American CultureAmerican Culture

The Good, the Bad, and the UglyThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2006 Suzhou English Teacher Training2006 Suzhou English Teacher Training

By Gordon ZhangBy Gordon Zhang

Conception Of the SelfConception Of the Self

• CHINESE: Collectivist: Higher value placed on group cooperation and individual modesty.

• AMERICAN: Individualist:  Higher value placed on self-reliance.  Self-promotion is more accepted. High value placed on "freedom" from externally imposed constraints.

Social RelationshipsSocial Relationships

• CHINESE: Formal, hierarchical. People most comfortable in the presence of a hierarchy in which they know their position and the customs/rules for behavior in the situation.

• AMERICAN: Informal, egalitarian. People most comfortable with their social equals; importance of social rankings minimized.

FriendshipFriendship

• CHINESE: Small number of close, lifelong friends who feel deeply obligated to give each other whatever help might seem required.

• AMERICAN: Large collection of "friends" and acquaintances which changes over time and involves only limited mutual obligations.

ObligationObligation

• CHINESE: Relationships with other people involve reciprocal obligations.

• AMERICAN: People avoid interdependent relationships and situations that might entail long-term obligations.

Task vs. RelationshipTask vs. Relationship

• CHINESE: Orientation Relationship-oriented:  Maintaining a harmonious relationship has priority over accomplishing tasks.

• AMERICAN: Task-oriented.  Relationships are less important than getting the work done.

Harmony versus “Truth”Harmony versus “Truth”

• CHINESE: Avoid direct confrontation, open criticism, and controversial topics.  Concern maintaining harmony and with "face.

• AMERICAN: "Willing to confront directly, criticize, discuss controversial topics, press personal opinions about what they consider "the truth.  Little concern with "face."

Role of laws, rules, and regulationsRole of laws, rules, and regulations

• Chinese: More faith in personal relationships than in written rules and procedures for structuring interactions.

• AMERICAN: Written rules presumably apply to everyone and are assumed to produce fair, reasonable procedures and decisions.

Time ConsciousnessTime Consciousness

• CHINESERelatively more attention to the past and to the longer-term future.

• AMERICAN: Less interested in the past; eye on near-term future.

Ascribed vs. Achieved StatusAscribed vs. Achieved Status

• CHINESE: Traditionally, a person's status in the society was based importantly on inherited characteristics such as age, gender, and family.  This is changing.

• AMERICAN: People's status is based mainly on their own achievements, including education obtained and level of success realized in their line of work.

“Americans really live in the future. The

present is just a way station."

-- from "It's About Time" by Syed and Joyce Zafar, intercultural experts, the

Compass Diversity Group

American Cultural AttitudesAmerican Cultural Attitudes

Time-oriented: In contrast to many other cultures around the world, the American culture puts great emphasis on man's ability to control outside events, in large part through his mastery of technology. Americans believe in setting strict deadlines and timetables, even for casual social events. Productivity, self-reliance and "getting things done" are prized personal and professional qualities.

American Cultural AttitudesAmerican Cultural Attitudes

It is important to be on time for appointments. Even being 5 minutes late without calling beforehand may doom an interview or important business meeting, while social occasions are slightly more flexible - 10-15 minutes late for a date is acceptable. Learn to estimate the time it will take to complete certain tasks.

American Cultural AttitudesAmerican Cultural Attitudes

Exception:: If you are invited to a party, unless the hosts specify exact starting and ending times, it is generally understood that you may be up to a half-hour late, or "fashionably late," for the occasion.

Individualism

Some Americans can be stubbornly so, to the point of appearing self-centered to members of other, more communally-centered cultures. Read Syed Zafar's "Swimming in a Sea of Choices" to get an idea of the sometimes overwhelming array of options available to those living in the U.S., from career choices to salad dressing.

Friendly and DirectFriendly and Direct

Americans generally appear outgoing. When you meet someone for the first time, it is considered normal to smile, shake hands if both parties are men or professional colleagues, and make direct eye contact.

"My friends used to say, 'Why are you so sad? Is everything O.K. back home?'" -- from "Informality - A Unique American Value

Hobby-lovingHobby-loving • In the large cities and towns there are many

opportunities to get involved in social and cultural activities, with a multitude of hobbyist clubs and associations catering to almost every interest: travelling, cooking, writing, dining out, sailing and watersports, etc. If you love to read books or watch films, for example, there are a number of clubs in large cities catering to these interests. If you like nature, you can join hiking clubs or environmental organizations.

Sports-lovingSports-loving

• Americans love their sports, especially baseball, football, basketball, soccer, golf, hockey and tennis. "Team spirit" is celebrated - the subsuming of individual needs to the greater good of the team. Being a "good sport," having a good sense of humor, taking insults and slurs lightly, are all signs you are being a "good sport."

PrejudicePrejudice • In many small towns, Americans are suspicious

of foreigners - racism and cultural prejudice do exist there, especially in remote areas and in the South (the Northeast and California urban areas are considered more accepting towards diverse cultures and lifestyles. although suspicion against Latino immigrants in Southern California prevails.) Some are resentful and fearful that educated immigrants may be taking jobs they feel are rightfully theirs.

Off-Color HumorOff-Color Humor

• Some Americans like to poke fun, but most of the time it is meant to be in good humor. Many Americans do not understand when they are being racist. In fact, more Americans than ever are sensitive to cultural diversity. However, if racist comments are persistent, it would be better to find a new friend.

PrejudicePrejudice

• Getting involved in community and educational activities is one way of getting to know people and overcoming others' fears. If your work takes you to Silicon Valley, on the other hand, you may find the transition eased greatly due to the sheer number of immigrant professionals there. If you are Latino, Miami, San Diego, L.A. or New York may merely seem an extension of home.