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You probably have many ideas and stereotypes about Americans that you bring with you from your own country. Some of these may be based on real American values and behaviors, while others may not. Below you will find a description of some typical American values and attitudes. Although they will not be true for all Americans, they do represent what most Americans are taught and raised to believe. Getting to know these assumptions, beliefs and ideas, and comparing them with your own, will help you to better understand and adjust to American culture. For more information about American culture read Gary Althen's book "American Ways" (1988).

Individualism, Privacy & Independence

Time

Optimism/Focus on the Future

Action, Achievement & Work Ethic

Mobility & Change

Honesty, Openness & Directness

Equality

Control over the Environment

Practicality/Efficiency

Materialism

Competitiveness

Cleanliness

 

Food & Health

Male/Female Relations

 

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Individualism, Privacy & Independence

In the US people are viewed primarily as individuals and not as part of a family or other group. People are generally believed to be responsible for their own destinies and for almost everything that happens to them. Independence and individual achievement are valued above the needs of the group.

Privacy is related to independence. As a part of this privacy, people will expect you to call or make an appointment to see them in advance. Most will be unhappy if you show up without letting them know beforehand. Many people will also not want to be disturbed at "irregular" hours, such as late in the evening (for some people as early as 9:00 pm), early in the morning (before 9:00 am) or during meal times. Because many Americans enjoy being alone and independent, they may be perceived as cold, self-centered and lonely.

Americans believe that formality is related to class-ism or social hierarchy. US history includes a dislike for and rejection of hierarchical and inegalitarian relationships. In addition, formality is often perceived as arrogance. The preference for informality is connected to these egalitarian beliefs and is demonstrated in a dislike for official titles (Americans often use first names instead of titles such as, "Mr...." ) and other obvious types of protocol. Deferential treatment and respect are shown in less obvious ways, typically by the manner of speech and vocabulary used. Relationships between Americans, even in hierarchical situations are seen by people of some countries to be extremely informal. This may lead them to believe that Americans do not show adequate respect for others. (Note: students usually refer to professors by using the title "Professor" and the family name of the person. Americans never use a title with a first name, e.g., Mr. John. If you are unsure what to call someone, ask a friend, ask the person directly, or do what most Americans do - don't call them by a name or title at all, just begin the conversation.)

Time

Americans have a preoccupation with time. The many idiomatic expressions dealing with time demonstrate this (e.g., "Time is money," "Time flies when you're having fun"). For Americans time is a valuable commodity not to be wasted, but to be used productively in the achievement of goals. Americans value being "on time" for all meetings, appointments and even for social engagements. More than 5 minutes late for a meeting or appointment is generally unacceptable without an excuse. For a dinner, more than 15 minutes late is considered bad manners. For a large party or informal social gathering (depending on the type) it is common practice to arrive 15 or 30 minutes late and it is often acceptable to arrive even later. If you are not sure about the rule for a specific situation, ask a friend. If you know you are going to be late, notify your hosts as soon as possible. Because the value on time is sometimes placed before that of interpersonal relations, Americans can be seen by others as cold, rude, impersonal or uncaring.

Optimism/Focus on the Future

Americans are always looking towards or planning for the future. Most believe that things are getting progressively better and have an optimistic view of the future. People plan for retirement or make other long-term plans regularly. They can be seen by others as devaluing the past, or not living in the present.

Action, Achievement & Work Ethic

Most people in the US believe that action and hard work are morally right and that inaction or procrastination is laziness and morally wrong. Achievement is viewed as extremely important to a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. This leads people to conclude that Americans place more emphasis on doing than on being.

Mobility & Change

Many Americans change important aspects of their lives (jobs, homes, geographical location, spouses) with regularity. Change is commonly seen as positive and beneficial. It is often equated with progress and growth. Others may view this as impatience, an inability to appreciate what one has, or a lack of respect for tradition.

Honesty, Openness & Directness

Much value is placed on truth and honesty as morally right. Little notice is paid to the idea of "saving face." Others may view this as rudeness or a lack of consideration for others.

Equality

Equality is one of the founding ideals of the US and is viewed as morally right and proper. People are believed to deserve equal opportunities as individuals and to be responsible for taking advantage of those opportunities (this typically includes people of all races, genders, religions, occupations, physical abilities and ethnicities). This does not mean that inequality does not exist in the US, but that it is generally considered to be morally wrong and something to be corrected. This focus on equality leads to a lack of recognition and even contempt for status or title which can be seen as disrespectful by people of other cultures.

Control over the Environment

It is believed that people can and should control their environment and, thus, their own destiny. Fate is not an important factor in life. Goals are of the utmost importance and can be achieved through hard work.

Practicality/Efficiency

Practicality and efficiency are considered the most important factors in the achievement of any task. Practical solutions should be chosen over most others. This can result in a disregard for other factors (especially human factors) which can lead to stereotyping Americans as cold and uncaring.

Materialism

Material goods are the result of hard work and success. Americans often demonstrate their achievement through material goods. Others may view this as an emphasis on things rather than people.

Competitiveness

Competition is viewed as healthy and essential to economic success and to a democratic society. It is believed to bring out people's talent and skill and to create the best atmosphere for progress. Others may perceive this as an unwillingness to cooperate.

Cleanliness

A well-known American idiom, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness," demonstrates just how important this concept is for most Americans. While Americans are not known for their formal attire, they are very particular about personal hygiene. Most Americans shower and wash their hair daily, use deodorants and perfumes, wash their clothes often, brush their teeth several times a day, and refuse to wear the same clothes two days in a row. They are generally very sensitive to any human body odors. For them, this is what personal cleanliness means. Foreign students may have difficulty understanding this and see it as excessive behavior, but should remember how important it is for most Americans.

Food & Health

Americans have a reputation for being preoccupied with food. However, attitudes toward food vary a great deal. While some eat and snack on junk foods (foods high in fat, sugar, and preservatives) constantly, others are constantly counting calories and watching their fat intake. Increasing numbers of Americans are becoming vegetarian, watching their weight, exercising regularly and quitting smoking, to attempt to ensure a long life. The media constantly focuses on food-related news, such as the newest scientific studies and new food products which are healthier. While Americans tend to have strong opinions about food, they also tend to eat a wider variety of foods than in many other countries. Most Americans enjoy foods from other countries and eat them on a regular basis. However, many stick to "known" foods and won't eat things which are too unfamiliar or too strong in flavor.

Male/Female Relations

One aspect of American culture which may be very different from your own is the relationship between the sexes. Although absolute equality does not yet exist, women are typically freer from social restrictions than they are in some countries. Women often share the same career, social, and family aspirations as men, and they are usually not afraid to be frank about their opinions, disagree, or have a political or intellectual argument with a man. Men and women may have close personal relationships that are not of a sexual or romantic nature, and may even share living quarters without being in a romantic relationship. Women may also invite a man to a social engagement. The openness and freedom of women in the US does not indicate, in most cases, a willingness for sexual relations or a lack of morals, and an invitation to dinner may not indicate anything more than a desire to establish a friendship or share conversation.

If you are interested in beginning a romantic relationship with someone, it is best to start slowly. Invite the person for a drink or to share a cup of coffee. Later, if the person seems to respond favorably, you can invite them out to dinner or a movie. The more time you spend with the person, the better chance you have of understanding them and correctly interpreting their feelings toward you. Relationships are usually best established over time, if you rush into a situation you may find yourself in trouble. If you have been establishing a relationship with someone for a long time and you're not sure where the relationship stands, it is often appropriate to ask the person directly. Don't assume that the relationship is a romantic one simply because you have been spending a lot of time together.

If someone is making unwanted romantic or sexual advances toward you, it is appropriate and even essential to be frank about your feelings. If you are being forced into an uncomfortable sexual or romantic situation and you don't know what to do about it, don't be embarrassed to speak to a friend or a counselor about your situation. Always ask for help if you need it!

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last updated 3/23/99
Questions? Comments? gfsadv@andrew.cmu.edu