Some American psychological traits [Part 1]

Each person is born and raised in a certain cultural environment. When suddenly living for a long time in a different cultural environment, people will be shocked, suffer from “culture shock”.

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Illustration photo.

This phenomenon can be divided into four periods: first, the honeymoon period, about one or two months (people are excited to discover new scenes and new people); second, confusion, shock, and confusion (finding their behavior strange, silly, bad, etc.); third, finding ways to adjust one's behavior (to suit them. Not understanding whether they are wrong or we are right, but trying to understand why they behave the way they do); fourth, integration (accepting their behavior (after 6-12 months).

In her book Culture Shock! USA (Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company - Portland, Oregon-1991), Esther Wanning analyzed the characteristics of American culture that cause foreigners to be shocked when they come into contact with Americans. Below, we would like to briefly translate some of the American psychological traits.

I wonder how it is that at any train station in the world, anyone can immediately recognize an American? Although Americans have many roots, they do have an American style. Americans are reserved, some are brash, some are talkative, some are taciturn, but the American character is unmistakable.

Friendliness – Foreigners agree that Americans are friendly and open. Very few Americans are arrogant, although deep down they consider themselves superior to others. The US President often emphasizes that he is just like everyone else. It is common for a university professor to go fishing with plumbers. Americans greet everyone with a friendly “Hi”! It is a manifestation of equality. No matter how you meet a neighbor, you say “Hello”. Being friendly does not mean being friends, being friendly is just a manifestation of democratic behavior. Some foreigners are too quick to call it friendship, and then come to the conclusion that friendship in America is superficial. The word “friend” actually refers to acquaintances in general. Real “friends” are as rare in America as anywhere else.

Emotions - Americans think that there is no need to hide their emotions. Sometimes they express them a bit too much. For example, when meeting an acquaintance, they often say, "It's great to see you. You look fabulous. Let's have lunch soon." These feelings simply mean: It's really interesting to meet and talk to each other on this street corner. As for inviting each other to lunch, it's not necessarily a real invitation. Americans say enthusiastically, "I like you," which Asians might think is a bit too much. When they are satisfied, Americans smile brightly, gesture, or loudly declare, "This is marvelous, the best news I've ever heard." Unlike Asians, Americans only smile when they hear good news or are satisfied. Americans do not smile to cover up embarrassment; expressing sadness is often more difficult for them.

Tactile communication – Americans generally avoid this except when hugging, kissing, holding hands, meeting or saying goodbye; adults usually only have tactile contact in sexual situations. There was a Russian man who, while being affectionate and intimate, put his hand on his American male friend's thigh, and the American jumped. Usually two Americans do not hold hands intimately. Men may pat each other on the back, squeeze each other's hands, but avoid skin-to-skin contact that might suggest sex. When talking, always keep an arm's length apart unless quite intimate; people avoid breathing in the face of the person they are talking to.

Conversation – To add to the assertiveness, Americans tend to speak quite loudly, at least louder than Thais and Malaysians. People who do not know them often think they are angry. Americans are more accepting of anger than Asians, especially when it is justified. Of course, it is not considered good to lose control of oneself when angry. When talking, one must look directly into the other person’s eyes, otherwise it is considered dishonest; although after a few seconds one must look away to relieve tension.

Etiquette – The United States is a young country without a long historical and social environment. Therefore, etiquette is not as important as in other countries. Excessive etiquette in the United States can be considered anti-democratic, especially class-based etiquette. Little attention to etiquette makes it easier for ethnic integration, and Americans are also more forgiving of foreigners for their awkwardness in etiquette. Only the American flag is sacred in community life, but the law also protects the right to respect that flag.

Politeness – Foreigners find Americans to be polite, although not formal. This impression may be due to their use of the words “Thank you” and “Please,” or their attitude toward foreigners. Americans are offended when they hear others speak harshly to waiters. To them, it is necessary to respect waiters or any waiter, and to treat them as you would a doctor or a senator. The assessment of American politeness also depends on the ethnicity: the Japanese consider Americans rude and discriminatory, while Americans behave at a normal level. Different regions also vary: New Yorkers are known to be rude, but they are helpful. In general, Americans are more polite in public than at home…

Taboos - Do not hiccup, defecate, or spit, even in your own yard. Do not slurp gum, although the upper classes sometimes do. Do not stare at people you are not talking to. Cover your mouth when yawning, coughing, or sneezing; it is best to add “excuse me.” Do not whistle at women. Men must remove their hats when entering a home.

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