American Culture... What is it really?
By Heather Hall
@MusicalCatBird (59)
La Jolla, California
July 26, 2017 6:18pm CST
Can anyone fully describe what American Culture is? I googled "American Culture" and didnt get a definite answer. I not quite sure that the term even exists because we are such a melting pot of cultures. Though every family may have its cultural roots, there are very few things (if any) that all Americans celebrate as one. The only thing I can think of that we all come together on is watching fireworks on the 4th of July.
I also think that its SUPER interesting that remnants of America in other countries are labeled in the respective country as "American Culture". Like a McDonalds for example. I eat Mickey Ds only a handful of times and would like to think of it more like a cheat meal than a cultural one. When I go to an Italian restaurant, I dont assume that all of Italy is eating pizza, pasta and biscottis. I only assume that the flavors might be similar to those found in Italy (although my Italian friends say otherwise).
Does anyone have an opinions one way or another? For all those who reside/visited in other countries, please give your opinion. I would love to hear your feelings on the matter.
5 people like this
3 responses
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
27 Jul 17
I would say another one is Thanksgiving. Even if people don't give thanks, they tend to want to get together and eat turkey.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
28 Jul 17
To mention McDonalds and culture in the same sentence really hurts from a European's point of view!
Your Italian friends are right when they tell you that American pizza only faintly resembles the original one from Naples, Italy.
I'd say that the mixture of cultures is what defines the American culture even though the idea of the 'Melting Pot' hasn't succeeded well. If it had, there wouldn't be racial tensions anymore.
When I think of America, I think 'big'. Everything is big. The landscape, the distances, the cities. In Europe, everything is small. You can walk through city centres and find everything you need. You don't have to drive from A to B all the time. This difference in space and distances certainly influences the mentality of peoples.
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
27 Jul 17
That's a big question for a big country.
As you know, America is a big melting pot, so there are bits of a lot of other cultures within American culture.
To me, American culture is things like Chevys, baseball, hot dogs, daisy dukes, cowboys, cheerleaders, football and rock and roll for instance..there are many things that are unique to this country that can be found no where else. How many of those things there are, would be so many to mention here and as well, I am sure others have things they could name as well.
You have heard the saying "As American as Apple Pie", but really how American is the apple pie?
One thing that is true for me is that there definitely is an American culture, but that may mean so many different things to many people.
I like the big skies in America, the glorious expanse of the skies and the sunsets. The big spacious land is also something I love about here.
And if you really want to get technical, each state in the USA is nearly like another country as each is so unique in laws and customs.
