When studying in the United States, in addition to improving your writing skills, it is very necessary to communicate with professors about study progress or solve problems through email. If you don't pay attention to etiquette, you will make a joke. Below are the precautions I share when sending emails to professors while studying in the United States. Let’s take a look.

Things to note when sending emails to professors when studying in the United States

In the United States, apart from face-to-face communication in class, the most common way for students and professors to communicate is through email. However, in the United States Do you know the email etiquette of the university? It is not difficult to say. Master these 17 things to note so that you will never make a fool of yourself in email exchanges with professors.

1. Emails are permanent.

Once you send it out, it's impossible to take it back. Once the professor receives the email, he or she controls its fate, either saving it or forwarding it to a colleague for a laugh, which is the worst case scenario—at your own risk.

2. The email should be sent to the email address you were informed of.

Check, check again to see if the address in the "Send to" column is correct. Just because your mother and your professor are both named "Lynn", there's no reason to send all your love to Professor Lynn.

3. Professors may not use the university’s messy email system.

So send the email to their actual email address, not the email address listed in the college address book. Check their personal summary or assignment sheet for clues.

4. The professor may not open an email sent from luckydogpig.

They prefer to open email addresses from more famous ones, and school email addresses are the best.

5. The subject column should be closely related to the topic.

There should be a brief explanation of the email in the subject line. Never include requirements such as "Urgent request - please respond immediately", you can be sure that your request will be treated like garbage.

6. Title is very important.

The safest way to start is with "Dear Professor ×××". That way you won't have to think twice about whether the professor has a PhD or something, and you won't sound sexist when you call your female professor "Ms" or "Mrs."

7. Clear and concise is best.

Your professor will receive 25-30 emails a day, so it is best if your questions are concise and clear. It is generally better to list the questions one by one. If your problem is very detailed or multi-faceted, it is best to meet during the professor's office hours so that the professor can help you solve the problem more effectively.

8. The professor must be informed that the email has been received.

If your professor deigns to give you an answer or send you information you need, be sure to tell him that you have received it. That way, the next time they see you in class, they'll know you're a good student.

9. This is not a shouting argument.

Don’t write your email in all capital letters, as this is a way to express anger or other strong feelings in an email. No one likes shouting.

10. No one really likes emojis and smileys. real.

11. This is not Facebook.

The emails you write to professors should not be like the messages you leave on your friend's message board.

Important: Never joke with your professor, no matter how ridiculous it is.

12. This is not school humor.

Don’t just talk about the following things: your paper is difficult to write, your “terrible” teaching assistant doesn’t even teach you what you want to know, or your midterm exam [Weibo] I got a terrible score.

13. This is not a comment on your professor.

No professor wants to hear you comment on their class performance, so save your comments for the final evaluation, where you can gush about your opinion of the teacher anonymously.

14. Spelling mistakes can make you look like a fool.

So always use spell check and proofread your emails twice.

15. The last signature is very important.

End each email by thanking the professor for taking the time to help you, and end with "Best Wishes, Regards." Or other relevant formal language, but in a friendly tone. Then sign it with your full name, not a nickname like Ry-Ry or Biff.

16. Your professor doesn’t want to hear your philosophy of life.

Do not cite religious or political views at the end of your email. You never know if this might offend your professor.

17. Don’t be too diligent.

It’s important to be polite and friendly in your emails, but do so in moderation and not in a way that comes across as flattery.

What issues should be paid attention to when interacting with Americans?

More than 80% of Americans are descendants of European immigrants, and there are about 1 million Chinese. 50% of the residents are Christian and Catholic, and the rest are Jewish and Orthodox.

Americans are generally cheerful, sociable and informal. It is not necessary to shake hands when you first meet. Sometimes it is polite to just smile and say "Hi" or "Hello". When shaking hands, it is customary to hold the hand tightly, look directly at the other person, and bow slightly, thinking that this is polite behavior. Americans generally like to be polite when shaking hands with women. When saying goodbye, I just wave to everyone or say "goodbye" or "see you tomorrow". But if others salute them, they also use corresponding etiquette, such as shaking hands, nodding, hugging, paying attention, etc. In the United States, if a guest comes to visit at night, it is considered impolite for the host to wear pajamas to receive the guest; when you are invited to an old friend's house, you should prepare small gifts; when you are a guest at a friend's house, you must obtain the host's permission to make long-distance calls. When leaving, leave the phone bill behind.

In the United States, if you want to visit someone’s home, you must make an appointment by phone first; business cards are generally not given to others, only given when both parties want to keep in touch; if you want to smoke in front of Americans, you must Ask the other person if they mind, don't do whatever you want.

They are generally happy to entertain guests at their own homes, but are not used to entertaining guests in restaurants. Don't like steamed and stewed dishes. I don’t like overcooked or overheated dishes, I like less salt, avoid salty taste, and prefer a slightly sweet taste. Like to drink Coca-Cola, beer, ice water, mineral water, whiskey, brandy, etc. I don't like people leaving food on their plates. I think it's rude. I like Chinese Jiangsu cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, and Cantonese cuisine.

Prefer white as it is a symbol of purity; prefer yellow as a symbol of harmony; like blue and red as a symbol of good luck. They like white cats and think white cats can bring luck to people.

Americans are disgusted by looking away when shaking hands. Consider this a sign of arrogance and impoliteness. It is taboo to give perfume, clothing and cosmetics to women. American women have the habit of putting on makeup, so they do not welcome service staff to give them scented towels to wipe their faces.

Never call black people "Negro" in the United States. It is better to use the word "Black". Black people will accept this title calmly. Because Negro mainly refers to black people who were trafficked from Africa to the United States as slaves. This is true when talking to white people, and it is even more true when talking to black people. Otherwise, the black man will feel contempt for him.

It is taboo for others to stick out their tongues at him. This behavior is considered insulting. They hate bats and consider them a symbol of vampires and evil spirits. The numbers "13", "Friday" and other days are taboo. It is taboo to ask about personal income and property, and it is taboo to ask women about private matters such as whether they are married, their age, and the price of clothing. Avoid black. Black is believed to be a symbol of solemnity and a funeral color. Especially avoid giving cheap gifts with your company logo on them.

Because this is suspected of being obliged to advertise.

Eight things you should pay attention to when studying in the United States

1. Pay attention to your distance when talking while studying in the United States

Keep physical distance between each other when talking to Americans. distance, half a meter is more appropriate. When you are chatting with an American, if he keeps moving forward, you may be a little far away from him; if he keeps moving back, you may be too close to him, so keep an appropriate distance.

2. Don’t say hello loudly when you are studying in the United States

Experts on studying in the United States said that when Chinese people meet acquaintances, they say hello loudly to show their enthusiasm, while in public places in the United States, It is relatively quiet, people speak very softly, and generally do not shout unless there is an emergency. When I see an acquaintance, I say hello only when I approach.

3. Maintain eye contact when talking about studying and living in the United States.

When talking to Americans, maintain eye contact. Wandering eyes or looking elsewhere can give Americans the impression of being untrustworthy and arrogant. Therefore, it is important to maintain smiling eye contact when dealing with Americans. If a stranger walks up to you and smiles at you, and you smile back at him, he will say "hello" to you. This is just a courtesy and does not mean that he will stop and talk to you.

4. Don’t joke with them casually when studying in the United States.

Some Chinese students sometimes tell one or two white lies or make jokes. Everyone thinks these are normal. However, in the United States, if you lie to him or joke about his dishonesty, these words will make Americans unhappy, because the United States is a nation that values ??credibility, and their economic and social status are based on personal credibility. Can't stand others not being trustworthy.

5. Same-sex behavior should not be too intimate when studying and living in the United States.

In the United States, same-sex couples cannot dance together. This is one of the recognized social etiquette. Similarly, walking on the street and hugging each other will be considered homosexual. Therefore, physical contact between same-sex friends should be kept within a moderate range.

6. Don’t touch children casually when studying in the United States

When Chinese people see a child they like, they like to touch their face or pull their little hands to express their love for the child, but in the United States, People think this is very rude. Experts studying in the United States said that even their dogs don’t like being touched or fed casually by others, which will cause dissatisfaction among Americans.

7. The "Etiquette" of Visiting

When visiting an American, you must take off your hat, coat, and sunglasses when entering the door; you should greet the hostess first when entering the door. , greet the host again. When there are many guests, you can only shake hands with the host and acquaintances, and just nod to others. When you are a guest, you are not allowed to flip through the host's things and caress the furnishings, and you are not allowed to inquire about the price of the furnishings.

8. Women studying and living in the United States should not wear makeup in public

Americans have a problem with women who wear heavy makeup when going out in public places, or who touch up their makeup in public. To a certain extent, they will think that such women lack education and their identity is questionable. Moreover, in the United States, it is best for women not to wear black clothes, because Americans believe that black is a symbol of solemnity and a color used for funerals, so black is taboo.