American Culture

This was written especially for those of you who say "There isn't an American culture!" or "American culture is too big to describe!" 

All cultures are big in their own way, but we talk about them anyway.

The United States of America, known as America to most of its inhabitants, is a big and diverse place.  It is a large set of subcultures, united by a free market economy.  Throughout America, the currency is the American dollar, although on its borders with Canada and Mexico, most Americans are liberal about accepting Canadian dollars and pesos.  The dollar is recognized as currency throughout nearly the entire world, and the New York Stock Exchange, located in the American city is an important part of the world economy.  The official capitol is Washington D.C., but New York City plays a powerful financial role, as well as many other roles in American life.  New York City and Washington D.C. are well-connected to the rest of America by a network of interstate highways and air routes.  A letter can be mailed from almost anywhere in America to another point overnight, for a fee.  Average mail delivery times, coast to coast, can range from two to seven days, making America one of the most efficient large geographical networks of all time.  Telephones, satellite connections, television broadcasts, and radio broadcasts further unite America end to end.  

Most Americans today live in urban settings, mostly large metropolitan areas.  Rural America still exists, especially in the folk imagination (where "country" decor is popular) but the vast majority of the population dwells in some type of city.  Some businesses, like McDonald's or FedEx are available within a few miles of virtually every citizen.  Fast food, an American phenomena, accounts for a significant number of meals eaten out.  Restaurants that call themselves "American" food usually specialize in sandwiches, hamburgers, steaks, seafood and include "french fries" on the menu.  The expression "American as apple pie" refers to the widespread popularity of a particular fruit dessert, also served in the "American" restaurant.  Today, most American restaurants will include ethnic specialties deemed "foreign" (such as spaghetti or tacos) at earlier phases in the culture.  Almost every America will have sampled "foreign" cuisine, and some of it (pizza) may not actually exist in exactly the same for outside America.

America is made up of 50 quasi-independent states, some of which have a very strong state-identity.  Texas, for example, may very well be the state with the strongest state-identity.  The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of America, but Texas has its own anthems, as well.  Americans everywhere recognize and relate to the American Flag.  Most Americans love, even revere their flag, but dissident Americans sometimes show their dislike of U.S. policies by burning the American flag.  Almost everyone (on either side of an issue) agrees that the flag is meaningful and most Americans strongly disapprove of burning it.  Texas flies its own flag at many gatherings.   One large region, usually called "The South" has its own flag (the Confederate Flag) which is the unofficial flag of many people living in that region.  The confederate flag has been a source of controversy, some claim it is a symbol of racism, others say it is a symbol of Southern pride.   These flag examples are typical:  it is hard to find a symbol upon which all Americans can agree, but nearly all Americans would recognize both Old Glory and the Union Jack.

America is a republic, and has a tripartite government, the most visible section of which is the Executive Branch, currently headed up by George W. Bush.   Americans have been prone to political cartoons and satire since the nation first started, so it is not uncommon to see webpages, cartoons and television satire poking fun at the President.  Sometimes presidents even participate in this televised fun-making.  Television, unlike theatre, is largely centered in and around Southern California, the Los Angeles area, although many New York shows and personalities are also featured.

Most Americans have been exposed to the writings of Mark Twain, in one form or another.  School children typically are required to read Huckleberry Finn, and many pithy Twain sayings are still remembered.  Another American literary figure is Ben Franklin ("Early to bed, early to rise..." whose sayings have been part of America for over two centuries.  Many would say that Twain and Franklin are quintessential American writers - but that the Great American Novel hasn't been written yet.

Americans celebrate a number of holidays, approved by both the federal government and by financial institutions.  These include Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and the Fourth of July.   Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July are particularly American in quality.  It is traditional to eat turkey, some form of corn stuffing or cornbread, mashed potatoes and gravy on Thanksgiving:  all New World foods that helped save some early American immigrants from starvation.   Nearly everyone either eats turkey or knows that they are supposed to eat turkey on Thanksgiving, however, as with all else in America, the custom is not uniform.   Vegans, for example, may eat marinated tofu on Thanksgiving.  American supermarkets reflect this diversity, with nearly every market possessing ample turkeys at holiday time, but with many other options (vegetarian sections, Kosher sections, regional ethnic selections) available as well.  The Fourth of July is American Independence Day, and its traditional celebration often includes red, white and blue decorations, flags, fireworks, and picnics.  Barbecuing and drinking are often part of this (or any other) American holiday.  America sells more barbecue equipment than any other nation.   Holidays often include bouts of shopping, in addition to drinking, and most areas publicize news about driving accidents and drunk driving at holiday time.   40,000 Americans die every year in traffic accidents, almost half of those as a result of drunk driving, which is universally frowned upon and for which there are strict penalties in nearly all states.

Americans who consider themselves parts of ethnic minorities often choose separate holidays (Kwanzaa, Hanukah) to celebrate their diversity, these holidays are supported by the marketplace as well.  Other minorities may celebrate the same holidays, but with different foods.  Many people celebrate both their older, immigrant heritage as well as their contemporary American heritage at holiday time.

Americans love sports, and baseball is sometimes considered the "American past time."  It was supposedly invented in America, although it clearly owes a lot to British notions of sport.  Football, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf and surfing are also engaged in professionally, and as amateur sports.  Nearly any activity in America will have a profession associated with it, and money attached to it.  Some of the richest people in America made their money in sports. 

Americans have many different associations of experts, upon whom they rely heavily for information and advice (American Pediatric Association, American Medical Asssociation, American Dental Association, etc.)  Americans believe strongly in the opinions of these experts, and choose hygiene products and practices according to their recommendations (toothpastes, vitamins, etc).

Most American households have more than one television set, most have VCR's, and many have DVD's.  The latest technology is important to Americans.   Even poorer Americans may have computer access at local libraries, and almost no one is so poor that they do not have access to a telephone or a television.   Unemployment and homelessness plague a percentage of Americans, however, every state has some type of social service program to help with these.  Many Americans consider themselves to be Christians, a religion which emphasizes charity and philanthropy.  Religious freedom is extremely important in America, so there are a wide variety of religions, some of them quite unusual (like suicide cults).  The largest Christian  religion is Catholicism, which is active in providing services to the poor.  A major protestant religion that is unique to America is Southern Baptist, a strong political force in America.  Mormonism, also American-born, provides a great deal of social service to people, mainly in the Western United States.

Americans have been, in the 20th century, well-known for their enthusiastic participation in "fads."  Fads can be short-lived and local (like pet rocks) or large scale and nationwide (like rock and roll or hip-hop).  Many fads are facilitated or induced by television or other popular media, or by the appearance of celebrities (the "Britney Spears" look).  America enjoys its celebrities, including celebrities from other nations.  America will even listen to celebrities espousing political views, although many laugh at this custom.   Celebrities, like sports figures, often earn big incomes from their celebrity.

In short, Americans share a common preoccupation with economic success and a common government, which has so far remained quite strong.  English is the common language, but many Americans come from other countries and speak other languages.  Some Americans like the linguistic diversity, many are skeptical about it and insist that everyone should speak fluent English.  Americans recognize the American flag as a symbol, although being Americans, they are diverse in their regard for it.  Americans "turn over" culture quickly, adopting new customs, abandoning old ones, but sometimes preserving old themes as well.  America tends not to be predictable, which makes it an exciting place to live.