Culture

Culture

Have you ever been to a different country and someone came up to you and kissed both of your cheeks? And you reacted like “Whoa”. They did that because that is how they greet people in their culture. We Americans just wave, shake hands, say “Hello!”, or occasionally hug because that is how we were taught to greet someone since we were young. Some cultures may say Americans are sloppy and rude but I’d say we are laid-back and we like to have fun. Such as some Asian cultures like Korean and Japanese, they consider keeping your shoes on inside a home is rude but Americans keep their shoes on while in their homes all the time! Or like in “we” cultures where your clothing, books, music, job, and food is all decided by your family or church. On the other hand, most Americans have “me” cultures so they can choose what entertainment they like and what clothes and food they have.

However, just because I’m American that doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate other cultures too. I am very Russian and Polish so my family loves to enjoy those types’ meals like baked potatoes and kielbasas. But we love Chinese food even though we have no relation to any Asian people or cultures. My family experiences many different cultures. Such as last summer, my family went to Mexico and we went to many little Mexican towns and we went to Tulum and Chitzen Itza which are ruins made by the Aztecs. And I know other people who have been to Macedonia and to France. Also, I know many Vietnamese people who celebrate their culture by enjoying their holidays and native meals. Many people celebrate several other cultures besides American, even if they are also American.