US?
a. A fee the rental company
pays the customer for returning the vehicle to its original location.
b. A small hidden device
carried in the rental car to track the exact location of the car, often by GPS.
c. The option to drop the
car off in any of three locations close to the original point of departure.
d. A fee charged by a car
rental company when not returning the vehicle to its original location.
e. An optional fee charged
by the rental company to defray taxes, especially for tourists (i.e. foreign
nationals).
What is a
connecting flight in US air travel?
a. The taxi up the runway a
plane makes after it has landed.
b. The middle part of a
three or four part flight, using a different form of transport – like a
helicopter.
c. The second part of a
two-part flight, using a different airline.
d. The first part of a
two-part flight, using the same airline.
e. Part of an ongoing flight
that requires a change of aircraft, but not necessarily a change of airline.
When conducting
international business in the US, you must be aware of laws at which of the
following levels?
a. State level.
b. Federal level.
c. State and Federal.
d. State, Federal and
international level.
e. Federal and international
level.
0 comments:
Post a Comment