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Cultural norms vary from one country to another and are what
make our planet diverse and colorful. These norms can be observed in
everyday American culture, which has created a certain image of Americans
worldwide. While some cultural norms are acceptable in one part of the
world, they may be offensive or peculiar in another part. For example, most
Americans do not take off their shoes when entering a house, which many
people worldwide find fascinating. These notions elicit an interesting
concept about how the world perceives America, which is the largest economy
in the world. This article explores some of the cultural norms that set
Americans apart and how they affect the perception of Americans worldwide.
One of the first notions that people from different parts of the world may
notice about Americans is their loud nature. Americans are more likely to
spend time in public spaces and feel free to communicate freely about
themselves when using public transportation. They are vocal and opinionated,
a trait that many people outside the USA characterize as bold. However, this
aspect also makes people outside the country uncomfortable around Americans
as they consider some conversations very private to be held in public. For
instance, it is common to overhear someone's phone conversation on the train
or bus, which can be unsettling for people from other cultures.
Furthermore, Americans tend to talk to strangers more often than people from
other parts of the world. Americans will frequently engage strangers in
conversation, and individuals may open up about their lives to a stranger.
This behavior is uncommon in many other countries where people do not
disclose aspects of their lives when talking to new people. For instance, it
is common for Americans to ask someone about their occupation in their first
conversation. In some parts of the world, you would find friends that do not
know each other’s occupation as it is considered nosy or rude to ask such
matters.
Another cultural norm that affects the perception of Americans worldwide is
the tendency to complain. Some people from other parts of the world find
that Americans complain too much, which is associated with an entitlement
characteristic present in most aspects of American life. Americans will
often ask to speak with a manager in a grocery or restaurant to address a
certain issue they do not like. In some cases, they may be shocked to see
someone complain about their food being late, leading to late fees on their
bills. In these scenarios, many people from around the globe wonder why
Americans are quick to complain rather than find an amicable solution for
each party involved.
Finally, Americans are known for their patriotic gestures, which is evident
in the overrepresentation of the American flag. While other people love
their countries, they find the level of patriotic gestures in the USA too
much. A person may display their flag at their house or in their car, but
Americans take it as far as making American-themed baseball caps and
underwear. This overrepresentation of the nation’s flag is seen as bizarre
in many countries, as people rarely flaunt their flag regularly.
Interestingly, Americans flaunt their flag even when outside their country.
In conclusion, cultural norms differ around the world, and a country's image
is projected by its people, which applies to America as one of the richest
nations worldwide. Looking at America through a different lens would help a
US citizen understand others' viewpoints on the nation. It is also a good
way to discern the varying nature of cultural norms and how they portray the
locals worldwide. It is essential to recognize and respect different
cultural norms, as this can help build better relationships between nations
and cultures. |
