Must read before going to USA-2

6. Mind your language
For successful conversation, in the US , it is advisable that you speak slowly and pronounce properly. Well, the first part you really need to practice otherwise what you will hear from the person opposite is "pardon me", "come again", "I am sorry", "I didn't get you". e.g. The changes in pronunciation are like 'schedule' pronounced as 'skedule', 'route' pronounced 'raut' etc. Also some words are totally substituted like 'petrol' by 'gas'. Here is a table from Gary Nobel of HP SanDiego, which he created when he traveled in India . Thanks to him. The dictionary is very remarkable.

The following is a simple dictionary for translating between American
English and Indian English. This dictionary should be useful for the newcomer to either the U.S. or India . The words are in no particular order. Suggestions for additions are gladly taken at garyn@sdd.hp.com. Gary Nobel 8/20/92
INDIAN ENGLISH
AMERICAN ENGLISH

Food Related
Coriander
Cilantro
Cold drink
Soda pop
Curd
Yogurt
Cafe ("kayf")
Cafe ("kaf-ay'")
Nes-coffee
Instant coffee
Filter coffee
Brewed coffee
Milk powder
Cream
French beans
Snow peas
Hotel
Restaurant
Jelly
Gelatin
Garam masalla
Curry
Lady fingers
Okra
Small pastries
Lady fingers
Toffee
Hard candy
Brinjal
Eggplant
Biscuit
Cookies/ Wafers
Bun
Biscuit
(Potato) Wafers
(Potato) chips
Finger chips
French fries
Groundnuts
Peanuts

INDIAN ENGLISH
AMERICAN ENGLISH

Education Related
Public school
Private school (tuition charged)
Private school
Public school (free)
School
High school
College
School
University
School
High school
School/Junior High
Take a class
Teach a class
Be a student
Take a class
2nd standard
2nd grade
High marks
Good grades
Invigilator
Proctor
Canteen
Cafeteria

Clothes
Windcheater
Windbreaker
Vest
Undershirt
Waistcoat
Vest
Half-pant
Shorts
Purse
Wallet
Swim trunks
Swim suit
Swim costume
Swim suit

Transportation Related
Traffic signal
Traffic light
Boot, dikky
Trunk of a car
Bonnet
Hood of a car
Petrol pump
Gas station
Petrol
Gas
Diesel
Fuel
Pavement
Sidewalk
Footpath
Sidewalk
Zebra Crossing
Crosswalk
Take a lift
Get a ride
Motorcycle
Motorbike
Cycle
Bike
INDIAN ENGLISH
AMERICAN ENGLISH

Other
Football
Soccer
American football
(rugby?) Football
Solid
Substantial
Ltd.
Inc.
Transistor
Radio
Two-in-One
Boom box
Goggles
Sunglasses
Cooling glass
Sunglasses
Toilet
Restroom
Guest house
Motel
Current
Electricity
$20 Note
$20 Bill
Cell
Battery
Torch
Flashlight
Rubber
Eraser
Snap
Picture
Photograph
Picture
Mixee (?sp)
Mixer
Dustbin
Trash can
Beggar
Panhandler
IBM-Compatible
IBM-Clone
Inflammable
Flammable
Mess
Dorm cafeteria
Hotel
Restaurant
Restaurant bill
Restaurant check
Picture
Movie
Talkies
Movies
Lift
Elevator
To fix
To install
To repair
To fix
Pram
Stroller

Idioms
To post (a letter)
To mail (a letter)
To submit
To turn in
To be out of station
To be out of town
A place to park
Driveway
A place to drive
Parkway
Straight-away
Right away
Anticlockwise
Counterclockwise
Bunk school
Skip class
Passed out
Graduated
Fainted
Passed out
Ring up (someone)
Call up (someone)
The line is engaged
It's busy / I got a busy tone
Push the accelerator
Step on the gas
Give the car some race
Speed up the car
Get down (from a bus)
Get off (of a bus)
Let's push off
Let's go
Let's make a move
Let's go
Convince someone
Talk someone into
Black money
Tax free, undeclared income
Standing from a constituency
Running for an election
Issue a book (from the library)
Checkout a book (from the library)
How are you?
How are you doing?
How is everything?
How is it going?
Intimate
Inform
(Very Close Relations)
(Intimate Relations)
Too good
Cool


7. The Anti-Universe phenomenon
When you come to the U.S. you will notice the opposite everywhere. You will get the feeling "These guys are crazy" .....almost everything you try to do will fail even if it is a small thing like switching ON the lamp !!!!"
This is just to make you get a hang of it. The cars are driven on the right hand side instead of left hand side of the road. So you should look left first while crossing roads :-). You may have to insert the key upside down and rotate it in the opposite direction to unlock. You will also notice that switches work in opposite direction i.e. UP is ON and DOWN is OFF :-).
The date is written with the month first, then day, followed by the year.
As one of our American colleague pointed out jokingly, "its logical, if you see that India is exactly opposite in location on the globe, to U.S. !!!"


8. FOOD, I'm hungry
Of course you must be hungry, when you arrive. God knows what you ate on the plane. You don't remember the neither item's name nor its contents. It may be one of the weirdest things you ever had for dinner or lunch. So you must be apprehensive about what you will get for lunch or dinner. The best thing you can try is PIZZA, which is pronounced as "PiTza".
You get both Veg. and NonVeg Pizzas. But to be on the safer side order a Veg. Pizza that way you won't be left hungry at least. Order a small pizza if you are alone or a medium size is enough for two or three (well it depends on your appetite actually). You can order pizza by phone and it will be delivered at your doorstep in a few minutes. Refer to the yellow pages or consult the motel receptionist you are staying in, for information.
For breakfast, have 'Continental breakfast' which is cheap and the best. To be sure about Veg. items, always ask for items with "NO MEAT" rather than "WITHOUT MEAT". Be sure to say "NO ICE" if you prefer to have your drink without ice. And remember that a CHEESEBURGER is a misnomer. It contains meat besides cheese, so be careful!
Here is a guide for Vegetarian Dishes:0
Mexican : Bean Buritto, Enchiladas, Bean Taco, Cheese Taco, Bean Tostadas, And Mexican Pizza
Italian or Greek : Eggplant (brinjal) sandwich, Spaghetti with tomato sauce, Lasagna (pronounced Laza-nya), Italian Pitza, Italian Pasta with tomato sauce, Falafal, Veg. Gyro (pronounced Yero).
Denny's : Vegetable omelette (with eggs)Vegetable lunch/dinner (salad, potato smash, garlic sauce) Broccoli soup
American Restaurants (Sizzler, Olive Garden) : Best bet is salad bar & French fries
McDonald's : Mac cheese sandwich, Milk shakes, ice-cream sundaes
Pizza Hut : Veggie Lover's delight, Veggie pizza with a choice of toppings such as Jalapenos (pronounced Hala-pin-yose and are green chilies), pineapple, tomato, onions etc.
Burger King : Vege cheese whooper, Garden burger


9. Office and the Work Environment
Before you start your first day, get a hang of how the work environment is at the client's place from any PCS person there or read on for some typical environments you may find.
- Project Leaders are very understanding and friendly. And do not unduly pressurize you to perform. They will definitely give you some time to come up to speed on their work environment.
- There is a lot of individualistic approach. Every person's inputs are given a lot of importance. Independent views are respected. Before discarding any of your ideas, they will give you a good enough reason for doing so.
- For the smallest of decisions they will sometimes hold a meeting and get the entire team's inputs/comments/suggestions before proceeding. One feels important when this is done. But sometimes it can get boring.
- Nobody double-checks what you are saying, they take you for your word.
- There are no suspicious feelings and managers don't fear subordinates.
- Managers will openly discuss about their meetings with "their" bosses, with the team. There is no hide and seek as far as information/feedback is concerned.
- People admit if they don't know or have information about certain things. They don't pretend to be all knowing.
- People are dedicated to their area of work and develop expertise in it. But they do not talk about work related topics, which are not in their area of expertise, they immediately refer you to the right person.
- People enjoy their work and leisure. They plan their weekends well in advance. Very few people stay back late in the office or come and work during weekends. Such things are not related to performance. As long as you do your work well and within time, nobody cares what else you do and when.
- Most companies allow you to compensate by working during the weekend if you take an 'off' from work on a regular weekday.
- The work hours in most companies are flexible. Come anytime and go anytime but you do need to put in a minimum of 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week as contractors.
- Regular time sheets "may" have to be filled, in some companies.


10. Americans and their Behavior
It’s helpful to know how Americans typically will be. Otherwise you will start feeling "These people are great dramatists... ". Here are some tips:-
- Americans are very friendly and helpful.
- They don't make you feel like a foreigner. (Though you feel!)
- It is very easy to adjust with them. But they don't like people getting very inquisitive or trying to get too personal in the initial phase of the acquaintance.
- They dress casually and nobody bothers which dress you wear etc.
- They are fun loving creatures and enjoy their free time. Most of them like to keep themselves physically fit by regular outings, hiking, exercise, biking, jogging etc. They love the outdoors and natural surroundings. They look forward to weekends and plan their weekend activities in advance. This usually consists of some outdoor activity.
- They are frank about their opinions.
- They respect individual views and allow everyone to voice their own ideas on a subject.
- They have a lot of patience. Especially when standing in queues or while driving, nobody will try to jump before you in the queue. Most of them are very disciplined drivers. However this differs from State to State.
- If they happen to come in your way or you happen to come in their way, you will promptly hear an "Excuse me" or "Excuse us".
- They need a lot of feedback while talking. You have to acknowledge/nod continuously. Otherwise they feel you are not interested in listening or are confused.
- They gesture a lot and shoot some funny (at least so it seems initially) phrases at you. It is a matter of "getting used to it".
- They are "very" proud of their country. To them, the Universe is the United States . So never ever make fun of or speak lightly about them or tell them that they do not have any social/cultural background. You will make more American friends that way.