America is the country that everyone is excited about, and everyone knows about it. Whether it is a proud patriot or a tourist, it is considered one of the major places to visit in the world. Despite it being a rather young country with only over 200 years of history, it has cemented itself as an influential habitat. There are a lot of parts of America that seem rather foreign. The way people act there, how they talk, and how they see the world can often be seen as an alien land. Here, we can tell you the most important parts of American culture you have to know.
Being Large and in Charge
When you look at the US on the world map, you can instantly see how big it is compared to other countries. With up to 50 individual states, the country is vast and full of iconic locations. The amount of space they have is what leads to the mentality of “being large.” This goes into their food, buildings, vehicles, and even parties. SUVs can pack an entire family of six in them. You can expect long road trips across huge deserts and wildlife. To an American, being large means matching up to the rest of the world.
You may have already heard about the supersize portions of fast food. Almost every US restaurant can serve a supersized portion of any kind of meal. The burgers can have more meat patties all stacked together. A portion of fries can be enough to share between three people. There are even competitions based in some restaurants that challenge customers to eat something massive. It’s so popular that you may have even seen TV shows based on it.
Can I Get That To-Go?
You may have heard the phrase, “Can I take this to-go?”. This is a common phrase used a lot in America based on a concept they believe they came up with. A lot of food you order can easily be asked to be taken on the move. The food place will happily pack up your food or whatever you have left, neatly package it, and place it in a bag. You can enjoy your food later or store it in the refrigerator for another day. While used in other parts of the world, it’s quite a common sight to see people with cups of coffee sealed up for their convenience.
The whole concept is different from just “take-out.” When you order take-out, this is originally planned to be taken on the move. Ordering something “to-go” means taking your meal elsewhere when originally you planned to eat it indoors. According to a recent study from DoSomething.org, apparently, 20% of all Americans will eat their meals in the car. This goes hand-in-hand with the busy lifestyle of the American workplace. Taking meals and eating them anywhere is one of their greatest strengths as a society.
Go Sports
You will always find a love of sports in any part of the globe. America, on the other hand, builds an entirely separate culture around its sports. They celebrate sports teams on a whole other level compared to other countries. The sports stars are said to be the most famous celebrities in all 50 states. Many of which have influence and power that rivals politicians. The four major sports followed in the US include:
- American football;
- Baseball;
- Basketball;
- Hockey.
Each one has a rich history in how it influenced American culture in its own way. Baseball saw the rise of children’s “little leagues.” Basketball has founded many fashion trends in local neighbourhoods.
Finally, there is one of the greatest shows on Earth that originates from the American Football Super Bowl. The Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the most-watched events on TV. There are over 100 million viewers who tune in just to watch the Halftime Show and not even the game itself. Nowadays, the Halftime Show will showcase the latest movie trailers, special guest appearances, and superstar performances. Having a famous singer perform the American national anthem before a game is common in this country. This includes performers like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga.
Importance of Diversity
In its history, America was often seen as a “promised land.” It is a country founded on immigration, after all. You can find a mixture of all different races, sexualities, genders, and other cultures all mixed together. With how large the country is, you can always find communities to whatever tribe you feel connected to. From the workplace to your local bar, there is always someone new to meet and give you a fresh new perspective. It is always important to respect other cultures, even those you don’t belong to. Everyone needs to work together to help America grow into a more loving and tolerant place.
It is also a place where many civil rights movements take place. A whole civil war was started in Abraham Lincoln’s time that was a means to end slavery. The Stonewall Riot was the starting point of Pride parades to support the LGBTQIA+ communities. These protests and movements continue even to this day. Now more than ever, people are still fighting for the right to make a real difference in this country. Not just in America but eventually the entire world. Whether it’s through art, music, or inspiring speeches.
American Holidays
America has their own traditions and holidays they celebrate on their own. The one everyone thinks of is Thanksgiving. This is a national holiday where Americans have a huge dinner with a Turkey as the centrepiece. It is a time when we give thanks and count our blessings for the beginning of the harvest. Americans invite their whole families over for a huge dinner and celebration. On the flip side, you may have heard about how this certain holiday takes place during a controversial period of American history. This is a heavily debated topic in recent times but remains as such.
There is also Independence Day, on the 4th of July. This is a federal holiday in which the whole country celebrates the day the Declaration of Independence was made. This official document marked the beginning of the United States of America. This legally made them their own country after the American Revolution. The best way Americans celebrate this holiday is with fairs, fireworks, and huge parades. Many of which pay tribute to the founding fathers and their actions in helping the land become completely independent. Below is a list of other American celebrations to learn more about:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day;
- Groundhog Day;
- Memorial Day;
- Labor Day;
- Presidents Day;
- Black Friday.
Viva Las Vegas
In the 21st Century and earlier, gambling is a huge part of the American experience. They even have an entire city that is based around the enjoyment of gambling. Las Vegas was founded in Nevada and has the most casinos anywhere on the whole planet. A lot of tourists come to Las Vegas to try their luck and have as much fun as possible. You can expect to see lots of Bachelor/Bachelorette parties in “sin city.” Casinos can be found everywhere in America, other than Nevada. You can find places in Atlanta City, Louisiana, Illinois, and more.
There are many movies and TV shows based on American gambling. It is quite ingrained into the culture as it’s all about taking risks. This is a mindset that many “traditional Americans” keep hold of as part of their identity. Below are a few casino recommendations:
| Casino | Location |
|---|---|
| Atlantis Casino | Nevada |
| MGM Casino | Las Vegas |
| Odawa Casino | Mississippi |
| Turning Stone Resort | New York |
The Art of Speaking Your Mind
This is something that truly separates America from the rest of the world, even in other Western-based countries like the UK or Canada. Americans are often known as “loud and proud.” They are seen as people who openly speak their minds and make demands if they believe it’s their right. This is true even in the workplace. While some cultures require constant respect for those in higher positions, America is the birthplace of unions. Quite often, will you get an employee that speaks up against their supervisor if they believe they are being mistreated or not paid enough?
Whether or not it is the right thing to do, is left to your own opinion. Individuality, after all, is America’s greatest freedom.