The United States is a very large and multinational country, so it is impossible to identify a universal American culture. However, there is a whole set of stereotypes characteristic of American society as a whole. For example, one of them is the statement that the United States has a classless society. Indeed, in the United States one can move freely from one social group to another and easily change one’s financial status. But the disparity in socio-economic status between rich and poor is no smaller than in any other country in the world.

Of enormous importance in shaping the culture is the rather specific American legislation. On the one hand there is a powerful state apparatus, a highly developed legal system, and a very complex body of law. On the other hand there is a liberal federal system with enormous power of individual states and free development of various public, political and religious organizations. The United States is one of the most religious of the industrialized countries in the world. Almost all denominations are represented here without restriction. Officially more than half of the U.S. population is Protestant.

Most Americans are very welcoming and hospitable. They take a great interest in life and customs of other countries. They are ardent patriots of their country. Americans also have a special respect for family and historical values, and for the rights and freedoms of citizens. The history of the country is barely three hundred years old. However, many historical monuments are maintained here. They are often more numerous than in several European or Asian countries put together. Equally great attention is paid to the protection of nature and the support of international environmental organizations.

Another most important feature of Americans is privacy. This does not mean fencing off one’s home or business from the attention of others. On the contrary, most locals are open and sociable. The balance of their lives and their interests in relation to one another allows them to have a clear sense of the limits of what they’re allowed. Hence the lack of lines, the abundance of empty seats in restaurants and cafes, the indifference to the appearance or habits of others, and even the lack of full-fledged fences between neighboring houses or lots.

Americans practically live by a schedule and greatly value punctuality. It is not customary here to remove one’s hat and shoes upon entering a room, to give way on public transportation, or to give gifts when visiting someone else’s home. However, such a visit must necessarily be agreed upon in advance. It is also a characteristic habit of locals to abbreviate all names of interlocutors to their American counterpart when communicating.

In many restaurants and cafes it is not customary to leave anything on the table. As a rule, anything you have not eaten will be put in a bag or a box and given to the customer. Drinking rules in the United States vary from state to state. Only the minimum legal drinking age, 21, is the same throughout the country. The sale of alcohol is usually prohibited after a certain time or on weekends, but each state has its own restrictions.

One of the most serious offenses is drunk driving. It carries very hefty fines and even imprisonment for days or months. The standard for determining intoxication varies from state to state. On average, a driver’s blood-alcohol content should not exceed 0.08 ppm. Most states also prohibit you from having any open bottle of alcohol in your car.

Almost all states prohibit smoking in all public places. This applies to hospitals, airports, train stations, bus stops, and even offices. Airports and train stations have designated smoking rooms. All public catering establishments are also smoke-free. The only exception is casinos. Americans are giving up nicotine quite en masse and ban smoking in their homes. Before smoking, it is advisable to first clarify whether it is not officially forbidden in the given place, and then ask the permission of those around you.