Anyone can have a good idea, so you could expect the distribution of U.S. patents to resemble the demographics of the workplace. Hash browns or home fries? In America, however, these advertisements are everywhereand unsurprisingly, they confuse foreign visitors. The reporter, Lori Jane Gliha, made deft use of practiced innocence. American Culture: The Outsider's Perspective. This story deals with issues that are very close to the hearts of teens, whether in the 1960s when this book was written or today. When they do, the house and shrubs look very bright, and not a single house on the street is without these wires. While New York City famouslynever sleeps, it's not the only city with 24-hour businesses. -- 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. Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. 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., Now without the photo below (but maybe skewed by the photo above) and in the context of the rest of the paper, many students do not recognize this as our daily habit of brushing our teeth. Now, Im not talking about Bud Light and the like, Im talking about the large amount of micro-breweries and craft beers we make. - Karin Cohen, 25, bookshop worker, Jerusalem, "The first thing I think when I hear United States is a world power." It comes as a bit of a surprise, then, when these foreigners visit the U.S. and are checked in on every 10 minutes or so as they eat. Given that the school-age Asian American population doubled in the . I did not find any discrimination. Many of the novel's characters, whether they were labeled as Socials (Socs) or greasers . 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. Uber-Friendliness. - Gennelyn Escopete, 33, DVD street vendor, Manila, Philippines, "There is a lot of misconception about their politics. In most other countries, you take the time to at least park the car and walk through the front doors of the place you're patronizingnot in America, though! While I thought this over, I also began to think of why people, myself especially, are so enthralled with other countries. Foreigners are constantly baffled by the volume of stuff Americans seem to think they need, and superstores are a perfect encapsulation of this strange sentiment. Foot binding was to stop the growth of the foot and make them smaller. Instead, their purple Skittles taste like blackcurrantand while this fruity flavor used to be popular in America, legislators banned the fruit itself in the 20th century because it served as a vehicle for a wood-destroying disease known as white pine blister rust. [] detailed search help you gain a new perspective on the Nacirema people. Once they get home, they have to lift it once again off the car and into their house. There's an undercurrent of savagery and violence waiting to be expressed on a grand scale it seems, and I believe it's because American culture is unwittingly pushing for complete atomization of society, people can no longer rely on the elite for virtuous principles and leadership, and that people are starting to realize that . - Kanti, 74, travel agency owner, New Delhi. People are nice but superficial. Uhh, that's a huge country. It has been seen as the land of plenty, freedom and equality where Indian migrants could head behemoths like Google, Microsoft and Pepsi, and a South African could capture the imagination with an electric car. Culture, or the environment a person is exposed to, can alter how people behave, along with shaping part of someone's, or their whole, life. There are two gangs in this novel, the "greasers", and the "Socs". But in the U.S., people are happy to just toss their card in a folder with the bill and let the server take it away for swiping. 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. The small and thin trees with exposed branches are often not given a second look and are left with the person selling the trees. In S.E. I prefer it here. We love having lots of options in America, but sometimes for an outsider, ordering food can feel like a multiple-choice quiz. Search CNNs Web site on the subject, and the links almost invariably carry you to content about beleaguered places like Madagascar. paper from an anthropological perspective. - 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. Anyhow, in the morning, more boxes appear, and children act very wild, almost savage-like. they aren't actually looking for an answer. Using an etic perspective, we can gain an outsiders view on our cultural practices that we deem "normal" in comparison to other cultures. The following is an excerpt from one of the excellent papers I received from a student, Emily Ong (used with her permission). To be fair, most Americans don't either. When first reading this analysis, it is not easy to recognize that Miner is talking about American's culture. Holding "Trials of the Century". Sometimes we are even better than them . Why go Tall when a Venti is just a dollar more? To me a pumpkin spice coffee is so strange!-- TallGrass2, dressing up young girls in short skirts and getting them to dance around and cheer on young men strikes me as odd preparetodobattle, I work at a summer camp and there is nothing funnier than watching the international counselors be totally weirded out by the flag ceremony we have every morning/evening (5-7 camper colorguard raises flag, salutes, 60-90 people recite pledge and girl scout promise in unison, we turn on our heels and file out silently in the morning, in the evening we fold the flag, sing taps, turn on our heels and file out silently to dinner) izzielosthermind, Eating/drinking coffee as you go, to me the best part of eating is sitting down, talking, and relaxing tallgrass2, I know this does not apply to everyone but your attachment to your college/university AFTER you have left. 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. Some of the answers are pretty hilarious and/or eye-opening. But its way of seeing is foreign, the perspective of the curious outsider for whom nothing is obvious and whose questions are big and nave and, in their navet, important. 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". There are no Americans as such. 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. D. When Asian Americans speak about their experiences as minorities, they help younger generations feel comfortable in For example, the average American may be used to big tips and even bigger portions, but to foreigners, that's all far from the norm. Many are so flabbergasted by the amount of choices we have in, not only our restaurants, but our grocery stores as well. While many Americans feel their nation is divided as never before, a sampling of the rest of the world reflects a more charitable view. The biggest thing I found was that non-Americans are almost disgusted by the sheer amount of sugar in almost all our food. However, while the quarter makes senseseeing as its value is equivalent to one-fourth of a dollarthat's the only coin whose name is at all logical in terms of its worth. Now, I am not saying that America doesnt have its own cultural cues and certain ways that we act that makes us unique. What am saying, or asking rather, is what makes us American to non-Americans? 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. Ethnocentrism either restricts us to clear-cut, static, homogenous definitions of us-and-them, or . Does the eating of the man-shaped biscuits represent some sacrifice? When a young girl there was asked about the low-level warfare that engulfs her neighborhood, her answers heart-sinking simplicity seemed to vouch for this approach of chronicling America as though seeing it for the first time. They are also unified in the sense that the dream isn't really a real thing anymore. In addition, for some reason, the tree must be a rather large tree with lots of foliage. Nor am I saying that we dont have an intricately rich history that has shaped us to what we are today. I want an outsider's perspective on why this country is so fucked. 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. Jeroen Seynhaeve / View all { 18 } / Vertaal naar Nederlands Traditional ways of evaluating cultures, and managing value clashes between these cultures, fail to generate desired results. 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. A society that has more things than our society." Why have an 8-ounce steak when you can have a 20-ounce one? In this book, American culture refers to pattern and behavior of the mainstream. 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. It's not that we're lazy, per se; it's just that we like to be comfyand despite the weird looks we get from European tourists, being cozy simply trumps looking put together sometimes. Whats more is that once Christmas is over, all of the gaudy gems and balls on the tree have to be removed and the tree must be moved out of the house. Consider that it was written directly from the perspective of a teenager - experiencing life and writing about it. What is Ethnocentrism? In the process, the new Pittsburgh is helping point the way to the old. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Costco, Wal-Mart, and other big-box stores that you need a map to navigate are a particularly American thing. 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. You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. Coming from the UK where a university is used to gain your degree then its a case of thanks for the piss ups, bye! Here is a link to start:https://thesocietypages.org/toolbox/nacirema/(Links to an external site. - Ziva Meizels, retiree, Jerusalem, "I think their patriotism, you know, God bless America. But when Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based television empire that has long broadcast to . Those who choose to study and observe people can take two approaches to in recording ethnographies; a subject orientated perspective or an outsiders perspective. - Knut Braaten, 43, handyman, Oslo, Norway, "I think there obviously is the American dream, the idea that unifies them all. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? Works Cited. Finding creative ways to fry things that probably shouldn't be fried is an American specialty and something that definitely confuses tourists. A good book on a rainy day or with calming music is a wonderful way to take a break from the responsibilities of life and escape into another world. So what does this foreign gaze, as presented on Al Jazeera America, reveal? In the United States, pharmaciesthe closest things we have to chemistsdouble as convenience stores, with aisles upon aisles of food, cleaning supplies, and even makeup products. 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. And after 9/11, the world grieved with America. "Long winter nights and the seclusion of the reservation. Individualism vs. Collectivism. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 3Peter N. Carroll and David W. Noble, The Free and the Unfree: A Progressive History of the United States, 3rd ed. Our collective workaholism is totally bizarre to outsidersand quite frankly, we can see why. Whether it be through something small or something quite significant, it's a . As well as supporting your college as an alumni. Saysthingsfromabush, In Scotland our equivalents are ceilidhs and in school you just go and f***ing dance. What is even more confusing is that these items in the boxes are often not kept. And he drank tap water oh no!" It's baffling. The tree also seems to serve as some kind of offering place because people gradually place decorated boxes around the tree in the days leading up to Christmas. 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 . 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. 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. The Outsiders was written by a teenager about teenagers. Another oddity of American advertising are those spots you see for prescription medication during every commercial break. The term is frequently heard in situations . Native Americans are adapting to the pandemic with online events and educational videos to share their culture. The Outsiders was actually published when the author was only 17 years old. As an American this is something I love. He clearly thought that was more important than spending time with his family or friends. In every public surveyed - including the U.S. - people ages 18 to 29 are more likely than those ages 65 and older to rate U.S. entertainment as above average or the best. All of the Trump stuff in the U.S. has been depressing you would like to think people are smarter than that but definitely surprising and depressing to see how much support he has and how much support his ideas have." And it is a great country; I have visited it. Once they do, everyone admires the tree even more. Bacon or sausage? There was a bit of a culture shock when I first went there because the way people dress there is very much different from the way we dress here. How big the country is and the amount of time you guys are willing to drive. 5. 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. This termas well as terms used in the United States such as "Native American" and "American Indian"refers to hundreds of culturally diverse groups who inhabited the Americas before Europeans settled there. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/05/business/media/an-outsider-looks-at-life-in-america.html. Collectivist cultures are usually contrasted with individualistic cultures. Water, whiskey, sodaif it can be sipped, we put ice in it. Not in America it isn't! . In restaurants in many other countries, your server runs your credit card through a machine table-side. - Zhila Gudzueva, university lecturer, Moscow, "My definition of Americans is those who are cheerful, friendly and willing to communicate." The ones immediately outside their house are apparently not fit. If even we Americans don't get it, we can't expect anyone else to either. By looking at our own cultures as outsiders we can see that we are under the same influence of the power of culture as others are. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. "Here in New Zealand, lemonade generally equals . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I mean, for the love of our sacredly majestic Bald Eagle, apple pie isnt even American! 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. And yet the "Ugly American," it would seem, isn't all bad. } Cushman (2009) used an active learning methodology to explore minority students' insider knowledge and make outsiders aware of their lack of knowledge relative to To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click hereto follow us on Instagram! All Rights Reserved. I hate to put even more pressure on . Here are 33 "normal" customs and habits in the U.S. that weird out the rest of the world. That is curious. This is down to the US communication style which is influenced by the need to be direct, clear . What do they think of when they think of America? Americans are, apparently, much friendlier than most people around the world. On my search I was pleasantly surprised to see the opposite view. Fair enough! But if you were to use this pronunciation in conversation with an English speaker from another country, they'd probably give you a puzzled look. - B.S. Anyone can read what you share. People also stop and like to gather around the tree and gaze at it. First, I began pondering this when I couldnt really think of anything distinctly American. So yes, they are fortunate, and it is God bless America - that's what makes America, America." 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. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. jdavem, The way its often described to me is that Americans have a very "open mind", and that we can handle having a lot of different people around, even when we don't agree. the United States, along with further themes such as African-American culture, racism, religion, slavery, a sense of home,[5] segregation, migration, feminism, and more. One of the hardest (or at least most expensive) things about being an outsider traveling in the United States is tipping. All the pomp and circumstance surrounding prom, I have cousins who live in the US and just hearing about the number of hoops they had to jump through to ask someone to a dance is hilarious. Is this not a national travesty? Wrapping up in a warm blanket with a hot drink and some calming music is one of the best ways to spend and indoor kind of day. 20 American Habits That All Other Countries Think Are Crazy. While many love how so patriotic we are as a people, some, to be blunt, find it a bit creepy. Basically, I am wondering what non-Americans think of our culture, and of us in general. The only normal part of the holiday seems to be the family gathering for dinner on Christmas day. To simplify matters, let's assign letters (yup, engineer at work). 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. They simply don't see us as their equal but we are. teach well, it matters. In continuation with time, the culture of the native people developed. - Christopher Darroch, 39, actor, Toronto, "Capitalism. 2 - A Chinese Golden Lily Foot by Lai Afong, c1870s. 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. Then they leave hard biscuits shaped like men and a cup of milk out next to the tree. I explained it was a joke, I was from Canada. And it's a country with quite advanced technology industries. In other parts of the world, however, ice isn't something you'll see nearly as frequently. The general consensus is that Americans are very optimistic dreamers and have been; that we believe that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance. If not, think of a country or place where youve always wanted to go, and become aware of the images your mind creates when you think of this place and its people. "A black-and-white look at the world. Don't get me wrong, dental hygiene is important, but not everyone needs a perfect Hollywood smile. -- Countsblink, Made Mac n cheese for my aussie cousins. But, besides the Willy Wonka level of sugar, we use a substantial amount of cheese in everything. American culture encompasses the customs and traditions of the United States. - 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. NEW YORK Al Jazeera wants to make its name as American as pizzaburgers. For example, Miner writes The daily body ritual performed by everyone includes a mouth-rite. "Body Rituals Among the Nacirema, " by Horace Miner, is an essay written about the Nacirema, or American people, from an outsider's perspective. As the stage moves on, Claudette has managed to separate a little more of herself from wolf culture by saying "I used my new motor skills. The American was easy to talk with and we had a lot of things in common. The most peculiar act, however, has yet to be done. - Antara Rao, 18, economics student, New Delhi, "(America) welcomes all different races." 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. Fenrir89, I get made fun of all the time in Russia for having an attachment to my college. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. 600 Words3 Pages. These wires are attached to a side of the house and only come on at night. 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. And he said, 'Oh Canada! The Americans are more of a tipper, good tippers. And you don't have to settle for regular milk! [], Your email address will not be published. It is a great country and would love to live there. What one culture does and believes to benormal, others may see as unusual. - Christopher Darroch, 39, actor, Toronto, "I was stunned to see how big everything is over there. 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? 2. (New York: Penguin . Ethnocentrism is the process of judging another culture exclusively from the perspective of one's own.
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