GETTING TO KNOW YOUR HOST CULTURE
How many of the following questions can you answer about the United States? This information
is a good way to become familiar with the culture, and talking with members of that culture is a
great way to practice your English.
1. How many well-known Americans can you name, and what are they well known
for?
2. Who are some of the national heroes and heroines of the United States? What are
they famous for?
3. What is the predominant religion? It is supported by the state? Have you read any of
its sacred writing?
4. What are the most important religious observances and ceremonies? Do most people
participate in them regularly?
5. How do members of the predominant religion feel about other religions?
6. What are the most common forms of marriage ceremonies and celebrations?
7. What is the culture’s attitude toward divorce? extra-marital relations? plural
marriage?
8. Is the price asked for merchandise fixed, or are customers expected to bargain? How
is the bargaining conducted?
9. If, as a customer, you touch or handle the merchandise, will the shopkeeper think
you are knowledgeable, inconsiderate, within your rights, completely outside your
rights? Other?
10. How do people organize their daily activities? What is the normal meal schedule? Is
there a daytime rest period? What is the customary time for visiting friends?
11. What foods are most popular, and how are they prepared?
12. What is the culture’s attitude toward drinking alcohol? Are there restrictions on the
sale of alcohol based on age?
13. What things or behaviors are taboo in this society?
14. What are the special privileges of age and/or sex?
15. If you are invited to dinner, should you arrive early? on time? late? If late, how late?
16. On what occasions would you present (or accept) gifts from people in the country?
What kinds of gifts are appropriate to exchange?
17. Do some flowers have a particular significance?
18. How do people greet each other? Do they shake hands? embrace or kiss? How to
they take their leave from each other? What does any variation from the usual
greeting or leave-taking signify?
19. If you are invited to a party, would you expect to find among the guests: foreign
business people? men only? men and women?
20. What are some of the games that children play? Where do children get together?
21. How are children disciplined at home?
22. Are children usually present at social occasions? at ceremonial occasions? If they are
not present, how are they cared for in the absence of their parents?
23. How does this culture observe children’s “coming of age”?
24. What kinds of health services are available? Where are they located?
25. What are the common home remedies for minor ailments? Where can medicines be
purchased? Is a prescription required to purchase medicines?
26.
27.
28.
29.
Is education free? Is it compulsory?
In schools, are children separated by race? by sex? by social class?
What kinds of school are considered best: public, private, or parochial?
In schools, how important is learning by memorization? How important is learning
theories and models? How important is learning by application?
30. How are children disciplined in school?
31. Where are the important universities of the country? If university education is sought
outside the country, to what countries and universities do students want to go?
32. What percentage of the population is illiterate? What percentage of students
complete high school? What percentage of the population has at least a bacherlor’s
degree from a university?
Adapted from “Let’s Play Fifty Questions,” L. Robert Kohls,
Survival Kit for Overseas Living, 2nd ed. (Intercultural Press, 1984), pp. 47-50.