CVOLPE. One aspect of American culture I have experienced, being from the Midwest, is friendliness towards strangers. Especially in more rural areas away from big cities such as Chicago, it is common for strangers to smile or wave when walking or driving past each other. This behavior is seen as a common courtesy to ease tension and create a sense of community. While waving may not be a common behavior everywhere throughout the US, it is not uncommon to smile at people while passing on the street in most places if you make eye contact. This behavior is not as common in crowded areas like the subway or walking through a busy city because people are more focused on themselves, and there are too many people to acknowledge individually. In contrast, small towns are often much closer-knit, and everybody knows each other, so it could be seen as disrespectful not to acknowledge the presence of others within your community.
I see this as a positive aspect of American culture because it allows strangers to feel less uncomfortable in urban or rural environments. This can also help create a deeper sense of community in small towns since most people know each other well. Having experienced the culture of Chicago and small towns in rural Illinois, my perspective is that I prefer the sense of community and kindness towards others, whether you know them or not, that is present in small towns. For example, if my car were to get stuck in a snowstorm or break down on the side of the road, the likelihood of someone stopping to help in Chicago is low because of the expectation that the person can solve the problem alone and may be getting help already. There are also more safety concerns in Chicago that, if you try to help someone, it could be detrimental to your own personal safety. On the other hand, in a small town, it is not uncommon for strangers to stop and try to help in any way possible since smaller communities rely more on each other for help than people from big cities in the US. Additionally, in a state like Florida, where the culture is different, in my experience, people have used slurs and said derogatory things when I smiled or waved because they generally have a different mindset towards strangers in public.
For someone from outside of the US, this behavior could be seen as disrespectful or intimidating in places where people are more reserved. In some places such as Asia, prolonged eye contact may be considered confrontational or disrespectful. Avoiding direct eye contact may be seen as a sign of respect, humility, or politeness, especially when interacting with authority figures or elders.
This exercise is helpful to get me thinking about aspects of US culture that are different in other countries and helps me think more deeply about the reasoning for such behaviors. I have always been fascinated by how differently the human experience and mindset can vary depending on the language and culture you grow up in. This assignment has encouraged me to think more specifically about how this plays out in day-to-day life.