Helpful Ideas
About the
American
Culture
Culture defined
Culture is an integrated system of learned behavior
patterns.
Culture refers to the total way of life of particular
groups of people.
Culture is learned and transmitted from generation
to generation.
Every group of people, every culture is and has
always been ethnocentric.
Common Stereotypes of
Americans
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Americans are:
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Optimistic
Wealthy
Friendly
Materialistic
Informal
Generous
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Naive
Impatient
Hardworking
Always in a hurry
Superficial
Judgmental
American Values and
Assumptions
Individualism
• Trained to consider themselves as
separate individuals responsible for their
own situations.
• Americans consider the ideal person to
be
an
individualistic,
self-reliant,
independent person.
American Values and
Assumptions
Equality
All men are created equal. ”Declaration of
Independence.
“
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Americans are uncomfortable when someone treats
them with obvious deference.

They dislike being the objects of open display of
respect.
American Values and Assumptions
Informality
 Americans
seem quite informal in their
general behavior and in their relationships
with others.
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Their superficial friendliness is related to
their informal, egalitarian approach to
others. ( “Hi”, “Howya doin?”, “How are
you?”).
American Values and Assumptions
Time
 For
Americans, time is a resource that can
be used well or poorly.
( “ Time is Money”).
 They use their time for constructive,futureoriented activities.
 The fast-food industry is a symbol of
American society and culture playing an
emphasis on speed and efficiency.
The Communicative Style
of Americans
According to Barnlund, these are the chacteristics
of conversations between individuals:
1. The topics people prefer to discuss (small talk).
2. Their favorite forms of interaction (turn taking,
few ritual interchanges, no arguments,)
3. The depth to which they want to get
involved
4. The communication channels (verbal or nonverbal).
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5. The level of meaning
Channels Preferred
 Verbal
Communication
Americans depend more on spoken
words than on non-verbal behavior to
convey their messages.
 Nonverbal Communication
Volume of voice, appearance, body
movements and gestures, facial
expression, space and touching,
silence).
Space and Touching
An aspect of
nonverbal behavior
that is strongly
influenced by culture
has to do with space
and distance.
Foreign visitors notice
the way Americans
react when they feel
too crowded.
(Personal space
invaded in restrooms,
elevators, crowded
rooms).
High-Context Cultures
Most of the information is either
in the physical context or is
internalized in the people who
are part of the interaction.
High-context cultures are
relational, collectivist, intuitive,
and contemplative. People
from these cultures emphasize
interpersonal relationships.
Low-Context Cultures
Most of the
Information is
contained in the
verbal message
and very little is
embedded in
the context.
Low-context
cultures are
logical, linear,
individualistic,
and actionoriented.
People from
low-context
cultures value
logic, facts, and
directness.
High- Context Cultures
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Japanese
Arab
Greek
Spanish
Italian
English
French
American
Scandinavian
German
German-Swiss
Low- Context Cultures
Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures
Monochronic Culture
Polychronic Culture
Interpersonal Relations
Interpersonal relationships are
subordinate to present schedule
Present schedule is subordinate
to interpersonal relationships
Activity Co-Ordination
Schedule co-ordinates activities,
appointment time is rigid.
Interpersonal relationships coordinate activity; appointment
time is flexible
Task Handling
One task at a time
Many tasks are handled at
once; a.k.a. multi-tasking
Breaks and Personal Time
Breaks and personal time are
sacrosanct regardless of personal
ties.
Breaks and personal time are
subordinate to personal ties.
Temporal Structure
Time is inflexible, time is intangible
Time is flexible, time is fluid
Work and Personal Time
Work time is clearly separate
from personal time
Work time is not clearly
separate from personal time
Organizational
Perception
Activities are isolated from
organization as a whole; tasks
are measured by output in time
(activity per hour or minute)
Activities are integrated into
organization as a whole; tasks
are measured as part of overall
organizational goal
-Stephen Dhal
Skills that Make a Difference in
the Overseas Adjustment Process
Tolerance for ambiguity
Open-mindedness
Empathy
Flexibility, adaptability
Curiosity
Tolerance for Differences
Ability to fail
Sense of Humor
Curiosity
Nonjudgmentalness
Coping with a New Culture
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I
NTERPRET
E VALUATE
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