I have seen that a lot of people around the world are visiting this site and I was wondering if maybe some of you could share the cultural (or behavorial?) characteristics of your nation? I don't know near anything about the USA (I had some prejudices which were found plain false) or other European countries like Sweden, Spain, etc.
Although I know that in norse countries there is something called Jante's law, but I don't know if they take it serious. Anyway, every information I have about foreign countries (except for Batavia, Germany, where I have spent a lot of time) is eighter formal (size, location, etc.) which doesn't tell anything at all, or second-handed read-between-the-lines indirect (mis)information.
Just out of curiosity.
In the British Isles there are still strong regional differences, despite what London's 'chattering classes' would have you believe. Even within a particular English region there are differences (take someone from a Stratford-upon-Avon hotel bar and put them in a Stoke-on-Trent working men's club and they would be completely out of place, for instance, and probably even unable for the first hour to even understand the local accent). Yet these places are only about 70 miles apart.
Some of this has to do with the divisions of social class (which is another thing that the media elite pretends has been done away with, but which has not been) and the deep social divisions that it perpetuates.
Then you have the even more deeply entrenched Scottish, Welsh and Irish identities. Plus the deep division between 'the North' and 'the South' of England. All of the above groups (not to mention the new arrivals that are enriching the inner cities) still have somewhat different assumptions, mannerisms, accents, customs, etc, despite the best efforts of the media 'culture' to persuade us that we now live in a seamless world.
Hi Futurilla!
This difference in accent seems very odd to me, because Hungarian language is united, there are no major differences (meaning, that I'm still able to understand every Hung. accent and vice versa), but this is probably due to the fact that there were efforts to keep it unified, and due to the fact that Hungary is and allways was small.
But Germans report the same about speech, like when someone from Batavia meets someone from Sachsen, they have to speek slow.
About differences in classes, I think this is a common thing. It exists here too. That can't be helped or changed, it's in the interrest of "democracy," that politicans tell these doesn't exists.
take someone from a Stratford-upon-Avon hotel bar and put them in a Stoke-on-Trent working men's club and they would be completely out of place, for instance, and probably even unable for the first hour to even understand the local accent
Sorry, that part I haven't understood, my English isn't quite good.
The USA has strong regional cultures, too.
As we are a nation of immigrants, and some immigrants have chosen to assimilate more than others, we have a big variety of what "American" means to different people.
In the South, where I live, African-American/ Black people are almost half of the population. There seem to be many things in common but also many differences between white southern culture and black southern culture. Some of the positive things seem to be in common, like close ties with one's family (even extended family). I still haven't figured out the whole culture of the south, and I have been here 10 years.
Also, as you have probably figured out, we don't all like our leader at any given time (I didn't like either Clinton or Bush, in fact).
Americans are famous for our individuality and rebelliousness. But sometimes we can act like sheep just like anybody, and punish the strange & individual people. It all depends on the moment in time and the group you are dealing with, maybe.
We have a lot more freedoms than some countries, but how much these freedoms are actually accessible to any given person, also varies in time and place.
These are not necessarily the most important bits about USA culture, but they are just the things I happened to think of just now.
Thank you, Natalia.
Also, as you have probably figured out, we don't all like our leader at any given time (I didn't like either Clinton or Bush, in fact).
Yes, it's common in the whole world. I mean, it seems that there are quite a few people who actualy like their leaders.
Americans are famous for our individuality and rebelliousness. But sometimes we can act like sheep just like anybody, and punish the strange & individual people. It all depends on the moment in time and the group you are dealing with, maybe.
Yes, but what do you mean by rebelliousness? Because there seems to be two kinds of rebells: the attention seeking boozoo, who only wants to be different, and the good kind, which actually doesn't like the ways of the authority.
As for individuality: yes, it's probably a very good thing. I would rather work in the USA, because there seems to be a better possibilities to work in places where intuition is more rewarded.
These are not necessarily the most important bits about USA culture, but they are just the things I happened to think of just now.
Yes, but I more liked to hear trivial things, like what famous american foods are there, what is the people's religious favours (in everyday life), small things, that aren't quite promoted. The big things (like the black/white cultural differences) are discussed elsewhere quite precisly.
Let me give you an example: here, in Hungary, everybody is a natural pessimist. The people seem to think that everything is created to annoy and to be an obstacle. Bureucracy is also a common thing. You can't do any trivial task (like reporting a lost or stolen item) without a few days of misunderstanding.
Yes, but I more liked to hear trivial things, like what famous american foods are there, what is the people's religious favours (in everyday life), small things, that aren't quite promoted. The big things (like the black/white cultural differences) are discussed elsewhere quite precisly.
Let me give you an example: here, in Hungary, everybody is a natural pessimist. The people seem to think that everything is created to annoy and to be an obstacle. Bureucracy is also a common thing. You can't do any trivial task (like reporting a lost or stolen item) without a few days of misunderstanding.
American food is also very regional. In the East, you'll find a lot of famous seafood dishes -- clam chowders, lobster dishes, that sort of thing. Food in the Midwest runs the gamut from Chicago-style stuffed pizza to beer-cheese soup in Wisconsin to hot dish/casserole through much of the upper Midwest. I know less about southern regional food, and the West seem to have less of its own distinct culinary character, from what I can tell from living here.
Religion varies widely. I'd say the average person pays lip service to religion, but doesn't really get more involved...it's a part of their life, but not a priority. Then there are small groups on either end who are either obsessively religious (you find this a lot in the South and Midwest) or steadfastly atheist (you find this more on the coasts and in big cities). The vast majority of those first two groups are some form of Christian. People tend to either be of the evangelical protestant sort (Baptist, Pentecostal) or Catholic; there are smaller populations of non-evangelical Protestants, Orthodox Christians, and devout fringe groups like the Amish. There are Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and people of other religions, but they have a much smaller cultural presence and tend to be much more segregated by region.
My view of American philosophy is that the "average American" mindset (though this is a huge generalization, of course) is very Calvinist in some respects. It's highly nationalistic, but not recognized as such because "America is different". It holds a disturbingly naive belief that people's station in life is directly related to their character. There is a definite anti-intellectualism slant at the moment. However, the "average American" is also likely to be (possibly erroneously) more idealistic and optimistic about the future than you'd see in a lot of places. We're certainly prone to thinking that hard work can overcome impossibility and hardship. We're inclined to flaunt tradition, and I don't think you'll find it's a particularly powerful force in everyday American life. The "average American" complains a lot, but doesn't really do anything to change the things he's complaining about -- this is viewed by most as the folly of the young, something "you'll outgrow".
People differ a lot, but those are some pervasive characteristics and attitudes I've encountered over the years.
Sometimes I think verbal or personal communication in the USA can be interesting, or, difficult- and not just AS-NT communications. Even though English is still the official language in this country, there are regional differences, social, ethnic, racial and other differences. I don't think this is a bad thing- I'd get bored very quickly if everyone here used "standard" television news middle US speech. It's nice to mix it up a little with New York City "in your face", West Coast airhead, or Southern versions of the language.
I hope I won't hurt anyones feelings by suggesting that various 'groups' in the USA have small differences in body language and personal communications. One group (like the one I belong to) may speak more abruptly, use more eye contact, but limits hand and arm gestures. Another group may speak more quietly, use less eye contact while a third group may stand closer and use more excitable conversation combined with more use of hands and arms. A group that uses steady eye contact may think a member of another group who uses less eye contact is dodgy or suspicious.. None of these are really bad things, only different.
I've noticed some groups allow a lot of personal "space" by not standing too close, pointing at you, being too familiar- Other groups may behave differently. As an Aspie who needs a lot of personal space, I sometimes have to remind myself that other people may be louder or need less personal space.
Example of multicultural bodylanguage:
I get great laughs out of my 1st-year Spanish classes by describing the first encounter between myself (an autistic "gringa" [white, English-speaking American] teenager) and an older Cuban lady to whom I was introduced at a family party in order to practice Spanish.
The difference of personal space was like 6 ft vs. 6 inches; she had me backed into a wall. It's funny now, and I know (and knew) that she was just being friendly, but on some level I was terrified.
I am maybe going towards being bicultural because I have assimilated some things from Hispanic culture... but there are some things I may never assimilate.
Oh I should mention: I've read that things like bodylanguage are even discussed in cultural diversity trainings that are given in some companies. If you are going to be a salesperson, for ex., or work on teams with people of various cultures, you want to have the bodylanguage that lets people trust you (not puts them off) and if that differs between cultures, you need to know it.
Southern food...
My favorites are corn-bread, collard-greens (this is like a lightly bitter spinach), hush-puppies (a kind of fried bread balls), key-lime pie, red-velvet cake (a cake made with a red sugary soft-drink as the liquid -which stains the cake deep red- then iced with white buttery frosting), pecan pie... and macaroni&cheese which is pretty much general American, not just southern.
My husband (recent immigrant to Southern USA from South America) loves the barbecue here. It is a kind of shredded roasted meat with a sweetish/tangy sauce. I like barbecue, too, but I'm not such a meat-eater as he is. He also likes grits (a kind of corn porridge).
Unfortunately, some of the "best" Southern food is not so healthy...
Canadians are not really much like Americans as some other people might think.
We have regional differences in dialects. People from Newfoundland have a totally different dialect and outlook towards life. They become very confused when they move to Toronto.
Canadians tend to be more quiet and well mannered than Americans.
French speaking Canadians are called francophones. They are found in Quebec, the Maritimes, Ontario and Manitoba. They all have different dialects of French. The Ontario french is different from the Quebec french and France french. Oui is more like "whey" in Quebec and Ontario.
English speaking Canadians are called anglophones. Many people in Canada speak another language other than English or French as their native tongue because they are immigrants or their parents are.
I'mfrom the Northwest of England. When I'm there, a standard greeting is 'Ey up.' I have no idea where ti came from. Regional differences are pronounced and even in Englan'ds northwest accent can vary. Macnhester and Liverpool are about forty miles form one another but the 'Scouser' accent is quite distinct from 'Manc'.
As for food, I eat the ocassional Chip butty somtimes with ketchup.
For non birts that's a French fry sandwich. I think the American term might be 'steak fries'
hey folks,
I'm from a large town on the east coast of Ireland, where the typical greeting is 'howaya' or 'good!' (strange but true).
There are a multitude of varying accents here, although my personal favourite would have to be the Cork accent. Very qwaint :wink:
As for food, predictably potatoes (or spuds) are very popular. Also like chip butty sandwiches though, heh.