America has always been a wonderful opportunity for many in the ex-pat community. Its booming economy, relatively high wages, and cost of living, depending on the state you want to work in can be an excellent career opportunity. Additionally, American work ethics and ethos can appear very liberating and attractive for expatriates as American companies, but whilst it leads to exciting opportunities, it can also meet many expatriates feeling unnecessary, uncomfortable, and increasingly questioning themselves as they struggle to understand the American business culture which can be vastly different to work cultures in Europe and Asia (Smith & Joseph, 2010). This highlights no matter how proficient or fluent they are in English, they need to be able to use their language skills to communicate effectively in the workplace, which is reciprocal to American culture and also an appropriate use of the language. Working in Japan, England, Greece, and Korea will be very different from how you work in America. Thus, it is important to be able to know the language and communicate effectively. Here are a few tips and tricks that may help you prepare yourself if you are thinking of indulging in the American work culture. 

Tip #1

It is important to remember that Americans’ communication style is direct and straight to the point. It is important to note that Americans are efficient in the work environment and therefore prefer to be straightforward within their work community instead of floating around the topic (Raz, 2020). Expressions of one’s true feelings on a topic are encouraged instead of withholding emotions on a certain work topic. While we mean to be direct, we do not want to be perceived as rude, as a fine line comes between the two (Raz, 2020). Thus, for example, if someone states an opinion and you do not like it, directly criticizing them will not come off well. Instead, you can voice your opinion, “I hear you out completely, and I see why you have come to this conclusion, but I just think we could benefit more from marketing as it will promote our sales more,” instead of “I think your idea is terrible.” Thus, it is also about negotiating, being open, and a win-win approach for everyone.

Tip #2

Americans like colleagues to be friendly, relatable, and approachable (Raz, 2020). You may notice a tendency to smile more often than in other cultures. Smiling back would be necessary in order not to be perceived as cold. Now whilst Americans are very friendly concerning body language, there is a “noncontact culture.” Americans consider their personal space very important. Whilst it may be typical to cross kiss on the cheek of your colleagues in Greece, this would be perceived as bizarre in America. Thus, be mindful of personal space, do not stand too close when speaking, and minimize gestures like hugging, touching, or a kiss on the cheek, as it would be considered highly inappropriate in the American work culture.

Tip #3

When meeting colleagues or clients, it is polite to have firm handshakes, direct eye contact, and, as mentioned previously, smiling (Sheumaker & Wajda, 2008). Regardless of someone’s age, gender, or hierarchy within the company, this is perceived as normative. Additionally, it is very typical to refer to superiors by first names rather than surnames, as it is considered disingenuous (Chung, Heejung; Van der Lippe,2020). Keeping your language more colloquial than formal is much more preferred. Thus avoiding calling someone “Boss” and “Sir” would be ideal. If you worked in a traditional company where seniority is taken into consideration, this may seem strange, but it will seem even stranger within an American work culture to be excessively formal. Additionally, greeting your colleagues with “how are you?” is a standard greeting, and although this seems strange to many ex-pats, answering in an upbeat manner, whether or not you actually feel it or not is the most appropriate response.

Tip #4

In Europe and Asia, there may be the pressure that the work culture is “a lot like family,” this is not the case for the American work culture, who prides itself on independence (Chung, Heejung; Van der Lippe,2020). Thus, your company is not your family, and freedom is encouraged after you have clocked out of work. It may be typical in other work cultures to feel pressured to go to after-work socials, events, and dinners, but in the American work culture, this is not promoted, and autonomy is rather encouraged (Chung, Heejung; Van der Lippe, 2020).

Tip #5

Meetings are an important aspect of the workplace (Sheumaker & Wajda, 2008). These meetings are not necessarily done for big decision making, unlike in other settings in Europe and Asia but are most important for everyone within the workplace to be able to voice their opinion. Subsequently, you will find yourself in many meetings (Chung, Heejung; Van der Lippe,2020). What is important is that you maintain good listening skills within these meetings and voice your opinion. If you do not understand something, ask for clarification. Also, as mentioned previously, give clear and direct answers and respond with a clear “yes” or a clear “no.” Nodding your head from side to side or engaging in other non-verbal communication will be considered confusing, and you will not be perceived as a team player participating in the meeting.

Tip #6

Although Americans are extremely friendly and approachable, making anybody feel at ease to open up about anything, and small talk to other work cultures can be misconstrued as a “free pass” to all conversational topics, there are some topics that are not approachable (Sheumaker & Wajda, 2008). These are income, age, politics, and religion, as they are generally considered taboo in American workplaces. Instead, you can go up to more broad topics such as hobbies, entertainment, sports, and other activities which do not touch the topics that may cause disgruntled colleagues, who may think you are giving a forceful opinion. After all, America is the land of free thought.

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Used sources:

Chung, Heejung; Van der Lippe, Tanja (2020). “Flexible Working, Work–Life Balance, and Gender Equality: Introduction”. Social Indicators Research. 151 (2): 365–381. doi:10.1007/s11205-018-2025-x. 

Moving to America made easy. (n.d.). Moving To America Made Easy. https://movingtoamericamadeeasy.com/how-americans-do-business/?cid=PPG0046577&SearchEngine=GOOGLE&Keyword=us+corporate+culture&MatchType=e&AdID=43700055127578224&gclid=CjwKCAjw-L-ZBhB4EiwA76YzOQ4rjkfAjBfbfa8YrwdfW4Vm3ZqZZ4k-bHv3nap0EBKgVf-hTtTDYhoCaLUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Raz, A. E. (2020). Emotions at work: Normative control, organizations, and culture in Japan and America. BRILL.

Schein, Edgar H. (1990). “Organizational culture”. American Psychologist. 45 (2): 109–119. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.45.2.109

Sheumaker, H., & Wajda, S. T. (2008). Material culture in America: Understanding everyday life. ABC-CLIO.

Witt Smith, J. and Joseph, S.E. (2010), “Workplace challenges in corporate America: differences in black and white”, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 29 No. 8, pp. 743-765. https://doi.org/10.1108/02610151011089500