The United States is knowing for having a culture that is centered on individualism. This consists of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors seen in people’s everyday lives. This outlook is seen in being an individual with freedom to do things separate from their friends, family, and communities. In U.S. culture, people are encouraged to work hard and be self-sufficient. This can manifest in different behaviors. This is seen in what individuals expect from others in regard to time, body language, and habits. Because of the emphasis on individualisms, people in the United States may greet people with less physical touch than in other cultures. Additionally, there can be a desire for punctuality in order to accommodate for anything else individuals may be involved in. I believe that this aspect of U.S. culture can be beneficial when attempting to reach one’s goals. This can also encourage more responsibility within individuals because they are deemed to be in control of their own lives. This can promote a better work ethic and more dedication to the completion of tasks. Because there are less community ties, individuals are held accountable for their actions. This allows for people to pursue interests that may not be in line with that of their friends or families. However, this can also promote competitiveness among individuals. Because there is a responsibility to accomplish things on one’s own, people may constantly feel the need to perform well which can lead to anxiety. From an outsider’s perspective, this individualistic culture can be perceived as cold and unfriendly. There can be a perceived rigidity due to the desire to perform well and on a timeline. This can lead individuals to feel as though connections are not authentic and simply made to benefit from. Additionally, some people may believe that this desire to seek one’s own goals could be selfish. By not attending to their friends’, family’s, or community’s desires, people can be perceived as being self-centered and ungrateful. Reflecting on aspects of U.S. culture and the way in which it could be perceived by others allows me to gain a deeper understanding of my own actions, beliefs, and values. Additionally, I am able to better understand how people may perceive me as American. This can help me when interacting with people from a different culture than my own. This allows me to gain a better understanding of how different cultures have different norms and how my norms compare and contrast to others. For example, in some cultures it is a norm to have meals for several hours, while in U.S. culture, meals are typically much shorter. In some cultures it is expected for individuals to greet with hugs, while in others a handshake or a greeting will suffice. Additionally, individuals’ perception of times differs as well. This can allow me to be more openminded when interacting with others. This is especially important when abroad because it can help me assimilate to the different culture much more easily.
