Essay 1

 

ESL 100

Allen/Zilun Liu

September 27,2026

Small Actions

I've heard the popular question "How are you?" everywhere in the United States. At first, I was embarrassed because I couldn't reply due to my poor English and shyness. Although there are conversations like this taught in the English textbooks, I never expected that they would come into reality because Chinese people back home seldom greet strangers. Since I arrived the United States in 2024, I have felt the kindness of others through these daily greetings, which also has a great impact on my daily life. As time goes by, I have been able to engage in small talk with strangers, and I think this will be the first step for me to integrate into American culture.

    Two years ago, when I came to the United States for the first time, my aunt took me to Florida for fun. There is a city called Panama City in the Panhandle where we went to visit the beautiful beaches. One afternoon after I landed, we walked along the coast. There were only a few people on the beach, and we met an old white couple who were enjoying the ocean view by the shore. The man suddenly said to us:" How are you?". I was shocked and wondered whether he was someone my aunt knew because they started the conversation casually like friends. A few minutes later, their chat ended, and my aunt translated the conversation for me. They discussed their trip, local food and even the history of how the coast formed. I felt really interested in this kind of small talk to a stranger because simple greetings can connect people from different backgrounds, especially a newcomer like me.

    This experience not only motivated me to improve my English skills, but also showed me the local communication habits. That afternoon on the Florida beach taught me that greetings are a normal way to be friendly to others. This new environment has helped me build courage to overcome embarrassment in uncomfortable situations. I have only been in the United States for two years, but I practice my speaking whenever I get the opportunity, so I have also made new friends through these short and warm conversations. I am slowly figuring out how to adapt to the small nuances of American culture.

      In conclusion, the small talk habit of many Americans has let me realize how greetings can bring people closer with warmth and respect. It has helped me change from an introverted person to an extroverted person. Even if I didn’t meet the old couple in the Panama City, I know there will be others that will start chatting with me. Therefore, I should develop and maintain the curiosity in all kinds of situations during my life. Beyond “How are you?”, phrases like “Have a good day.”, “Nice dress!” will probably put a smile on the faces of people I meet.