"My one piece of American culinary advice: order the medium," one New Zealander wrote in a piece for Stuff. In most countries outside the U.S., vacation time is a highly utilized way to get away from work for a few weeks (or even months) every year. The small and thin trees with exposed branches are often not given a second look and are left with the person selling the trees. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 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. Whether we're dropping by the post office or shopping for groceries, we Americans are surprisingly comfortable with wearing our clothes typically reserved for bed out in public. 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 . However, young people both in and outside the U.S. are particularly fond of American popular culture. Sociology in Everyday Life. By the time you've been inside an American establishment in the summertime for just 10 minutes, you'll be freezing cold and eager to get back out into the sweltering sun. And he drank tap water oh no!" Uhh, that's a huge country. - Gennelyn Escopete, 33, DVD street vendor, Manila, Philippines, "There is a lot of misconception about their politics. People are mostly not concerned with what another (person) is doing. they aren't actually looking for an answer. It's not good." Many people's vacation days tend to pile up as the months of 50-hour workweeks roll on. After all, isn't coffee meant to be enjoyed in a ceramic cup over conversation at a leisurely pace? All Rights Reserved. Many say how underrated our beer is. 600 Words3 Pages. Old charges of Al Jazeeras giving a platform to Islamists resurfaced. This writing helped me understand others' perceptive of the things that I find normal. This I do not know. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); They simply don't see us as their equal but we are. teach well, it matters. People also stop and like to gather around the tree and gaze at it. Ponyboy Curtis is the narrator of this story, and it is through his . Many of the novel's characters, whether they were labeled as Socials (Socs) or greasers . The fish fry, a long-established Friday staple during Lent, is roaring back from COVID with an assist from something decidedly newfangled: an interactive map built by local volunteer coders that points the way to scores of churches, fire halls and other places that offer battered and breaded seafood for the taking. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. In 1,100-1,500 AD, it is reported that the first signs of Navajo culture emerged. AMS 111: American Culture, Values and Traditions: American Outsiders Section D301 T-Th., 12:30-1:45, Carman Hall, Room 233 Instructor: Kathleen Brennan Kathleen.Brennan@lehman.cuny.edu, Kbrennan@gc.cuny.edu Office hours: Tuesdays, 3:30 - 4:30, Room 292 Google Documents: Sign In: LehmanAMS111@gmail.com Password: Carman233 This course is designed to investigate issues of American citizenship . In America, the letter Z is, well, zee. Let's look at 10 traditions Americans celebrate without even considering how strange the rest of world consider them. when we mean "hello", Carding people who are obviously not under 21, Shopping at pharmacies that are mini shopping malls, And prescription drug makers that advertise, Pronouncing the last letter of the alphabet as "zee". Holding "Trials of the Century". As an American this is something I love. Sometimes we are even better than them . Go to many other countries and the smallest differences in culture, language, and background will almost automatically cause some major issues. Scouring forums and blogs, I found that most found Americans very friendly, caring, welcoming, and open people who live in a geographically diverse nation! It's cars. . In most other countries, when you buy a drink, that prince is for a single cupful of your beverage of choice. Nacirema, that "exotic", far-off place where people do "strange" things is one of the best ways to help students look at American culture as an observer rather than as the standard by which all other cultures should be compared. I had a friend who drove for 16 hours to visit family for the weekend. However, if the commercial itself isn't clear, the long list of side effects the narrator rattles off at the end should at least tip them off. - Ziva Meizels, retiree, Jerusalem, "I think their patriotism, you know, God bless America. In fact, in a 2017 report from the National Retail Federation, 65 percent of consumers reported owning a U.S. flag. 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. as well as other partner offers and accept our. An Outsider Looks at Life in America. The reporter, Lori Jane Gliha, made deft use of practiced innocence. Americans can come across as self-interested, aggressive and rude to some outsiders. The greasers live on the east side and are known as "hoods". The Associated Press sent reporters across the world to ask ordinary people about their views of America. And it's a country with quite advanced technology industries. So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! Evidently, we're a very trusting sort. The reality doesn't match the ideal. While I thought this over, I also began to think of why people, myself especially, are so enthralled with other countries. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Cushman (2009) used an active learning methodology to explore minority students' insider knowledge and make outsiders aware of their lack of knowledge relative to The United States of America serves as the global symbol of 'madness' and 'non-stop chaos' in the best and worst ways possible. Remembering that practices are driven by the culture someone is situated in, including our very own practices, is key to avoiding ethnocentrism the mistaken belief that your culture is the standard by which others should be compared. 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. - Antara Rao, 18, economics student, New Delhi, "(America) welcomes all different races." They rip up all of the paper covering the boxes, and leave a mess on the floor. Americans go nuts with air conditioning, cranking it up on hot days to the point that you might actually need a sweater. I think sometimes we take our freedom and our way of life for granted, not realizing how great it really is. While many Americans feel their nation is divided as never before, a sampling of the rest of the world reflects a more charitable view. In fact, Al Jazeera may represent something quite new in the business (though not unprecedented): the foreign gaze for domestic consumption. C. It is important for Asian Americans to learn American culture as quickly as possible so they don't feel like outsiders. They have to lift it up and tie it to the top of their vehicle, and then drive very slowly so the tree will not fall off the car. The following is an excerpt from one of the excellent papers I received from a student, Emily Ong (used with her permission). 2016 The Associated Press. cota main grandstand; chocolate pudding with 2 percent milk xhr.send(payload); Costco, Wal-Mart, and other big-box stores that you need a map to navigate are a particularly American thing. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. Included 600 grams of cheese. The Socs live on the west side and are known as the west side rich kids who have all the breaks. And they are a people that like having a lot of fun and their brands: McDonald's, all of that, makes the American identity or North American we call them North Americans rather than Americans, because we all are Americans." It has hired big-name stars, including Soledad OBrien and Ali Velshi, from American networks. In a Reddit thread asking the weirdest things Americans do, many users discussed how strange they thought it was that the US advertised prescription drugs. One problem that anthropologists may run in to is that people tend to act differently when they are being observed. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. Money rules everything. 1) Outside Marketing Firms Bring Fresh Thinking. 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. And so Al Jazeera Americas recent three-part series on Grand Theft Auto V, a much-heralded new video game, went further and harder than many rivals reports. It was reported to me that the ritual consists of inserting a small bundle of hog hairs into the mouth, along with certain magical powders, and then moving the bundle in a highly formalized series of gestures.. The channels subjects and reporting are unassailably American. By Beth Anne Macaluso, Adam Schubak and Kara Ladd. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. I prefer hanging out with Canadians or students from Europe, because at least they are quite polite." 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. A European, on the other hand, "will launch into a monologue about their health and wellbeing and ask [how are you?] Most European travelers expect to place their order and then be done interacting with their server for the remainder of their meal. For inquiring minds, think of our food. Here, we're far too busy to waste time, so we have drive-through restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, liquor stores, and more. 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. Works Cited. This small lifestyle change could make a big difference to your long-term brain health. Whether it be through something small or something quite significant, it's a . Figure 1.6. I thought you had to go to a dedicated gun store for that. And so when this newspaper or any other writes about Italy or Ghana, Italians and Ghanaians can now read it. How big the country is and the amount of time you guys are willing to drive. - Shitij, 26, sales and marketing worker, New Delhi, "They believe in democracy, in freedom; they are willing to die, kill, et cetera, for that. WHAT IS THE FIRST THOUGHT THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD "AMERICA"? Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. I came to realize how many things are truly American and what makes us great people of a great nation. We don't know what lemonade is: In many countries, lemonade is not the iconic sugary drink that American kids sell at stands in summer. -- B_Underscore, A friend came from the UK and he said Wal-mart was the weirdest thing, you could buy 24 rolls of toilet paper and a 12 gauge shotgun in the same store. Many American kids and teenagers leave home for extended periods of time, often for summer camps or travel. NEW YORK Al Jazeera wants to make its name as American as pizzaburgers. Build a pillow fort on your bed in any clear space using four chairs, an abundance of blankets and all the pillows you can find. - Christopher Darroch, 39, actor, Toronto, "Americans are American because they feel (they are) better than the rest of the world but in reality we are as good as they are. Here are 33 "normal" customs and habits in the U.S. that weird out the rest of the world. Guide to US and American culture, society, language, etiquette, customs, manners and protocol. As well as supporting your college as an alumni. 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. Extra-Large Food Portions. Mehta, 34, health insurance worker, New Delhi, "America is a land of opportunities. And after 9/11, the world grieved with America. If even we Americans don't get it, we can't expect anyone else to either. There are no Americans as such. Due to the individuals moulding as an anthropologist and as a person by society, ethnographies can be clouded by researchers views on subjects as active agents through upbringing, sex . I threw dirt, I threw stones. For example, we can look at Christmas from the perspective of someone who is not a part of American culture. Trick-or-Treating. While many love how so patriotic we are as a people, some, to be blunt, find it a bit creepy. What may feel totally normal to Americans is often far from it for outsiders. They desire a different one, which holds more importance. Using an etic perspective, we can gain an outsiders view on our cultural practices that we deem "normal" in comparison to other cultures. Driving everywhere. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. And in the opinions that came back, some clear threads emerge, anecdotal yet illuminating. Now, I am not saying that America doesnt have its own cultural cues and certain ways that we act that makes us unique. They must be of some great importance or have some great wisdom, which allows them the honor of completing this task. 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. Finding creative ways to fry things that probably shouldn't be fried is an American specialty and something that definitely confuses tourists. While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. America gave birth to these two soulful genres and in my personal opinion from my search that is that the world is very glad, as these genres gave birth to rock, pop, rap, and hip-hop. Not in America it isn't! I encourage others to take a step outside, in any situation, to see the broader view of things because what you find may surprise you. Shopping malls, meals, people, cars. But, I digress. 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. Basically, I am wondering what non-Americans think of our culture, and of us in general. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group, Saying "how are you?" 15 Unique Aspects of American Culture. The growth and diversification of the Asian American population in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal. - Zhila Gudzueva, university lecturer, Moscow, "My definition of Americans is those who are cheerful, friendly and willing to communicate." The "emic" approach is an insider's perspective, which looks at the beliefs, values, and practices of a particular culture from the perspective of the people who live within that culture. Non-Americans of reddit, what aspect of American culture strikes you as the strangest. - B.S. (New York: Penguin . Americans are nothing if not by the book about the little things, so most foreigners quickly learn that it's wise to keep some form of ID on them at all times if they plan on having a drink. - Antara Rao, 18, student, New Delhi, "I have traveled all over the United States in Greyhound buses as a tourist. 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. - 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. - Kenni Friis, 28, computer technology student, Copenhagen, Denmark, "They're generous. 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. They cannot generate these results, because they are based on, and restricted by, the ethnocentric perspective. (She believed) that the people's voice should be heard." 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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Jun 25, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/05/business/media/an-outsider-looks-at-life-in-america.html. While other countries boast colorful bills with cultural figures, the U.S. seems determined to keep their barely-green dollars as unexciting and indistinguishable as possible. Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. 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. 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. In England, the so-called "chemist" is the place you go to for medicine and medical suppliesand that's it. Many posts I read from spoke about not being able to even eat our bread because it was so sugary. But now its not Nigeria or China being looked at like this, but the great superpower by an upstart Arab network, no less. They are also unified in the sense that the dream isn't really a real thing anymore. In most other English-speaking countrieslike Canada, Ireland, or England, the letter Z is pronounced zed. When described the way the Miner does, it sounds strange and maybe even a bit gross. What is Ethnocentrism? } else { She does a great job of describing the US rituals of the Christian holiday, Christmas. Why have an 8-ounce steak when you can have a 20-ounce one? But when Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based television empire that has long broadcast to . When Al Jazeera becomes a major U.S. cable channel, as it plans, some Americans are likely to click past it, recalling the alleged anti-American tone by the pan-Arab network during the Iraq war a decade ago, CNN wrote in a not atypical comment. 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. Tipping. You can describe American culture in general, as Miner does, or you can describe an American subculture, such as a specific geographical group (e.g., New Yorkers), a . Americans are, apparently, much friendlier than most people around the world. - Knut Braaten, 43, handyman, Oslo, Norway, "Everything in America is high tech!" Sometimes it doesnt fit very easily through the entrance to their house, and many members of the family have to help get the tree through the doorway. Hash browns or home fries? - Ingerlise Kristensen, 68, retired bank employee, Copenhagen, Denmark, "America is food fast food and (Coca) Cola. There is, of course, diverse reporting on health care and the stock market and climate change on Al Jazeera America, but there is unmistakably in its coverage a hint of this thesis Americas bountiful callousness. 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. Though the conditions of pre-Columbian America and 15th-century Iberia are beyond the scope of Latin American history proper, they must be given consideration in that connection. An odd ritual occurs the night right before Christmas: children hang socks above a structure that houses a fire although they look far too large to be anyones sock. I hate to put even more pressure on . Sign up for notifications from Insider! You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. Why is so much trouble taken to offer the items to people, wrapped and put under this gaudy tree only to be given away? Cultural relativism is the idea that the beliefs and practices of a culture should be understood within the context of that particular culture's background, history, and current events surrounding it. - Knut Braaten, 43, handyman, Oslo, Norway, "I think there obviously is the American dream, the idea that unifies them all. Does the eating of the man-shaped biscuits represent some sacrifice? But while these American traditions might seem normal stateside, they are certainly not universal. (2) the interlocking nature of oppression; and (3) the importance of Afro-American women's culture. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. One could almost call them obsessed, as some houses have giant men, white bears, and black and white birds puffed full of air in front of their houses. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-72659260-1&cid=910c153b-d868-4c76-96ce-cfd4592b1dc7&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=7762223932942864768'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); 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." A star, or in some cases an angel or other figurine is put on top of the tree, and it seems to be an honor for the person who is allowed to put it there. She was a happy person, better than my Chinese roommate there were three of us in the room. Some of the answers are pretty hilarious and/or eye-opening. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Driven by sustained immigration and refugee resettlement during the 1970s and 1980s, Asian Americans have emerged as the nation's fastest growing racial group. [] detailed search help you gain a new perspective on the Nacirema people. Contents. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { The particular Skittles flavor we call "grape" is an American curiosity of its own, but for those in the United Kingdom and Australia, this flavor doesn't even exist. To find out, I thought that I should get a view from the outside of the proverbial white picket fenced, good ol Murican home. 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." Curious about which things are considered freaky by foreigners' standards? 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.
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