American Culture

1. American Culture Welcome to America

2. Geography

3. Climate

4. History • 1492 Christopher Columbus landed in West Indies. • 17thcentury European came by 1000s • 1776 July 4th declaration of independence from England. • 1789 new American Government • 1890 last battle between Europeans and Native • Private property unknown to Native Americans • Americans. Guns verses bows and arrows • Civil War(1865), WW1, WW2, KoreanWar, Vietnam (64-73), Iraq, Afghanistan, Sept 11, 2001 • Rise of America in 20th century

5. People • Native Americans • Southerners • Yankees (New Englanders) • New Yorkers • Midwestern • Californians • African American • Foreign born or foreign descendents

6. Origin of the culture • Taken from Native American culture: 1- some names (of the cities, lakes, ….) 2- some agricultural techniques • Taken from Europeans: Religion (Puritan), language (English), government institutions, laws, way of life (clothes, furniture, music, livestock)

7. Food • Southern food • Delis • Fast food • Chain restaurants • Local restaurants • Ethnic food

8. Dress • Not formal- “ Business Casual”. • More formal in big cities. • Not uncommon to see people in shorts and flip flops

9. Religion and beliefs • Most Americans are Christians • There are many denominations and churches • Most Americans go to church on Sundays • In some churches they play Christian music and have rock bands • All religions are accepted in U.S

10. Family • Nuclear Family is more common (father, mother or only one of them, sister and brother). • Families move around (due to work) and spend less time with extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles) • Seldom sit together to eat dinner • Grandparents usually live on their own. • You know a person, but do not know his/her family. • May meet their extended family only at reunions

11. Raising children • Parents help to raise independent children • Age 18 out of the house • Parents do not hand things to them on a silver platter. • Children have no obligations toward parents • Achieving their own goals • I did it my way

12. Teen life • Want to be independent, have jobs • More time in front of the mirror • Peer pressure. Fit into special group, music, slang • Name callings. Nerds or geeks are not cool • Want to be respected by parents • Do not like to take parents advice. • Secretive, lock their room so parents do not know what they are doing • Some use drugs and alcohol

13. Aging parents • A 60 year old grand parent goes to college • A 70 year old goes to live in Alaska • A grandma waits tables at the local restaurant • People dye their hair to look young • Retirement homes, assisted living. • Adult communities • Aged parents are as independent as the children

14. American values • Get things done in a set time or faster • Schedule driven • Always try to find ways to improve • Equal chance to succeed • Job first, family next • Easy and eager for change, without bloodshed • Family status or connections may not work (to get to college, job, etc)

15. American Ideology • Democracy (election, vote) • Equality ( rich or poor, all colors, man and woman, child ) • Independent (no one can tell us what to do) • Freedom (can do and be anything)

16. Politics • 2 party system: Democrats, Republicans • Separation of church and state • Normally big corporations and special interests help the nominees.

17. Government • Federal, State • Tree branches of government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial • Federal Congress and Senate • State Congress and Senate • Washington DC is the capital • Every state has a capital • Federal laws are followed in all states • Each states has its own laws

18. Different laws in each state • Marriage and Divorce • Drinking and purchase of alcohol • Wages • Gun control • Education • Driving age

19. Americans’ place more value in … • New ideas • Changes for the better • Laws that are fair to everyone • “Rights” based society. Stick to your rights. • All people created equal.

20. Americans’ place less value for … • Authority (down with the king) • Age • Government, politicians • Parents and relatives • Advisers • Superiors at work

21. Sexual Etiquette • Seems like sex is open and free (not really) • Laws for inappropriate sexual behaviors (esp.) around children • Sexual harassment at work and public not acceptable • She may be friendly but not available • Keep away from anyone under age 18 • Cousins do not date or marry

22. America involvement with charities • Time • Money ($199 mil a year) • Non-profits • Churches and religious organizations • Soup kitchens • Meals on wheels • Helping other countries

23. Cultural challenges – part 1 • TV, internet, media • Working women, long hours, travel, children • Longer commutes • Children with little or no supervision. • Excessive violence on movies, games avaiable to children. • Movies rated on sex not violence • Unfamiliar with other cultures

24. Cultural challenges – part 2 • Job insecurity, finances, family, healthcare • People work while they are on vacation • No time to enjoy your achievements • Activity oriented (golf, tennis, bike, running or going to gym) • Titles have no place in society (except medical doctors). • Extensive resources make people want more

25. Cultural challenges – part 3 • Loneliness, due to transient nature of society • Sense of failure • No identity with any group • Hard to have a close friend • Everything is disposable (cloths, food, cell phone, appliances) • Through away, cheep to replace

26. Cultural advantages, part - 1 • Privacy, people do not get into your business • Freedom, you are free to do anything under the law • Equality, doctors and plumbers are treated the same, and they may live next to each other. • Safety, In most places you do not need to lock your doors • Honesty, people are very honest, helpful and friendly. They do not lie (much) • Self reliance, everyone knows how to assemble and fix things

27. Cultural advantages, part - 2 • You can have anything you want • You can be anything you want to be • You can move anywhere and have the same food and the same facilities • Life is easy • Anyone can go to college

28. Cultural Contradictions • Freedom of the press laws, but a select few control the media. • Voter turnout is very low, no real representation. • Wealthy nation, but many people sleep on the street • Richest farmlands, but no good cuisine • High standard of living ,but low quality of life • People have money, but everyone does their own shopping and chores (no maids). • Women do more than men(child, house, job)

29. What not to do in America! • Spit on the floor outside • Throw garbage on the street (litter). • Hold hands or kiss in public of the same sex • Walk ahead of women • Zigzag while you are driving • Whistle to a passing woman or pinching • Attempt to bribe anyone • Wearing shorts okay, but pajamas not

30. Do! • Call people by their first name (unless requested or much older, or doctors + military) • Call police: officer- Teachers: Mrs., Mr. • Be on time for any meetings or dates • Learn to fix things in the house (buy tools)

31. Dating • Most Americans date before they marry • They may live together for a while • Men pay when they are on a date unless the woman insists (not often) • They may announce they are engaged and the man buys the woman a ring

32. Etiquette for getting married • Man asks the woman to get married • 6 months before ,send invitation cards. 6 weeks before a confirmation card (ASAP) • May have it at church followed by reception • Some may only go to the city hall with 2 witnesses before the judge, and get married

33. America neighborhood • You may never see your neighbors • They move before you know them • Children make friends easily than parents • Say hi or wave when you see them • Anyone can be your neighbor • Big yards, no fences

34. Meeting and greetings • Easy to meet people • Hand shake. Men stand up to greet women (let her attempt to shake hand) • No touching or kissing • Look at their eyes when you speak but do not stare at them, if you are not talking

35. What others think about America • America is the loneliest country in the world (Mother Teresa) • Here people watch TV because do not have anyone to talk to(Arab family) • People are very isolated (a Peruvian) • Friends are not your family (Polish) • Make sure you call before you go to their house

36. Cultural Shock, part - 1 • What nice clean air, I can see the sky! • Where can I smoke? • How quickly we went through customs! • Why are all the houses made of wood? • How big everything is (roads, people, food) • Americans do not dress up

37. Cultural Shock, part -2 • It is so boring you need TV or lots of movies to watch • Why are there so many fat people? • Why does everyone have a tattoo? • Why do people look at my eyes all the time? • People are very polite in America • People smile at strangers • You do not have to take your shoes off in the house

38. Cultural Shocks - part3 • People treat their dogs like their babies • You have to tip everyone • Nothing happens at night. Everything closes at 9:00 PM • Always read the fine print before you sign • Too many law suits • Everyone seems to be in debts

39. Doing business in America • No restriction on who and where to own one • Need to register with the Secretary of State. EIN from IRS • Get to the point. Strangers are welcome (bring the dough). Get down to business. Less chitchat. Can talk to upper levels quickly. • Talking business is not boring here. Meetings are informal. Fast talkers are welcome. Promise when you can deliver.

40. Business nature in America • Only for profit. No solidarity. Productivity=awards • Due to the stock market, need to exceed profit every year • Keep the price low. Relocate workforce. No social benefits in mind. No democracy. • Executives make lots of money, make quick decisions. Small mistake cause them to loose their jobs. Play golf with clients or other exec

41. Corporate Culture • Keep the employees happy so they will not leave • Gourmet food, 3 weeks vacations, free coffee and drinks, onsite child care, work from home, flex working hours. • Workplace replaces home place. • Relationships are thick today gone tomorrow • Promotions are by no means orderly