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The USA is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with citizens from practically every region of the globe. As America is home to individuals from all over the world, studying at a US institution will most certainly expose you to many cultures, traditions, arts, sports, and more. These numerous different traditions have mingled and adapted over time to become the face of Culture in USA. If you choose to study in the United States, you should be aware of what to expect and be prepared for cultural shocks in America. Continue reading to learn more about American culture and what you may anticipate as an international student in America.
This Blog Includes:
Origins of the Culture in USA
The cultural plurality of the culture in USA has roots the way back to its inception. During their respective countries’ colonial control, the English and Spanish arrived in America. These European settlers gave America its foundation.
Historical immigration from countries such as Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Japan has contributed to the country’s cultural variety. One cannot discuss American culture without including Native Americans, commonly known as American Indians. The early inhabitants of America had substantial and subtle influences on the civilization that exists now.
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Values
Every country has its own set of beliefs and principles, and America is no exception. In general, Americans believe in the ideals enshrined in our Declaration of Independence: that all individuals are created equal, with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Let’s take a closer look at what this entails in terms of cultural values.
Independence
In the United States, educators teach people the values of self-sufficiency and independence from an early age. The culture in the USA highly prizes individual liberty, describing it as the freedom to shape one’s own identity and fate through personal choices, abilities, and hard work. Americans understand the value of self-sufficiency and personal fulfilment.
Individualism
The culture of the USA highly values individualism, just as it values independence. It typically refers to it as self-sufficiency, with community and/or government support considered only as a last resort. This means that people are free to pursue their objectives, frequently on their own terms, within the framework of US rules.
Equality
Equality, according to Americans, is that everyone is born equal and that no one is better or worse than the other. Universities in the United States take equality seriously, and affirmations of equal rights are typically incorporated in their charters, annual reports, and student and staff codes of conduct. Furthermore, anti-discrimination policies for admissions, jobs, and events are typically in place and enforced.
Materialism
America has the world’s largest economy, which is based on the principles of capitalism. As a result, materialism is frequently elevated in American culture.
Competition and capital accumulation push businesses to maximize efficiency, allowing investors to profit from growth while customers benefit from lower prices on a wider range of goods. Similarly, businesses incentivize customers to purchase products and services to reinvest in the economy, and many financial systems in the United States promote spending.
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Traditions and Customs
Culture in USA is also founded on particular social conventions and etiquette (which you may be unfamiliar with). Let’s look at some fundamental cultural behaviours and best practices to be aware of when engaging with Americans.
Be Punctual
In America, time management and punctuality are essential. Being late or postponing a gathering/meeting may reflect poorly on you, and you may be perceived as uncaring and rude. Be punctual!
Don’t Ask Personal Questions
Americans, on the whole, appreciate their privacy. It is considered impolite to inquire about one’s weight, age, salary, wealth, religion, or politics.
Smiles are basic politeness signals and are viewed as a nonverbal way of being kind. When waiting in line, “small talk” is also allowed.
Be Aware of Pets
When visiting a home in America, keep in mind that many Americans have pets. If you are allergic to or uncomfortable around specific animals, please notify your host in advance so that they can accommodate your needs.
Don’t Skip Lines
It is impolite to push or skip others in line. If you are in a hurry, ask the person in front of you if you can skip ahead (but be prepared for them to say no).
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Things to Know
America is a place of possibilities. People come from all over the world to study, work, or vacation in the country. Here are some of the important things you need to keep in mind about the culture in USA before you move to this country:
Not Many Trains
The United States is a car-obsessed nation. Even New York City’s vast metro system isn’t quite as comprehensive or user-friendly as other train systems throughout the world. In general, mass transit is deficient in the United States.
The United States has spent about $10 trillion on roads and highways over the last 65 years, but only $2.5 trillion on mass transit and trains. However, if you find yourself in places such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, or Washington, D.C., you can get around without a car.
Americans Like to Stay on Schedule
There may be exceptions to this norm, but individuals in the United States take timeliness seriously. Failing to appear on time for a meeting (whether formal or informal) may lead others to interpret it as an insult or absolute annoyance.
What is the reason for this? It’s difficult to say for sure, however, it could be related to the work culture in USA. Because people spend so much time at work, they have little time for leisure. Therefore, interpreting the wastage of this extra time as disrespect is possible.
Tip Your Waiter
Waiters in many regions of the world are paid a reasonably high hourly rate, making tipping nearly optional. However, in the United States, servers can earn as little as $2.00 per hour before taxes. As a result, without tips, the waitstaff may go home empty-handed.
Sports
Sports are very important in American culture, and there are many sports aficionados and fans all around the country. American football, basketball, and baseball are the most popular sports in America, and each has its professional league. These sports have fan bases that have grown over time, a rich history, cultural shifts, and world-famous athletes.
Annual championship athletic events include the Super Bowl (football), the NBA Finals (basketball), and the World Series (baseball).
Failure to tip your server is thus considered rude, so make sure to save (at least) 15% to 20% of the amount for tip. Outside of restaurants, customs are more complicated. A solid rule of thumb is that if you have the opportunity to tip, you should most likely do so.
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FAQs
Ans. The culture of the United States is shaped by principles such as liberty, equality, democracy, individuality, unity, and variety. Achievement, activity, work, informality, growth, and directness are some more American ideals.
Ans. American culture strongly values individualism, with people expected to be self-sufficient and independent. The culture firmly believes in equal opportunity and meritocracy, where people receive rewards based on their abilities rather than their income or social status.
Ans. In our study of “Most Popular Hobbies & Activities,” “Cooking / Baking” and “Reading” were the top two responses among US consumers. In 2023, the poll was performed online with 60,072 respondents in the United States.
So, this was all about the culture in USA. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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