The Peace Corps manual, Culture Matters, lists the following 13 elements of American culture (to be explored with students in the coming weeks):
1. Attitude Towards Age and Beauty
American’s obsession with youth and beauty.
Youth culture.
American View
The American emphasis on achievement and “doing” means that age is not valued, for the older you are the less you can accomplish. Age is also suspect because new is usually better in American culture, and the elderly are generally out of touch with what’s new.
Emphasize physical beauty and youth.
Fire older people to hire younger people for less money.
* * *
2. Concept of Fate and Destiny
You can be whatever you want to be!
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
The early bird gets the worm.
He’s cramping my style.
American View—Parents tell their children they can be whatever they want to be when they grow up. People have little sense of limits. Lack of success is their own fault.
You can be whatever you want to be.
Where there’s a will there’s a way.
The American dream is that anyone can become rich and make lots of money.
* * *
3. View of Human Nature
You are innocent (until proven guilty).
People are good. If not, something must have gone wrong.
American View—People are considered basically good. If someone does an evil deed, we expect an explanation for the reason why the person turned bad. People can and should be trusted: we are fairly open to strangers, and willing to accept them.
EXAMPLES
Courts consider a person innocent until he/she is proven guilty.
People should be given the benefit of the doubt.
If left alone, people will do the right thing.
We need to discover how a vicious killer “went wrong.”
* * *
4. Attitude Towards Change
New is better. Change is good.
American View—Change is considered positive, probably because Americans believe in the march of progress (everything gets better over time) and the pursuit of perfection. Improvements will always move us closer and closer to perfection. Traditions can be a guide, but they are not necessarily better.
You want to introduce a new teaching technique to your colleagues. It is a faster and more efficient way of presenting certain concepts. When you approach them, they respond: “This is the way we have always been taught.” You say, “But this is faster and more efficient.” They say, “Of course.”
EXAMPLES
New is better.
A better way can always be found; things can always be improved upon.
Just because we’ve always done it that way doesn’t make it right.
* * *
5. Attitude Towards Taking Risks
Try, try again!
Take the bull by the horns.
Easy come, easy go.
American View—There will always be enough opportunity to go around, so taking risks involves no real danger. For those who try hard, failure is only temporary. Experimentation and trial and error are important ways to learn or to improve your product or service.
EXAMPLES
You can always start over.
Nothing tried, nothing gained.
* * *
6. Concept of Suffering and Misfortune
Don’t worry, be happy!
Follow your dreams.
American View—Because we are ultimately in control of our lives and destiny, we have no excuse for unhappiness or misfortune. If you are suffering or unhappy, then just do whatever it takes to be happy again. If you’re depressed, it’s because you have chosen to be.
EXAMPLES
People rush to cheer up a friend who’s depressed.
If you’re unhappy, take a pill or see a counselor.
Be happy.
* * *
7. Concept of Face
Tell it like it is.
Honesty is the best policy.
He thinks he’s so high and mighty.
He’s a big fish in a little sea.
American View—What other people think is not so important to survival or success. We can say what we think without worrying about hurting people’s feelings, and we likewise appreciate directness.
EXAMPLES
It’s important to tell it like it is, be straight with people.
Confrontation is sometimes necessary to clear the air.
Honesty is the best policy.
* * *
8. Source of Self-Esteem/Self-Worth
Life is what you make of it.
There is no one to stop you but you yourself.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
American View—You are what you’ve achieved. You create your own worth rather than receiving it by virtue of birth, position, seniority, or longevity. Your self- esteem comes from what you have done to earn self-esteem.
EXAMPLES
People judge you by how much money you make.
First question at a party is, “What do you do?”
Material possessions are a measure of success.
* * *
9. Concept of Equality
All men are created equal.
American View—In a strong reaction to the repressive class structure in Europe, Americans created a culture virtually built around egalitarianism, the idea that no one is better than anyone else because of birth, power, fame, or wealth. We are not all the same, but we are all of equal value.
EXAMPLES
People try to treat everyone the same.
While jogging, the President stops at McDonald’s for morning coffee.
Putting on airs (pretending to be better or superior) is frowned upon.
* * *
10. Attitude Towards Formality
Hi, guys!
What can I get for you, hon?
Help yourself (to the refrigerator).
American View—Because of the strong value for equality, Americans tend to be relaxed and informal in social and professional interactions. Being informal is also necessary in a society where people are always meeting new people.
EXAMPLES
Telling someone to help themselves to what’s in the refrigerator is common.
Using first names with people you’ve just met is fine
* * *
11. View of Reality
When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, when you wish upon a star your dream comes true.
Life is good!
Have a nice day!
. . . through rose-colored glasses.
American View—Americans are generally optimistic. We don’t see things the way they are, but as better than they are, particularly if they’re not so good. We feel it’s important to be positive and that there is no reason not to be.
EXAMPLES
Things will get better.
Bad things happen for a reason.
It can’t get any worse.
Tag line of fairy tales: “They lived happily ever after.
* * *
12. Attitude Towards Doing
My to-do list.
What are you doing today?
Time is money.
Actions speak louder than words.
American View—Individuals survive because they get things done. Words and talk are suspect and cheap; they don’t put food on the table or a roof over your head. Pursuits not directly related to the creation of concrete results (like the arts) are less highly valued.
EXAMPLES
Doing is preferred over talking.
Be practical.
The arts are nice, but not central to life. We can do without them.
* * *
13. View of the Natural World
American View—The natural world is a kind of machine that can be studied and understood. How nature works can be predicted, manipulated, and controlled. It is not to be feared.
EXAMPLES
Dams are built to control rivers.
Clouds are seeded to produce rain.
We build earthquake-proof buildings to prevent damage.
We spend billions each year to predict the weather.
