Language and culture

American lifestyle : on the eye of the hurricane

American lifestyle is usually a topic of analysis among sociologists and psychologists. Other cultures may find it hard to understand some of their behaviors and customs, tagging them as aloof, cold and calculating people. But this pre-judgment of American culture should not be considered without first understanding their motives to follow some of the behaviors they are so criticized for.

Americans worship individualism, always have, probably always will. They need to follow that simple statement. Since Thomas Jefferson signed their Declaration of Independence, back in 1776, their ideals of Enlightenment and Capitalism were clear to everybody’s eyes. Both ideals needed strong, capable and independent men and women to build the powerful country the U.S is nowadays. Americans are raised to push themselves to be better in every way and to seek for a prosperous future. Since childhood they are told that, as free human beings, it’s in their hands to find success. But they have to fight and compete for it, for no one else will do it for them. These teachings have helped their economic system enormously, capitalism by excellence, to work so well all these years with its ups and downs. Capitalism’s first and most important rule relies on supply and demand. To optimize this, a good consumer market is also needed. One most U.S inhabitants can relate to very well. Independent youngsters and materialistic behaviors help the massive consumption cycle to work so beautifully. Most American teens only seem to want to leave their homes for college, have a good paying job and make millions. These new adults are hungry for brand new cars, houses and better material facilities .They work hard and grant themselves nice and new material goods.

But Americans are far from being the unsociable brats their appearance can give. They do sacrifice for what they have. Competition is taught. But this sense of competition, followed by a great national spirit, has helped them to overcome the Great Depression in the 30s. Their confidence in progress and prosperity has helped the New Deal and its policies to rebuild their economy. It has worked so well, it's become a model followed by Europeans and other countries as well. Americans understood about legitimacy, which brought them back their trust and stability. Also president F.D.Roosevelt created an atmosphere of equality and informality during his fireside chats bringing hope and unity to the country once more. He used to give radio chats every Sunday in which he explained to common Americans the government’s plans to find a way out of the crisis.

Most Americans feel comfortable following that type of behavior. Most of their practices and habits are just a response to their economic and political system. And it’s imitated all over the world. Americans value and stand up for their national progress and are not willing to throw away what their ancestors achieved just to answer to criticisms about their lifestyle. Many times Americans' friendliness and warmth are not perceived because of their natural competitiveness. Their family cell works as their national boundaries. Each state is independent; they have four different time zones, and different legislations. Still they all respond to one big nation that seeks for each American protection, stability and wellbeing.

The reason why many other cultures find it hard to understand the Americans lifestyle and criticize it is more related to the fact that most Americans are ignorant about other cultures. They do not understand the diversity and complexity of other culture’s behaviors and beliefs. Many times this is closely connected with the fact that many Americans are not aware of the stark realities of the world since it is not that common inside their country’s reality.

One would probably believe that in the globalized world, wrong and unfair pre-conceptions of other cultures would be over, but it seems that it is far from being so. American values and assumptions probably wouldn’t be in everybody’s mouth if they were not a political, economic and military superpower. Their lifestyle wouldn’t be so well known if it wasn’t for media divulgation, such as American movies, sit coms and books that are popular all over the world and only reflect a part of their culture. But, on the other hand, maybe Americans have gotten used to living in a blinding nutshell for so long that they've forgotten that this world is inhabited by more than six billon and that we all have to work on our tolerance a little more everyday and have a very different view about what constitutes happiness.