American Culture: Traditions and

Customs of the United States

American culture's languages, religion, sports, styles, foods, arts and holidays

American culture encompasses the customs and traditions of the United States. "Culture
encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage,
music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors,
how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things," said Cristina De Rossi, an
anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London.

The United States is the third largest country in the world with a population of more than
332 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A child is born every 9 seconds, and a
person dies every 11 seconds.

In addition to Indigenous Americans who were already living on the continent, the
population of the United States was built on immigration from other countries. A new
immigrant moves to the United States every 666 seconds, according to the Census
Bureau.

Because of this, the United States is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the
world, according to The London School. Nearly every region of the world has influenced
American culture, most notably the English who colonized the country beginning in the
early 1600s, according to the Library of Congress. U.S. culture has also been shaped by
the cultures of Indigenous Americans, Latin Americans, Africans and Asians.

The United States is sometimes described as a "melting pot", according to Golden

Beacon USA, in which different cultures have contributed their own distinct "flavors" to
American culture. Just as cultures from around the world have influenced American
culture, today American culture influences the world. The term Western culture often
refers broadly to the cultures of the United States and Europe, according to ScienceDaily.

The way people "melt" in the United States differs. "Different groups of immigrants
integrate in different ways," De Rossi told Live Science. "For example, in the United
States, Catholic Spanish-speaking communities might keep their language and other
cultural family traditions, but are integrated in the urban community and have embraced
the American way of life in many other ways."

The Northeast, South, Midwest, Southeast and Western regions of the United States all
have distinct traditions and customs. Here is a brief overview of the culture of the United
States.
Language

According to the US Government, there is no official language of the United States (Image credit:
Getty/ SDI Productions)

There is no official language of the United States, according to the U.S. government.
While almost every language in the world is spoken in the United States, the most
frequently spoken non-English languages are Spanish, Chinese, French and German.
Ninety percent of the U.S. population speaks and understands at least some English, and
most official business is conducted in English. Some states have official or preferred
languages. For example, English and Hawaiian are the official languages in Hawaii,
according to the Washington Post. 

The Census Bureau estimates that more than 350 languages are spoken in the United
States. The bureau divides those languages into four categories: Spanish; other Indo-
European languages, which includes German, Yiddish, Swedish, French, Italian, Russian,
Polish, Hindi, Punjabi, Greek and several others. Asian and Pacific Island languages,
including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Tamil and more are also included. There is
also a category for "all other languages," which is for languages that didn't fit into the
first three categories, such as Hungarian, Arabic, Hebrew, languages of Africa and
languages of native people of North, Central and South America.
Religion

An example of an American wedding post-Covid (Image credit: Getty/ Phynart Studio)

Nearly every known religion is practiced in the United States, which was founded on the
basis of religious freedom. About 70% of Americans identify themselves as Christians,
according to information gathered by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan research
group, in 2017. The research also found that about 23% had no religious affiliation at all
and around 6% of the population is made up non-Christian religions. 

The number of people who identify with no religion seems to be decreasing. According
to the Pew Research Center, this category is expected to drop from 16% in 2015 to 13%
in 2060.
American style

An example of contemporary American fashion (Image credit: Getty/ Westend61)

Clothing styles vary by social status, region, occupation and climate. Jeans, sneakers,
baseball caps, cowboy hats and boots are some items of clothing that are closely
associated with Americans, though there have been a variety of other styles throughout
the decades, according to InterExchange. Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and
Victoria Secret are some well-known American brands.

American fashion is widely influenced by celebrities and the media, in 2019 US Clothing
and Accessories sales amounted to 24 Billion US Dollars, according to Statista. More and
more Americans are buying fashion, electronics and more online. According to the
Census Bureau, U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the third  quarter of 2021 totalled $214.6
billion.
American food

Macaroni Cheese, a traditional American classic (Image credit: Getty/ Burcu Atalay Tankut)

American cuisine was influenced by Europeans and Native Americans in its early history.
Today, there are a number of foods that are commonly identified as American, such as
hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and meat loaf. "As American
as apple pie", despite the dishes non-American origins, has come to mean something that
is authentically American, according to the Smithsonian.

There are also styles of cooking and types of foods that are specific to a region. Southern-
style cooking is often called "American comfort food" and includes dishes such as fried
chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas and cornbread, according to Southern Living.
Tex-Mex, popular in Texas and the Southwest, is a blend of Spanish and Mexican
cooking styles and includes items such as chili and burritos, and relies heavily on
shredded cheese and beans, according to Culture Trip.

Jerky, dried meats that are served as snacks, is also a food that was created in the United
States, according to NPR.
The arts

A view of the famous Broadway theatre scene (Image credit: Getty/ Martin Holtkamp)

The United States is widely known around the world as a leader in mass media
production, including television and movies. According to the Select USA, the United
States comprises one-third of the worldwide media and entertainment industry and is
worth $717 Billion.

The television broadcasting industry took hold in the United States in the early 1950s,
and American television programs are now shown around the world, according to PBS.
The United States also has a vibrant movie industry, centered in Hollywood, California,
and American movies are popular worldwide. The U.S. film industry earned a record
$100 Billion in 2019, according to Forbes, before dropping in 2020 due to the COVID
pandemic.

The United States' arts culture extends beyond movies and television shows, though. New
York is home to Broadway, and Americans have a rich theatrical history, according to
Arcadia Publishing. American folk art is an artistic style and is identified with quilts and
other hand-crafted items, according to the Folk Art Museum. American music is very
diverse with many, many styles, including rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, country and
western, bluegrass, rock 'n' roll and hip hop.
Sports

An American Baseball player (Image credit: Getty/ Donald Miralle)

The United States is a sports-minded country, with millions of fans who follow football,
baseball, basketball and hockey, among other sports. Baseball, which was developed in
colonial America and became an organized sport in the mid-1800s, according to Sporcle
Blog, is known as America's favorite pastime, although its popularity has been eclipsed
by football for the past three decades, according to the Harris Poll.

American holidays

Many holidays are celebrated only in the United States. Americans celebrate their
independence from Britain on July 4. Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in
May, honors those who have died in military service. Labor Day, observed on the first
Monday in September, celebrates the country's workforce. Thanksgiving, another
distinctive American holiday, falls on the fourth Thursday in November and dates back to
colonial times to celebrate the harvest. 

Presidents' Day, marking the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, is a
federal holiday that occurs on the third Monday in February. The contributions of
veterans are honored on Veterans' Day, observed on Nov. 11. The contributions of civil
rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. are remembered on the third Monday in January.

Additional reporting by Alina Bradford, Live Science Contributor. 

Additional resources

 University of Michigan: 101 Characteristics of Americans/American Culture

 Penn State: The Politics of Fashion in American Consumer Culture
 American Folk Art Museum
 World Atlas: Most Spoken Languages in America
Living in a new country is going to be fun and exciting, but it’s also going to be an
adjustment. You might find yourself asking “What does this phrase mean?” or “Why do
Americans do that?” in response to some American habits. We’ll share some of the most
common things to keep in mind about Americans and U.S. culture before you arrive.

Even our presidents are big! Former participant Sharon visits Mount Rushmore.
Image courtesy of Sharon Malloy

Think BIG

Whereas other countries emphasize being practical, compact and concise, Americans
often prefer large and luxurious. Don’t be surprised by the enormous trucks and massive
SUVs sprawling across parking lots. Americans like their space. To them, large can be
practical. Thinking big also applies to American food: most restaurants serve very large
portions. It’s not uncommon for someone to order a sizable meal and then take the
remainder home as leftovers.

Breakfast! (Just kidding… mostly.)

Image courtesy of Pexels
Some restaurant entrees are also meant to be shared. If you’re going out to eat and aren’t
sure of the portion size, it’s okay to ask your server what they recommend! There is a
counter-movement against the “big is better” mentality, however. Many people,
especially young urbanites, are buying eco-friendly cars, shopping for local and healthy
foods, and trying to lower their consumption and waste as much as possible.

“To-go” concept - Eating on the run

Most Americans are always on the go. It seems they are often running from one
appointment to the next, going to and from work, picking up kids, running errands, and
going to business meetings and social outings. Because Americans are regularly on the
move, there is often not enough time to have a formal, sit-down meal. A common
expression you’ll hear is, “24 hours in a day is not enough!”

You may be surprised to see Americans walking around with coffee mugs, beverages, or
food packaged in to-go containers. You’ll probably see people eating a slice of pizza on
the street (especially in New York City) or drinking a cappuccino while in line at the
bank. You’ll notice that drive-thru windows are common at fast-food restaurants around
the country; according to DoSomething.org, 20% of all American meals are eaten in the
car. For many Americans, there isn’t enough time to sit down in a café and enjoy a cup of
coffee, or relax for a few minutes and eat a snack, so you’ll often hear them order their
food and drinks “to go.”

Going out to eat or ordering take-out

Americans eat out not only in the interest of time and convenience, but because it’s fun!
The U.S. is a melting pot of different cultures, bringing along a variety of tasty food
options. Dining out allows Americans to explore new cuisines and food varieties. Even in
small American towns, you’re likely to find pizza, Chinese, Japanese, or Mexican food.
In larger cities, you’ll find restaurants devoted to Ethiopian, Brazilian, or Afghani
cuisine. It’s important to keep in mind that people’s habits always vary. Some people
rarely eat out, but it is not uncommon for Americans to eat out several times a week. In
addition to bringing lunch from home, many Americans get take-out for lunch or go out
to lunch everyday.

Lucas experienced American culture by attending a football game.

Image courtesy of Lucas Vandeneede
Sports

Many Americans love and follow sports, the most popular being football, baseball and
basketball. You’ll discover that a major difference between your home country and the
USA is that the following of soccer is much smaller in the U.S. than in other countries.
Sports can be a huge uniting and dividing factor among Americans. During football and
basketball season, you might see your coworkers getting into spirited debates about
whose team is better. Football is fun to watch but can be pretty confusing to follow, but
you can ask your American colleagues to help you out. You might even understand why
over 100 million Americans watched the 2017 Super Bowl!

Competition

Like many other cultures, Americans thrive on competition. From a young age, children
are encouraged to work hard and try their best to succeed at a task, particularly in
academics, sports, and other hobbies. Universities tend to be very competitive, so parents
prepare their kids early for the admissions process. Some high schools and even pre-
schools have competitive admission, and even Girl Scouts vie to sell the most cookies
during fundraising drives to earn great prizes. You will see that many Americans are
ambitious as well. They are proactive and if they want to accomplish something, they go
for it. They don’t tend to sit back and wait for others to catch up.

The sport of Basketball exemplifies competition in America.

Image courtesy of Pexels
Political Correctness (or being “P.C.")

Since the U.S. is so diverse, there is a general practice of always respecting other cultures
and people’s differences, especially when communicating and expressing your ideas. An
underlying rule is to not to use words or expressions that could be interpreted as
offensive, regardless of whose company you are in. Your co-workers may be of different
ages, genders, and races, and political correctness is a way to help everybody feel
comfortable with the group dynamic.

Small Talk

A lot of Americans participate in what is called small talk, where you make conversation
with strangers or acquaintances about non-controversial topics, such as the weather,
sports, or popular television shows. While waiting at a bus stop, in line at a store, or in an
elevator, don’t be startled if a stranger says something to you like, “Did you watch the
Super Bowl last night? What a game!” They might also make a joke about the long line
you’re both in, or comment on the current situation. Small talk is supposed to be
harmless, so it’s not okay if a stranger says something that makes you uncomfortable.

Independence

The idea of being self-sufficient is valued highly in the U.S. Many American kids and
teenagers leave home for extended periods of time, often for summer camps or travel.
Upon graduating secondary school, many Americans choose colleges and universities
outside of and often far from their hometowns. College students generally live on their
own or in residence halls with other students while at school for two to four years and
many move away from their childhood homes after graduation. After 17 or 18 years,
most Americans no longer live at home with their families. They also do their own
shopping, laundry, cooking, and pursue careers or studies on their own.

The idea of being self-sufficient and being on your own is valued highly in the U.S.

Diversity

The U.S. is often called a melting pot because its people come from many different
backgrounds and cultures, and there are such a wide variety of beliefs, values, and
traditions. There is no such thing as the typical American - that’s part of what makes it
such an interesting place! Customs vary from region to region and family to family. If
you’re invited to a cookout in California, that might mean grilling on the beach; in Texas,
it could be a barbecue competition in a park, or a block party in the middle of the street in
New York City. So get out and experience whatever traditions your host community has
to offer!
Former participant Carlos hangs out with a diverse crowd.
Image courtesy of Carlos Caratori

Speaking Up

In general and in the workplace, Americans are known for speaking up and generally
going after what they want. Particularly in the workplace, you may be surprised to see
that Americans are not afraid to voice their ideas. While your supervisor is your superior
and should always be treated with respect, it’s okay not to hold back and ask a question if
you have one. If you need clarification on a project, your employer would prefer that you
let them know. While there is certainly a difference between speaking up and being
subversive or rude, it’s okay to say something!

This is just a basic overview of American culture! If you found these facts interesting,
you can check out a Career Training USA participant’s account of culture in the USA. Of
course, reading won’t immerse you in culture. If you really want to experience the USA,
consider applying to an American internship to see the country while simultaneously
furthering your career!

InterExchange Staff
InterExchange is proud to have an experienced team that is dedicated to international
cultural exchange. We come from a variety of backgrounds, but nearly every member of
our New York City-based staff has extensive experience traveling, working, or living
abroad.

Wednesday March 1, 2017