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 The Expat Community |
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People of all ethnic backgrounds reside throughout the U.S. Just as the vast majority of Americans live in metropolitan areas, so do many minority groups.
It is not unusual to find towns and cities in the U.S. that have a mixture of racial and ethnic populations, nor is it unusual to find towns that are very homogeneous. Certain generalizations apply, however. For example, there is a high concentration of Hispanics in the west and southwest, while African-Americans are more likely to live in the east and southeast.
Interaction with Americans
In general, the expatriate will find that Americans are friendly and helpful. Beyond that, some Americans will maintain a superficial, friendly relationship with newcomers while others will include them in all of their social plans. Americans do not stand on ceremony and tend to invite people to join them with less formality than some cultures.
Attitudes toward foreigners in general
Most Americans are cordial toward foreigners as individuals. The usual response to a new acquaintance, whether a foreigner or another American, is to accept the person at face value. If the foreigner is pleasant, Americans will generally reciprocate. They often go out of their way to make a visitor feel welcome and to help in their adjustment to living in the U.S.
It is much more common in the U.S. than in most other developed countries to invite a new acquaintance, especially a foreigner, into the home. In some areas where there are many business and other temporary residents, Americans make an effort individually or through informal organizations to meet the newcomers and include them in the local social activities. Students in particular may be "adopted" by families, inviting them to dinner frequently and including them in other family activities.
American states and cities compete vigorously to attract foreign investors.