Tips for immigrating to America: You should master American cultural traditions.

If you are one of the millions who plan to visit or immigrate to the United States in the near future, you may experience some cultural shock, because life in the United States is different from anywhere else in the world. As a country composed of immigrants, the United States is a melting pot of different races, nationalities, religions and values. Here are some tips for immigrating to America. What do you need to master about American cultural traditions? Welcome to reading.

In fact, this country is so diverse that people may argue that the American people do not share the same cultural landscape, but are as diverse as the people who live there. This is a valid argument, but despite the differences, from a cultural point of view, the American people have many similarities, including their patriotism and their desire to live in a country where freedom is supreme. People have the opportunity-even encourage-to express themselves freely according to their own values. In the next article, we will study American culture carefully, and first describe some cultural characteristics that affect American thinking and behavior. After that, we will describe some cultural aspects of this country, including religion, art, food, sports, festivals and celebrations.

To immigrate to the United States, you need to master American cultural traditions.

1. American cultural characteristics

America's racial and cultural diversity helps to shape the values of its people. Of course, some individuals and groups have a set of respected values completely different from the mainstream of the United States, and their attitudes and behaviors are based on and tend to reflect these values. However, looking at the United States as a whole, it is easy to distinguish the characteristics and systems that seem to affect the way Americans think and behave-especially their individualism and employment.

individualism

For better or worse, America is a land of individuals. From the time they are old enough to listen, Americans are taught to think independently and set a series of goals according to what is most important to them. Encourage them not to rely too much on others, including their friends and relatives, and they begin to understand that the state rewards those who work hardest.

Individualism is defined as a way of life, in which one puts one's own desires, needs and comfort above the needs of the wider community; Nothing can describe ordinary Americans better. However, this does not mean that the American people do not care about their fellow Americans. They are. This does mean that Americans often put their personal ambitions first. Sadly, in many people, these personal ambitions will turn into excessive selfishness, which will eventually complicate many aspects of their lives, including the ability to form and maintain meaningful relationships. Perhaps this is why fewer and fewer Americans are getting married now, and why more than 50% of marriages end in divorce.

Of course, individualism, which usually defines ordinary Americans, also has a positive side. It encourages people to express themselves in a very creative way, and because culture attaches so much importance to individuality, new capital in all aspects of American life is appreciated. In recent decades, the United States has some of the most advanced technological inventions in the world, and many respected and popular art schools, such as jazz and hip-hop, originated in the United States.

For some outsiders, American individualism may convince them that the American people have completely given up their community spirit. However, once they have witnessed how the American people seem to come together in tragic times, this belief will completely disappear. Whether it is natural or man-made disasters, Americans can always rely on the help and generosity of their compatriots in the most difficult times. It must also be remembered that this individualism allows people of all races and cultures to express themselves within the scope of land law without worrying about the influence from any particular community.

work

In America, the first question people ask when making new friends is "What do you do?" Work occupies most of a person's daily life, and the American people are not only proud of what they do, but also defined by it. In other cultures, people may tend to identify themselves according to their family origin, ethnic tradition or religion, but in the United States, work may be the core component of a person's identity.

Statistics show that Americans work longer hours and have less vacation time than their European counterparts. In addition, American workers now spend about two weeks more time at work each year than they did 20 years ago, and now the average annual work of married couples is seven weeks more than that of 10 years ago.

Today, in most American families, both parents work. This will naturally bring great pressure and restrictions to family life and interpersonal relationships, because it is difficult for parents to balance work and family obligations. Americans are always looking for new ways to improve their work speed and efficiency, which promotes the country's technology and computer industry to produce time-saving software and gadgets. However, in the end, many of these products and advances will only lead to more work and more interference.

1. American culture

Religion plays an important role in American life. America is home to people with different beliefs and creeds. According to census data, nearly three-quarters of Americans consider themselves Christians. About half of the people believe in one of many Protestant beliefs, and more than a quarter believe in the commandments of the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, a few people belong to the Church of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church. However, these figures do not accurately reflect the religious participation in the country, which has been decreasing every year since the 1960s.

In addition to Christianity, which accounts for a large proportion in the United States, there are many other religious beliefs in China, including Christianity-the second largest religious belief-Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and many little-known religions, including those native Americans. The fastest growing part of religious belief is the group without any religious belief; A group that includes non-participating citizens, non-religious (agnostics) and atheists (people who don't believe in God or a higher power).

For more information about American religion, please refer to our section entitled "America: Religion".

art

The United States is the world and pioneer of mass media production (including television and movies). From 65438 to the early 1950s, the television industry quickly gained a foothold in the United States. Today, American programs are broadcast all over the world. In every corner of America, no American is away from TV. From a cultural point of view, television can easily become the most popular form of entertainment in this country. According to the choice of cable TV or satellite TV providers and packages, Americans can watch hundreds of channels and various interesting and enjoyable programs. Popular TV types, each with one or two examples, including:

Sitcom (Two and a Half Heroes, The Big Bang Theory)

Reality show (survivor, amazing game)

Competition program (America's Got Talent, American Idol)

Crime drama (NCIS, criminal psychology)

History (History Channel)

True crime (International international date line)

Education (National Geographic Channel)

Sports (ESPN)

Children's programs (ABC family, cartoon network)

Game show (Danger, Wheel of Destiny)

The United States is also famous for its very active film industry, which is the film industry in the world. In most cases, the film industry is headquartered in Hollywood, California, and American movies are popular all over the world.

Americans have a very rich and legendary drama history and tradition. New York, where Broadway is located, is regarded as the center of American drama industry, but most major cities also have several large theater venues, as well as opera houses and community theaters.

Music is very popular in America, especially among young people and teenagers. Americans have many popular genres to choose from, including jazz, country music and western music, bluegrass music, rock music, gospel music and Christian music, rhythm and blues, rap and hip hop.

sports

Without mentioning sports, the discussion of American culture is incomplete. Americans like their sports, whether they are playing or watching. Every year, millions of people gather in various sports venues all over the country to cheer for their favorite teams. Some popular sports in the country include:

Football should not be confused with European football, which Americans call football. American football is characterized by uninterrupted excitement, thrilling running and passing, and crushing between big men wearing pads and helmets. Football is available at teenagers, high schools, universities and professional levels. In the past few years, football has surpassed baseball to become a popular sport in the United States. Starting from September every year, the NFL will start its season of 65,438+06 games (held every Sunday) and end with the championship game named Super Bowl in February, which is the single TV program with the highest ratings in the world.

Baseball. Baseball developed in American colonies and became a sport in the middle of A.D. 1800. It has long been one of the most popular entertainments in the United States. Like football, baseball has games at all levels, including the professional level known as Major League Baseball (MLB). Every year from June 5438 to 10, Americans will sit around the TV to watch the climax of the Major League Baseball season, which is a series of seven champions and is called the World Series. Events such as world baseball classic and the World Junior Baseball Series have proved that the popularity of baseball has spread all over the world.

Basketball is also very popular in America. Men, women and children can play. Due to the extensive influence of the National Basketball Association (NBA), this sport has produced many stars that are recognized and even admired all over the world, including Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwain Wade.

Although football, baseball and basketball are the three most popular sports in the United States, Americans are also loyal fans and athletes of many other sports, including hockey, football, softball, swimming, tennis, racing, boxing, mixed martial arts and golf.

Holidays and celebrations

Starting from 65438+1 October1,there will be many festivals and celebrations in the United States, and the whole country will usher in the rumble of the New Year. Every year, thousands of people gather in new york Times Square to watch the iconic "ball" fall and count down to midnight, while people all over the country drink to a healthy and prosperous New Year. Americans celebrate their independence from Britain on July 4 every year-the celebration is marked by fireworks, backyard barbecues and a lot of goodwill. Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May, commemorating those who died in military service. Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September to celebrate the country's labor force.

Thanksgiving Day is another symbolic and unusual American holiday. It falls on the fourth Thursday in June and can be traced back to colonial times, when the first pilgrims and Native Americans celebrated the harvest. In the United States, President's Day, which commemorates the birthdays of George Washington and abraham lincoln, is a federal holiday, which is scheduled for the third Monday in February. The sacrifice of American veterans was commemorated on Veterans' Day on June 5438+065438+1 October1,and the contribution of civil rights leader Martin Luther King was commemorated on the third Monday of June 5438+0.