I'd like to end by making a few observations about culture and cross cultural differences.
The first step to understanding another culture is understanding your own.
To more you understand your own culture, the better you'll be able to get to know other cultures.
Whenever you are dealing with someone from another culture - whether American culture or any other culture - be curious, and also be patient.
When you run into a situation where you feel uncomfortable, either from something you or the other person did or said, be curious about it, and perhaps reflect on it later. And be patient. Patience will allow you the time to figure out what is really going on.
Patience will also help you to discover more about the other culture - whether that is American culture or anouther culture - and more about your own.
