What represents American (U.S.) Culture to you?

[OceanAnnie]

The first thing that came to mind is freedom. Freedom of expression, freedom to pursue dreams, freedom to rise above where we started.

 

[akcire]

I am not from USA, but have lived here so long and am married to native citizen so I am used to most things in the States. However I have tons of family that visit on a regular basis, so I get to hear all sorts of things.

The number one thing they ask about is safety. I am in Naperville, IL a suburb of Chicago that is VERY safe, and they always ask if it is safe to walk around outside. They have seen so much media coverage regarding gun violence and also movies that they think all of the USA is a continuous gun shoot out. The older relatives 70+ also have lots of "gangster" Al Capone impressions of USA.

They also view everything here to be BIG: cars, houses, people, stores, food portions, and also loud. Additionally the emphasis on possessions tends to be very unsettling. My uncles teases me that the only culture of USA is fast food, shopping malls, and getting something new. I have pointed out that this is not always true, but it is hard to be convincing when driving around my town they see tons of SUV's with Rhino bars and as far as I know (and I have lived here 7 years) there are no Rhino's running free in my town.

Also the foreign policy decisions of the USA are not well received the world over. One thing that they always point out to my husband is that America is two continents and USA is a country. When someone asks you what country you are from, you sound like an idiot saying "America". Yet most of this nation identifies themselves as Americans but they don't really mean persons outside of USA.

 

[N.Bailey]

First and foremost:
The American Flag
The Star Spangled Banner
Bald Eagle
Uncle Sam
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard
Whitehouse

Hamburgers
Hot Dogs
Baseball games
Macy's parade
Steak sandwiches
Coco Cola
Marlboro
McDonald's
Rock music
Jazz
Ford
Chevrolet
Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney
Disney World and Disneyland
Apple Pie
Dollar Bill
Hollywood
Michael Jackson
Marilyn Monroe
Ben Franklin
Abraham Lincoln
George Washington
JFK
FDR
Football
Poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and roller skates (50's era)
Flower children of the 70s
BBQ
Cajun (Louisiana)
Microsoft and Xbox
Nascar

 

[Robinrs]

Just because something is a commonly held belief does not make it false. I could stereotype Japanese people by saying that they generally have black hair and brown eyes...is that an inaccurate portrayal?

I never said false, not once. Most stereotypes ARE based on some form of truth, usually one's personal truth, but it's a blanket comparison and no one is happy with a all or none thought about themselves, even (especially) here on the DIS.

 

[crashbb]

Hmm, you could buy Mickie D's and Coca Cola in other countries but while I was staying in Europe and later Mexico I did have some Coke, but...it just wasn't the same as when I had it at home, as odd as it sounds.

It's the sugar. They (usually) use the real stuff, rather than HFCS.

 

[Briarmom]

Hmm, you could buy Mickie D's and Coca Cola in other countries but while I was staying in Europe and later Mexico I did have some Coke, but...it just wasn't the same as when I had it at home, as odd as it sounds.

It's so much better outside the US. Sugar tastes better than HFCS.

What I think of to represent the US (lots has been said):

Fat people
Gross food
Excess
Movies
Big cars
Spoiled kids
Allergies

 

[acejka]

Coca-cola, McDonalds, and Disneyworld! The three superpowers which my dh and I are sure are going to take over the world!

 

[shrubber]

It's so much better outside the US. Sugar tastes better than HFCS.

What I think of to represent the US (lots has been said):

Fat people
Gross food
Excess
Movies
Big cars
Spoiled kids
Allergies

That is really sad you think that way. I feel a little sorry for you.

 

[Briarmom]

That is really sad you think that way. I feel a little sorry for you.

I always feel a lot sorry for you every time you post.

 

[eliza61]

It's so much better outside the US. Sugar tastes better than HFCS.

What I think of to represent the US (lots has been said):

Fat people
Gross food
Excess
Movies
Big cars
Spoiled kids
Allergies

You forgot "know it alls who feel they are superior to every one else" I totally understand how we cultivate this image. The phrase "ugly American" some times is well deserved.

 

[bavaria]

So, I have to say this about McDonalds, since we were talking about it closing on DTD and I didn't agree that it was an international tourist draw.

I DO respect McDonalds and how they went out into the world, if globalization is inevitable. Read the menus around the world in McDonalds and they combine local flavour, tastes, and culture with the American standards. And they bring their tradition of charity such as Ronald McDonald House around the world. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz/1011541-mcdonalds-menu-items-around-world.html

I would far rather see a McDonalds than many of the other chains, if seeing chains is inevitable. (I admit that I don't eat there, but I still prefer to see them over other companies when it comes to globalization)

HA! Bet that many of you didn't ever expect me to post something like that!!

 

[eliza61]

Aren't the Mic D's in China (or was it Japan) pulling out?

 

[crashbb]

The best thing I can say is that it's a nice big group of varied people. However, we're not doing the melting pot thing better than Canada is. I cannot even imagine a US Olympics including our native peoples in such a beautiful and moving way that we saw the other night, for example.

Actually, I'd disagree with the part I bolded.

Canada does not try to be a "melting pot".

I find it very interesting when discussing ethnicity with our US colleagues (I do health genetic epidemiological research studies and ethnic background is always asked of the participants). In general, the US patients answer "something-American" or sometimes just "American", and you have to keep asking about ancestors to get to their "genetic" ethnic background. Canadians, on the other hand, tend to just say "something" rather than "something-Canadian". It is making my life difficult as I try to merge out datasets!!

One of my colleagues who is a transplanted American says he was shocked by how Canadians like to talk about their heritage (he says he found it pretty much like talking about the weather). In his experience, people in the US felt threatened by such questions - almost as if you were questioning their Americanness or patriotism.

I would definitely say that the US is a better melting pot than Canada. Not that it is a contest (just cannot put it any other way).

 

[bavaria]

Aren't the Mic D's in China (or was it Japan) pulling out?

Are you thinking of this?

Generic packaging, minimalist decor, a two-item menu - and not a clown insight! That goes for the website as well. McDonalds Japan's dip into no-brand marketing comes as quite a shock to those who see the global burger master as the poster child for brand name advertising.

http://inventorspot.com/articles/mcdonalds_japan_goes_nobrand_with_quarter_pounder_shops_19505

I think that McDonalds must have a hard time competing with Mos Burger in Japan (and some other countries in Asia where Mos Burger is popular)

In China:

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Fast-food chains are looking for growth wherever they can find it -- and for McDonald's(MCD Quote), that growth is in China.
McDonald's announced that it plans to boost its capital investment in the country by 25% during the year, Reuters reported.
The company expects to open 150 to 175 new stores in China in 2010, according to Reuters

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10670032/mcdonalds-plans-big-growth-in-china.html

 

[crashbb]

So, I have to say this about McDonalds, since we were talking about it closing on DTD and I didn't agree that it was an international tourist draw.

I DO respect McDonalds and how they went out into the world, if globalization is inevitable. Read the menus around the world in McDonalds and they combine local flavour, tastes, and culture with the American standards. And they bring their tradition of charity such as Ronald McDonald House around the world. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz/1011541-mcdonalds-menu-items-around-world.html

I would far rather see a McDonalds than many of the other chains, if seeing chains is inevitable. (I admit that I don't eat there, but I still prefer to see them over other companies when it comes to globalization)

HA! Bet that many of you didn't ever expect me to post something like that!!

They also make a good place to find a clean bathroom.

 

[akcire]

Aren't the Mic D's in China (or was it Japan) pulling out?

No MCD in China an Japan are strong. In fact they are adding tons in China. We lived there a few years ago. It is strange to go to a McDonalds and get to order a cup of corn and a green bean pie.

The funniest thing I ever saw in my life was at a Beijing McDonalds. Cars are an incredibly important status symbol in China, when we were there about 3 years ago visiting friends the first McDonalds with a drive through opened. MANY of the Chinese were ordering their food at the drive thru, and then parking their cars and going into the restaurant to eat, since it was the first one no one really knew. I watched this for like 20 minutes, it was good fun. Also the uniforms are a hoot.

 

[bavaria]

No MCD in China an Japan are strong. In fact they are adding tons in China. We lived there a few years ago. It is strange to go to a McDonalds and get to order a cup of corn and a green bean pie.

The funniest thing I ever saw in my life was at a Beijing McDonalds. Cars are an incredibly important status symbol in China, when we were there about 3 years ago visiting friends the first McDonalds with a drive through opened. MANY of the Chinese were ordering their food at the drive thru, and then parking their cars and going into the restaurant to eat, since it was the first one no one really knew. I watched this for like 20 minutes, it was good fun. Also the uniforms are a hoot.

McDrive! (That is what we call them)

Agree that McD's has an international reputation for a good clean rest stop. I was stunned a few months ago to have my driver ask me if 'madame wished to stop' and pointed to a McDonalds coming up alongside the road.

This was in rural India after about four hours of bouncing and jouncing along roads and sitting in tailbacks. I was stunned; I hadn't realised that they made it that far in India.

 

[sdemore]

Haven' read all the posting here but after reading the first page which covered quite a few really good ideas what kept coming to my mind is WDW before anyone enters the parks. It covers our history, ingenuity, progress, varying cultures and Hollywood.

 

[bavaria]

There was a thread on the UK Community Board awhile back, titled something such as 'What Surprised You Most About America' or something similar.

It made for a very interesting read about perceptions and reality.

 

[shrubber]

I've lived here all my life, and I see no culture here.

The best thing I can say is that it's a nice big group of varied people. However, we're not doing the melting pot thing better than Canada is. I cannot even imagine a US Olympics including our native peoples in such a beautiful and moving way that we saw the other night, for example.




!

You must have missed the Salt Lake City games in '02.
It is widley held as a great tribute to the american indian.