18: Behavior in Public Places
Much attention is given to direct and intentional interaction with specific individuals, but there are also cultural elements to being in a public place, interacting with strangers in seemingly informal or unconscious ways, and this is also governed by the informal rules of culture.
(EN: The author does not suggest why it is important to heed these, as some Americans generally consider public places to be anonymous because they are not known by others - but a few reasons are given: that you may not know a person now, but have to interact with them in future and uncouth behavior may be remembered, and that there may be a more immediate hostile or even violent response fro a stranger who's offended by your behavior.)
And as is generally the case, the American values of individuality and equality are often reflected in the informal rules for interacting with others in public places.
RULES FOR BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC PLACES
When walking, Americans stay toward the right side of a sidewalk, hallway, or any space in which groups of people are moving. This enables them to pass with minimal contact or obstruction.
Likewise, people are expected to give way, and give priority to those who are moving rather than those who are stationary, and maintain it is inconsiderate to obstruct the progress of others. A person which is in a crowd and wishes to slow down or stop is expected to move further to the right or seek a place where they will not obstruct others. Never stop immediately upon entering or exiting a doorway, or after walking up or down a flight of stairs.
In any situation where several people are attempting to do the same thing (speak to a teller, board an elevator, etc.), the convention is to wait in line - to stand behind the last person and patiently wait your turn. It offends their sense of equality and individual dignity to step into the middle of a line or attempt to bypass others who are waiting - this will likely evoke a hostile reaction.
Even when there is not a physical line, the notion is "first come, first served." An example being when multiple people are waiting at a counter for service, they attempt to observe who was their before them and wait their turn, and may even insist that someone who arrived sooner is served first. If the person giving service asks who is next to be served, a truthful response is expected.
The exception to this principle is when there is an individual who is elderly or has an obvious physical disability. In some instances, deference may be shown to women and people of higher social status, but this is delicate as the person shown deference may take offense.
Blocking another person's "view" at a public event is considered rude - to stand up at a performance or athletic event, unless you are entering or exiting a row, is not acceptable. (EN: an exception being emotionally intense moments at a sporting event or public speech - tough generally not in a movie theater or orchestra performance.)
Smoking in public places has become a touchy issue in recent years: there are an increasing number of places where smoking is banned, by the establishment or by local law, and some Americans are uncharacteristically intrusive and hostile to people who smoke in any public location, even when it is not prohibited, or at the very least express their distaste for the practice nonverbally. In general, guidance is to avoid smoking indoors at all, unless it is expressly permitted by signage.
COMMUNICATION BEHAVIORS
It is perhaps impossible to communicate in written words about the volume of sounds. However, there is a culturally-influenced volume for speaking to others, and to speak more softly is annoying and more loudly is inappropriate.
It also depends on environment: people in at a live theater performance are expected to be quieter than those at a sorting event, and people in an upscale restaurant more moderate than those in a fast-food restaurant. In general, it is considered offensive to make any noise loud enough to distract others from what they wish to hear at a given time and place.
Americans have a general aversion to touching others and being touched by others, or even seeing contact among other people, as mentioned previously (the virtual extinction of social gestures such as handshakes and embracing). This is especially true of strangers in public places. People expect to be conscious and courteous, to avoid touching others or taking up too much space, and to offer apology for any careless or unintentional physical contact. Accidental contact on the shoulders or outside of the arms is generally the least offensive, and can often go without remark.
(EN: It's also worth noting that the common apology for physical contact in America is "excuse me." In some English-speaking countries, this phrase is used as a polite way to demand attention, but it is not so in America.)
It's noted that, for public conveyances such as trains and elevators, Americans will often wait for the next one rather than crowding in. Pushing one's way through a crowd is considered quite rude.
Be especially careful of physical contact with members of the opposite sex. It is generally interpreted as a sign of sexual interest, which may not be desirable. Same-sex contact is generally less offensive, but among men, it may trigger a homophobic reaction.