United States (American) People

Values and Individualism Religious Expression

Food and dining etiquette Regional Differences with a focus on

the Mid-West

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Presented by: Al Lun, Savita Katarya

Values, individualism

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Cognitive Style• A sense of self-reliance and independence and

less attentive to global affairs 1 • A sense of unique American experience

– Public Television program that shows achievements of Americans from various background and nationalities

• Minimal long term orientation• A sense of motion and expectations

– Next year should be better than this year

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1Kiss, Bow, Or Shake Hands, Morrison and Conawy

Politics • Two-party system

– Democratic, Republican• Politics seldom get into conversations at work

but sometimes come up – Advice to international colleagues: You will

do well just to listen and not take side

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Service and Ruggedness • Volunteering and community service is common

– In both religious or non-religious volunteering – Rotary, Kiwanis, Lion, Eagle– Many Churches sponsor charitable events and contributed

by volunteers

• Sense of participation and ruggedness– They are sports fans as well as sports participants– Parents are proud of their children playing sports

• Parents coaching, “Hockey Mom”

• Individualism

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Work-life balance

• Super-mom– I can do it all– “Bring home the bacon, keep the house clean,

and take kids to soccer practices and music lessons

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Time is Money

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Value resiliency

• Second chance – In the United States, they believe in giving people a second

chance. – Which explains why many celebrities after going to jail or

having been shamed come back out and appear in public

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Michael MilkenMartha Stewart

Individualism

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Individualism vs Collectivism• Americans are one of the most individualistic

peoples in the world– Self-reliance, you are responsible for you own well

being– Value entrepreneurship

• Explains successful companies like Google, Apple

• Meritocracy• Rags to riches stories

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A Driven People• They have a general belief in limitless

opportunities– Not satisfied with status quo– Tend to show passion – At their best, they view failures as lessons– They tend to give people a second chance

• That culture when extended to American corporations explain why innovation and re-inventing oneself are valued

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Culture Dissonant• Al’s dad was often irritated that U. S. sales

clerk serve only one customer at a time and made no attempt to tell the waiting customers that they will be right with them

• It might have come from Americans’ sense of fairness to individuals while Al’s dad (being Chinese) had the sense of collectivism and value the ability to pay attention to the needs of the collective

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Ability to “sell” themselves• U. S. culture encourages citizens to declare

their worth and achievements without self-consciousness – Friends often tell stories what they are good at,

and what they have done. They tell their life stories quite comfortably, candidly and with authenticity

– This does not mean they are arrogant. – They are just being honest

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Sense of Humor• U. S. citizens favor people with a sense of

humor• Whether they are good at it or not, they will

attempt to tell jokes • When I first came to the United States, I felt

out of place because I didn’t have any jokes to tell when some of my American of colleagues sometimes start the day or end the day telling the latest “knock-knock” jokes they heard

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Value Systems• High emphasis on self-initiative and achievement• In general, people from the United States do not

find it overly difficult to say “no.”• Strong work ethic (IBM Rochester is renown to

be one of the hardest working labs)• They like to stay busy: gardening, wood-working,

fixing their own cars, sewing• U. S. citizens are generally comfortable with risk

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Minnesota Nice• Don’t complain • Small acts of courtesy are common and considered good

manners– Keeping the door open for someone who is walking behind you.– Opening the door for someone– Let people come out of the elevators first before you rush in

• Make quick eye contact, smiling to acknowledge some one, say good morning

• Casual friendly, courteous, but not necessarily warm

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Minnesota Nice - continued Low context

• Compared to other cultures, not as much socializing with colleagues after work

• They value privacy and individuality• Go their own way after work• Grown children do not typically live with their

parents

* However, IBM does have after-work sports leagues. Happy Hours for colleagues to get together are common.

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Religious Expressions• First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution

guarantees free exercise of faiths. – Separation of “church” and “state”

• 76% of Americans identify themselves as Christians

• 4% Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and others

• 15% of adults not having any religion• There is an emerging trend toward interfaith

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Religious Expressions• Even though United States asserts separation of

Church and State, in many public functions it’s common to open with an invocation (a prayer) and close with a benediction – Inauguration of President of the United States– Sometimes even in what might be thought of as secular

events such as Chamber of Commerce, it is common to start a meeting with an invocation

– Pledge of allegiance is done in schools – This might surprise some international colleagues that

come from a non-religious culture.

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Judeo-Christian• Original U. S. Colonies were established by English settlers

who wished to practice their own religion without discrimination

• U. S. is a “Judeo-Christian” country– In God we trust … United States dollar bill– Pledge of allegiance– Work ethics– Faith-based charities– Good work

• Very few elected politicians will say they belong to no religious faiths

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Mega Church

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Joel Osteen

Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas 30,000 worshipers

Food and Table Manners

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Food choices• Many ethic choices which reflects the diverse nature

of the United States• American standards

– Family dinners – meat and potato

• Finger food or fast food – Hot dot, hamburger, pizza, etc

• Ethic food and a variation of their original recepe– Asian – South American, Mexican– European

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Table Setting

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Do’s and Don’ts• Say grace sometimes (depends on your host) • A toast maybe offered• Don’t start eating until everyone is served, or

unless those have not been served request that you begin without waiting

• Napkins are placed on the lap• Wait until the host has picked up his or her

fork or spoon before starting to eat

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Dining Etiquette • "Don't talk with your mouth full”• Don't slurp (make loud sucking sound)

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Holidays• Halloween – October 31

– Trick-or-treating, dressed up in costumes

• Thanksgiving – 4th Thursday in November– Turkey dinner, everyone comes home, biggest travelling day

• Christmas – December 25 – Mixing religious, spiritual celebration with commercial

activities– Respect other traditions and use the greeting of “Happy

Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”

• Independence Day, July 4

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Holidays (continued)• New Year’s Day Jan. 1• Martin Luther King Day Jan. 19• Valentine’s day Feb 14• Presidents’ day Feb16• Easter Sunday April 12• Mother’s Day second Sunday in May• Memorial Day May 25• Father’s Day 3rd Sunday in June• Independence Day July 4• Labor day September 7

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Lessons Learned

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Cocktail Party LI Ming came to the United States on a 6 month assignment. He was invited to a

Christmas Party at his colleague's house. He was excited to go. Though worried that he didn't know too many people at the party, he

remembered that in China the host will make sure that the guests are comfortable.

When he did show up, ringing the door bell, someone who he didn't know open the door. He really couldn't see the host anywhere. In the house gathering were people standing or sitting having conversations. Everyone had a glass of wine or some other drinks.

He felt a bit awful coming into the hall. Someone came up and introduced himself. LI Ming was still looking for the host, Steve. Steve finally showed up. He had been busy somewhere else in the house pouring drinks for other guests. Steve cheerfully greeted Li Ming and told him to make himself at home. Steve also introduced a couple of friends to Li Ming and then excused himself and disappeared.

LI Ming felt really awkward about being there.

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