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Guide to American Culture for Intl. Students

Images of the USA

Welcome to the United States of America. Adjusting to a new culture can be a great challenge. No matter how prepared you are there will always be something that can catch you off guard. That is why we have listed this helpful resource guide in the hopes that it might make your transition easier.

Remember to always take any advice with a grain of salt. Not all individuals will fall in line with all cultural "norms" as the USA is a very large country with many types of people and cultures. Peoples cultures can vary from state to state and can also depend on their family background. However we feel that this is the best example of "American" Cultural norms we have come across.

Helpful website for Adjusting to Life in the USA

USAHello Button

Welcome to Lubbock! Downloadable PDF

What are American Values?

Individualism

"The most important thing to understand about US Americans is probably their devotion to "individualism." They have been trained from early in their lives to consider themselves separate individuals who are responsible for their own situations in life and their own destinies. They have not been trained to see themselves as members of a close-knit, tightly interdependent family, religious group, tribe, nation, or other group." (universityofportland)

Sometimes this can be challenging for students who come from cultures that are the opposite; communal cultures, where living with many family members or close together is the norm. In the USA is is common to move out of the family home at 18. Staying too long in the family home can be seen in a negative light. People who do this, especially men, are often seen as lazy and unmotivated to become independent and start their own life away from their parents.

Some international students struggle adapting to being on their own more often than they are used to. We recommend joining on-campus clubs, especially if you can find one related to your country, culture, or language.

Equality

The United States is a melting pot of many different cultures, religions, sexual orientations, ideas and ethnicity's. This can be a wonderful thing because in the US it is encouraged that everyone speak their mind and that everyone ideas be heard. Discrimination is something many Americans do not believe in and work very hard to prevent in education and in the work place. There are laws that prevent this type of discrimination. For example employers are not allowed to ask you about your age, sexual orientation or religion.

While it still is an very prevalent issue all across the country, the USA was founded on the belief that "all people are created equal" as stated in the Declaration of Independence the founding document of the country.

Group of diverse people

Informality

"Their notion of equality leads US Americans to be quite informal in their behavior and in their relationships with other people. Store clerks and waiters, for example, may introduce themselves by their first (given) names and treat customers in a casual, friendly manner. This goes for professors as well and other college staff. Do not be surprised when your professor introduces themselves by their first name.

"This informal behavior can puzzle foreign visitors who hold high stations in countries where it is not assumed that "all [people] are created

"The superficial friendliness for which US Americans are so well known is related to their informal, egalitarian approach to other people. "Hi!" they will say to just about anyone. "How ya doing?" (That is "How are you doing?" or "How are you?") This behavior does not reflect a special interest in the person addressed, but rather a concern for showing that one is a "regular person." equal." (universityofportland)

  • When greeting someone, Americans tend to say, “Hi” or “Hello.” You use the same greeting no matter who you talk to.
  • At home, it is common for pets to live inside the house and sleep on the furniture.
  • In English, there is only one word for “you” and not multiple words for an informal and formal version. (Usahello.org)

Independence and Self Reliance

Americans value their freedom to live their lives with limited intervention and control by the government. This comes from the Declaration of Independence. Various freedoms are also guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, such as the first amendments rights to free speech and the practice of religion.

This sense of independence motivates the importance of self-determination. Americans are very proud of being self-reliant and able to take care of themselves. They tend to think others should be self-reliant as well. (universityofportland)

Examples:

  • Americans expect anyone who can work to do so to support themselves.
  • American children tend to leave their parent’s homes early. After high school, the majority of children move out to go to college or start working.
  • Americans move away easily. It is common for people to move for work and relocate to a new place away from family and friends.

Girl leaving home

Directness and Assertiveness

"US Americans generally consider themselves to be frank, open, and direct in their dealings with other people. "Let's lay our cards out on the table," they say. Or, "Let's stop playing games and get to the point." These and many other common phrases convey the US American's idea that people should explicitly state what they think and what they want from other people.

US Americans tend to assume that conflicts or disagreements are best settled by means of forthright discussions among the people involved. If I dislike something you are doing, I should tell you about it directly so you will know, clearly and from me personally, how I feel about it. Bringing other people to mediate a dispute is considered somewhat cowardly, the act of a person without enough courage to speak directly to someone else." (universityofportland)

Friends talking

Time

Americans place a lot of value on their time. Some Americans plan out their time carefully, using calendars for their personal and work lives. Americans may feel frustrated if they think someone or something has wasted their time.

The famous saying “time is money” describes how Americans like to use their time “efficiently.” They want to get the most done in the shortest amount of time. You might also hear the saying "If you are on time you are late, if you are early you are on time."

Americans find it rude to have their time wasted by someone being late to an appointment. If you are talking to someone and they have to cut the conversation short by saying something like, "I'm sorry to end out chat, but I have an appointment in 10 minutes and need to go." that is considered polite and not unusual to ensure they are not late for another appointment. The person they are talking to will understand and usually respond with "OK, I will talk with you later!" (Usahello.org)

  • It is important to be “on time” and be at a place when you said you would be there. You can get in trouble for being late to school or work.
  • It is expected that you make an appointment for things like visiting a doctor, teacher, or even a friend. Often being even a little early to an appointment is preferred.
  • If someone is going to be late to an invitation, they will call or text to let the person know they are late, even if it’s only a few minutes. (Usahello.org)

Sources: University of Portland, usahello.org, PennState at Harrisburg