Values Americans Live By 1. Personal control over the environmentiresponsibility In the U.S. it is believed that controlling nature is normal and right. Americans also believe every individual has control over her or his life. The problems of one's life are generally not considered to be due to a previous life, but rather from one's laziness in pursuing a better life 2, Change seen as natural and positive In the American mind, change is seen as a good condition. They as a culture are not usually satisfied with preserving the old. They want the new and improved version; they believe itis better 3. Time and its control Time is extremely important to Americans. To outsiders it may appear that they are completely ruled by time. To understand how they view and value time simply look at their language Time ie something to be on, to be kept filled, saved, used, spent, wasted, lost. gained, planned, given, made the most of, and even killed. 4. Equality and fairness Equality is one of the U. S. most important values. Their constitution guarantees equality and itis a Civic and social goal. They tend not to care who someone is, and believe that they should be treated “like everybody else." Because of their views on equality and fairness, authority is constantly being challenged. They feel mavone s entitled to a position of authority and that a person's authority is often dependent upon maintenance of an environment that fosters equality and fairness. ‘ 5. Individualism/independence Each individual is seen as completely unique. Academically, individual expression is encouraged and rewarded. Socially, a need for independence and individuality is important and often expressed through one's dress They feel strongly that everyone should make their own decisions and do what is best for themselves. The individual is often placed above anyone or anything else. This is quite different from group-orjented cultures where the individual sacrifices for the group. Privacy, the ultimate result of individualism, is extremely important to them. They view it as a necessary 2art of life and even have laws to guard against its possible violation, 3, Self-help/initiative ‘ach and everyone only is able to take credit for what they accomplish. Itis extremely important to do tings for yourself. This is seen as academia with codes and laws against cheating and perjury. concepts that do not exist in some countries. 7 57. Competition Americans believe competition will bring out the best in an individual. They feel that it challenges and forces each person to produce the best. Competition is practiced at school starting at a very young age Students are encouraged to answer questions even when it is believed that no one knows the right answer. In this situation the student is praised by the teacher for speaking up and sharing knowledge with the rest of the class. Competition is also important to a culture that views change as good.and new as better. 8. Future orientation 7 U.S. Americans may acknowledge a happy existence in the present but they are always looking to the future. (How many of you are concentrating much energy in preparing yourself for your future?) Americans tend to make the future a better and brighter place. "When | finish this final..." "When | graduate..." They plan their next vacation while on vacation! 9. Action/work orientation Americans are a nation of “doers.” In a culture where change is regarded as good, Americans like to see "things happen.” They often become annoyed at someone or something if there appears to be a problem and no one is “doing” anything about it. It can be quite difficult for a culture gf"doers" to enter a culture where there is an orientation towards. being 10. Informality Americans are very informal people. First names are commonly used. In a college atmosphere students are encouraged to call their professors by their first names. They are also accustomed to an informal setting where students can eat or drink in class, and the professor may sit on the corer of his desk or swing his feet. Some professors who encourage discussion may not mind if a student interjects or "jumps in" while the professor is lecturing. All of this can be considered to be quite rude in other cultures, 11. Directness/openness/honesty 1 Many cultures have subtle ways of informing each other of certain kinds of information. Americans, for the most part, are very direct. They look for honesty and usually do not trust those who are’evasive. 12. Practicality/efficiency Americans’ concept of what is practical and what is efficient relies largely upon the importance given to time and money. What is considered practical and efficient is generally what will save the most time and money. 13. Materialism Americans feel that the possessions that they own are the "natural benefits of hard work. The material acquisitions of wealth in the U.S. stand for hard work and self-determination, two values that Americans live by around the clock.