One important aspect of U.S. culture is the importance placed upon work, productivity, and accomplishments. These three elements are a large part of one aspect of U.S. culture, which we will call work ethic. Culture involves behaviors, attitudes, and values. American culture, like others, is vast, and the work ethic aspect of American culture is reflected through the behaviors and attitudes of Americans. Americans value an education in order to obtain a job that develops into a career, it is expected in American culture for one to have a high work ethic, it is highly valued when individuals have a multitude of skills and abilities that will carry them forward in the work force. In terms of attitudes individuals dislike those who are perceived as lazy or unmotivated. Behaviors, attitudes, and values regarding work ethic reflect a culture that highly values and praises a higher level than average of commitment and productivity.
I find that this aspect of American culture has its positives and negatives, it is clear from a young age that one is expected to work extremely hard, this begins in the education system. In my experience, this meant taking algebra 1 in 7th grade, two years earlier than normal. I think to a certain extent it is good to expect a lot from others and yourself, but I also think that expecting such high levels of productivity from individuals eventually leads to burn-out and can also lead individuals always feeling the need to do more in order to be perceived as successful by others. Over the summer, I vacationed in Mexico with some distant family members, and they said a quote that stuck with me ever since. They said that in Mexico people work to live, day-to-day, but that in America people live to work.
That quote leads into how someone outside of the U.S. would view this aspect of American culture. I think that quote stuck with me, because it resonates how, every day Americans go to work in hopes of achieving success in work and economic success, it seems that sometimes living in the moment and appreciating each day is lost. I think that other countries would perceive Americans as workaholics and as materialistic in a sense. Other countries many place a larger value on other aspect of life, than that of Americans. For example, some countries place a larger emphasis on family and personal bonds, to them, Americans could be seen as selfish or self-centered.
This exercise prepares me for my time abroad because it forces me to view an aspect of my culture that I have grown up with, from an outsider’s perspective. Analyzing cultural aspects from an objective perspective is going to be critical in my semester abroad, as French culture is different from the culture that I have grown up with. I cannot expect others to fully understand myself and my culture if I am not willing to grant them the same thing in return.