us culture - final

U.S. 101

Knowing More About America

TIME ZONE

Knowing More About America

American Values and Culture

Knowing More About America

Salient Points On America ……

The US has long been known as a “melting pot”

because many of its people are descendents of settlers who came from all over the world.

The American people are always on the move – from one part of the country to another, from one city to another.

Today three out of four Americans live in towns, cities or suburbs : over 57 million live in rural areas.

Salient Points On America……

New York City is America’s largest city.

Each city has a downtown and suburbs.

Downtown is where the largely affluent and yuppie crowd stays. It is more expensive than living in the suburbs though the suburbs have large bungalows.

Salient Points On America……

New York City is America’s largest city.

Chicago is the second largest city, Los Angeles is third, and Philadelphia is the fourth largest.

Salient Points On America ……

The nations capital, Washington D.C is seventeenth in population. Specially planned and built as a national capital, Washington was laid out by a French architect in the 18th century.

A city of great beauty and a center of world affairs, it is becoming a leading cultural center.

Salient Points On America ……Living Standards :

Americans spend money freely and make purchases on credit when necessary to buy things they want. Most pay off these debts on a regular monthly basis.

The buying habits of Americans have changed in recent years. Since World War II, the demand for household goods has slowed down. More money is being spent on education, medical care, services, travel and recreation while a smaller percentage of income goes for food, clothing and automobiles.

Salient Points On America……

Living Standards :

The majority of Americans live in apartments or individual houses that have electric lights, central heating, hot and cold running water and inside toilets.

Because of the general rise in family incomes, factory workers, owners of small businesses, school teachers and sales personnel can be found in the same suburban communities, in homes very much alike.

Salient Points On America ……

Education :

Americans take great pride in their schools and want their children to have the best possible education.

Only one percent of the population cannot read or write.

New methods of instruction that encourage children to develop their creative abilities are being devised and tested in schools.

Today, there is a strong emphasis on science, mathematics and foreign languages and an effort is being made to broaden the students’ knowledge of other people and cultures.

Salient Points On America ……

Education :

Today, about half of the young people who graduate from secondary school go to colleges or universities.

The Americans popularly refer to even colleges as Schools. And instead of class or division they call it Level or Grade.

Salient Points On America……

Youth :

Young people in America have a wide variety of interests apart from their school curriculum.

Schools offer a wide range of activities. Apart from that most houses at least have a basket ball court.

Also, most parks have tennis/squash/golf facilities and taking-up a sport in US is very easy.

Many young people hold part-time jobs after school hours. Thousands earn money delivering newspapers or being baby sitters.

Salient Points on America ……

Youth :

Majority of young Americans at the age of 18 get a car to drive which could be second hand.

The loan systems are very comfortable for people to buy homes and cars at an early age.

The American Economic System

The United States declared its independence in the year 1776, the same year that Scottish economist Adam Smith wrote The Wealth Of Nations, a book that has had an enormous influence on American economic development. Like many other thinkers, Smith believed that in a capitalist system people are naturally selfish and are moved to engage in manufacturing and trade in order to gain wealth and power. Smith’s originality was to argue that such activity is beneficial because it leads to increased production and sharpens competition.

Political Parties And Elections ……

As a result, goods circulate more widely and at lower prices, jobs are created, and wealth is spread. Though people may act from the narrow desire to enrich themselves, Smith argued, “an invisible hand” guides them to enrich and improve whole of society.

Most Americans believe that the rise of their nation as a great economic power could not have occurred under any other system except capitalism, also known as free enterprise after a corollary to Smith’s thinking: that government should interfere in commerce as little as possible.

AMERICAN BEHAVIOUR

Generally, Americans are very polite, friendly and helpful, but have no patience with interference in their private lives.

You may find it difficult to discuss everything with an American friend, at least, when you are getting to know each other.

AMERICAN BEHAVIOUR Exercising is important, and they usually go for

aerobics, swimming, tennis or a jog a few times during the week.

Don’t be surprised if complete strangers greet you. Be polite and greet them back.

They are particular about their leisure time, health and hygiene.

DO’S At work or elsewhere while talking, if you want to say Yes, just say "YES". Don't nod your head up and down. Moving your head side to side is found to be very confusing, and its mostly taken as NO.

Never, ever talk in your native language in presence of Americans during a gathering.

DO’SWhen you are going to smoke, don't say "I

am going out for a fag". Never ever ask for a rubber when you

need an eraser. Here a rubber means a "condom" !!

Don't call a black person a "Negro" or any thing else , it is always good to call them "African Americans". Also never call an "American Indian" as a "Red Indian", they get very offended. You may call them as Native Americans or American Indians.

DON’T’S Don't say "The Phone was engaged", as

engaged means getting engaged. Instead say "There was a busy tone".

Don't say "I'll ring you back." or "I'll give you a ring later". Here ring is the engagement ring, rather say "I'll call you, or buzz you".

Don't offer chewing gum, or a breath freshener to others. It gives them a message that they have a bad breath. Your intention may not be but it is easily mistaken.

US HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS

Celebrating Holidays

US Festivals and Holidays

• Holidays, festivals, annual events, and their related traditions represent the cultural, historical and religious backgrounds of people.

• Some of our holiday customs were brought here from other countries.

• Other holidays and festivals are related to the history and the culture that developed in the United States itself

New Year’s Eve & Day

• December 31st & January 1st

• On New Year's Eve, people around the world begin participating in a variety of events to prepare for the new year.

Valentine’s Day• February 14th

• People of celebrate Valentine’s Day to express love for their friends and family.

• People exchange cards, hearts are a popular symbol, and they say “ I love you”.

President’s Day

• 3rd Monday of February

• America celebrate this day to honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two important presidents in our country’s history.

St. Patrick’s Day

• March 17th

• This holiday is celebrated to honor a saint named Patrick, who was known for being a Christian priest.

• Shamrocks and leprechauns are symbols for this day.

Easter

• Easter is always the first Sunday in April following the full moon.

• On Easter morning, the Easter Bunny comes to people’s houses and brings candy and toys.

Earth Day

• April 22nd

• Earth Day is a special day during which people think of all of the different ways that they can help the Earth.

Memorial Day

• Last Monday in May• A day to remember

those who died in service of their country.

Independence Day• July 4th

• Happy Birthday, America!

• On July 4th, 1776, America claimed its independence from Britain.

Labor Day

Ist Monday in Sept.

Holiday honoring workers

The observance includes parades and speeches reviewing labor’s contributions to society.

Halloween• October 31st

• A fun-filled holiday where you can dress up in any costume you want from a ghost to a butterfly.

• Kids Trick-or-Treat by going door to door asking for candy.

Veteran’s Day

• November 11th

• A day set aside to honor all people, living and dead who served in the armed forces.

Thanksgiving

• 4th Thursday of November

• The pilgrims came over to America from Britain to gain religious freedom.

• This holiday allows us to give thanks for all the blessings we have.

Christmas

• December 25th• A time which has

been set aside for giving or exchanging gifts with family and friends to show them you care.

• Some symbols of this holiday are Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and jingle bells.

Other Holidays

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

(January 15th)

• Groundhog Day

(February 2nd)

International Women’s Day

(March 8th)

Other Holidays

April Fool’s Day

(Ist April)

Mothers day

(2nd Sun. of May)

Flag Day

(14th June)

Fathers Day

(3rd Sun. of June)

End of Presentation