US Cultural Information

Understanding the U.S. Culture

If this is your first time visiting the U.S., the following information may be helpful.

Tipping Culture

• The typical tipping practice for service at sit-down restaurants is between 18% to 20%.
• Always check your restaurant bill before tipping, as some restaurants already include the tip in your bill’s total particularly for groups of 6 or more people. If in doubt about whether the tip has been included, ask your server.
• Other common tip suggestions in the hospitality industry include:
  • Concierge: dependent on the difficulty of your request
  • Bartenders: $1-2 per drink
  • Housekeepers at hotels: $1-5 per night
  • Valets: $1-5 each time the valet brings your car
  • Hotel porters: $1-2 per bag
  • Doormen: $1-2 if they help you get a cab
  • Taxi drivers: 15-20%
  • Shared shuttle drivers: $2-3 per person
  • Food delivery: $1-$4 depending on the distance from the restaurant to your accommodation

Some other services already include a “service charge,” which is considered a tip.

American Culture Tips

While cultural norms vary across the country, below are a few practices that many Americans hold important for interpersonal interactions. Please keep in mind that these are just starting tips and not predictors of someone’s behavior as every American you meet will differ in how strongly they feel about each of these practices.

• Attention to Time. Americans tend to dislike the idea of wasting time. Efficiency is a virtue in the U.S. Being late for an appointment with an American can be taken as a personal offense because it is viewed as indicating disrespect. Plan to arrive a few minutes before the specified time for meetings and events and call in advance if you will be late.
• Personal Space. Americans value their own personal space and generally do not like that space to be invaded. They find it uncomfortable when others stand too close and will unconsciously move away.
• Informality. Be prepared for informality. People dress more casually, call superiors by their first names, and eat just about anywhere.
• Privacy. The right to privacy runs deep in American culture. Americans don’t typically talk about salary, age and weight. Conversations about personal family matters, politics, or religion are reserved for later stages of friendship.

Visa

Visa requirements for U.S.

For those countries that require a visa to travel to the United States, we encourage you to apply now as there is currently a longer than normal wait time in certain countries.

For those requiring visas, here are some helpful resources:

• Check here to determine if you are from a country that is eligible for a visa waiver for the U.S.
  For Canada, view here.
• If you are eligible for a Visa Waiver, you may still be required to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and attain approval before arriving.
• If you are not eligible for a Visa Waiver, then you should make it a priority to apply for a visa now. Please share this information with your National Committee members likely to attend the Summit.
• For those attendees needing a letter of invitation/confirmation, to start the visa process, please email usidfsec@usidf.org.
• Please review the current status at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
• Instructions for how to request an expedited appointment if needed: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html

US Dairy/IDF/USIDF

US Dairy Industry Overview

The U.S. dairy industry consists of nearly 30,000 farms, 94% of which are family owned and operated, as well as thousands of dairy businesses that range from global brands and manufacturers to artisanal companies delivering nutritious and innovative dairy foods and beverages to people around the world. Together, the industry supports more than 3.3 million jobs that generate $41.6 billion in direct wages and $753 billion in overall economic impact.

Each day, the industry strives to earn dairy’s place in homes in the U.S. and around the world. It’s the largest cow’s milk producing country in the world and the third largest dairy exporting region. On average, 95% of American households purchase dairy; domestically, dairy has achieved consistent growth in per capita consumption for more than a quarter-century.

America’s dairy farms, many of which are multigenerational, are diverse in size, region and practice. The average herd size is just over 300 dairy cows. In total, nearly 9 million cows produce more than 26 billion gallons of milk annually. Today, 99% of the domestic milk supply comes from farms that participate in the ISO-certified National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Animal Care program, setting high standards for animal care, antibiotic stewardship and biosecurity. The vast majority of the milk supply is also engaged in other important on-farm social responsibility initiatives through the FARM Environmental Stewardship and FARM Workforce Development pillars.

America’s dairy processing sector is as diverse as its dairy farms – from family-owned and run to multinational companies to artisanal operations across the U.S. The country’s dairy processors are at the cutting edge of innovation, sustainable business practices, and smart growth in both domestic and export markets. They deliver affordable dairy nutrition to consumers around the world while showing the public the high caliber of sustainable production that occurs in the U.S. dairy sector. In addition to commercial-scale operations, numerous artisan and farmstead operations across the country make up a growing and vibrant part of the domestic processing sector.

U.S. dairy invests in nutrition research and product innovation to meet consumers’ changing wellness needs while accelerating environmental sustainability solutions that reduce the industry’s environmental footprint, conserve natural resources and restore ecosystems. More than 75% of the nation’s milk production has voluntarily adopted the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment and contribute to U.S. dairy’s ability to track, aggregate and report on progress in important areas like animal care, environmental stewardship, food safety/traceability and community contributions.

U.S. dairy believes in the boundless potential and endless possibilities for dairy to nourish a growing global population, the planet and communities around the world.

International Dairy Federation

International Dairy Federation (IDF) is the leading source of scientific and technical expertise for all stakeholders of the dairy chain. Since 1903, IDF's network of dairy experts has provided science-based knowledge on how to help nourish the world with safe, nutritious and sustainable dairy products.

With over 1,200 highly qualified dairy experts from its approximately 40 member countries around the world, IDF represents nearly 75% of global milk production and provides a permanent source of authoritative information relevant to the dairy sector.

• IDF’S Purpose: Connect and empower the global dairy sector to nourish the world with safe, nutritious, and sustainable dairy.
• IDF’s Vision: Support the efforts of the global dairy sector to provide safe, nutritious, sustainable and accessible dairy products to the world’s population while being a source of economic and social vitality in agricultural communities and the dairy sector.
• IDF’s Mission: Strengthen the global dairy sector by collecting, extending, managing and sharing science-based dairy expertise and insight for policy development and standard setting at national and international levels.
• IDF’s Values: Knowledgeable, Collaborative, Excellent, Longstanding Integrity, Engaged

Our priorities are to:

• Ensure dairy is recognised as an essential component in sustainable food systems and healthy diets.
• Contribute to vital standard setting and scientific advice to Intergovernmental organizations.
• Remain a global forum for knowledge and experience sharing.
• Show how milk and dairy foods are delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

United States National Committee of the International Dairy Federation (US-IDF)

The United States National Committee of the International Dairy Federation (US-IDF) serves as a voice on behalf of the U.S. dairy industry for global dairy standards, policies and markets. US-IDF is the gateway to the IDF, serving as the National Committee within the United States. Its members include academia, national, state and regional trade associations, processors, suppliers, and others interested in global dairy issues. For more information about becoming a member: www.usidf.org.

Social Events

Welcome Reception

Sunday, October 15
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
House of Blues

Join fellow IDF World Dairy Summit attendees for a Welcome Reception that will kick off the week at a historic Chicago location steeped in musical tradition. This year’s Welcome Reception will be held at the House of Blues, whose mission is to celebrate and demonstrate the power of music to bring people together. As Chicago’s premier music venue, the House of Blues’ mantra from day one is Unity in Diversity and its iconic stage has played host to such rock legends as Guns N’ Roses, Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg and Buddy Guy. Join us to relax, reacquaint with longtime friends and meet new friends while enjoying a U.S. Cheese Extravaganza….and experience what it means to BE Dairy in the United States.

Gala Dinner

Wednesday, October 18
6:30 – 11:00 p.m.
Field Museum
(ticket required)

The Gala Dinner will be held at one of Chicago’s landmark cultural institutions on the Lake Michigan Shore, The Field Museum. Since its opening in 1894, the Field Museum’s collection has grown to nearly 40 million artifacts and specimens, making it one of the largest natural history museums in the world. The museum’s mission is to connect all of us to the natural world and the human story and its permanent exhibits and special attractions attract millions of visitors each year. Join us for an evening celebration like none other that will offer opportunities to tour some of the Museum’s most popular exhibits while also engaging with fellow attendees on the Boundless Potential and Endless Opportunities for dairy as presented and discussed during the IDF World Dairy Summit 2023.