Imagining that I am receiving a foreign national into my organization in the United States, there are various issues the person needs to know. The new employee must understand the religions and beliefs in the country. Most people in the country (70-78%) are Christians. The largest single dominion is Catholicism (Guide, 2018). The largest non-Christian faith is Judaism, then Islam, Buddhism, and Sikhism among others.
The foreign national should know about gender roles in the US. Genders within American law and society are equal. Women in the country work, but most of them are still responsible for domestic chores like cooking, cleaning, and child-rearing (Guide, 2018) . Most work in the country is defined along gender lines with low-level or secretarial jobs occupied by women. Women are not well represented within the blue-collar sector, especially in jobs requiring physical strength such as firefighting.
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The new employee should know about socialization in the country. Infant care in the US depends on a person’s economic status. Families with low income rely on family members to look after and raise their children. Individuals with high incomes often hire a caregiver or nannies or use daycare centers. Children in the country begin school at the age of 5 to 18 and compulsory until the age of 16 (Uscis, 2018) . The United States provides free public education from kindergarten through 12 th grade for all students.
The new foreign international should know about the country’s economy. The US has an advanced industrial economy with the largest Gross Net Profit globally. A wide range of business activities takes place within the service industry such as tourism, advertising, and finance. The country is the greatest food exporter globally.
The employee should understand the issue of food in the country. Large quantities of processed and fast foods such as subs, hot dogs, and hamburgers are consumed in the country. The diet is high in salts, sugars, fat, preservatives, and refined carbohydrates. The tendency towards the consumption of junk foods is cultural because the processed foods are cheaper, quicker, cleaner, and tastier.
The new employee should know social customs and protocols in the US such as conventions in naming. Friends, families, and workmates, use the first names. Nicknames are also common but in formal situations, only the first name and surname should be used. Professional titles are used in work situations.
The new employee should know about meetings and greetings in the country. Greetings in the country are generally informal and casual. Handshakes are common accompanies with “How are you”? Or “How d’ya do”? When people are introduced depending on where in the country you are. Full names are used when introducing someone and mentioning some information about them.
The new employee should know about communication style in the country. Individuals in the country can come across aggressive, self-interested, and rude to some foreigners. This is because the communication style in the country is influenced by the need to be clear, direct, open, and transparent about matters. The Americans see indirect or coded communications as confusing and unnecessary.
The new employee should know some habits considered as taboo in the country. Some taboos in the country when in public include spitting, swearing, and discussions about the right or wrong of abortion. The person should not assume he or she can smoke anywhere (Tripadvisor, 2018) . The discussions about race, religion, sex, or politics are also not discussed everywhere in the country.
The new employee should know that medical costs in the country are very expensive. Foreign visitors do not receive free medical care (Insurance, 2018) . Emergency room visits are not free either. People in the country pay for their own medical care either directly or through insurance.
The new employee should know about housing in the country. Individuals can choose where they want to live. Many people stay with their family members or friends when they first arrive while others move into their own housing. Most people spend about 25% of their income on housing.
The new employee should know about safety and security in the country. Individuals should be aware of their surroundings especially when traveling by airplane, trains, and buses because of terrorist threat (Uscis, 2018) . The person should call 911 for serious and life-threatening emergencies.
References
Guide, U. (2018). USA - Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. Retrieved from https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/usa-guide
Insurance, T. (2018). Things Foreign Visitors Need to Know Before Visiting the United States | TravelInsuranceReview.net. Retrieved from http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/tips-and-advice/travel-safety-tips/visiting-united-states/
Tripadvisor. (2018). United States: Customs, Habits, and Etiquette - TripAdvisor. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-c3541/United-States:Customs.Habits.And.Etiquette.html
Uscis. (2018). Welcome to the United States A Guide for New Immigrants. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf
