How do you write an American address?
Here's the general format: Mr. & Mrs. Smith 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 99999-0000 U. S. A. First line: Addressee - the person or entity to whom the mail is addressed. Second line: Building number and street name. Third line: City, State (abbreviation), and Zip Code. All fifty states have a standard two-letter abbreviation. The ZIP code narrows down the mail area within a city - originally just a five-digit code, it can now be expressed with an additional 4 digits, which narrows the area down further to a specific neighborhood. The ZIP code can also be placed as a separate fourth line. The country only needs to be added if it's addressed from outside the country. Hope that helps.
Does anyone know what s/n means in a latin america address?
S/N, like the previous poster says, means "without a number." It's similar to let's say for example: Paseo Rivas, Kilometro 64 Notice how there's no number. In this case, a landmark is being used to basically point you in the right direction, the: Paseo del Estero. Esq. sounds like an abbreviation of "esquina," or corner. However, it can also refer to an "esquire," depending on where it is. But judging on your post, it seems like it says "esquina Paseo del Estero." Basically, your address seems to say: Paseo San Jose's intersection with Paseo del Estero It might be an obvious building or the only building that is in the vicinity. The postmen who deliver should be familiar with the address and its format. Local courrier companies should be familiar with it, too. Remember, addresses and formats in Latin America are more long and complicated than they are in the States.
How should I address strangers as in the American society if I don't know their names?
Thanks for A2A. For adults, you can't go wrong with "Sir" or "Ma'am" unless you pick the wrong gender. For children I would suggest "young man" or "young lady," but I would also suggest you watch your tone and be most judicious in addressing children, as American society is getting very tetchy about this issue. We are fond of saying "it takes a village," but even the slightest tone of reprove can make some parents think you are criticizing their parenting, and you can't be too familiar either in this "don't talk to strangers" climate.When it comes to "what may I call you," I would skip that question and either don't use a name at all or use the name you're given--if I'm introduced to you as Sam, by me or someone else, I don't expect you to call me "Mr. Austin," and really almost no one in America, for better or worse, expects this level of formality except perhaps from children (and because we generally don't like the sound of children calling adults they know and see often by their first name, it is common practice to put an "Uncle" or "Aunt" in front even when there is no blood relation). We also expect a minimum of confusion about names. If someone doesn't want to be called the name on their business card, for instance, it's up to them to say what other name they go by, and stop confusing the rest of us who understand that your name is simply to distinguish you from other people and we don't need two or three names to do that. In fact most of the time we don't even need one; I have led a very social life for several decades, and have discovered that, while it's always nice to know someone's name, there are very few situations where it is an absolute necessity--introducing someone, for instance. I've had some rough experiences in that arena, but even then it can be smoothed over with "I can't believe I blanked on your name" or "I'm so sorry, you remind me of this dear friend named [whatever you called the person by mistake], I can't wait to tell [him/her] about this."One way you can help others out, by the way, is to use your own name in conversation early on, for instance "She said to me, 'Sam, what do you think of that?'" Chances are they will be grateful for the reminder.
How do you format mailing addresses for Chile (South America)?
Although there are postal codes in Chile, no one uses them and, to tell you the truth, most people don't even know they exist! So I wouldn't worry about that part of the mailing address. They are not mandatory. A postal code should be 7 digits long. If you want to find a postal code, the Chilean Post Office Service or "Correos de Chile" has a website that allows you to enter the address and it returns you the postal code. www.correos.cl There are some PO boxes (called "casillas") specially in Santiago, that have a coding such as: Casilla 9999 Providencia. Anyway, an address would normally be composed by the name of the premises (or the person), the street name and number, the number of the flat or office, the "comuna" (only in Santiago), the City and sometimes the region. Here is an invented example: Universidad del Mapocho Avenida Diego Bravo 12345 Departamento 666 Las Condes Santiago Region Metropolitana Here is an invented example of a simplified address in another city: Colegio Santa Maria Magdalena Anibal Pinto 557 Oficina 405 Concepcion If it sounds too complicated, here is another address, a very simple one: Sra. Carmen Caceres San Martin 345 Puerto Montt. I hope it helped!
Why do American addresses go in the reverse order of Chinese addresses, with details like street name ahead of country?
I learned a lot from the answers to this question, and my sense is that western addressing has such a long and diverse history that it shouldn't surprise us if it doesn't "make sense," whereas the Chinese practice the question refers to began in the 20th century, meaning that at the moment of its adoption there was probably some discussion of how to go about it and what made most sense in terms of the postal procedures. However, I had previously always accepted my first year Chinese teacher's explanation that the practices reflect opposite cultural priorities of general and particular. In other words, Chinese culturally place the most importance on the largest unit to which you belong--the nation (the human race being irrelevant to postal addresses)--while westerners place the most importance on the individual. It may be a cliched understanding and have any number of exceptions, but this explanation has probably molded my whole sense of western-Chinese cultural difference ever since.
Why do Americans loved to use the word "HUN" when addressing people?
This is a midwestern thing. And it is Hon (short for honey) and a term of endearment. It is not HUN as in Attila the Hun. I once knew a dear lady in the Army who called everybody"Hon". She was threatened with discipline for sexual harrassment. What a crock! Funny thing happened once. I was in a restaurant when a British couple came in with their kids. They had an adorable five year old daughter who made friends with me. She got upset when I called her "Honey", at leaast until her father explained that what I meant was "Sweetie" or "Darling". Can you imagine an American man calling somebody "darling"? Most of us would rather die first.
How can I choose a professional URL/account name/email address if my real name is super common?
One can always add a keyword or descriptor, such as 'John Doe Programmer' or 'Jane Smith Forensic Accounting,' and then diversify as needed. Or one could go by initials. Dave Jones is common. D.L. Jones is not. And 'Dave Jones Web Design' doesn't sound quite as good as 'D.L. Jones Web Design,' you know. Initials add austere dignity to a name and make you sound like a firm, almost, plus there is the advantage of giving gender and ethnicity discriminators less to block you with. Someone called C.J. could be Christopher John, an African-American male from the suburbs, Catherine Jayne, a white female from a small city, Cristina Juana, a Latina from a military family who moved a lot, or Chiwetel Jayar, a biracial American who identifies as non-gender-conforming. With a last name like Smith or Jones, especially given how names can change by marriage, who can tell? Going by initials lets your achievements, rather than race, national origin, gender or orientation, define you to potential employers.Plus, then when you invite interviewers to use your first name, it feels more like a privilege, subconsciously helping them to like you.
Why do Americans call everyone by their first name instead of saying 'Bill Sir', 'Jane Ma'am', or ‘Mr. Smith’?
First we don’t call everyone by their first name. Obviously I’m going to be talking in general explaining what most people do - there will be exceptions but this is the norm.When we don’t know a person at all and it’s a business or formal setting we are likely to use Mr., Mrs. or Miss and then the person’s last name. It would be rude to use the person’s first name on first acquaintance.Now when we are introduced to someone at a social setting we are likely to use the first name. For instance, if I’m at a party and someone says “I want you to meet Jane Hanson.” I would use her first name immediately and call her Jane. But had I met her in a business setting and been introduced I would have used the last name until and if I was invited to use her first name.Like I said in the beginning some people will do things differently. But I feel confident that what I’ve just described in the norm in America.
How should I address the judge in his courtroom?
Using their name with the title is good. "Yes, Judge Wilson, but I must point out ...." Using the name shows respect, but more importantly, it draws their attention closer so that you have their full focus for a moment longer. Old fashioned "Yes Sir/M'am" aren't as easy. When in doubt, though, showing this respect is better than showing none. The problem is these terms are not really good enough for the judge, who is highest ranking court officer in the room.Other officers of the court include the DA/Prosecutor and defense attorney(s). These folks get called by their name (Mr. Smith or Ms. Jones), title (Prosecutor, Defense, Counsel, or Counselor), and by their office (The State's Attorney, Attorney for the People, Attorney for the Defense, etc.). Witnesses are refered to by their name or by the common "Sir" or "Madam?" Professional witnesses are called by their title AND name, usually. I'll use myself as an example, if testifying as an expert in police use of force then I am called "Dr." or "Professor," with either term typically followed by my last name. Dr Phil, a stage name, is absolutely incorrect when questioning "Dr. Phil McGraw" about a psychological syndrome. The correct title/name combination is "Dr. McGraw."Police officer and titled officials have their titles used commonly. A line officer might be "Officer Franklin" while a command officer might be "Lt Franklin." A detective or Special Agent includes that term for acknowledgement of the title and referal to individual: "Yes, Detective Frankin ....". Just remember that you are in a very formal environment, so your actions should be as though you understand such. It may sound like fun to say, "Hey, Fat Boy in the black dress ..." but it won't help your case.