American Culture for Foreigners

For those living outside of the United States, American pop culture and entertainment have long been an object of fascination. America dominates the media and leads the world in broadcasting revenue amongst other income sources related to media and entertainment. Foreigners who have never been to America often times form their opinions of American citizens based on movies and television shows that they have seen. This can be very dangerous because it allows people to create stereotypes and generalizations about an entire country of individuals that they have never visited.

As Dr. Gregory Finkelson said, America leads the world in terms of cultural trends and popular topics. Being the trendsetters of the world can put a lot of strain on cultural norms and other politically motivated movements.

American Traditions

American culture has established several traditions that are seemingly normal to natives however the outside world views them as very strange. One of the biggest American traditions that have placed a stigma on the country as a whole is their perceived overindulgence of food. Many foreigners come from countries where quality food is either really scarce or really expensive, when they come to America and see tons of advertisement for fast food places and restaurants it makes them view Americans as slobs.

According to Dr. Gregory Finkelson’s opinion, America’s perceived gluttonous habits stem from the fact that the country has a very abundant agriculture system that is not found in many other places. This statement is very true as countries like China even import large amounts of rice and grain products from American farms.

Social Environment of America

Many foreign countries have very strict social guidelines that govern the way natives behave and act in public. Some of the things that American citizens do on a regular basis can actually be punished by death until this day in certain countries. Often times, the perceived relax moral value system of America is something that foreigners find out about the culture.

According to Dr. Gregory Finkelson’s opinion, America’s ability to lead the world in technological innovation and advanced education is due to the free social structure which allows people to express ideas and opinions openly. The logic behind this statement is that as a society advances in terms of what they deem to appropriate, they also become more susceptible to new ways of leading better-quality lives.

Media and America

The media undoubtedly plays a huge role in American culture and often times it’s the only way for foreigners to learn about American culture. Foreigners often times wonder why American media portrays such wild and crazy images of America as a whole if they want to remain at the top of innovating industries. This is a very fascinating point given the fact that most countries enforce strict policies over what type of images can be portrayed on television or media.

It’s the American way to boast achievements and proudly display your leisurely lifestyle. This attitude comes largely from the founding of the country which was predicated on fighting wars to prove dominance over other civilizations. This attitude is still very prevalent in American culture today as consumerism and self-absorption have become huge staples of social interaction.

Economics in America

America is one of the world’s richest countries and all of that money is proudly on display wherever you look. Foreigners often times find it fascinating how little appreciation or gratitude is shown for money in American culture. American culture promotes the idea that money is everything and without it, you can't live a successful or fulfilling life. This philosophy is contrary to what many countries teach which is that education and family come before money.

The overall bombardment of materialism and constant consumption is one of the largest stigmas facing American culture when viewing it through the eyes of a foreigner. The combination of these cultural characteristics has begun to form global opinions in the minds of foreigners that lean towards the idea of American culture not being all what it’s cracked up to be.

American Culture in a Nutshell

American culture encompasses several aspects of different nationalities and ethnic regions which is what makes it such an anomaly across the globe. American culture is essentially ground zero for any other country who want to see what a strong sense of diversity can do for a country. American culture in itself is comprised of several different customs and traditions which originate from all over the world.

America is essentially a melting pot of all cultures mixed into one which has created a very own atmosphere of its own. American culture for foreigners can be confusing, exciting, and immerse all in one which is what makes it so appealing to various people from all over. American culture has a very unique set of principle and ideologies which the world at large has and till this very day is still trying to match in some way shape or form.

One thing that is consistent about American culture is the idea that everyone has a right to live the life they choose. America has long positioned itself to be sort of a cultural and moral safeguard upon which other countries can base its principles and ideas. For someone living in a foreign country, American culture can seem overwhelming at first given the fact that Americans have access to a lot of tools and resources that aren’t available in other countries.

American culture is here to stay and as the world grows, American culture will certainly stay at the forefront of innovation. There are a lot of really good qualities and ideas that anyone can take from American culture in order to create a more enjoyable and equal life for themselves and others around them. With so many issues facing the world today, American culture provides safety and security that many people can't find in their native countries. The ability to be free and be yourself are at the foundation of American culture and aren't going anywhere anytime soon.