Something quite unique about US culture that I’ve noticed is the strong emphasis on time. Americans tend to place a high level of importance on their time – being on time, saving time, and scheduling time. Even the language around time indicates how much it means to us, and that it is a resource that can be wasted. In my opinion, this emphasis on time can be quite toxic. Many Americans feel that the entire point of their lives is to work hard and become as successful as possible. But this success usually comes at the price of a stressful work life. Although the American view on time as a commodity allows us to be productive and get the most work done in the shortest amount of time possible, I feel that it can strain our mental health and make us feel burnt out. From a global perspective, I know that other cultures focus more on personal relationships at work instead of productivity. For example, an American may want to clock in, work all day, and clock out – they don’t want to “waste” work time with small talk. On the other hand, other cultures such as Hispanic and European culture, place a stronger emphasis on the interpersonal relationships built at work. Speaking with a co-worker about their weekend and checking in helps strengthen relationships, in their eyes. This is something that I agree with. When we are at work just to get things done and be productive without allowing ourselves to enjoy and relax, work can become a stressor and something to dread. I believe that if we took a bit more time to connect with others at work, we would find more satisfaction in our lives and overall have a more positive outlook on work. I think that someone who is not from the US would look at our view of time and feel that it is taking the joy out of life. I have to say that I agree to a certain extent, though I myself am guilty of being a heavy multitasker and get stressed when I feel like I’ve wasted time. For example, if I end up taking a wrong turn and wasting 10 minutes on my route to work, I get so angry! Someone from outside the US would probably feel a little frustrated, but would not let it ruin their day – they might look at things from more positive perspective and think “Oh, I might be a few minutes late, but I was able to drive around a nice area, or have a bit more time to enjoy my morning commute”. I think that reflecting on these differences between US culture and other cultures will help me prepare for my time abroad because it allows me to realize that cultures each have their own way of living life, and each culture sees their own as the “right” way to live. Instead of judging the practices and norms of other cultures, we can hold an ethno relative view, and learn to appreciate and understand the ways others’ live their lives due to their cultural values. This will allow me to be more understanding and refrain from judgement when I am away, which will create a more positive, fulfilling experience and stronger relationships with everyone I interact with in my time abroad.
