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The United States is a melting pot of different cultures worldwide. I love this country because it allows me to learn from another person’s perspective. We live in a relatively young country compared to others, and our cultural diversity makes us all American. A group recently gathered online to discuss some examples that make the United States so culturally diverse.
Language
While the national language of the United States is English, many other languages are common due to immigration. One professor in the online chat notes that up to eight languages spoken in the U.S. have at least a million speakers. Spanish can be spoken regularly in Southwest states such as California, Arizona, and Texas. Other big cities have pockets, such as Chinatown or Koreatown, where their respective languages are present. More and more citizens of the country are bilingual or can at least grasp aspects of a second language.
Religion
The forefathers of this country fought for and penned freedom of religion in our Declaration of Independence. Freedom to believe and worship your chosen religion is one of many examples Americans can boast that the U.S. is the world’s greatest country. It’s hard for me to imagine living in a place that strips that right from you.
Food
If you go to any shopping mall, outdoor market, or even the local grocery store, you will find food worldwide. Chinese, Mexican, French, Thai, and other worldly delicacies can be enjoyed anytime. I can’t imagine eating a burrito in Tokyo or enjoying Pad Thai in Moscow. Still, in America, you can get the best cuisines from around the world and your local shopping mall food court.
Art and Architecture
On a recent road trip from California to Washington, D.C., I was in awe of the changing landscapes and architecture in these different parts of the country. Adobe brick storefronts with artwork from the early Spanish colonies adorned the Southwest. The Southeast had sprawling plantation-style homes, while the Northeast had buildings that scrape the sky. Different styles from different cultures shape the landscape of our art and architecture.
Clothing
Fashion magazines and blogs try to tell us what to wear, but most people tear what their environment and climate allow. Some cultures tend to be more modest in their attire, while some enjoy flashy, vibrant colors. Look at South Beach, Miami, compared to Billings, Montana. Not a lot of similarities, I would imagine.
Music and Dance
Music is vastly different from culture to culture. Early American music, such as the Blues, evolved from the South, which grew into jazz and rock. Latino influences from Mexico and Spain evolved into other genres as well. Artists frequently borrow styles from different cultures to blend new, innovative sounds. Every cultural group in the country has its own musical influence, which makes the U.S. such a unique musical country.
Family Structure
Have you ever seen a traditional Italian-American family on TV with dozens of aunts and uncles and even more cousins? This is an example of different family cultures. Some cultures value close-knit big families, while others are content with their families being sprawled out nationwide.
Gender Roles
In the past fifty years, we have seen the older gender roles change as more and more families have dual incomes instead of the wife who stays at home. Still, certain cultures abide by the older gender roles where the husband is the provider, and the wife raises children and takes care of the house. Many Hispanic families still follow this practice as one person online wrote about his father and uncles working 14-hour days to pay the bills while the women cooked and kept the place clean.
Social Norms
Remember when you were a kid, and your mother told you not to slurp your spaghetti? This is considered polite in Asian cultures as it is a sign you like your food. Want to give someone a thumbs up as a sign of agreement? Well, in Greece or Iran, that could be disrespectful. It’s funny how simple gestures can be taken so differently.
Humor
Jokes can make people laugh and bring a group together, but they can also be hurtful if delivered to the wrong crowd. Some cultures may not find specific topics appropriate to joke about, while others may consider anything comical.
Communication Styles
Different cultures interact in their own ways. Asian cultures tend to be direct and clear in their intentions. At the same time, one online expert says Westerners can be more aloof in their communications. This can cause tension as some perceive bluntness to be offensive. In contrast, others find the direct approach to talking polite and valuable.
Education
Most of us agree that education is important, but different cultures value education more than others. Specific communities believe education is the most crucial aspect of a youth’s life, while others may appreciate working on the family farm or business. Financially, a higher education may not be feasible, and the family would thrive with more help internally. Either way, families will most likely do what’s best for their loved ones.
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