Diverse and varied. No country on earth has a population as diverse and a culture as varied as the United States. It is this very diversity that makes American life as complicated as it is.
The United States occupies a continent and has many varied regions. Over the course of several centuries, immigrants from all over the world came to the United States and brought their own cultures and traditions. The tradition of immigration continues today, creating vital new American communities. It is the blending of these traditions that gives the United States its great strength as a nation. The same mixture creates challenges and problems.
In a country as large and dynamic as the United States, nationalities and races mix. People are individuals; they don't always act or think in predictable ways as members of groups. Americans consists of European (white), African (black), Asian or Native American (American Indian). Hispanic Americans can also be white, black, or even part Native American due to intermarriages.
Like many countries, the United States has a social class structure. Unlike most countries, though, except the very highest level, it is possible for an American to move up to a higher social class one step, or one generation at a time. Immigrants from many countries have arrived by the millions, started at the bottom of the ladder, and within a generation or two have become part of the mainstream of American middle class life.
Holywood: The American Fantasy
Holywood is the movie capital of the world. The American public has assured the film industry of that distinction by their weekly treks to the movie theater. Nowhere in the world do people watch more movies than in America. Americans work hard and play hard, and one reason they attend movies is for entertainment. The other reason Americans like to attend movies is that the stories on the screen illuminate truths about life on earth.
The best loved of all American films, The Wizard of Oz (1939) is a fantasy story that has become part of American life. It is impossible to understand American life or American hopes and dreams without viewing The Wizard of Oz.
Unlike the Chinese, Americans consider themselves individuals. There are strong family ties and strong loyalties to groups, but individuality and individual rights are most important.
Honesty and frankness are two more aspects of American individuality, and they are more important to Americans than personal honor or "saving face." Americans may seem blunt at times, and in polite conversations they may bring up topics and issues that people from other countries may find embarrassing, controversial, or even offensive. Generally, Americans like to dress and entertain informally and treat each other in a very informal way, even when there is a great difference in age or social standing. Students and professors often call each other by their first names.
Religious Freedom
America is one of, if not the, most religously diverse country in the world. Wide varieties of religious traditions can be found in any large American city as well as in smaller towns that host a college or university. The citizens of the United States take religious freedom very seriously.
Friendliness and Friendships
American are reputed to be friendly people. It is not uncommon for Americans to be informal and casual, even with perfect strangers. When in the United States, do not be surprised if somebody you do not know say "Hi' to you for no reason. However, there is a difference between friendliness and friendships. As in any culture, it takes time for friendships to develop. It is very common for Americans to have only one close friendship and consider other friends to be social acquaintances. Americans tend to compartmentalize friendships, having "friends at work," and "family friends."
Greetings
Americans shake hands firmly with each other when first introduced, or when they meet again, but rarely when they part. Social kissing, as a greeting, is also sometimes acceptable between men and women who know each other well and between women. American men rarely embrace each other or kiss on both cheeks.
Distance and Eye Contact
When two Americans are standing and talking to each other they stay at least 16 inches away from each other, yet they do make eye contact.
Bringing Gifts
If you are invited to someone's home for dinner, you may bring a small gift like a bottle of wine, candy, or flowers. If there is no special occasion, a very expensive gift might embarrass the host or hostess.
The types of food served in American homes vary greatly and depend upon the region of the country and the family's own cultural heritage. Americanized versions of these cultural foods, such as American Chinese cuisine, sometimes appear. Recent immigrants tend to eat food similar to that of their country or origin. Families that have lived for a few generations in the U.S. tend to eat some combination of that and the food common to the region they live in or grew up in, such as New England cuisine, Midwestern cuisine, Southern cuisine, Tex-mex cuisine, and California cuisine.
Restaurants in the United States range from inexpensive "fast food" to very expensive restaurants. It is safe to eat in restaurants in the United States since they are regularly inspected for cleanliness and for compliance with health codes. It is also safe to drink water from tap in the United States. If you plan to eat at a formal restaurant, you should call a day or two in advance to make a reservation. Not all restaurants requires a reservation but it's a good idea to do so. Remember to tip--it's usually 15% of the bill.
Work and Jobs
Most people commute to work using automobiles rather than mass transit. Most jobs are based on a 40-hour work week; that is, five days, eight hours per day. The United States has minimum wage laws requiring a minimum wage for many employees, though a number of employment sectors are excluded. Minimum wage differs from state to state; some states have higher wages than the wage mandated by the federal government.