One aspect of American culture is its fast pace, especially in the Northeast where I am from. The trend of hurrying through each day is encouraged by societal norms and ideals of success, which is thought to be achieved through hard work and tangible accomplishments. A lot of this stems from capitalist doctrine, which demands constant work for constant growth. The “American dream” also feeds into this, promising infinite possibilities with enough hard work, which is only achieved by a socioeconomically-favored few. The rest are left working and doing everything possible to “be successful”, including working intensive jobs, overconsuming material goods, and in many cases, overlooking emotional, physical, and psychological needs.
In order to encourage and cater to this rushed lifestyle, transportation, services, commodities, and other comforts are designed to maximize efficiency and convenience at the expense of others and the planet. A great example is fast food, particularly drive-through dining. Don’t get me wrong, a Dunkin drive-through can be a lifesaver when going to work in the morning, but it really takes away from the enjoyment one can gain from fully experiencing a meal. Not to mention the stress put on drive-through workers through high expectations and workload with low wages, as well as the environment through disposable containers and industrialized food systems.
Since things like this are so normalized today, many Americans have developed certain expectations for quick service and comforts that may not be met in societies that do not have the same ideals. Others may view the fast pace of American culture as frivolous or arrogant, as its negative impacts can be more easily recognized. Also, since growth and success may not be prioritized or realized in the same way, such a lifestyle may also seem excessive or unnecessary, which can exacerbate any resentment for its negative impacts. Hence, the focus may be shifted towards mindfulness and intangible successes, such as family connectedness, community engagement, meaningful travel, genuine knowledge, or personal growth. Without the overpowerment of capital or growth, these aspects of life can flourish.
This exercise helped me prepare for my time abroad by providing hope that the things I find limiting in my own culture may not be present in the one I will soon experience. Studying political science and sustainable development has made me overwhelmingly aware of the flaws in our society. They weigh me down everyday as I notice more and more of the socioeconomic struggles that invade the personal fulfillment of myself and others. I am aware that every society has their flaws, but the possible liberation of certain issues that burden me here in America is extremely refreshing to think about. I will make sure to pay good attention to the pace of the Australian lifestyle and the socioeconomic factors that influence it. This will be evident in colleagues’ schedules, the nature of certain services, and prevalence of pro-growth rhetoric. I hope to find some differences, and even if I do not, it will give me more insight into how we as citizens can overcome this trend.