2) Each must rely on themselves, otherwise they risk to lose their freedom.

3) They must come to both financial and emotional independence from their parents as early as possible, usually by the age of 18—21=> self-reliance (уверенность в себе) is one of the traits and moral values supposed to be obligatory to a true American => The favorite sayings of the Americans are: "Life is what you make it", "Actions speak louder than words" and "Pull yourself by the bootstraps" (Пробивай себе дорогу без чьей-либо помощи).

4) Another national value = confident and unaffected (простые, подлинные) manners. It's the old belief that everyone in America has equal opportunity to succeed, an equal chance to success. This value is supposed to have been particularly true at the times of settlers' moving west to make a new beginning. The differences in wealth between rich and poor were little at that time, so one's fortune depended only on one's industry. And if everybody had chance to better his living conditions, then everybody's duty was to try, which led to the overall competition with one another.

5) Now people who compete successfully are honored and called "winners". Those who do not like to compete and are failures are dishonored and called "loosers". Most of Americans believe that competition and desire to win are healthy and desirable.

6) The Americans are optimistic. This trait proceeded from a "can-do" spirit of earlier settlers which had to be inventive experimenters and had come to believe that every problem has a solution: a difficult problem can be solved immediately; an impossible one may take a little longer.

7) Another important value of the Americans is material wealth. Most Americans believe that wealth is a reward for hard work and that it is possible to have a good standard of living if a person works hard. The great American dream "from rags to riches" is still alive by far. It goes on attracting immigrants from all over the world.

American society seems to be much more informal than the British and, in some ways, is characterized by less social distinction. Students do not rise when a teacher enters the room. One does not always address a person by his title, such as "Major" or "General" or "Doctor" in the case of a holder of a Doctor of Philosophy degree. However, it is best to use a person's title when first meeting him/her, and then allow the person to tell you how he/she wishes to be called.

They use first names when calling each other, slap on the back, joke and are much freer in their speech, which is slangier than the conventional British English. You will often hear the word "Hi" (a form of greeting among friends) used instead of the usual "Hello," and "Howdy" instead of "How do you do?" Those who don't easily show these signs of friendship are called "snooty" or "snobbish." In contrast, people who show such simple signs of friendship, particularly to their own economic and social inferiors, are praised as "regular guys," or as "truly democratic."

Yet, in spite of all the informality, Americans, even in the way they address each other, show consciousness of social distinction. For example, one is likely to use somewhat more formal language when talking to superiors. While the informal "Hello" is an acceptable greeting from employee to employer, the employee is more apt to say "Hello, Mr. Ferguson," while the employer may reply "Hello, Jim."

Билет 15. Holidays. Traditions and customs

Independence Day-Commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the American colonies from the British crown; having picnics and fireworks to celebrate the day of legislative confirmation of the Stateness (July 4), national holiday

Thanksgiving Day-Commemorating colonial celebrations following successful harvests: eating roast turkey for traditional dinner in a family circle (November, fourth Thursday), national holiday

Presidential Inauguration Day State ceremonial event (January 20 - every 4th year)

President's Day Commemorating Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday (February, third Monday), national holiday

M.L.King,Jr. DayCommemorating this civil rights movement leader and public figure (January, third Monday), national holiday

Memorial Day Honoring the servicemen who gave their lives in past wars /first held in 1868, was called 'Decoration Day'/ (May, last Monday), national holiday

Veterans' Day Marked the end of WWI (1918) /called 'Armistice Day'/. Commemorates those who gave their lives for their country (November 11), national holiday

Flag Day Commemorating the formal approval by the Continental Congress (1777) of the first National flag, called Stars and Stripes / also called old glory, or star-spangled banner (June 14

Christmas Day national holiday Decorating the house and Christmas tree, exchanging presents (December 25), + Санта Клаус приходит + decore their houses

Easter Sunday Decoration of eggs and eating candy chocolate eggs (no fixed day, falling between March and 25 April)

Labor Day Celebrating the end of summer with its vacations and the beginning of autumn (September, first Monday), national holiday

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Remaining awake until after midnight to watch the New Year in

Columbus Day Celebrating the discovery of America

Arbor Day Earth Day in early spring for planting trees

Valentine's Day Sending cards with red hearts, words of love (February 14)

Saint Patrick's Day The Day of the Patron Saint of Ireland (March 17), brought to America by the immigrants from Ireland

Mother’s Day The second Sunday in May when people traditionally give or send cards and presents to

their mothers

Father’s day The third Sunday in June, when presents are traditionally given by children to their fathers

Halloween Dressing as witches, ghosts, monsters, etc