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Foreign faces welcomed me with big smiles, "Good afternoon, Miss. How are you today?" Airport clerks waved good-bye, "Take care, Sweetheart," when stepping into the plane. Flight attendants welcomed me, "Hello young lady. Welcome on board. Enjoy your flight."

When I first put my feet on American soil, arriving at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport some time ago, I was amazed by the constant 'happiness' of Americans. Strangers very extremely friendly and people seemed to connect on every level as I joined America's "melting pot."

Although I found the positive attitude, emotional appeal, and great informality among people mostly artificial at first, it helped me to adapt to this new environment and to meet people. The openness of Americans to a multi-racial population made me feel safe. I learned so much from encountering people with different backgrounds and cultures.

Soon after, I decided to stay longer in the United States and to attend school in Boston. During any school vacations, I always traveled home to Germany to visit my family and friends. During my last stay at home, I noticed that my time in America affected the cultural behavior that I displayed in Germany.

I experienced a funny cultural misinterpretation. On a sunny December afternoon, I dropped off my boots at a local shoemaker's store to get the heels repaired. Stefan Mueller, the owner of the shop and a shoemaker himself, assured me that the order would be ready to be picked up the next day. I was excited to hear that such prompt and perfect service still exists in my small town and I went the next day to pick up my boots.

"Hello Mr. Mueller! How are you?" I greeted Mueller with a big smile on my face, happy to see my new heels. I reached into my purse and searched for money while noticing that Mueller never responded to my question starring at me with a blushed face. "Well," Mueller answered in a sensual tone. "I am doing well. How are you? Would you like to have lunch some day this week?"

I could hardly hold back my laughter. I realized now that I spoke in an "American" way to Mueller. Hi! How are you today?' can be directed to everybody in America, even to strangers, but in Germany, this informal phrase is only used among people who either know each other or want to get to know each other.

I ignored his question, "How much is it for the heels?" "Nothing for you, today." I left the money on the counter, grabbed my shoes and quickly ran out of the shop.

"Oh my God, this guy thought that

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