10 Things to Know About U.S.Culture

1.Think BIG  Whereas other countries emphasize being practical, compact and concise, Americans often prefer large and luxurious.  Americans like their space, to  large can be practical.

2. “To-go” concept - Eating on the run.   Most Americans are always on the go. It seems they are often running from one appointment to the next, going to and from work, picking up kids, running errands, and going to business meetings and social outings.

3. Going out to eat or ordering take-out.   Americans eat out not only in the interest of time and convenience, but because it’s fun! The U.S. is a melting pot of different cultures, bringing along a variety of tasty food options.

4. Sports  Many Americans love and follow sports, the most popular being football, baseball and basketball. You’ll discover that a major difference between your home country and the USA is that the following of soccer is much smaller in the U.S. than in other countries.

5. Competition   Americans thrive on competition from a young age, children are encouraged to work hard and try their best to succeed at a task, particularly in academics, sports, and other hobbies.

6. Political Correctness  Since the U.S. is so diverse, there is a general practice of always respecting other cultures and people’s differences, especially when communicating and expressing your ideas.

7. Small Talk  A lot of Americans participate in what is called small talk, where you make conversation with strangers or acquaintances about non-controversial topics, such as the weather, sports, or popular television shows.

8.Independence  The idea of being self-sufficient is valued highly in the U.S. Many American kids and teenagers leave home for extended periods of time, often for summer camps or travel.

9.Diversity  The U.S. is often called a melting pot because its people come from many different backgrounds and cultures, and there are such a wide variety of beliefs, values, and traditions.

10.Speaking Up  In general and in the workplace, Americans are known for speaking up and generally going after what they want. Particularly in the workplace, you may be surprised to see that Americans are not afraid to voice their ideas.