（1） In America there are still customs by which a man may show respect for a woman. He opens the door for her and lets her precede him through it. （2） He walks on the side of the walk nearest the street. He takes her arm when crossing a street or descending a stairway.（3） A younger person also shows respect for an older one in much the same fashion, by helping the older person in things requiring physical exertion or involving possible accident.
（4） American surface informality often confuses the foreigner because he interprets it to. mean no formality at all. He does not understand the point at which informality stops.A teacher,though friendly, pleasant, and informal in class, expects students to study hard,and he grades each student's work critically and carefully. He also expects to be treated with respect.Although students are free to ask questions about statements made by the teacher,and may say that they disagree with what he says, they are not expected to contradict him. （5） Similarly, in boy-girl relationships a foreign student should not mistake the easy relationship and flattery that are part of the dating pattem in the United States, nor presume that it means more thanit does.
