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• It is okay to be open and proud about your success in the United States. Americans often like to focus on accomplishments and other positive things.
• Take initiative to be forthcoming and open about yourself when you can. People are expected to speak on their own behalf, instead of waiting for someone else to tell others of their achievements or success for them. Americans do not necessarily “wait to be asked”, but rather expect to “be asked to wait”. If you are quiet, they may assume that you have a low self-confidence or less to contribute.
• Be straightforward and direct about your meanings or intentions. Americans generally appreciate honesty and authenticity as a means to productivity and efficiency.
• Offer any criticism in a way that emphasises a person’s strengths and highlights ways they could easily improve. Americans are more generally more receptive to comments that frame errors as something they have the opportunity to improve on, rather than an innate personality flaw. It is best to approach confrontation directly, but privately.
• If looking to help someone, try to do so in a way that gives them the opportunity to help themselves. Charity that is done indirectly or circuitously can imply that the person is a burden on others.

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• Avoid mentioning divisive topics such as gun control, the death penalty, abortion and civil rights (etc.) unless you know the person well. These conversations have rarely reached a resolve in the public sphere of debate and can quickly become heated discussions.
• Religion can also be a sensitive topic if you do not know a person’s stance on faith.
• Avoid criticising the American country, culture or patriotism. While some Americans may openly complain about their country's state of affairs or political leadership, foreign criticism or anti-American sentiments are unlikely to be appreciated. Many also consider themselves patriots and can take personal offence to such comments. Similarly, be aware that many Americans may presume others are similarly patriotic about their country and may be taken aback if you criticise your own country.
• Do not make racial slurs and avoid discussing racial divisions. Race relations are a very sensitive topic in America and are taken extremely seriously. See Other Considerations on for more advice on what is appropriate.
• Avoid exaggeration and sensationalism of a particular event or subculture to be reflective of all Americans. As members of one of the most globally recognisable cultures, Americans face a lot of stereotypes that are not necessarily true. Not all media and pop culture accurately represents the diversity of the American public.