Why are Americans so fat?

Do all Americans have guns?

How do Americans feel about President Obama?

The world may be asking these questions next week when it descends upon Pittsburgh for the G-20 summit, and hundreds of volunteers will be ready to answer them in the most delicate, diplomatic way.

They'll be stationed at 14 local hotels, Pittsburgh International Airport and the Pittsburgh Welcome and Media Center in the lobby of the Regional Enterprise Tower, Downtown.

Visitors "are observing. They are looking at our culture. For some of them, it may be the first time they've been in our city," said Gail Shrott, executive director of GlobalPittsburgh, formerly the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors. "We are telling volunteers that they have the opportunity to correct misconceptions about [our] culture."

She shared this message last week during the last of a series of orientation sessions that taught volunteers how to handle questions that GlobalPittsburgh research shows may be some of the most commonly asked questions about Pittsburgh and America.

Much of what people know about America is what they've seen in movies and on television, she said.

"A man once asked, 'Is it true that every American has a psychiatrist?' " Ms. Shrott said during one orientation. "He's probably seen too many Woody Allen movies."

Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership, GlobalPittsburgh and Echo International, a Downtown firm that offers translation and intercultural services, have been holding these orientation sessions since early September. The adult volunteers represent all ages and walks of life. Those who are multilingual or have marketing skills may be assigned duties of greater responsibility.

When fielding questions about American culture, Ms. Shrott stressed to volunteers at last week's session at the airport the importance of keeping answers diplomatic. Volunteers should acknowledge both sides of a situation, yet keep their responses brief.

American lifestyles may not be all that visitors are curious about. They simply may need directions to an event, assistance exchanging currency or help getting a prescription filled.

Volunteers are urged to speak clearly and slowly when giving answers.

But don't speak louder, said Emily Shearer, coordinator of language/intercultural training and interpreting services at Echo International, which presented information at the sessions about customs and courtesies.

If visitors don't understand them, it's probably not because they're hard of hearing, she said. Accents, rates of speech or uses of slang may be among the common culprits.

And volunteers shouldn't use any Pittsburghese like "yinz" or "Stillers" or "gumband."

Bill Flanagan, executive vice president for corporate relations at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, who also publishes the Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership's Web site, gave volunteers at the session some background on the summit itself.

While Pittsburgh may be a perfect place for the G-20, Mr. Flanagan said, the summit is also perfect for Pittsburgh.

Holding the G-20 in Pittsburgh -- the first city to host the summit that is not a national capital -- could launch Pittsburgh onto the international business map, bring fresh talent to the region's job market and boost tourism.

"For the first time, the place matters," Mr. Flanagan said.

Although most orientation sessions are over, volunteers with advanced language and corporate communication skills who are assigned to hotels where dignitaries will be staying will get more training.

To keep track of all the training information, Pittsburgh trivia, and anticipated questions from visitors, a Google document, referred to by volunteers as "a Wikipedia of Pittsburgh information," has been posted online.

"People are not only coming up with questions [for the document] but also answers," said Matthew Borkowski, 40, of Shadyside, a volunteer at the Pittsburgh Welcome and Media Center.

Although he's currently seeking a job, he has more than a decade of work experience and a master's degree in international affairs.

Many of the volunteers are excited to be part of the G-20.

Annamaria Fato, 47 of Highland Park, a Pittsburgh Welcome and Media Center volunteer, said she hopes the G-20 will be "a catalyst for bringing us all together and for focusing on globalizing the city of Pittsburgh."

She is starting her own international consulting and event planning business and sees her volunteer work during G-20 as a valuable networking and learning opportunity.

And the "official" answers to the questions above?

On fat Americans: The U.S. is working to address obesity. But while some Americans are overweight due to health matters or lifestyle choices, many are not.

On gun ownership: According to a 2008 Gallup poll, approximately a third of U.S. adults own guns. The majority of Americans who legally purchased guns are responsible gun owners and use their guns for protection or hunting purposes.

On Mr. Obama: Americans have free speech and the right to hold and express their own varying opinions about the president. So while one American may support President Obama's policies, another may not.