If you are an American, how important is it to you to understand other cultures?

Question

This question is not meant to be insulting to Americans. I ask it because the world wide perception of Americans is that they are an inward focused society who have no interest in learning anything about other cultures. Do Americans as a whole understand the Iraqui culture? Do most Americans even know anything about one of their closest neighbours, Canada?

If you are not American, how important do you think other cultures are to Americans? Try to be thoughtful and analytical in your response and give examples where possible.

Answer 1

That's a great question.

I'm American, and first of all, I hate Canada.. for no apparent reason. It just appears like my American duty-- but it's a fun rivalry, we mean nothing by it.

In seriousness now, Americans do feel enchanted by other cultures. But, American society is insulated. For years, we've been fed the idea that the world looks to us to guide them in trends and economy, and so we feel a responsibility to the world. Americans are not selfish, as it would appear. I believe most Americans are truly concerned about the world, and we do give to organizations that help orphans in third-world countries, for example. We have a curiousity about the world, and we have a born idealism about creating a better world.

The thing to understand about America is that because the world has in the past 200 years invested in our success, especially economically, it created a vacuum effect. The world, as we know it, is centered on America-- good or bad. It's not that Americans are arrogant, it's that they're mis-informed. A lot of that comes from the news media which tells us that we're so great, and that the rest of the world wants to be us. It shields us a lot from the bad and hurtful things in the world. That's the reason why, when 911 came everyone was so shocked and disillusioned. We didn't know that the rest of the world was against foreign policy. Heck, we didn't even know what our foreign policy was! We were so lulled into the materialism that's become associated with America, that we couldn't see beyond it to the things that truly matter in a global society.

I feel very dismayed when ppl villify Americans. I know that you're not. But, in general, a lot of the world misunderstands Americans. Most Americans want to live simple lives with those they love, have a car, a house, a pet. There's not necessarily a stress to understand other cultures, because in the structure of our society, we've not really needed other cultures in order to survive-- or at least not the average joe. American businesses need other countries (labor) to survive, but not American ppl.

We just have a certain supreme isolation that may seem unfair to those looking at us from the outside, but it's not really a conscious attitude of superiority. It's more-so an attitude of innocence, I believe.

Answer 2

You like so many other people in the world believe anything about America you hear. True some people could care less about other cultures, but that is the case anywhere in the world. I joined the navy just so I could learn about how other people live. I looked forward to visiting other countries. I did my best to let others know not all Americans are snobs. Maybe you should come visit, and see for yourself. Visit the small out of the way places, you will get a better feel for the down to earth people.

P.S. I know more about Canada then most Canadians do!

Answer 3

Being an American, I do think it is important to learn about other cultures. This country is founded on foreingers, and people of differnent countries. I so enjoy going to different events that are put on by people of different cultures and race/religion. I just went to an Indoamerican event and had the best time, people were so gracious, and food was fantastic. The entertainment was colorful and fun as well. I could ask the same of you. If you are Iraqui, do you understand the american culture and wherever you are from, do you understand your neighbors?? Just wondering.?? Your question was a thoughtful one. And one that i enjoyed.

Answer 4

None american view:
Before i say this, I must say this is the best question i have seen today. Good job!!!
answer:
I think it is quite essential to know 70% of a different culture because you just find out that different people have unique senses and views of life. No one is superior. I had my secondary education in JIS, Jakarta International School. They had americans there as well but mingling with the international society is so much better than living with people who have the same view as you. I found it interesting to find out about the Japanese culture and the Indian culture. I know there was some miscommunication but i felt happy because I would not end up feeling superior than others. To see things from different views is amazing because you see what the people are like. What the media tells you is BS and everytime i see a poor village in India or somewhere else, i can have compassion and a good understanding of what life is for them. I don't look at the money value, i look at the family values. To look through the eyes of another culture brings understanding. If you have a good notion of what another culture is about and not what the media wants you to believe, you can easily find out something is wrong.

A good example of this is "plato's cave theory". When you have people who live in a cave and a lot of people are looking at images of trees and so on. one level above you have people who are around a fire and have cut out shapes of trees and so on. When one person goes out of the cave, he figures out there is a sun, there is tree and there is a reality. WHen he returns back to the majority of the poeple on the bottom level, he finds he is "crazy" because they think he is delusional. This is a good example of what is happening in teh world. The people in the world who don't want to explore the world see a fake image of reality. When they travel, they see reality and the truth of something.

Answer 5

Films Pulp Fiction Jackie Brown Wild Bunch The Good The bad The Ugly Godfather Taxi driver Mean streets Silence of the Lambs Frost vs Nixon Milk Dog Day Afternoon Crash Joh Ford's old western films All sergio leone films Scarface Blow out Basic instinct Unfaithful Novels Mario Puzo s novels Earnest hemingway Ayn rand John grisham David balacci Thomas Harris Dan brown Jack kerauk - novels like 'On the road' and 'Dhumma burms' William s Burroughs - Junkie Music Madonna Micheal jackson Boston 70's rock music 90s hip hop 70's jazz music Brintey - unfortunately she s also a part of pop culture Marvel Comics Times Magazine vanity fair After exposing yourself to all of these stuff, you are a perfect american

Answer 6

It is absolutely essential. There is a wall being built around the US by the government and in particular the media. They often will play down other countries while pointing out the superiority of the US. Now America is a fantastic country, but its not the only fantastic country in the world. People and places are amazing Because of their differences, not despite of them. It doesn't matter where you live, learning about other countries and cultures opens your mind in the most wonderful ways and is crucial in understand the way our world works.

Answer 7

Americans as far as history tells us... they didn't existed from one race but originally came from a mixture of different cultures worldwide. They do understand other cultures. The American culture and technology do influenced not only their nearest neighbors like Canada and Mexico... but as far the horizons can reached, the American cultures have a worldwide impact to world population.

Answer 8

We should know the more knowledge we have will hopefully alleviate the burden of irrational fears and allow us to recognise
and respect other cultures.
At the same time we must nurture our own culture, that is the American culture.

Answer 9

The average American doesn't know a whole lot about other cultures.... and being a minority, it's frustrating.

Answer 10

That is so stupid... as if any country are forced to learn about the cultures around them!!!