The informality of American culture permeates verbal and nonverbal interactions. Casual conversation ("small talk") ranges from weather to sports, jobs or friends to past experiences. Students spend a lot of time talking about classes, professors, and homework, as well as social activities. Topics Americans are less likely to bring up casually include religion, salary and politics. Unique to city living is the casualness with which personal expenses, such as apartment rent, may be broached.

During the flow of a normal conversation, Americans usually take turns speaking, that is, no one speaks for a prolonged uninterrupted period of time. Americans prefer to avoid arguments and long periods of silence.

When talking to someone, Americans alternate between looking briefly into the listener's eyes and looking slightly away. When they are listening to another person, they look almost constantly at the speaker's eyes. Americans tend to distrust people who do not look into their eyes while talking to them.

Keep in mind that Americans are literal, demonstrated by such expressions as: "Just say no," "What part of 'no' don't you understand?" and "Say what you mean and mean what you say."

Nonverbal communication is secondary among Americans. Do not expect an American to understand unspoken cues that are recognizable and frequently used in your culture.

As is true with people throughout the world, Americans have developed certain peculiarities in their everyday language. Some words are unique to a certain group of people - before long you will find yourself using "NYU speak." One of the problems with a slang listing is that expressions tend to change quickly and become outdated. Also, many of these slang expressions are not appropriate for all situations. Exercise caution when using slang, and try to learn when it should or should not be used. Definitions followed by a (*) are impolite, profane, sexist, or obscene and may be highly offensive or insulting to other people.

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