Living in a new country will be fun and interesting, but it will also take some getting used to. “Why do Americans do that?” when asked about certain things they do. We’ll tell you about some of the most important things to know about American culture and US visas from Dubai before you get there.
10 Things You Should Know About US Culture
1. Think Big
Whereas other countries like things to be useful, small, and clear, Americans often like things to be big and fancy. Don’t be surprised to see huge trucks and SUVs taking up the whole parking lot. Americans like their space. For them, big can be useful. The idea of “thinking big” applies to American food as well, since most restaurants serve very large portions. People often order big meals and then take the rest of the food home as leftovers.
2. Some main dishes at restaurants are also meant to be shared
If you’re going out to eat and aren’t sure how much to order, it’s fine to ask your server. But there is a movement against the idea that “bigger is better.” Many people, especially young city dwellers, are buying cars that are better for the environment, shopping for local, healthy foods, and trying to use and waste as little as possible.
3. “To-go” means eating while on the go
Most Americans never stop moving. Americans are always on the go, so they don’t always have time to sit down for a formal meal. “There aren’t enough hours in the day!” is a common phrase you’ll hear. You might be surprised to see Americans walking around with coffee mugs, drinks, or food in containers meant to be taken away.
People probably eat pizza on the street (especially in New York City) or drink cappuccinos while waiting in line at the bank. You’ll notice that most fast-food restaurants have drive-through windows. Many Americans don’t have time to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee or snack, so they often order their food and drinks “to go.”
4. Eating out or ordering food to go
People in the U.S. eat out not only to save time and be more convenient, but also because it’s fun! The U.S. is a place where people from many different cultures come together, bringing with them a wide range of tasty foods. Americans can try new types of food and cuisines when they eat out. You can probably find pizza, Chinese, Japanese, or Mexican food even in small American towns.
In bigger cities, there are restaurants that serve food from Ethiopia, Brazil, or Afghanistan. Some people don’t eat out very often, but most Americans eat out at least a few times a week. Many Americans get takeout or go out to lunch every day for lunch, in addition to bringing their lunch from home.
5. Sports
Many Americans love sports and watch them. Football, baseball, and basketball are some of the most popular ones. You’ll find that a big difference between your country and the U.S. is that soccer isn’t as popular here as it is in other places.
Sports can bring Americans together or drive them apart in a big way. During football and basketball season, you might hear your co-workers arguing about who has the best team. Football is fun to watch, but it can be hard to understand, but your American friends can help you out. You might even get why more than 100 million Americans watched the Super Bowl in 2017.
6. Competition
Like people in many other places, Americans love to compete. Children are taught from a young age to work hard and do their best to do well, especially in school, sports, and other activities. Some high schools and even pre-schools have competitions for admission, and Girl Scouts compete to sell the most cookies during fundraisers to win great prizes. You’ll see that a lot of Americans are also driven. They take action when they want to get something done. They don’t usually wait around for others to catch up.
7. Political correctness (or being “P.C.”)
Since the U.S. has so many different kinds of people, it’s common to respect other cultures and people’s differences, especially when talking to them or sharing your ideas. No matter who you are with, a general rule is that you shouldn’t use words or phrases that could be taken the wrong way. Political correctness is a way for people of different ages, genders, and races to feel comfortable in a group.
8. Small Talk
A lot of Americans do what is called “small talk,” which is talking to strangers or friends about things that are not controversial, like the weather, sports, or popular TV shows. Don’t be surprised if a stranger asks you at a bus stop, in line at a store, or in an elevator.
9. Independence
Self-sufficiency is a very important idea in the U.S. When they finish high school, a lot of Americans go to colleges and universities outside of, and often far from, where they grew up. College students usually live on their own or in dorms with other students for the two to four years they are in school. After they graduate, many of them move away from their childhood homes. Most Americans don’t live at home with their families after 17 or 18 years. They also go shopping, do their own laundry and cooking, and work or go to school on their own.
10. Diversity
People often call the U.S. a “melting pot” because its people come from so many different places and cultures and have so many different beliefs, traditions, and values. There is no typical American, which is part of what makes the country so interesting. Customs are different from place to place and from family to family.
If you’re invited to a cookout in California, you might grill on the beach. In Texas, you might go to a barbecue competition in a park, or in New York City, you might go to a block party in the middle of the street. So get out and learn about the traditions of the place you are staying.
Conclusion:
A great way to immerse yourself in the English language is to learn about American culture, values, and way of life. Whether you’re just interested in what life is like in the United States or you plan to move there soon, the information in this article will help you know what to expect.
You’ll learn about a lot of different things, from religion to food, and get a better idea of the basics of American culture. Choose from the list! If you want activities you can enjoy for a perfect day at US visa from Dubai, know the US visit visa from UAE from Dubai ticket prices, and get the US tourist visa from Dubai, then you can go inside.
