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

[DisneyBamaFan]

For me, American culture = freedom above all else.

I really couldn't care less what the rest of the world thinks, just as other countries shouldn't care what I think of their culture...

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Actually, the United States has not succeeded in becoming a melting pot, which is, in part, a diverse mix of cultures coming together and blending into one new one that emerges from the "melting pot." This country has not done that.

It has been likened to a salad bowl by some sociologists... each ingredient remaining intact...

To think that this country is a melting pot, is a good indication of lack of understanding of the diversity present, and that each culture has not been assimilated into a new whole.

I for one am grateful for that.

 

[minnie56]

I am not too sure about the 'freedom' thing...seems to me there is a lot of fear these days that threaten that?

 

[golfgal]

I think so too. I was commenting to my husband yesterday about TV commercials - no matter what they advertise, everyone is shown in a big, sunny house with hardwood floors, huge windows, crown moldings, etc. Not everyone lives like that - but you wouldn't know it from the average American commercial.

Maybe not but even those in what we would consider the worst of the worst in the US still live better then the vast majority of the rest of the world.

Intolerance for others, lack of civil liberties for all Americans, "I'm bigger than you and can beat you up if I want to mentality."

Those things are there too. Those concepts and realities get exported right along with Mickey Mouse and McDonald's.

Um, ok, lets stop helping the rest of the world and see how well that works.

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

I was thinking along those lines as well-our struggle for independence and how that has lead to our GREAT country.

Actually, the United States has not succeeded in becoming a melting pot, which is, in part, a diverse mix of cultures coming together and blending into one new one that emerges from the "melting pot." This country has not done that.

It has been likened to a salad bowl by some sociologists... each ingredient remaining intact...

To think that this country is a melting pot, is a good indication of lack of understanding of the diversity present, and that each culture has not been assimilated into a new whole.

I for one am grateful for that.

I disagree from someone that has a combination of at least 7 different nationalities in her bloodline. You have to look back over history and the US was indeed a melting pot. Yes, it took time for the pilgrims and the Indians to mix, then it took time for people to hire the Irish, then it took time for the Laotians to integrate but it HAS happened. Part of what is so wrong with RECENT immigrant groups is THEIR refusal to join the pot. In the past new groups of immigrants to the US did everything they could to become "American" as fast as they could, not so today.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I am not too sure about the 'freedom' thing...seems to me there is a lot of fear these days that threaten that?

If you are referring to terrorists, there are cells worldwide. Even in Canada from what I've read.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I am not too sure about the 'freedom' thing...seems to me there is a lot of fear these days that threaten that?

I'm not too sure of that freedom thing either. There are some freedoms that are not allowed for citizens of the United States. Makes it a little hard to consider freedom a fundamental aspect of the US culture.

 

[ChrisFL]

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

Wendy's in Japan just pulled out a few weeks ago

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I am not too sure about the 'freedom' thing...seems to me there is a lot of fear these days that threaten that?

Fear kills freedom. Do not be afraid. Live life without expectations, enjoying every moment...

 

[minnie56]

If you are referring to terrorists, there are cells worldwide. Even in Canada from what I've read.

Of course there are...
But I let me tell you..I didn't feel very 'free' when I went to dinner on New Years Eve about 5 blocks from Times Sq and was escorted into the restaurant by 2 of New Yorks finest bearing M16's!!!!!!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I'm not too sure of that freedom thing either. There are some freedoms that are not allowed for citizens of the United States. Makes it a little hard to consider freedom a fundamental aspect of the US culture.

Agreed, but name another nation founded on principles of freedom above all else. We have strayed over the centuries, but that is still what I think of...

 

[ChrisFL]

I think the "freedom" thing is overblown honestly...when I was a young kid in school, the way they taught us history, they acted as if the U.S. was the only country in the world that was "Free"...then I was told later on that there's a lot of "Free" countries now, so I was confused about why the U.S. tries to hold on to that label.

Having said that, the idea of coming here to be able to do anything if you work hard enough, that is possibly a uniquely American thing.

I agree with most of what the others have said and I'll have to find that thread about what surprises people most about visiting the U.S.

I have some friends/co-workers from the Philippines who have been here in the U.S. at different times, I love asking them what surprises them the most. So far the only real answer I've gotten is we have no rice anywhere, and there's lots of fat people compared to where they live.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Of course there are...
But I let me tell you..I didn't feel very 'free' when I went to dinner on New Years Eve about blocks from Times Sq and was escorted into the restaurant by 2 of New Yorks finest bearing M16's!!!!!!

Well put in context, you were basically at ground zero, during a holiday that has a gazillion people gathered, and it's still considered a massive target.

I guess the question is, is it fear or being proactive?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Maybe not but even those in what we would consider the worst of the worst in the US still live better then the vast majority of the rest of the world.



Um, ok, lets stop helping the rest of the world and see how well that works.



I was thinking along those lines as well-our struggle for independence and how that has lead to our GREAT country.



I disagree from someone that has a combination of at least 7 different nationalities in her bloodline. You have to look back over history and the US was indeed a melting pot. Yes, it took time for the pilgrims and the Indians to mix, then it took time for people to hire the Irish, then it took time for the Laotians to integrate but it HAS happened. Part of what is so wrong with RECENT immigrant groups is THEIR refusal to join the pot. In the past new groups of immigrants to the US did everything they could to become "American" as fast as they could, not so today.

It is your opinion, true. But that does not make it applicable to society as a whole. Refusal to join the pot? What about those who desperately want to leap into the cauldron but are kept out through discrimination, and other non-inclusive practices.

I'm not going to argue with you. It wouldn't make a bit of difference, based on your opinion. But if you care to expand your understanding, consider doing a little research.

The United States is not a melting pot, and never achieved a state where all cultures were valued and honored in the same measure. That is what prevents the coming together, and the development of a unified whole.

 

[minnie56]

I don't know?? My take on it is different than yours..
My daughter attends school in New York City..I am often concerned for her as she goes about her day to day life and when she comes home, I breathe a sigh...

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I think the "freedom" thing is overblown honestly...when I was a young kid in school, the way they taught us history, they acted as if the U.S. was the only country in the world that was "Free"...then I was told later on that there's a lot of "Free" countries now, so I was confused about why the U.S. tries to hold on to that label...

You realize that we started that, right? That, at the time, what we were doing was unique. Other countries have surpassed us, as we have gone backward while they move forward, but we took what were considered unachievable ideals and used them to form our government. A remarkable achievement...

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Agreed, but name another nation founded on principles of freedom above all else. We have strayed over the centuries, but that is still what I think of...

And it is an honorable thought.

 

[bavaria]

Here you go http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2361583&highlight=surprised+america

First response?

'How old fashioned things looked'

And lots of chatter about the gaps in the bathroom stall - something which surprises many of us from Europe when we go to America. Again, just a fun way to look at it from the other side - nothing too deep there, but the responses may surprise people.

 

[NikitaZee]

I have some friends/co-workers from the Philippines who have been here in the U.S. at different times, I love asking them what surprises them the most. So far the only real answer I've gotten is we have no rice anywhere, and there's lots of fat people compared to where they live.

My brother-in-law and his family have moved here from Colombia, and they agreed that they were shocked by the number of fat people they've seen in America - and the size of the portions served in American restaurants.

 

[ChrisFL]

You realize that we started that, right? That, at the time, what we were doing was unique. Other countries have surpassed us, as we have gone backward while they move forward, but we took what were considered unachievable ideals and used them to form our government. A remarkable achievement...

That's great, if you were a white, upper class male, you had all of the freedoms you wanted to...since then it's taken nearly the entire existence of the country to have true freedom for everyone, and even that isn't finished yet.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

This is the saddest thread I've ever read.