What have been the most unexpected aspects of U.S. culture you have encountered? How is the U.S. different from what you thought it would be? RESPOND and then REPLY to one classmate?
I have been in the United States since last March, I have not been familiar with 'Calling people with their names' yet. Especially if someone is older than me, I felt guilty when I called his or her name. Because we do not have same culture in Korea. Korean calls people's name with designation or appellation. Another one is about a meal. In general, Korean does not think it is not a regular meal if people have just a piece of bread or a bowl of soup. I thought American had same idea with that. But I think American tends not to care about type of their meal that much. As I have seen many American friends' lives, I realize a piece of bread would be a meal to American.
In my opinion, I really don't notice in here because I have interest in America. Besides, Japan is Americanized from long time ago. If I'm forced to say, I would say women drive big car in America. When I was waiting a bus, many cars passed me. Then I saw some women driving a truck. In Japan, road is small, many small car, people care fuel economy. Most Japanese women, even men drive compact car in Japan. I feel American women are manlike.
I also think thats funny. I`ve seen many diferent cars around the city and they are much bigger than what I`m used to see in Brazil. I guess people here like this kind of car because they may run better on the snow.
When I first arrived in the US, I didn't know about the cultural diversity. I expected everyone to be the same as we are. For instance, when we Afghans see each other, we usually shake hands and hug each other. However, you can't always do that in the US, especially with someone who you don't know. Honestly, I didn't really expect to see that, since I am used to greeting people with open arms. Moreover, I didn't expect to hate food here. In other words, I wish I could have my mom with me, so that she could cook me some delicious food. One of the examples can be the way they cook rice is completely different from ours. we never cook rice they way Americans do.I don't want to say that Americans are not good at cooking. People who live in here like what they cook, but for a foreigner like me finding the right food is very difficult in this country. For instance, when we Muslims want to have some meat, we have to make sure that it is Kosher--Animals slaughtered by Muslims- except pork. However, these challenges made me do some research on the US culture and learn about the life style here. Furthermore, the unexpected food here has made me look at some Afghani food recipes and improve my cooking skills.
It was unexpected for me that americans would have such big sense of responsibility when it comes to their duties towards their community. In my view, it seems that everybody here is always willing to help each other and look after the place around where they live. I`ve always tend to see the Americans as the stereotype shown on the media and that social characteristic hasn’t never been highlighted, perhaps because it`s something that has always been as a part of this nation. In fact, that shouldn’t be something completely unexpected since the american nationalism is well known worldwide.
I also heard American is individualistic. I didn't think they took care their community like this. In most of shop, I can see section for products that are made in only Vermont.
America has a lot of good cultures. But sometime that "good" culture makes me uncomfortable. When they go through a door, If they see me, they hold the door until I pass it, even though I am far from the door. I feel I have to hurry and to run. And American is very patient. They are used to wait something. I really am envy this feature of American.
I think everyone know this culture that people do not take off shoes in the house. However, Japanese people take off their shoes when they enter the house. I feel uncomfortable that not separate the dirty space and clean space. Therefore, my room have a space that should not be wearing shoes.
In my perspective, the most unexpected aspects of U.S. culture are the way the student interacts with their teacher or professor. For instance, they call the professor by their first name. Also, when the classes finish, the students go out of the class before the teacher. Maybe this is not issue for American people but for me it is. :)
I was surprised that American people usually hug with friends and family. In Japan, we hardly hug with another person. I like this culuture because people can indicate their familiarity. American people don't bow but Japanese people bow as greeting when they meet someone or express thanks. Actually, sometimes I bow when I say thank you in America. This is my habit, sometimes American people have interest and return bow to me.
Before I came to the U.S, I really didn't have an idea about the U.S culture. I was surprised when I saw a women drove a car because we don't allow the women to drive in my country. Actually, I like the people here on the U.s especially on Vermont because they are more friendly.
i did not see any big different between the U.S and my cuture. axcept the differences with women, i mean the suadi men have different treat with women. but here in the U.S is normal habit.
In my point of view , there are a lot of cultural differences in America. For example people here are nice and helpful they say " thank you " and "have a nice day" all the time. I think this is a way to make people more approachable, and I am not used to see women driving cars I enjoyed by just looking at them because women do not drive in my country.
I have been in the United States since last March, I have not been familiar with 'Calling people with their names' yet. Especially if someone is older than me, I felt guilty when I called his or her name. Because we do not have same culture in Korea. Korean calls people's name with designation or appellation.
ReplyDeleteAnother one is about a meal. In general, Korean does not think it is not a regular meal if people have just a piece of bread or a bowl of soup. I thought American had same idea with that. But I think American tends not to care about type of their meal that much. As I have seen many American friends' lives, I realize a piece of bread would be a meal to American.
I've heard in Korea has some forms for call older people. I guess many Korean are struggling that culture shock, but that would be good experience.
DeleteI have similar issue, which is when I meet elders, I can't call them by their name because this is impolite in my culture.
DeleteIn my opinion, I really don't notice in here because I have interest in America. Besides, Japan is Americanized from long time ago. If I'm forced to say, I would say women drive big car in America. When I was waiting a bus, many cars passed me. Then I saw some women driving a truck. In Japan, road is small, many small car, people care fuel economy. Most Japanese women, even men drive compact car in Japan. I feel American women are manlike.
ReplyDeleteI also think thats funny. I`ve seen many diferent cars around the city and they are much bigger than what I`m used to see in Brazil. I guess people here like this kind of car because they may run better on the snow.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first arrived in the US, I didn't know about the cultural diversity. I expected everyone to be the same as we are. For instance, when we Afghans see each other, we usually shake hands and hug each other. However, you can't always do that in the US, especially with someone who you don't know. Honestly, I didn't really expect to see that, since I am used to greeting people with open arms. Moreover, I didn't expect to hate food here. In other words, I wish I could have my mom with me, so that she could cook me some delicious food. One of the examples can be the way they cook rice is completely different from ours. we never cook rice they way Americans do.I don't want to say that Americans are not good at cooking. People who live in here like what they cook, but for a foreigner like me finding the right food is very difficult in this country. For instance, when we Muslims want to have some meat, we have to make sure that it is Kosher--Animals slaughtered by Muslims- except pork. However, these challenges made me do some research on the US culture and learn about the life style here. Furthermore, the unexpected food here has made me look at some Afghani food recipes and improve my cooking skills.
ReplyDeleteDear Kenji, I have also noticed women driving car here. However, in our country you can hardly find female drivers.
ReplyDeleteIt was unexpected for me that americans would have such big sense of responsibility when it comes to their duties towards their community. In my view, it seems that everybody here is always willing to help each other and look after the place around where they live. I`ve always tend to see the Americans as the stereotype shown on the media and that social characteristic hasn’t never been highlighted, perhaps because it`s something that has always been as a part of this nation. In fact, that shouldn’t be something completely unexpected since the american nationalism is well known worldwide.
ReplyDeleteI also heard American is individualistic. I didn't think they took care their community like this. In most of shop, I can see section for products that are made in only Vermont.
DeleteAmerica has a lot of good cultures. But sometime that "good" culture makes me uncomfortable. When they go through a door, If they see me, they hold the door until I pass it, even though I am far from the door. I feel I have to hurry and to run. And American is very patient. They are used to wait something. I really am envy this feature of American.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. Sometimes that act annoy me.
DeleteOn the other hand, sometimes I feel thanks.
I think everyone know this culture that people do not take off shoes in the house.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Japanese people take off their shoes when they enter the house.
I feel uncomfortable that not separate the dirty space and clean space.
Therefore, my room have a space that should not be wearing shoes.
I feel you tomoka , in my country we also have to take off our shoes before enter the house.
DeleteIn my perspective, the most unexpected aspects of U.S. culture are the way the student interacts with their teacher or professor. For instance, they call the professor by their first name. Also, when the classes finish, the students go out of the class before the teacher. Maybe this is not issue for American people but for me it is. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't call teacher by only first name in my country. It is interesting culture difference for me.
DeleteI was surprised that American people usually hug with friends and family. In Japan, we hardly hug with another person. I like this culuture because people can indicate their familiarity. American people don't bow but Japanese people bow as greeting when they meet someone or express thanks. Actually, sometimes I bow when I say thank you in America. This is my habit, sometimes American people have interest and return bow to me.
ReplyDeleteI really surprised too when I saw them hug each other. it is different culture but I really like it.
Deletein japan this is the best greeting i have seen through my life which is bow. hopefully, the people in my country do as what they did in Japain
DeleteBefore I came to the U.S, I really didn't have an idea about the U.S culture. I was surprised when I saw a women drove a car because we don't allow the women to drive in my country. Actually, I like the people here on the U.s especially on Vermont because they are more friendly.
ReplyDeletei did not see any big different between the U.S and my cuture. axcept the differences with women, i mean the suadi men have different treat with women. but here in the U.S is normal habit.
ReplyDeleteIn my point of view , there are a lot of cultural differences in America. For example people here are nice and helpful they say " thank you " and "have a nice day" all the time. I think this is a way to make people more approachable, and I am not used to see women driving cars I enjoyed by just looking at them because women do not drive in my country.
ReplyDelete