100 Questions And Answers About Americans

“One Hundred Questions and Answers About Americans” is part of the Michigan State University School of Journalism series in cultural competence. This guide to understanding Americans and American culture has sections on social behavior, education, race, religion, money, culture, health, food, family, relationships and language. It also includes a glossary of American slang and idioms. This guide is intended for anyone visiting, studying or planning on living in America. We began by asking international students for questions they had about America and Americans. We learned that perceptions of Americans are very different from one person or culture to the next. After whittling the questions down to 100 that we thought were best, we placed the questions into categories such as social behavior, education and race. We then researched the questions and consulted with experts. The result? This guide, which uses studies and surveys, generalities and ranges of possibilities to explain U.S. culture. Not all parts of the United States are alike — and neither are all Americans. There can be greater differences within one country than there are between two countries. Even brothers and sisters from the same family can be quite different. Questions include: How big is the United States? How does a typical college classroom function in the United States? Why is it acceptable for students to speak out and challenge professors? Is it emotionally hard for American families to send their children away to college? Is it financially hard for American families to send their children away to college? Why is racism such an issue in America? Americans seem to have many religions. What are the main ones? Why are Americans so fascinated with religion? How much do Americans work? Why don't Americans take more days off? Why are a lot of Americans so willing to work overtime? Is success at work important to Americans? Why do Americans eat so quickly? How often do Americans eat? Why are the meal portions so large? Are family members in America close? How much time do Americans spend with their families? Why is every person in a family treated like an individual? We then set out to answer those questions. Finally, we sorted the questions into chapters and asked members of the community to check our work. Individuals from several Michigan State University departments helped produce this guide. They include: Paulette Granberry Russell, senior advisor to the president for diversity, and director of the MSU Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, who proposed this subject, D. Venice Smith, consultant for multicultural issues, education and development, MSU Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, Peter Briggs, director of the MSU Office for International Students and Scholars, Joy Walter, international student advisor/community outreach coordinator, OISS, Bess Carey, MSU Office of Study Abroad, Kathy M. Collins, director of MSU Residence Education and Housing Services, Eduardo Olivo of the Residence Education Team, Lawrence Zwier, associate director of curriculum at the MSU English Language Center, Patricia Walters, associate director and student advisor at the MSU English Language Center, Geraldine Alumit Zeldes, associate professor, MSU School of Journalism, John Golaszewski, director, Business & Community Affairs at the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. The authors are MSU students Michelle Armstead, Gabrielle Austin, Celeste Bott, Marlee Delaney, Stephanie Dippoliti, Max Gun, Emily Jaslove, Aaron Jordan, Alexandra McNeill, Katherine Miller, Ashiyr Pierson, Marissa Russo, Merinda Valley, Jessica Warfield, Jasmine Watts and Danielle Woodward. This guide is published with John Hile of David Crumm Media, which publishes the Read the Spirit site. Joe Grimm is the series editor. He takes responsibility for any omissions, errors or oversights. Please direct questions and concerns to him at [email protected] ] Back cover text: [This cultural competence guide for international students attending U.S. colleges and universities was written by journalism students at Michigan State University. We interviewed students from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America and came up with 100 questions. Created for college and foreign exchange programs, the guide deals with U.S. social customs, race, religion, culture, health, food, relationships, dating, sex and language. It includes a glossary of American slang and phrases. This guide is intended to help international students pursuing a U.S. education to make American friends. We hope this cultural resource leads to greater understanding and face-to-face conversations that help you on your journey.

This simple, introductory guide answers 100 of the basic questions people ask about Arab Americans in everyday conversation. Most of the work was done in the Detroit area, home to the highest concentration of Arabs in the United States. Find answers about culture, customs, identity, language, religion, social norms, politics, education, work, families and food. This guide is for businesses, schools, churches, government, medicine, law enforcement, human resources and individuals.

“One Hundred Questions and Answers About Muslim Americans” is part of the Michigan State University School of Journalism series on cultural competence. This guide has sections culture, language, religions, social norms, politics, history, politics, families and food. The guide is intended for people in business, schools, places of worship, government, medicine, law enforcement, human resources and journalism—anywhere it is important to know more about communities. We intended this guide for individuals and for groups. Questions include: * How do I say “Muslim?” * What is the difference between Islam and Muslim? * Who is Allah? * Who is Muhammad? * How many Muslims are there around the world? * Where do most of the world’s Muslims live? * Are most Arabs in the world Muslim? * How many Muslims are there in the United States? * Are most Muslims in the United States immigrants? * What are the major countries of origin for American Muslims? * What are the fundamental components of Islam? * What is the Quran? * What is the Hadith? * What does Islam say about Jesus? * What does the Quran say about peace and violence? * How does one become Muslim? * What is the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims? * Which countries are predominantly Shia and Sunni? * Do Muslims believe in heaven and an afterlife? * Do Muslims believe that non-Muslims are going to hell? * How are Islam, Christianity and Judaism connected? * Is the Nation of Islam the same as Islam? * Does the Quran promote forced conversions? * When do Muslims pray? * Where and how do Muslims pray? * Why do Muslims pray facing Mecca? * What is the kaaba? * What is the meaning of the initials “P.B.U.H.?” * What is the call to prayer? * Are honor killings a part of Islamic teaching? * Why is Arabic dominant among Muslims? * Who is the leader of Islam? * Do people have a choice about being Muslim? * What does Islam say about images of God? * What should non-Muslims know about visiting a mosque? * Why are shoes not allowed in prayer areas? * What does halal mean? * Are halal and kosher foods the same? * Is it true Muslims are not allowed to eat with their left hand? * What is “the hand of Fatima?” * How long have Muslims been in America? * Where do Muslims in the U.S. live? * How many U.S. Muslims are converts? * How many mosques are in the United States? * Is Islam growing in the United States? * Are Muslim women free to make their own choices? * Why are males and females separated at the mosque? * Why do some Muslims decline to shake hands with people of the other sex? * What is the scarf that some Muslim women wear on their heads? * Do women who wear the hijab play sports or swim? * Does Islam condone female genital mutilation? * Does Islam have a position on gay and transgender people? * How do Muslim Americans align politically? * Who have been some famous Muslim politicians? * What is a fatwa? * What is Sharia? * How does the conflict over Palestine relate to Muslims? * What does jihad mean? * What does Islamist mean? * Do Muslims support terrorist groups? * How do Muslims worldwide feel about the United States? * What is the Muslim view of other religions? * What is Islamophobia? * Can Muslims date before marriage? * What happens if to Muslims who have sex before marriage? * Do Muslims have arranged marriages? * Can Shia and Sunni Muslims marry each other? * Can Muslim men marry more than one woman? * May a Muslim man marry relatives? * Are genders separated at Muslim weddings? * Can Muslims divorce? * Can divorced Muslim women remarry?

One Hundred Questions and Answers About Muslim Americans" is part of the Michigan State University School of Journalism series on cultural competence. This guide has sections culture, language, religions, social norms, politics, history, politics, families and food. The guide is intended for people in business, schools, places of worship, government, medicine, law enforcement, human resources and journalism-anywhere it is important to know more about communities. We intended this guide for individuals and for groups. Questions include: * How do I say "Muslim?" * What is the difference between Islam and Muslim? * Who is Allah? * Who is Muhammad? * How many Muslims are there around the world? * Where do most of the world's Muslims live? * Are most Arabs in the world Muslim? * How many Muslims are there in the United States? * Are most Muslims in the United States immigrants? * What are the major countries of origin for American Muslims? * What are the fundamental components of Islam? * What is the Quran? * What is the Hadith? * What does Islam say about Jesus? * What does the Quran say about peace and violence? * How does one become Muslim? * What is the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims? * Which countries are predominantly Shia and Sunni? * Do Muslims believe in heaven and an afterlife? * Do Muslims believe that non-Muslims are going to hell? * How are Islam, Christianity and Judaism connected? * Is the Nation of Islam the same as Islam? * Does the Quran promote forced conversions? * When do Muslims pray? * Where and how do Muslims pray? * Why do Muslims pray facing Mecca? * What is the kaaba? * What is the meaning of the initials "P.B.U.H.?" * What is the call to prayer? * Are honor killings a part of Islamic teaching? * Why is Arabic dominant among Muslims? * Who is the leader of Islam? * Do people have a choice about being Muslim? * What does Islam say about images of God? * What should non-Muslims know about visiting a mosque? * Why are shoes not allowed in prayer areas? * What does halal mean? * Are halal and kosher foods the same? * Is it true Muslims are not allowed to eat with their left hand? * What is "the hand of Fatima?" * How long have Muslims been in America? * Where do Muslims in the U.S. live? * How many U.S. Muslims are converts? * How many mosques are in the United States? * Is Islam growing in the United States? * Are Muslim women free to make their own choices? * Why are males and females separated at the mosque? * Why do some Muslims decline to shake hands with people of the other sex? * What is the scarf that some Muslim women wear on their heads? * Do women who wear the hijab play sports or swim? * Does Islam condone female genital mutilation? * Does Islam have a position on gay and transgender people? * How do Muslim Americans align politically? * Who have been some famous Muslim politicians? * What is a fatwa? * What is Sharia? * How does the conflict over Palestine relate to Muslims? * What does jihad mean? * What does Islamist mean? * Do Muslims support terrorist groups? * How do Muslims worldwide feel about the United States? * What is the Muslim view of other religions? * What is Islamophobia? * Can Muslims date before marriage? * What happens if to Muslims who have sex before marriage? * Do Muslims have arranged marriages? * Can Shia and Sunni Muslims marry each other? * Can Muslim men marry more than one woman? * May a Muslim man marry relatives? * Are genders separated at Muslim weddings? * Can Muslims divorce? * Can divorced Muslim women remarry?

This guide is part of a series in cultural competence published by the Michigan State University School of Journalism. It is descended from a guide for journalists funded in 2000 by Knight Ridder, Inc., and created by people at the Detroit Free Press and others. This guide has been updated, refocused and re-organized.

"This cultural competence guide answers 100 questions of American Indians. Stereotypes, biases and muths about Native Americans are widespread. This guide explains tribes and tribal sovereignty, Indian culture, reservations, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Native American history. [It] is published by the Native American Journalists Association as a Michigan State University School of Journalism guide to cultural competence." --P. [4] of cover.

This simple, introductory guide answers 100 of the basic questions people ask about African Americans and Blacks in everyday conversation. It has answers about identity, language, religion, culture, customs, social norms, economics, politics, education, work, families and food. It also covers contemporary issues of race, employment, criminal just, heath, wealth and housing. This guide is for people in business, education, religion, government, medicine, law enforcement and human resources who need a starting point in learning or teaching more about African Americans.

“One Hundred Questions and Answers About East Asian Cultures” is part of the Michigan State University School of Journalism series in cultural competence. This guide has sections on East Asian cultures, languages, religions, social norms, politics, history, politics, families and food. The guide is intended for people in business, schools, places of worship, government, medicine, law enforcement, human resources and journalism—anywhere it is important to know more about communities. We intended this guide for individuals and for groups. Questions include: What are major differences between East and Southeast Asia? Is it OK to ask Asians “where are you from?” What is the difference between South Korea and North Korea? What type of governments do East Asian countries have? What is the difference between China and Taiwan? Is Hong Kong different from China? Does one culture dominate East Asia? Do Asians value group success more than individual success? Is collective orientation related to “family honor” in Asian culture? What does it mean to “save face” or “lose face?” Why do some East Asians apologize so often? What is the humility or modesty value? What are Asian customs for bowing? What are gift-giving traditions in East Asia? Are East Asians generally more reserved than Americans? Why do some Asians take “American” names? Why is everyone named Lee or Kim? What is feng shui? Why do Chinese wear white or black at funerals but red at weddings? There's Japanese kendo and judo, Korean taekwondo, and Chinese kung fu and tai chi. Does Asian culture encourage fighting? What are major holidays for East Asians? How do Asians celebrate the Lunar New Year? What is the meaning of different animal years and the Chinese Zodiac? Are there beliefs about certain numbers in East Asia? What are manga and anime? What is Hello Kitty and what is “kawaii?” What is “hallyu,” or the Korean wave? Did karaoke begin in Asia? What is behind the emphasis on respect for elders? Do Asian parents try to control their children's lives? What is China’s “one-child policy?” Why do some East Asians value males more than females? Do East Asians get divorced and, if so, is it looked down upon? Is intermarriage discouraged? Does knowing one East Asian language make it easier to learn another? What are the major languages in China? Is it difficult for East Asians to learn English? Some East Asians seem to speak loudly and some seem quiet. Why? Why are Asians often quiet in meetings or social settings? What gives East Asian eyes their distinctive shape? Do all Asians have black hair and black pupils? Why is plastic surgery so popular in Korea? Can East Asians tell each other’s nationality on sight? Are Asians genetically smaller than Americans? Why do Asians come to America for college? Do Asians have to be rich to afford college in the United States? Are math and science emphasized in Chinese schools? Are Asians obsessed with grades? How do East Asian students in the United States afford expensive cars? Do Asians studying in the United States focus on medicine, engineering and business? What is the “model minority myth?” Do people from East Asia work long hours? Why do so many Asians in the United States work at nail salons? Do a lot of Asians run their own businesses in the United States? Does Asia have religious freedom? What religions are practiced in China? How is religion practiced in Japan? Are South and North Korea religiously similar? What is traditional Chinese medicine and does it work? What is the life expectancy in Asia? Is Asian food spicy? Is Chinese food in the United States like Chinese food in China? Do Chinese eat General Tso chicken in China? Do Japanese eat sushi every day? Why do some Asians eat food like chicken feet? Why do Asians eat so much rice? Why do some Asians decline dairy products? Are chopsticks used throughout Asia? Do some Asians still eat dog meat? Do some East Asians drink a lot of alcohol? This guide is published with John Hile of David Crumm Media, which publishes the Read the Spirit website.