its been about 4 and half month being here, but still lot to be understood about american people and american "culture". being from the land of culture and traditions, India, I find it difficult to identify what exactly can be called an "american culture". but, i am trying. one thin, of course, is clear by now. these guys are lot abrupt and blunt and straight forward in matter of business. like they will directly say to do this and that. when one person asked me for a cup of coffee, i refused, though wanted him to ask again and accept it. if u r indian then u know what i am talking about. if u are not, or from american kind of culture you would think that it is fussy. i accept. indian culture has too much modelity like u don't mean what u say. thats why i liked that an american recited his experience about india. when u have to give gifts to someone in india, u offer a gift to them. but they should/will not accept it. then u offer again. they will refuse again. u keep on insisting (about 3-4 times) and at the end they will accept it. kind of funny. isn't it. if u want it take it at first offer, but if u don't want why do u take later ???. but thats how we indians are.
nevertheless, americans are equal to us when it comes to courtesies. indians are short and sweet in courtesies - which will seem uncourteous to an american. and becose of this, it is really very difficult to tell you when an american is being friendly and when he/she is just being courteous. they will all talk loads of "thanks","my pleasure","glad to meet you" kind of stuff - without meaning anything. in these case what they say is not what they mean. they will talk sweet but who knows whats they think of you. anyhow, things go on.