The more multi-cultural our cities become, the more globalization and hyper-mobility affect our culture, the more it's normal not to be normal. - Summer Abu Ltaif, outside the American University of Beirut, "I think everyone is very tolerant there, in a way that there are all kinds of people, whether from different ethnicities, different countries, different religions. The photo below shows different tools for cleaning ones teeth yes, even the sticks. From our portions to our PTO, here's where we differ from the rest of the world. Their approach is different from ours we do it because we care about others, they do it because they get tips they were raised that way." The Outsiders was actually published when the author was only 17 years old. Bacon or sausage? The paper, written by University of Chicago trained anthropologist Horace Miner was originally published in 1956. I can imagine that persons evaluation would be something like the following: During this holiday called Christmas, families take great care to ensure that they decorate their houses and various shrubs with wires. The Associated Press sent reporters across the world to ask ordinary people about their views of America. Not only did the geography of precontact America persist, but both the new arrivals and the indigenous inhabitants long retained their respective general characteristics, and it was the fit between . I think it comes from two places: sports, and a sense of community. Not in America it isn't! First, I began pondering this when I couldnt really think of anything distinctly American. [], Your email address will not be published. Innovation is widely viewed as an engine of progress not only for driving economic growth, but also for bringing vital improvements in a variety of domains, from science and medicine to inequality and sustainability. Americans are gallant." It's the many electronics we have the bridge in San Francisco." After all, isn't coffee meant to be enjoyed in a ceramic cup over conversation at a leisurely pace? I was wearing a T-shirt that said, 'You Can't Get This In The States.' Yet, America's admirers have felt betrayed by other shades of the American character: the military interventions in Vietnam, Iraq and elsewhere; the gun violence; the right (inexplicable to many) to carry weapons; the deep and angry racial divisions; and, lately, a presidential nominee calling for harsh restrictions on Muslims and Mexicans. We in Europe have smaller things What I liked when I was over there was the service level, it was very high. When a store clerk or acquaintance in America asks, "How are you doing?" cultural frames of reference" and "learn to step outside of their own thinking in order to examine it and also to acknowledge others' thinking" (pp. - Ayumi Takeoka, 41, housewife, Tokyo, First published on August 4, 2016 / 5:32 PM. And yet the "Ugly American," it would seem, isn't all bad. WHAT IS THE FIRST THOUGHT THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD "AMERICA"? paper from an anthropological perspective. "Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is . I explained it was a joke, I was from Canada. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. You don't see cheerleaders at the World Cup, do you? On TripAdvisor, one German tourist even commented on her love of visiting New York, save for these restroom door gaps. . Finding creative ways to fry things that probably shouldn't be fried is an American specialty and something that definitely confuses tourists. The material items that are kept, though, seem to consume all the time of the children. - Marren Cahilig, 21, bartender, Manila, Philippines, "It is powerful." It examines the body rituals and practices of US culture the way anthropologists used to other cultures in seemingly distant lands that seemed unusual, if not weird. People also stop and like to gather around the tree and gaze at it. But, I digress. - Kenni Friis, 28, computer technology student, Copenhagen, Denmark, "They're generous. This one might seem obvious, but what if I told you that having a cup of hot cocoa is more than chocolate powder in warm milk? And it is a great country; I have visited it. To examine these facts other cultures are taken into consideration to accurately without prejudices towards African Americans. Families also make sure they get a hold of a rather sizable green tree, butthey go outside of their property to find such a tree. They just like speaking their mind, which is a reason that I don't feel quite comfortable going around with Americans." Whether it be through something small or something quite significant, it's a . After searching the web, I have found a few answers to my questions and quandaries about what makes usus. These are the kind of zoomed-out, big-picture stories that result from asking the most basic questions and that in other newsrooms might be killed because they are too obvious, or have been done 1,000 times, or dont have a new angle. They are the kind of stories that result from sending reporters out to ask the biggest unresolved questions about their own society from making them think, in short, like a foreign correspondent freshly returned to a now-unfamiliar home. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. There are few countries in which you'll encounter a billboard or bus ad for a divorce attorney or see several personal injury spots while watching half an hour of daytime TV. American culture is clearly more advanced than all other cultures. I read on several different forum sites how things such as the pledge of allegiance and how our flag is plastered everywhere you go is quite strange to outsiders. To find out, I thought that I should get a view from the outside of the proverbial white picket fenced, good ol Murican home. Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. There are no Americans as such. In fact, in a 2017 report from the National Retail Federation, 65 percent of consumers reported owning a U.S. flag. We love having lots of options in America, but sometimes for an outsider, ordering food can feel like a multiple-choice quiz. Not sure whether I actually am ready to move there because it must be a tough country to live in. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. The ones immediately outside their house are apparently not fit. A European, on the other hand, "will launch into a monologue about their health and wellbeing and ask [how are you?] Many Western media companies have seized upon this reality to create sites devoted to the domestic consumption of their foreign reporting including The New York Timess India Ink blog, to cite an example. "Long winter nights and the seclusion of the reservation. American culture, they help younger generations avoid changing their personalities to be accepted. In S.E. DESCRIBE THE COUNTRY AS YOU SEE IT: "The first word that comes to mind when I hear the word America is 'Arrogance.' Sometimes we are even better than them . Holidays are integral parts of different cultures and by looking at them through the eyes of an outsider, we can see how culture influences perspective. So, traveling down any city block, suburban street, or rural road, a foreigner will probably encounter at least a few American flags flying high, which likely isn't the norm in their home country. In some of my classes, as part of a paper exploring the concepts and influenceof culture, I ask students to explore a ritual within their own culture but from an outsiders view as if they were witnessing the practice for the first time and trying to understand it. The beliefs, customs, art, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time. One of the hardest (or at least most expensive) things about being an outsider traveling in the United States is tipping. My American studies courses here have given me the opportunity to observe America from an outsider's perspective and really get an understanding of what Europeans actually think of us. The channels subjects and reporting are unassailably American. - Knut Braaten, 43, handyman, Oslo, Norway, "Everything in America is high tech!" An outsider can clearly observe behavior but they cannot understand it while conversely an American would not be able to observe an attitude but they would be able to understand the . I prefer it here. All Rights Reserved. Now, I am not saying that America doesnt have its own cultural cues and certain ways that we act that makes us unique. This might be less surprising these days thanks to the ubiquity of Starbucks, but Americans originated the practice of ordering coffee to go, and it still strikes many Europeans as bizarre behavior. Okay, so besides us Americans in general, what about the other stuff, like our food, drink and entertainment? You get a vision of their culture and their way of life. They were floored (and clogged probably) -- Marcvsgrippa, Pumpkin flavored things, pumpkin is a vegetable yet it is always in seasonal items in combination with sweet flavors. They also put some wires around it, which when attached to the wall, make the tree look very bright. If you want a second soda in a place like Paris, for example, be prepared to dole out some extra cash. Curious about which things are considered freaky by foreigners' standards? Now, I am sure this doesnt just extend to us Americans, but I thought about how each country has their own beautifully unique world of its own. After doing a little adventuring on the web and seeing all different kinds of opinions and views from people all over the world, I came to love my country even more. Americans are unusually casual about handing over their credit cards in a way that tends to freak foreigners out. Many people's vacation days tend to pile up as the months of 50-hour workweeks roll on. Therapists say it can damage your connection. 2. To begin, Ill stick with the positives. I think that anybody with good ideas, if they want to make a mark, it gives you an equal opportunity in that country. Old charges of Al Jazeeras giving a platform to Islamists resurfaced. Although the insight of an outsider can clearly observe another's culture, I do not agree with him or her criticizing it as if it is his or her own country. This I do not know. The small and thin trees with exposed branches are often not given a second look and are left with the person selling the trees. Many say how underrated our beer is. Despite the fact that these people are so punctiliousabout care of the mouth, this rite involves a practice which strikes the uninitiated stranger as revolting. Even when it's the dead of winter, coffee shops are still serving up iced coffee. It's not good." Cheese is life people. -- Nionvox, and extreme violence/gore is considered normal, and shown regularly on TV. What do they think of when they think of America? Tipping. - Antara Rao, 18, student, New Delhi, "I have traveled all over the United States in Greyhound buses as a tourist. I mean, for the love of our sacredly majestic Bald Eagle, apple pie isnt even American! As well as supporting your college as an alumni. - Shitij, 26, sales and marketing worker, New Delhi, "A lot of (consumer) products. On my search I was pleasantly surprised to see the opposite view. Another oddity of American advertising are those spots you see for prescription medication during every commercial break. When they do, the house and shrubs look very bright, and not a single house on the street is without these wires. The culture of the United States includes traditions, regional customs, institutions, art and so much more. It has gone beyond the usual New York-Washington presence of overseas networks, with plans for bureaus in Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Detroit; Los Angeles; Miami; Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans; San Francisco; and Seattle. Americans really love their ice. "My one piece of American culinary advice: order the medium," one New Zealander wrote in a piece for Stuff. However, often is not noticed or realized how extreme some people are willing to go to conform to the expected norm of American society, until one looks at the demands that society places upon us from the outsider's perspective of American culture. American culture encompasses the customs and traditions of the United States. The growth and diversification of the Asian American population in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal. Nor am I saying that we dont have an intricately rich history that has shaped us to what we are today. Go to many other countries and the smallest differences in culture, language, and background will almost automatically cause some major issues. While I thought this over, I also began to think of why people, myself especially, are so enthralled with other countries. Baby Showers. - Summer Abu Ltaif, outside the American University of Beirut, "I think that they are formed by an ideology. Then they leave hard biscuits shaped like men and a cup of milk out next to the tree. This is baffling to many foreigners, especially since, by the time they're in their 30s, they've been drinking legally for more than two decades. Sociology in Everyday Life. In a moments answer, a culture is revealed anew. Sometimes, you need an outsiders perspective to get a clearer and wider view of things. I believe they should understand the values that we have as Arabs, embrace them and try to go to a more local level to comprehend why we think and why we live the way we live." cota main grandstand; chocolate pudding with 2 percent milk Given that the school-age Asian American population doubled in the . That's because, in America, we put our eggs through a rigorous washing process (which actually isn't even necessary) that removes the egg's protective layer, so harmful bacteria can get in if we don't refrigerate the eggs. But to watch Al Jazeera Americas reports is to discover that the truth lies somewhere in between these visions the network as fundamentally foreign versus the network as all-American. Included 600 grams of cheese. Adam Schubak Partnerships Editor Adam is a writer based out of New . First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. What is even more confusing is that these items in the boxes are often not kept. To outsiders, Blacks may appear terse or disinterested. - Christopher Darroch, 39, actor, Toronto, "Capitalism. So that finally, outsiders will feel they belong. These kind greetings can catch foreigners by surprise, and usually it takes a few "hellos" before they trust that it's not some kind of scam. He clearly thought that was more important than spending time with his family or friends. - Sam Wang, 20, university student, Beijing, "My image of America is a country that goes to war anywhere in the world," - Susumu Inoue, 82, retired agricultural lab technician, Tokyo, "I think of Major League Baseball," Ayumi Takeoka, 41, housewife, Tokyo. But, besides the Willy Wonka level of sugar, we use a substantial amount of cheese in everything. When first reading this analysis, it is not easy to recognize that Miner is talking about American's culture. Some even sell fresh fruit and prepackaged mealsbut if you're visiting the States from another country, we recommend getting your sushi elsewhere. The Reddit user NoDownvotesPlease said: "That was the weirdest one for me. - Gennelyn Escopete, 33, DVD street vendor, Manila, Philippines, "Probably capitalism, but I see it more as freedom that every person can do what he wants, when he wants - true freedom, but it costs a lot I think, and sometimes it brings you lower than takes you higher." Obviously (the people) don't have much to do with the government's political decisions but I do think that it is a big, powerful country that has always tried to dominate countries it doesn't favor." The United States of America serves as the global symbol of 'madness' and 'non-stop chaos' in the best and worst ways possible. This works in making work more enjoyable too. Reducto_Absurdum, Americans are obsessed with straight, white teeth. It seems that the boxes were for them all along, not another being or deity. And it's a country with quite advanced technology industries. Burgers, the American dream, choppers, Elvis, cowboys. Uhh, that's a huge country. Lastly, the best part is the toppings. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Todd Beer, PhD, is a faculty member in the department of Sociology and Anthropology at Lake Forest College, a wonderful liberal arts college north of Chicago. What may feel totally normal to Americans is often far from it for outsiders. Despite the fact that these people are so punctilious, about care of the mouth, this rite involves a practice which strikes the uninitiated stranger as revolting. The spectacle of the Tupinamb men in the French court, as described by Montaigne, could be said to be an instance of "reverse colonization," a phenomenon in which those who embarked in a colonial . Especially if you have school work to do, background music can help fill the silence of late night studying. But when Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based television empire that has long broadcast to viewers around the world in Arabic and English, announced plans to start a U.S. news channel, it ignited a wildfire of controversy. In the Final Research Paper, you will examine your own culture from an etic (outsider's) perspective and another culture from an emic (insider's) perspective to demonstrate your understanding of cultural relativism and examine misconceptions and ethnocentric beliefs concerning each of these cultures. In this book, American culture refers to pattern and behavior of the mainstream. The amount of older people I saw on my trip wearing college gear was insane. What I've concluded from my time here so far is that most of the people in Europe consider Americans good-hearted, but completely insane people. Ethnocentric people compare their culture to others on such elements as religion, behavior, language, customs, and norms. Scouring forums and blogs, I found that most found Americans very friendly, caring, welcoming, and open people who live in a geographically diverse nation! Mehta, 34, health insurance worker, New Delhi, "America is a land of opportunities. Trick-or-Treating. the culture being studied such that he/she can blend his/her etic (outsider) perspective with the emic (insider) perspective of the society being studied. I kind of like doing some things that I know I cant do in real life, the boy replies. The culture can largely be referred to as Western culture, as much of it is shared with the Western world, but there are still influences that come from Asia, Africa and Latin America. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Part 1: An etic view of African American race from an outsiders perspective is believed as religious and demonstrates a unique lifestyle. We have black, asians, white, hispanics, indians just to name of few and yet we don't have massive in fighting between races or religions. The term is frequently heard in situations . Here are some of the best: 1. Miner takes the approach of explaining the body ritual among the Nacirema from an outsider's point of view, with no real understanding of the American culture. Eggs are a universal delicacy, but outside of the U.S., they are seldom stored in the fridge. Works Cited. Do they think of our wide range of geography and national wonders? While I dont think its exactly a secret that a stereotype of Americans portrays us as arrogant, ignorant, loud and so on. Scouring forums and blogs, I found that most found Americans very friendly, caring, welcoming, and open people who live in a geographically diverse nation! 5. Many said they found it to be one of the weirdest things about being in the US. And he said, 'Oh Canada! Through this process, Asian American parents can be transformed themselves, and maybe shift their own conceptions of education towards the one I hold and do their part in encouraging a cultural shift that will benefit future generations, as this new conception of education becomes the one that is passed down. Al Jazeera America, since going on air on Aug. 20, has worked hard to fight off suggestions of foreignness. The second one is "B", the one you're attempting to write about (say, Chinese, Vietnamese, French). But there is an ideology that unites them all." The report reflected the networks seeming vision of the United States more generally: as a nation dynamic and promising and, at the same time, brutal in ways that distinguish it from its rich-country cousins.