American Culture: Learn our customs and traditions

All Californians aren’t hippies. Most New Englanders aren’t hostile. And yes, we do have a sense of style and know how to dress. Our goal is to describe essential American culture, customs, and traditions.

Liberty is the defining aspect of typical American culture. It transformed the United States into a recognizable brand. Free speech and working hard spread because of their focus on freedom.

In my research, other articles ignored this essential ingredient describing American culture. They mentioned the obvious: yes, we are a country of diversity with a “melting pot,” but there’s more. I want to help you understand the importance of liberty- whether you’re living in California, Texas, or Japan.

Later in this article, I will discuss topics such as holidays and favorite sports. For now, we will focus on the basics.

Liberty Culture

To understand, you must accept that without liberty America’s existence is questionable. Why do I say that?

A country’s founding requires a reason to exist. Each citizen must have a connection to:

• Culture
• Language
• Customs
• Values

These are non-negotiable for a nation to be successful.

The founding documents supplied the basic structure for the start of American society.

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“Blessings of Liberty…”

— The United States Constitution

Consider the Preamble’s quote a command, we -as U.S. citizens- are required by government order to enjoy liberty. I know that sounds weird. The government’s job is to maintain maximum liberty for all.

For over 200 years, our culture continues to enhance these blessings.

What is a great way to determine a country’s culture when your plane touches down on foreign soil? Think hard…

If you said look at a country’s currency, you passed your first culture quiz question. Nations always put interesting messages, people, and colors on their money. It represents their signature beliefs.

America’s money is the world’s reserve currency- meaning everyone has access to it. Some nations prefer to use it over their own money.

Pull out any common U.S. coin. Any penny, nickel, dime, or quarter.

What is written on it?

You will find the word “Liberty” etched on it. Yes, we write our core values on American coins.

There are over 26 billion coins in circulation around the world. Each person touching a U.S. coin sees “liberty.” If they don’t know the meaning, a quick google search reveals the answer to that simple question.

Billions see these values of personal choice, freedom, and liberty. First impressions are crucial.

If you want to know more about the American philosophy, LEARN MORE and read my article.

Growth of Liberty Culture:

America is a symbol of diversity from around the globe. The USA is a one-stop destination for:

• Opportunity
• High standard of living
• Upward financial mobility.

According to a recent Gallup poll, 1 in 5 migrants- 158 million more people- want to move to the U.S. That’s 21% of the surveyed individuals. Other countries of interest included Canada, Germany, France, and Australia.

The infographic below represents important factors of growth. Please look over it, and I’ll highlight a few points from the statistics.

U.S. stat guide by J liberty

The biggest factor in America’s population growth is immigration. People seeking a better life.

Our transportation system has over 46,000 miles of highways. Traveling between cities is efficient, thus, promotes economic growth. This activity generates salaries and standards of living unseen in less fortunate areas.

When others see this opportunity, they flock to cities and towns with the development. For my American readers, this is the same concept when you move your family- or self- to another city to take a better-paying job. Some move across the world while you move across the country.

Moving, improving, and bettering yourself happens only when a culture endorses it. Therefore, a growth of liberty culture improves your life and others.

What is Modern American Culture?

Throughout this article, I have transported you to the foundation of American culture. Liberty! We haven’t explored modern American culture and its influence.

Modern American culture is McDonald’s, cinematic epic movies, and patriotic holidays. Americans love the deafening sound of military jet flyovers at sporting events. Don’t forget Americans will defend their Bill of Rights. Their top qualities are tenacity and individualism.

Your guide to modern American Culture is below:

Parts of American Culture Present Around the World

American inventor and entrepreneur-Henry Ford- perfected the assembly line technique in 1913. He produced his infamous Model T and streamlined the process of manufacturing automobiles. And, he helped bring America into the industrial age. Massive growth hasn’t stopped since.

Americans are known as entrepreneurial. Their spirit, contribution, and influence stretched American dominance.

Are you familiar with the term “Americanized”? If you tell me no, I’ll help you out.

“Americanized” is an informal term defined as implementing parts of U.S. culture, business ideas, and philosophy into a nation.

Many parts of the world from Africa to Japan and South Korea became “Americanized.”

You will see familiar brands such as Coca-Cola and McDonald’s far from the busy streets of New York City. The Golden Arch is an international symbol of America. Seeing those arches transplants you to a land of fries and hamburgers. You smell them now!

McDonald’s slogan plastered on their sign states: “Billions and Billions Served.” This refers to the international reach that McDonald’s accomplished.

To give you an idea of their significance, here are some fun facts listed below:

Source: The Truth About How Many Hamburgers McDonald’s Has Sold

McDonald’s Corporate: Franchise Overview

American culture is global. The parts of the world that haven’t become “Americanized” are few. But, the ones that have resisted don’t have access to a smartphone to view all the American products.

America’s entrepreneurial spirit is contagious. Why else would so many people want to adopt or move to American culture? By the way, I am not advertising for McDonald’s. They are too iconic to ignore.

Individual Aspects of American Culture

Language

In any country, understanding the language is essential to comprehend a culture. America is no different.

While there is no official language, English is the primary language. Your location determines what language you will speak. Major metropolitan areas speak more diverse languages.

If you’re bilingual in the United States, you have to go to specific neighborhoods to practice your language of choice.

New York City is the most diverse speaking over 192 languages. According to the US Census Bureau, the United States speaks over 350 languages.

Spanish is the second most spoken language.

More rare languages spoken include:

• Pennsylvanian Dutch
• Ukrainian
• Romanian.

Remember, languages define a culture. You learn the nuances of society by learning their lingo.

American Movies and Cinema

Grab the popcorn and jump on the La-Z-Boy to watch your favorite Patriotic movie.

Some lists of patriotic movies include:

• Saving Private Ryan (1998)
• The Patriot (2000)
• Independence Day (1996)
• Red Dawn (1984)
• Gone With the Wind (1939)
• Captain America Series (2008-present)

Hollywood has a huge influence both in America and the world. To prove my patriotic movie statement, look at the titles of the top-grossing chart below.

Find more statistics at Statista

There is nothing more American than Top Gun and Tom Cruise occupying the top spot.

Holidays

After you watched your Patriotic movies, you celebrate many holidays grilling- or barbecuing- in your backyard. You gather with family and friends to cook delicious food over a fire.

Some of the holidays we have are:

These are your fundamental holidays. I’m sure there will be ones added to the list since life changes.

Food

We are told the best discoveries and conversations happen at the dinner table. You catch up with family at the end of a long day. Don’t commit a faux pas! Wait until everyone sits down before you start eating.

Also, we have 3 meals a day.

• Breakfast-
  • On weekends people have larger breakfasts called brunches
  • Consists of some type of egg, bread, and juice
• Lunch
  • Smallest and quickest meal of the day
  • Sandwich, chips, and a soda
• Dinner
  • Largest meal
  • Meat, vegetables, bread
  • Drinks: milk, tea, water, wine, or beer

Now, you know the basic meal layout. I will give you a brief overview of American food.

Firearms

The 2^nd Amendment! It is a constitutional right to own guns in America. Yet, firearm ownership in the United States attracts worldwide attention. Because it is controversial.

Congress debates different regulations on firearm ownership every session. They try to ban or restrict them.

Contrary to popular belief, you must pass a background check to buy a gun retail. The form you fill out is called a 4473.

The National Firearms Act (NFA, 1934) restricts certain firearms. And the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) enforces gun regulations.

According to a Gallup Poll, 32% of Americans claim to own a gun while 44% live in a household with one.

Future political conversations will include what to do regarding ownership. Every state has different laws making it difficult to practice a constitutional right.

Religion

The first ships sailed to America for religious freedom.

Americans were more religious in the first 150 years of the U.S.

Since then, American citizens practicing their religion of choice declined.

In a 2021 Gallup Poll, 69% of Americans identify as Christian. 21% identify as another religion.

American Religious Preferences by J liberty

The founders mandated a separation of church and state called secularism. Keeping the separation helped provide a more stable government.

Sports

Have you ever been to a stadium where the crowd erupted with roaring excitement?

You experience attending the most popular sport in America – a football game. A centerpiece of any major city skyline is the football stadium. You can’t miss driving by it.

The Super Bowl is the most televised sporting event. A 30-second commercial was over $6.5 million in 2022.

Baseball is known as “America’s Pastime” and ranks 2 in popularity. You must grab a hot dog and a coke to obtain the full experience at the game.

As our 3^rd most popular, you watch basketball when the weather turns chilly.

Soccer is rising in popularity with many cities building soccer stadiums on unused land.

To sum up, America’s most popular sports are:

• Football
• Baseball
• Soccer
• Basketball

The seasons are spaced far enough apart so you can enjoy each sport individually without much overlap. You’ll find everyone discussing games in your local favorite sports bar.

Conclusion

We discussed the essential American principles. From there, I took you on a cinematic adventure traveling to movies, dating, food, and sports.

Our currency displays our core belief: Liberty! Other articles discussing American culture and values don’t even mention this fact. I wanted to make it clear that America is nothing without freedom.

Modern U.S. culture fills the world with fast food, the joy of the automobile, and Americanization.

Our holidays celebrate pivotal times in our history. July 4^th is our national holiday celebrating independence from Great Britain in 1776.

The foods available in the USA make it a “melting pot” of culture, language, and diversity.

What’s popular in culture today won’t be in the future. However, the constant in American culture is liberty. We must keep liberty’s embers alive by celebrating not only American culture but yours’ as well.

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What do you like or dislike about our culture?

J. Liberty

Related Articles:

• American values are an important part about American culture, LEARN MORE about how Americans think.

• Individuality is important in culture. LEARN MORE by reading Why Individuality is Important to Society?

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