Part of fitting in the United States is knowing a little bit about the customs and etiquette here. Below are some key things to know about our etiquette and slang.

Etiquette

When Americans greet each other, they are very casual, unless they’re addressing someone professionally. If it’s someone they’ve just met, a firm handshake, eye contact, a smile and a simple “Hello, nice to meet you” will suffice. If it’s someone they know, a handshake isn’t needed and sometimes with close friends a quick hug will be exchanged. Strangers in America will sometimes greet each other with a quick hello or something like “Hey, how’s it going?” Americans don’t typically shake hands when saying goodbye.

Titles and surnames are usually used unless told otherwise or the person was introduced by the first name or nickname. If business cards are exchanged, they are taken and placed straight in a wallet or pocket.

Americans are rather protective of their personal space. When having a conversation, roughly two to three feet of space is left between people.

Most Americans dress casually unless they work in an office or have a uniform. College students wear anything from their pajamas to business casual attire to class. If you have a presentation to give for class, business casual is usually required.

If you will be attending some sort of event, the dress code is usually announced if you are supposed to dress up, but business casual will suffice. There is a rule of thumb that says if you’re not sure of what to wear, dress nicer than you think you should.

Being on time, or even a little bit early, is a good habit to pick up. When going to a wedding, funeral, business meeting, work or class, it is imperative that you be on time. In fact, being five to 10 minutes early couldn’t hurt.

If someone invites you over for dinner, be on time for that as well, Refreshments and/or appetizers are sometimes served at the time you were asked to be there and dinner is then served 30 minutes later. When multiple utensils are provided at a place setting, work from the outside in. It doesn’t matter which hand you hold your fork in and some foods are eaten with your hands.

Putting your elbows on the table is frowned upon, but resting your forearms on the table is fine. As soon as you sit down, your napkin should go in your lap. When you’re finished eating, leave a small amount of food on your plate.

Slang

Although there are too many, or too vulgar, of terms to list, here are a few of the main ones you will hear around campus.

• All-nighter: Staying up all night. For example, many students will pull an all-nighter right before an exam.

• Back in the day: A phrase used to describe how things were when we were younger.

• Booze: Another name for alcohol.

• Broke: A person is broke when they have no money.

• Chillin’/hanging out: Relaxing or spending time with friends or by one’s self, not necessarily doing anything specific.

• Cool/awesome/sweet: Terms used to say something is nice or impressive.

• Creep: Someone who makes people uncomfortable or the act of making someone uncomfortable.

• Crash: Fall asleep somewhere.

• Dead/beat: Tired, exhausted.

• Ditch: To leave behind.

• Fall for: To believe something, be gullible.

• Gonna: Short for “going to.”

• Wanna: Short for “want to.”

• Gotta: Short for “got to.”

• Grub: Food. Most people will say something like “Wanna go grab some grub?” This means going to get food.

• Lame: The exact opposite of cool/awesome. Boring, stupid.

• Later: Short for “See you later.”

• Lemme: Short for “let me.”

• Piece of cake: Easy, not difficult.

• Puke/blow chunks/hurl: Vomit.

• Ride shotgun: Ride in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

• Screw up: To do something wrong or make a mistake.

• Snail mail: Postal service such as letters or packages, also known as United States Postal Service (USPS).

• Take off: To leave or take a vacation from work or school.

• Vet: This could mean either veteran (someone who served or is serving in the military) or veterinarian (an animal doctor).

• Wasted/trashed: Drunk, inebriated.

Ames-specific slang

• B-Dubs: Buffalo Wild Wings.

• UDCC: Union Drive Community Center.

• MU: Memorial Union.

• Mole Bio: Molecular Biology.

• UP: University Plains (an apartment complex located in West Ames).

• MWL: Maple Willow Larch residence halls.

• Towers: Wallace and Wilson residence halls.