2.American Character and Customs

Because American people have from so many nationalities，people of different races and of different sections in the US have their own customs and attitudes.For example，the New Englander is described as stern and self reliant，the Southerner as gracious and leisurely，and the Westerner as casual and friendly.Most regional distinctions，however，have been gradually erased by modern transportation and communication.Americans have certain things in common.

The pioneering spirit of immigrants is still an important part of the American character.Most immigrants came to America voluntarily and eagerly in search of greater prosperity and freedom.So the desire to become rich and undisciplined is especially noticeable throughout the nation.They are acquisitive and prepared to take the initiative，even when there is a risk in doing so.Americans like to believe that a difficult problem can be solved immediately and an impossible one may take a little longer.They take pride in meeting challenges and overcoming difficult obstacles.This can-do spirit has traditionally given Americans a sense of optimism about themselves and their country.Many Americans would say that if the United States can land a man on the moon，no problem on earth is impossible.

Americans are trained from childhood to question，analyze and search.“Go look up for yourself”a child will be told.School tasks are designed to stimulate the use of a wide range of materials，and to search for new ideas.And frequently one can find in the US that junior staff members dare to challenge older executives or argue points with them.This is not to be considered an insult or loss of face to the older；nor is it an indication of“no confidence”.They think that the ideas are being looked at，not the person himself.To Americans the two are quite separate.This is the way their minds work.So，too，even in social conversations you will find that Americans often argue，pick an idea apart，ask for your sources or challenge your conclusion.They do not mean to be rude；they are keenly interested and merely trying to explore the idea in greater depth.

Truth in the US has a higher priority than politeness.Americans are taught from babyhood that“honesty is the best policy”.To them trust and truth are of paramount importance.If they say a man“you cannot trust him”，this is one of the most damning statements that can be made about him.In view of such profound differences in values between Americans and other peoples，it is natural that misunderstandings and irritations often occur.Here is a good example to show this.

“How far is it to the next village？”the American asks a man standing by the edge of the road.In some countries，because the man realizes that the traveler is tired and eager to reach his destination，he will politely say“Just down the road”.He thinks this saying more encouraging，gentler，and therefore the wanted answer.So the American drives on and on，getting more and more angry，feeling“tricked”.He thinks the man deliberately lied to him，for obviously he must have known the distance quite well.Had conditions been reversed，the American would feel he was“cheating”the driver if he implied the next town was close when he knew it was really 15 miles further on.Although he，too，would be sympathetic to the weary driver，he would say“You have a good way to go yet；it is at least 15more miles.”The driver might be disappointed，but he would know what to expect.This oft-repeated question of accuracy versus courtesy leads to many misunderstandings between peoples of different cultures.

America is clearly characterized by much more informality and less social distinction than many other countries.Often people see American men working at office desks in shirt-sleeves，sometimes without their ties.They may lean far back in their chairs and even put their feet on desk while they talk on the telephone.This is not meant to be rude.And don’t be surprised if Americans do not shake hands.They often just nod or smile instead.A casual“Hi”or“How are you doing？”or“Hello”often takes the place of a formal handshake，but it means the same thing.

Americans have little feeling for“rank”，especially social rank.Most grown-ups in the US do not enjoy being treated with special difference for age or position；it makes them uncomfortable.Social conventions that show social distinctions are becoming fewer and fewer in America.For example，Americans do not have family titles to show class distinctions.If a person is distinguished，what they use instead is occupational title.It is considered to be different，denoting a recognition that has been earned，not merely inherited.Occupations that most frequently carry titles include diplomats，members of the Senate，judges of the courts，military officers，medical doctors，ranking professors，priests，rabbis and some Protestant clergy.Examples would be Ambassador Jones，Senator Smith，Judge Harley，General Clark，Dr.Brown，Prof.Green，Father White，Rabbi Cohen，and Bishop Grey.Generally speaking，men in all other occupations are addressed as“Mr.”，women as“Ms.”If you doubt as to the manner of address，never hesitate to ask.If you want to show respect，you can always use“Sir”or“Ma’am”.To most Americans，respect and informality are not related.Quite normally in the US，you hear people well beyond middle age say—even to quite young people—“Just call me Don（or Henry，or Black）”.Being on the first name terms is taken as a sign of acceptance and friendliness.To some Americans even the terms“Mr.”，“Mrs.”or“Miss”seem to be stiff and formal.

Frankness of admitting certain weaknesses is another characteristic of the American people，such as“I never was very good at mathematics”，“I’m a rotten tennis player”or“I’m the world’s worst bridge player.”However，it’s better not to agree with him too quickly.For Americans，they think that it would be quite all right if they admit their weaknesses，but they considered it as insult for them to be appointed out by someone else.Therefore，when someone is talking about his weak points，usually the listener will say something to encourage him or talk about something else，such as his other qualities in which the speaker has strong points.Americans often find it awkward to respond gracefully if people compliment them or thank them again and again.They are likely to brush aside such courtesies and“turn people off”out of embarrassment.Generally speaking，Americans love to boast，though often with tongue in cheek.They can laugh themselves and their country，and they can be very self-critical，while remaining always intensely patriotic.They have a wide knowledge of everyday things，and a keen interest in their particular city and state.But they generally have little interest in or knowledge of the outside world.

Among Americans conversational questions may seem to foreigners too personal and numerous.The questions such as“Where do you work？”“How many children do you have？”“Do you play golf？What is your score？”“Have you taken your vacation yet？”are not personal questions by American standards.To ask an American such questions means to be friendly and interested in him.This is the American way in which they become acquainted with one another.Americans move faster，and tomorrow they may be transferred across the country or the sea.So they expected，by rapid questioning，to get an easy understanding.

Of course，there are some topics that are usually avoided in the US.These include questions about a person’s age，financial affairs，cost of clothes or personal belongings，religion，and love or sex life.If an American is asked these or any questions that seem to be too personal，he need not answer them.He may simply smile or say pleasantly that he doesn’t know or“in my country that would be a funny question”，or turn the question gently aside by some comment，or lead the conversation off in some other direction.The American will not be offended，but he will get the point.

Exercises

Ⅰ.Choose the correct answers.

1.Which one in the following is not proper to describe the American family values？

A.Individual freedom.

B.Belief in equality.

C.Personal independence.

D.Formal and strict relations between parents and children.

2.The divorce rate in 1994 in the US was_______per 1，000 of population.

A.4.6　　　B.4.7　　　C.4.8　　　D.5.0

3.According to the text，we know the Westerner is_______.

A.gracious　　　B.self-reliant　　　C.casual　　　D.leisurely

4.If a junior staff member challenges and argues points with an older executive，the junior is considered being________.

A.impolite　　　B.rude　　　C.immoral　　　D.harmless

5.To make distinctions between persons，the Americans mayuse________.

A.the family title　　 B.the occupational title

C.Mr.or Ms.　　　　　　D.Sir or Ma’am

6.To Americans，if weaknesses were pointed out by others，it would be

________.

A.disgraceful　　　B.all right　　　C.resentful　　　D.indifferent

7.By American standards，which one in the following is not a taboo？

A.Financial affairs.　　　B.Person’s age.

C.Religion.　　　　　　　 D.Person’s work.

8.According to the text，which word in the following is not proper to describe an American？

A.Optimistic.　　　B.Acquisitive.

C.Formal.　　　　　D.Frank.

Ⅱ.Fill in the blanks.

1.The American family is usuallya ________family，consisting of parents and their children under________.Middle-aged and elderly people generallydo not live with their ________children.The married adults usually consider their father and mother，sister，or brother as________ household units.Aunts，uncles，cousins，and grandparents are defined as“_______family”.

2.Over the years the_______placed on marriage itself is determined largely by how_______the husband and wife make each other.Happiness is based primarily on_______.Other values，such as having economic support and the opportunity to have children，are seen as________ important.

3.Americans are a highly_______people.When an American’s income rises，he will usually_______a better house in a better district.Today’s，today’s today’s________，today’s ________and neighborhood，all these are part of an American’s identity.

4.Americans are acquisitive and prepared to take the________，even when there is a ________in doing so.Americans like to believe that a difficult problem can be solved ________an impossible one may take a little longer.They take pride in meeting ________and overcoming difficult obstacles.This can-do spirit has traditionally given Americans a sense of________ about themselves and their country.

Ⅲ.Questions for Discussion.

1.Compare the American families with the Chinese ones，and find out the chief differences between them.

2.How do you comment on the American values of marriage？

3.How do you think if a junior challenges and argues points with you？

4.How do the Americans deal with the relations between truth and politeness？

5.How do the Americans consider the social rank？

6.When an American is talking about his weak points，what do you say in such circumstances？