Intended as an introduction to those about to visit the United States for the first time, this booklet provides general information about the United States and its people. The title, derived from Mark Twain's observation that "the only distinguishing characteristic of the American character I've been able to discover is a fondness for ice…

The attribution of low literacy levels among Gypsy children to difficulties of access to schools neglects underlying sociocultural explanations. There has been little analysis in reports/studies of Gypsy attitudes toward literacy, nor of outcomes of acquisition. Informed by new literacy theory and by the discourse of previous ethnographic studies,…

A high percentage of Rom (Gypsy) families do not send their children to school. Most Rom in the United States are illiterate. Rom families believe that from the viewpoint of their culture, formal education is a destructive force. The strictures that govern their everyday lives influence standards of personal cleanliness, food preparation, sex…

Members of minority groups in Germany were subjected to extreme forms of repression and in some cases extermination at the hands of the Nazis. Today, for many different reasons, members of minority groups are living in West Germany again. This paper presents the experience of minorities in West Germany since 1945 in light of the following factors:…

Describes early childhood education in Taiwan, focusing on living patterns and child care arrangements, the position of the individual within the family and community, and the application of cultural norms to early childhood education. Compares the behavior of Chinese preschool children to that of American preschool children. (RJC)

Describes the German health insurance system which is mandatory for nearly all German citizens. Explains that, along with pension, accident, and unemployment insurance, health insurance is one of four pillars of the German national social security system. Asserts that controlling costs while maintaining high health care standards is a national…

Aspects of the French cultural attitude toward death are explored, with reference made to a survey of public opinion and a magazine article about recognition of the anniversary of Charles De Gaulle's death. Attitudes about privacy, ritual, and family behavior are highlighted. (MSE)

A cultural profile of the French-Canadian business community of Quebec is presented, focusing on seven aspects of business communication: language; environment and technology; social organization; degree of contextual understanding; authority conception; nonverbal behavior; and temporal conception. The history of French and English language use in…

This report discusses the roles of health, nutrition and informal education in the preschool education of children in southwest Ethiopia. Information for the report is drawn from data from a study of traditional maternity and child care in the Southern Shewa region of the country. Mother and child health is a priority in Ethiopian health planning.…

This paper presents a profile of Hispanic mothers who work and/or study, based on interviews in the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey. Particular focus is placed upon occupational and educational aspiration, as well as on the cultural and economic conditions which shape them. Data for Hispanic mothers are presented with similar data for Black and…

To the Moslem, Islam is more than a religion to be practiced one day a week or in a few rituals; it is a detailed way of life. Behavior is comprehensively legislated for Moslems. Their major obligation is to know and follow the "five pillars" of Islamic law. The impact of religion on business is substantiated in research. Some attitudes…

Reports on an interview with Terry E. Miller, a specialist on music of Thailand and other southeastern Asian nations. Discusses the culture, the role of music, and musical instruments of Thailand. Includes a list of resources and two lesson plans for teaching about Thai music. (CFR)

Presents an analysis and personal reflections on social and political changes in Russia between 1970 and 1994. Discusses how the social and economic changes have had a profound impact on elderly Russians. Concludes that the changes in Russia are a microcosm of those taking place throughout the world. (CFR)

Maintains that struggle has been part of Vietnamese history. Asserts that a new social studies curriculum focuses on the context of historical struggle against foreign domination combined with contemporary socialism and communism. Describes the Vietnamese educational system with particular focus on secondary social studies. (CFR)

Italian-Americans such as industrialist Lee Iacocca, architect Robert Venturi, film-maker Brian De Palma, and writer Gay Talese have contributed to the emergence of ethnic groups as a major force in the cultural and business life of the United States. What is not widely appreciated, however, is the cultural, religious, craft, and family base which…