American Culture (ENG 41201)

A stereotype is a fixed
idea that people have
about what someone or
something is like. The term
is usually used when that
idea is wrong.
The first stereotype, some people think all Americans are
uneducated, ignorant, gullible and irrational.
Americans are often stereotyped as lacking intellectual
curiosity, and therefore seem ignorant of anything outside
of their own lives or country.
People abroad think them as uninformed
about scientific facts, seeing Americans as
deniers evolution and climate change.
They are often shown as believing
paranormal or supernatural phenomena
like psychic powers, ghosts, haunted
houses, UFOs, and exorcism.
American people are sometimes
portrayed as racist and
discriminating against the
minorities. Racism has always been
an important issue of American
history and is still relevant today,
especially in political contexts.
The USA is often seen as
unconcerned about the
environment, climate change and
global warming. Foreigners think
of Americans driving big, gas-
guzzling and highly polluting
vehicles. The United States is the
worlds second largest carbon
dioxide emitter and did not ratify
the Kyoto Protocol.
A lot of smart and well-
informed people are in the
States. Many U.S.
universities are
consistently ranked as the
best in the world, and
many Nobel Peace Prize
laureates are American.

Although racism continues
to exist today, it is less
prevalent and less directly
expressed. Some Americans
still have prejudices
against those of other
races, but these
occurrences are rare, and
less common everyday.

The U.S. has some of the best
renewable energy resources in the
world. For example, a quarter of the
land has winds strong enough to
generate electricity at the price of
natural gas and coal. All but four
states now have incentives in place
to promote new renewable energy,
and in recent years, more than a
dozen have enacted new renewable
energy laws. 31% of Californias
electricity actually comes from
renewable energy.


AMISH importance on Christianity and
family relationship, rural life, humility,
reluctant to develop new technologies
Southern U.S. more conservative and
religious, hospitality, music
Asian Americans- hardworking, diligent,
close to family, high value on education,
avoid conflict
KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND AVOID BELIEVING IN
STEREOTYPES. Then, youll surely enjoy your time in the
States.