# For kids who have just come to the US, what should they learn about our culture and history? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 24, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-kids-who-have-just-come-to-the-us-what-should-they-learn-about-our-culture-and-history/586713 "2011-06-24T15:02:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-kids-who-have-just-come-to-the-us-what-should-they-learn-about-our-culture-and-history/586713/21 "2011-06-28T05:51:54Z")
One thing that was a real shock for my exchange students was how ignorant Americans are of the outside world. They would be asked the most ridiculous questions about their home countries. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-kids-who-have-just-come-to-the-us-what-should-they-learn-about-our-culture-and-history/586713/22 "2011-06-28T06:35:24Z")
If they’re ordering food at a restaurant, the person taking the order may suggest ordering something extra. It’s not considered rude to decline the suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-kids-who-have-just-come-to-the-us-what-should-they-learn-about-our-culture-and-history/586713/23 "2011-06-28T06:58:07Z")
You might want to say something about race relations. At least let them know that the n-word will get them in trouble. I like your idea of a trip to the police station. A lot of these kids may have learned to fear the police in their home countries. How about teaching them how to use the local public transit? Also, how to order food from the school cafeteria (if there is one)? ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-kids-who-have-just-come-to-the-us-what-should-they-learn-about-our-culture-and-history/586713/24 "2011-06-28T08:28:40Z")
whatever it takes to become a LEGAL immagrant ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-kids-who-have-just-come-to-the-us-what-should-they-learn-about-our-culture-and-history/586713/25 "2011-06-28T08:48:16Z")
Or how to spell immigrant. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-kids-who-have-just-come-to-the-us-what-should-they-learn-about-our-culture-and-history/586713/26 "2011-06-29T19:24:04Z")
America has free public libraries! Sorry, we’re just starting an outreach project for Spanish speakers because so much of Latin America does not have the same sort of free public library system that’s commonplace here in the US. You can go to the library and get a card, but the library is not the government and doesn’t give anybody your information. The library has books but also DVDs and computers for you to use! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-kids-who-have-just-come-to-the-us-what-should-they-learn-about-our-culture-and-history/586713.md?page=1)