Final answer:
The statement that public behavior expectations in the United States are very informal is false. Informal norms are vital in guiding appropriate public behavior and are reinforced by socialization and observation. These norms may vary by culture but are still significant in everyday interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that expectations about public behavior in the United States are very informal is falso. While it is true that there are informal norms, these norms are still widely adhered to and dictate appropriate behavior in public settings without the need for written rules. These norms vary across different cultures and contexts and can include how one interacts in fast food restaurants, greets another person, or manages time and privacy in social situations. Informal norms help maintain a sense of order and can influence the day-to-day practices and expressions of a culture, often learned through observation, imitation, and socialization. Violating these norms may lead to social consequences, reinforcing the importance of these unwritten rules within society.
For instance, in the United States, it is expected that customers at fast food restaurants will line up to order, eat, and leave without engaging with strangers in ways such as singing loudly or napping in a booth. Similarly, social interactions adhere to certain unspoken standards, such as the expected response when bumping into an acquaintance or whether to hold the door open for a stranger. These practices reflect the common behavioral expectations of general society and differ from formal norms that are usually written down and enforced by law or explicit rules.
As cultural norms, including folkways and mores, vary significantly between societies, what is considered normal behavior in one society might be rude or odd in another. Thus, while informal, these norms are significant in guiding behavior.