How often the American students contact their parents? Using Skype or cell phone or other tools?

What kind of activities will Americans usually do for fun, besides watching football and drinking alcohol?

Which instant message tool is the most popular among the American students?

Election Day

Today (11/8/11) is Election Day in the U.S. It's not always on November 8th, but it IS always on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. I know that sounds a bit odd, but that's how the law was set up. So next year it will be on November 6th. It is not a day off in Michigan, but in some states it is a civic holiday.

In even numbered years (like next year, 2012) there are elections for the federal offices of President and Congress (Representatives and Senators). Presidential elections are held every 4 years, in years divisible by 4; elections for Representatives and Senators are every two years. Representatives serve for 2 years; Senators serve for 6 years. Only one-third of the Senators are ever up for election at one time.

State and local governments usually elect officials in even numbered years but may do so in odd years.

Today, for example, in Ann Arbor, we were voting for members of the City Council, the School Board, and on some proposals to allow city tax money to be used for specific projects, like repairing bridges, roads, sidewalks.

So, next year it will be a very big and exciting Election Day because we will vote for President.

What questions do you have about elections or the government/political system in the U.S.?

Holidays in America

Someone asked what holidays/festivals are important to Americans... there are some major holidays that almost everyone celebrates and then there are ones that only some groups of people observe.

Some holidays are connected to religious celebrations, like Christmas or Hanukkah, or Easter or Idul Fitri, so those are particularly important for those in a particular religious community. But holidays like Christmas or Easter also have a secular (non-religious) side to them, and in some ways have become very commercialized (Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny).

Then there are holidays specific to the U.S., like Independence Day (4th of July), Memorial Day, Veterans Day, President's Day, M.L. King Day.

And then there's New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentines Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Labor Day, April Fool's Day, Flag Day, St. Patrick's Day, Columbus Day . . . the list goes on and on.

On certain holidays, schools and offices/businesses are closed. On other days, only federal government offices are closed. It's good to ask about this if you are not sure. For example, one year some students did not come to class on Election Day because in their country Election Day is a true holiday. In most states in the U.S. (like in Michigan) it is not a day off.

Some holidays are fixed, meaning they occur on the same date each year, for example Christmas is always December 25, but Thanksgiving is always the 4th Thursday in November, so the date could change from year to year.

There's a lot to say about each holiday, and there are many more than the ones I've mentioned here. So, ask some specific questions, and I'll answer. What holiday do you want to know more about?

Why do Americans live in the suburbs?