# 2 U

# 2 U.S. LIFE AND CULTURE

”FROM THE MANY, ONE” - ”E PLURIBUS UNUM”

From the many peoples and nations of the world, one people, one nation.

But what does this ”One” really look like, and what does it mean, in everyday American life, today? What are the enduring values, beliefs, traditions and experiences that bind together the diverse peoples who make up the nation of the United States?

You already have some kind of picture in your mind of what the U.S. is like. If you have visited the U.S. previously, you have some first-hand experience to draw upon. If this will be your first visit to the U.S. you are going to find some things which will be similar to what you had pictured about American life and culture, and you are going to find some things which will surprise you. It would be impossible to give you an accurate picture here in one or two pages of what the United States is really like. There are so many regional differences and so much ethnic diversity within the ”melting pot” that is often referred to, that it can be difficult to come up with an accurate description of American culture and life. You may be exploring and discussing some stereotypes of Americans in one of your orientation sessions, but here are a few aspects of American life that will be helpful for you to keep in mind:


1.	Being on time is important. Americans place a high value on punctuality and expect others to be on time. When someone is late, that person may be thought to be lazy, inconsiderate or unreliable.
2.	Innovation is good. The newest, the latest and the most modern things are often seen to be more valuable than things from the past, regardless of how useful or effective those things might have been. Change is constant. People are always looking ahead to what is coming next.
3.	Private property is important. Most people expect you to ask their permission before you borrow or use something that belongs to them.
4.	Privacy is important. Most Americans place a high value on personal and family privacy, and appreciate it when others respect their privacy.
5.	Independence and self-reliance are important. Americans believe that a person should be able to take care of him/herself, and learn to do things for him/herself.
6.	Everybody is equal. Regardless of who you are, what your job is or what you have, you have the same rights and freedoms as every other person. Each person deserves respect.
7.	Everybody pitches in. When there is work or a task to be done, everyone is expected to pitch in and do their fair share. It doesn’t matter what your job title is. Americans generally appreciate it when someone helps without having to be asked. There is no significant difference between traditional male or female tasks. Everyone should be prepared to do everything, or whatever needs to be done..
8.	Speak up! Americans generally expect others to be assertive and to speak up when they need something, have a question or problem, want to share their opinion or don’t understand what to do. Americans tend to be direct in communcation, but may be indirect in situations where they don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings.
9.	”Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Most Americans place a high value on personal hygiene and cleanliness, and sometimes shower more than once a day. Body odor is considered offensive and impolite.
10.	Greetings, touching, hugging . . . . It is common for people in the U.S. to shake hands when they first meet. People also often hug their friends, family or loved ones. Holding hands and other forms of touching are often seen as a sign of sexual attraction.
11.	Language and style . . . . In many parts of American life and culture, and especially in camp life, people tend to be informal in the way they dress and communicate with each other.

ACTIVITY #3 : OBSERVING AMERICAN LIFE AND CULTURE

We suggest that you write down your observations of how Americans live and interract when you are in the U.S. this summer. You can do this on a daily or weekly basis, in your journal, or diary. Often it is a good idea to write things down when they have just happened, when they are fresh in your memory. These observations may be helpful to you as you decide which things are really American values and ways, and which are not.

Click here for Quiz # 2

Answer Key

1.	d	10.	d	19.	a	28.	c
2.	b	11.	b	20.	d	29.	d
3.	e	12	a	21.	d	30.	d
4.	d	13.	b	22.	c	31.	d
5.	c	14.	a	23.	d	32.	c
6.	d	15.	c	24.	a	33.	a
7.	c	16.	d	25.	c
8.	a	17.	b	26.	b
9.	d	18.	b	27.	c