How would you define American culture?

Question

AmandaYVR · Accepted Answer

Good question, that's a tough one.

A geographically massive country which has little connection to others (and it doesn't care about its bordering brother Canada at all), which believes it's the best in the world, the ultimate 'superpower', and no matter what happens within it, continues to believe in ideals (the ones it was founded on), even when the current state of affairs continually proves otherwise.

Democracy, racial integration, the power of the individual, harmony, equity, safety from violent crime, affordable healthcare, work-life balance, cost of living... all are problems unresolved, yet many continue to make claims otherwise, loudly shouting to the rest of the world, 'We are the best. Follow our lead.' It's arrogance. And bombastic interference in other parts of the world are often misappropriated as 'keeping the peace' when in fact there is much to be gained financially from these forays. America wants global economic power, and its military budget proves just how committed to this cause it is.

American is not the worst; far from it. And yes, there are significant social freedoms. But it's about time it stopped claiming to be the best, and shutting its ears to other ways of living.

Even when others abroad covet and idealize it, it is often without thorough knowledge of just how much there is yet to fix. 'Work hard and anything is possible' is an idealist's lie. But the lure of 'the possible', and supposed individual freedoms, and opportunity, will always continue to attract more hopefuls. America, itself, should recognize that it is hope that is appealing; not the actual current state (no matter what time in history.) It would have more respect worldwide if it had more humility in its failings, something all nations have.

Perfection is a pipe dream. Acknowledging there is still much work to do is something that could actually be admired. Continuing to claim 'We are the best' no matter the circumstances, makes it lose credibility; much like a child covering their ears, 'La la la lala lala la" while two political parties lash out at each other and hurl insults, character assassinations, and claim the other is scum of the earth, amidst yet another mass shooting, more people sinking below the poverty line, personal bankruptcies filed as a result of health crises, liar loans that should never have been given to attain 'The American Dream', and a manipulated economy 'too big to fail.'

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

I think your picture says it all, America doesn't have culture it has corporations. Culture is something thats deep rooted in a society, shared values, customs, traditions not a big mac. For culture in America I think you have to go down to the state level before you see it in it's traditional sense.

Jaysonava · Accepted Answer

It's very hard to define because it's so big. Pretty much all large population countries are hard to define.
But it's also, kind of, distinct from the rest of the world.
The images you gave are pretty good though hahaha.

Disney is good. Starbucks is true.

British origins, frontier culture, free markets. A lot of Spanish influence in the south and west. A lot of Italian influence in New England and New York.

The north east is very abrupt and competitive and egotistical. Career driven. People work a lot and are obsessed with their field and the 'hustle'. There is a concern over time and getting things done. Americans have a fear of missing out and are brought up to want to fit a wide variety of events and sensations into their lives. From going to college, drifting through the south west and seeing the plateaus, to attending the biggest concerts and festivals in the country.

The South tends to be more polite but the etiquette feels a bit oppressive to me. Because it's mainly etiquette designed to protect the obscenely rich and unhealthy behavior. For example, in the south it is considered rude and envious to question if a rich person deserves all their money. It is considered 'negative'. But some rich people are dodgy.
The customer service people in the south are very polite to obnoxious customers.
It is also rude to insult fat people, or question people's eating habits. But what's more vulgar then being rude about someone's weight is the poor quality food being sold to Americans. Obesity needs to be addressed as a problem. Because it's not just about manners it's about health.

On a similar note I would say that the American people are way too abstract in their thinking and highly unrealistic. They talk about foreign cultures in a very hypothetical way.

For example, Americans like to deride 'socialism'. But countries that right wing americans call 'socialist' have much the same structure as the USA. Some 'socialist' countries have even freer markets and more private enterprise than the USA. But despite the reality, Amercians often see things in an unrealistic and idealistic way, and will defend the 'idea' of America. Ignoring the fact that there are better examples of free countries and ignoring the reality of how the country compares to others.

There is a LOT more to go over but that's just some tid bits.

gotc147 · Accepted Answer

American culture can be summed up by the statement "While I disagree with what you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it".

This sentiment isn't shared anywhere else in the world, European nations and even Canada imprison people for what George Orwell called "wrongthink", and people are ignorant enough to believe those other nations are more free. No wonder a North Korean defector spoke out against the indoctrination in higher education here being worse than the brainwashing where she's from.

Anon621 · Answer

Murica f yeah coming again to save the mfin day yeah. In all seriousness, I would probably say Americans are just right loving people that appreciate the country and the freedom they have and they appreciate the people who sacrifice their lives to protect their freedom. I think most Americans want to make a positive change to modern culture in one form or another because most Americans believe in some form of inequality currently taking place that needs to be changed or fixed. Ah heck who am I kidding with this serious crap, just grab your shotgun Johnny were heading down the ranch over to the Starbucks to see beautiful old Betsy and then head back to have a beer with some burgers and pizza deep fried in grease to hunt some deer when we're done.

SilverRain92 · Answer

American culture definitely exists. It has roots in puritans' view of America as a blessed City upon a Hill and the ideals of founding fathers written in American Constitution.
All people are equal,
Later these ideals were shaped by Hollywood and corporations like Coca Cola, McDonald's Disney, Starbucks etc. which influenced the modern lifestyle in many countries as we can see nowadays
They have "self made man principle" and we can see some bright individuals like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Ray Dalio or Robert Kiyosaki which inspire the millions of people around the world.
But their belief in their exceptionalism, the willness of their politicians and media to see the world in white black colours, stupid political correctness and woke culture which reminds me the attitude of Bolsheviks, racism, all of that creates a lot of problems and tensions which Hollywood movies and consumption society are unable to fix.

RealMarek · Answer

Prepare for some of the least efficient bureaucracies on earth (INS, IRS, etc.). Don’t worry about culture because you won’t find much of one here. The place is more like a refugee camp than a country these days unless you’re in an upscale or remote area. As for money, while the average income is top-shelf the median income is less than Italy’s and going down in the rankings quickly, while the cost of housing and staple goods is going through the roof, medical is expensive so as to subsidize other countries’ pharmaceuticals, and there is little job security, so expect to struggle.

Gespenster_division · Answer

I think somebody worked out that slavery in the USA was expensive than say renting land or employing somebody to work for you because you have to feed them, cloth them, pay for their health care, buy them, pay tax on them, breed them whereas the other way employees are responsible for themselves and what they earn, regardless they have to pay or make you money or they are gone. Also they were building a system where thered be too many slaves to control and there would be slave revolts, southern slave owners rightly feared that their slaves could one day cut all their throats in the night. Population decline as citizens would have no work and be forced to move elsewhere.

Silas_153 · Answer

The U. S. is a nation in serious decline, especially California, and this is reflected in their "culture". Example: When was the last time Hollywood actually made a film that was worth watching? Now it's all superhero action shlockbusters, or remakes of old classic films. Where is the originality, creativity and imagination?
The U. S. is a nation of spoilt, entitled crybabies who get easily "offended" and "triggered" by clouds because they're white, where army troops are made to wear high-heeled shoes, and where even in Texas their children are perverted by drag-queens preaching "tolerance".

Bean2thousand · Answer

Don't marry @iron_man, because I'm more attractive than he is and probably have a higher net worth. It's probably easier to fall in love with me that get a green card. But if you want a green card, I would get an attorney -- work visas are usually for highly skilled or educated individuals who move here with an employment contract, but I honestly think it takes someone with lots of experience to help you navigate this.  But more to your point, how do you become an American, like what does it mean to be an American through and through? I'll tell you a story about my great grandfather, a blacksmith named John McClure. He was perscuted by the British and robbed of his rights by these hateful bastards. So, he sailed across the ocean and his boat sank 2 miles off the coast. He swam to shore and then worked off the debt he had acquired to own land here. The moral of the story is: you have to be willing to swim 2 miles when your boat sinks.

superrmatt · Answer

It varies wildly depending on where you go.
It is also undergoing great upheavel at this point in time.

There are a few things that from my travels, seem to be shared by just about everyone, but again, this is changing.

Egalitarian
Libertarian (not the political party, as in, a belief in individual liberty).
Individualist
Consumerist
Liberal
Passionate
Optimistic
Highly Productive
Energetic

Turrorrr · Answer

everything is big in america.
there is not a lot of common will or community vibe, most people just think and work for themselves (except the christians).
there is this spirit of 'cruising around' through your day. i think americans quite like to move, drive to work, drive to activities etc. in Europe people drive when they travel but dont move so much around every day.

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

The only culture tradition, i can think of are the stereotypical and classic southern red neck, "yeehaw" barbecue, road trip, pit stops, banjo/fiddle playin culture which isn't in other countries. Otherwise none at all because americans are so mixed. I'm not even sure what the culture is in the northern part.

johnsmithjs · Answer

You have got to love all the hate from Europeans when it comes to the United States. Just remember if is was not for the United States you would all be speaking German or Russian. Your technology would also be behind a good 50 years. So instead of complaining about the United States how about a big fat thank-you instead.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Until right now I respected you somewhat.

You don't need to change much; just carry some of your interests to an extreme and displace your moral values with symbolism, money and consumption.
The values you speak of need to be adjusted, though; your ''freedom'', ''democracy'' and what ever else: need to be americanized (where your newly achieved extreme interest will be helpful)

I know that my comments step on some people's toes.
But -hey- that's the American way, isn't it.

InfobotLives · Answer

I would describe it in actions. I'd give you a McDonalds happy meal, call you a snowflake, criticise your privilege and then shoot you. I think that covers everything 🤔

JackofSpades · Answer

Basically the only thing that feels like universal American culture is just consumerism.

I mean the cultural differences between different regions, states and even just communities is so vast it's hard to really find anything culturally significant that we have in common.

TodsShadow · Answer

High morals with high levels of ignorance and disregard for the greater good.

On the other side of the coin it’s some beautiful spirits that stem from the culture but a lot of them call on wisdom from their cultures before coming to America.

NoLookingAtSoleil · Answer

The right, maybe even expectation, for a man and a woman to unite not just in bed but also to both hold guns and together defend their home and children if need be (and, over a. lifetime, it gets to something of that sort - even ona daily level, one of the two could give in to straying financially or into alcohol etc, or they could hold it together and make it last, have children do the same et cetera)

Friendlybro79 · Answer

We're a melting pot. Always have always will be. Lots of different cultural influences which many other countries have little experience in. I also believe we're better than we're portrayed although far from perfect.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

I think it's too obsessed with food and not enough focused on good things like passing positive values down to the children or engaging the kids in creative thinking and philanthropic activities.

ImSparkly · Answer

A consumption driven culture driven by FOMO and 'influencers.' Its pretty vapid, just look at the politics (both sides).

Kaneki05 · Answer

It don't have one really. More just bible dogmatic views which continue to die like the founding fathers wanted in the first place. Then just corporations.

Anonymous · Answer

Overpriced coffee, tons of fast food restaurants, all about expensive "things". Very patriotic, very political, all tax money goes to the army, no health care, government doesn't give a sh*t about their own (like most places). Gluttony, fear, think they are the best in the world. No gun safety.

jshm2 · Answer

You need to start taking your antidepressants, and aim higher in life, kiddo.  Wanting to become an American citizen is like asking for a permanent minimum wage job in some backwater McDonalds.

NotARobberYet · Answer

Consumerism, materialism, individualism, vanity, greed, sedentarism, rap, McDonald's, sportsball, nike, liberalism, conservatism, cuckold porn, ❤ 🇮🇱, hatred of Muslims.

Massageman · Answer

If there is an American consulate in your home country, try to visit them for some help. I'm not against immigration when done in the legal way. Every person in the US, even "indigenous" people, are from lines of immigrants.

Screenwriter · Answer

As a smorgasbord and melting pot of many cultures that have created something new.

IAMNathanael · Answer

Lots of different descriptions. Some: -Quick and convenient options -Workaholics

jshm2 · Answer

Define it as "non-existent" There is more culture in the yoghurt in your fridge, than there is in America.

MotorcycleMan · Answer

I think the beauty of America is that you can come here and be who you are. You do not have to give up your culture, just add it to ours.

supercutebutt · Answer

Baseball, Hollywood, Rock 'n' Roll? Something like that. And also we sometimes have insurrections.

The_Maphio · Answer

Once an inspiration to better yourself and make it in life. Today, a glorious trainwreck to not get close to.

MotorcycleMan · Answer

So many things... Sociopathicly capitalist, aggressive, spoiled, entitled, racist, ignorant, imperialist... kind, caring, creative, brilliant...

Alexandrubaschet08 · Answer

An all inclusive all world culture. Is like a shaorma whit evrething but each product whas made by lot of yares of history and sacriface and bood. America just put them all togeder.

jerdanro · Answer

American citizens are the most generous people in the world. See the World Giving Index. This is measured as a percentage of GDP, not absolute dollars. So, the numbers account for the fact that some countries are wealthier than others.

siseñor · Answer

a weird collage of things that you wouldn't have ever imagined being put together.

hellionthesagereborn · Answer

Libertarian by nature. Independence and individualism by nature.

John_Doesnt · Answer

A bunch of people who walk into your house, crawl up your leg and start biting the inside of your ass.

exitseven · Answer

It is the standard that the rest of the world aspires to.

_Troian_ · Answer

Don't bother.. just hop off from the border, be an illegal then get yourself into a gang-life around L. A thats cool :D

Anonymous · Answer

Imaginary. They are still boasting about being free but they lost their freedom a long time ago.

Ninjazzed · Answer

Unlike it used to be, very subdued and apocalyptic. The worst timeline.

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

It's a mix of every other culture with a bit of individualism thrown in.

Bean2thousand · Answer

To me, it means working very hard to maintain a higher standard of living. And being able to withstand the criticism that comes your way.

CharlieTrag · Answer

Cocky, Fat, Unintelligent, Arrogant, Loud, Brash, Superiority Complex.

cjmtherfcker · Answer

Unbridled Greed, Excess, immorality, Hypocritical narcissistic imperialist Racist

genericname85 · Answer

i think "superficial" would be the best short description.

007kingifrit · Answer

it depends, what country are you from? what culture you came from tells us a lot about what things would need to change and which would stay the same

Anonymous · Answer

The first thing you need to do is change the country on your profile to anything but the USA.

Archerer · Answer

Completely narcissistic, shallow, superficial, and meaningless

Likethesky · Answer

Plays football with hands and tells us that we play soccer

_Troian_ · Answer

Rap songs, Jazz, Fast-Food/Junk Food, Gangsta Life, Porn Industry.

Adam_West · Answer

I don't think you should be.  We practically starving here!

egykimo · Answer

Come and take the Egyptian citizenship right away lol

Rennitenn · Answer

A hodgepodge of Eurpoean cultures including a stromg slant of African added for the eyes.

Ryfyle · Answer

A whole mess of Guns and Fun. there's Can-Do, and then there's American Can-do.

Nazgol · Answer

Instant gratification, materialistic & narcissistic

captain_voidwalker · Answer

How would I describe it. Once a bastion of liberty slowly descending into George Orwell's 1984

CreamySeed · Answer

Bullet proof vests should be available to every man woman and child with proof of citizenship

Anonymous · Answer

haven't you heard how awful it is here? were racist, sexist, patriarchal. Why would you ever consider coming here?

lpoots · Answer

this is not American culture  this is American corporate culture

KinkyLife · Answer

"A toilet that hasn't been flushed for over 300 years" ~Kinkylife

Anonymous · Answer

You take a rock, a potato, and a fistful of crystal meth and you burn it all down!!!

How would you define American culture?

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