The Ugly American Customs

The other day in class someone said, “Why are we expected to following and obey other country’s customs, but when they come here (to the U.S) they don’t follow our customs?”

So I’m thinking…What exactly are the customs of the U.S

First I thought it would be best to define what a custom is, as opposed to something being a tradition or culture.

Definition: A usage or practice common to many or to a particular place or class, or habitual with an individual. Long established practice considered as unwritten law. So yeah… the definition didn’t help me.

So I quizzed my good friend, Mr. Internet… and although I found the information I was looking for, I had to find it on web pages that were made for people coming to the United States.

Our customs are very generic – holidays, 4^th of July (but not Easter or Christmas or Chanukah) ... fried chicken, meatloaf with tomato sauce on top, county fried steak, Thanksgiving (another food related thing), so I’ve come to the conclusion that we really don’t have any US customs. (with the exception of partying and food!)

America is ultimately a nation of immigrants and as a result is a cultural mish-mash in every sense of the word. Not only is the country populated by people from foreign countries but all Americans in one way or another trace their ancestry back to another culture, whether Irish, German, Italian or Scottish. Looking around any major city one will notice the ‘melting-pot’ that it is. (stolen from the web)

I believe to solve this problem we have to make a decision – a federal decision!

The United States does not have an official language. (can you believe that?) Eighty-two percent of the population speaks English, but apparently the federal government hasn’t decided yet what the language should be. Why?

While searching for the incredible information above, I did find some critical warnings provided to our visiting international friends, please pass these on to your foreign friends:

When two Americans are standing and talking to each other they stay at least 16 inches away from each other. (else they will be labeled and possibly beat up)

In America, time is a very important commodity. People 'save' time and 'spend' time as if it were money in the bank. (so please, make sure you stop and ask for assistance I am sure each of us will stop and politely help)

It is also not acceptable to spit, blow your nose with your fingers or urinate on the street. 

(damn, I wish someone told me this – no wonder I get looked at strangely)

Can you imagine the look on the face of the 75 year old Finnish grandmother coming to the US to visit her grandkids after reading that?! No wonder the rest of the world calls us the Ugly Americans!