Work is very important to most Americans. A job not only provides them with a paycheck, but it also gives them a sense of identity. The first question that an American usually asks a person he has just met is, "What do you do?".
Work is a high priority for most Americans;that is, it is something that they believe needs to come first, before almost anything else. They might not enjoy it, but they still believe that"work comes before play," or "business before pleasure."American students usually have this attitude toward school, too. For example, if American high school or college students on their way to class run into a friend, they'll usually greet the friend, say a few words, and then say,"Well, I've got to go. I have a class."This is not impolite at all. If friends want to visit, they'll arrange to meet at another time, after class.