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Essay / America: For the New Kid on the Block - 1800
Have you ever thought about how truly terrifying it would be to live in a completely different place than what you've been used to your whole life? For some, this task can and would be an exciting challenge to take on while for others, the idea of learning the different customs and languages of another country could be very intimidating. This is especially true if you are a newcomer to the United States of America, where a multitude of people with different backgrounds, beliefs and cultures live. It is a fact that the United States is not the largest or even the richest country on the planet; however, many Americans will challenge this idea simply because they believe America is "on its knees." The bee's knees? Bees don't have knees! What does that mean? The meaning of some American sayings and expressions will be discussed later in this article. However, the purpose of this document is to help any foreign national better understand American cultures and co-cultures. Beliefs, Attitudes, and Values To begin our journey on American culture, let's first focus on the beliefs and attitudes of this nation. American culture is largely regional. People living in the northern half of the United States may have different beliefs than those in the southern half. Nevertheless, many Americans believe that equal opportunity and the right to liberty should be guaranteed for all. Although the beliefs mentioned should be freely transmitted to every person in this country, some people believe that equal opportunity is unrealistic due to economic, racial, or gender status. A strong argument in favor of this ideal is the attitude towards immigration. According to Michael Sobczak,...... middle of paper ......sture with the finger or hand to indicate "come here." It is common for Americans to touch each other by patting each other on the back or shoulder to reassure each other or to show sympathy. In the United States, eye contact is one of the most crucial forms of nonverbal communication. Maintaining eye contact when someone is speaking or explaining something demonstrates that you are attentive and respect what they have to say. The United States of America is indeed a culturally rich nation. People from all walks of life and backgrounds have come together to create a country that is a mosaic of diversity. The values, customs and language of different co-cultures have improved the way we live today. Regardless of your personal beliefs or customs, in America you can find someone who accepts and understands, because being an individual is important..