can someone tell me some american traditions?

Question

i just moved to america from trinidad and tobago about 2 months ago, so im in culture shock. can anyone inform me on some common american traditions so i wont feel so out of place. it will take some getting used to. HELP PLEASE!

Answer 1

Traditions! Wow - See, the thing about America is we've got EVERYBODY'S traditions mixed in with a few modifications and inventions of our own to boot. Just like our 'English' is really a mix of every other language on Earth...

But...You'll find Thanksgiving to be a big holiday here. It's a day where we give thanks for all the blessings we've got. That's in November, so you've got a while.

We love our weekends - It's a time to go and have fun, relax, sit on the couch and watch football, hang out with your friends, whatever. During the work week, we work like madmen until about 5PM - Then it's time to relax again and have some fun. We don't take an afternoon break (tea time, siesta, etc) - We work from the start of the shift to usually a little after their shift ends. A 30 minute lunch break is the norm here, frequently taken at your desk, if at all. And no one has alcohol with their lunch if they want to keep their job. Same with any sort of drugs - Show up on any sort of drug and you are VERY likely to lose your job.

We're friendly. Most Americans will respond to a smile and a wave, and I cannot tell you how often I've just struck up a friendly conversation in line at the store.

We respect taking your turn - Line jumpers are despised.

We enjoy picking on our government, whether they're from your party or not.

Can you tell us which region of the US you're in? Traditions vary a LOT from one end of the country to the other - Even for us, moving from one region to another can lead to culture shock! We're a BIG country.

Welcome to America!! Relax and enjoy - and everyone will know you're learning. America is an attidue and a heart, not a location.

A poster above has a good point - We're clean-FREAKS. Most Americans are hyper-sensitive about body odors (breath, gas, and under-arm odor especially). I think pretty much everyone showers at LEAST once a day and brushes their teeth also at LEAST once a day - You can see by the number of hygiene products how nuts we are about this.

Personal space is another one. A lot of countries are big on closeness, hugs, kisses on the check - Most Americans are a bit distant in that respect. A firm handshake and a look in the eye and off you go. :-)

Punctuality is another area where Americans are nuts. The Native Americans were always surprised by how focused the White Man was on TIME. Many countries are casual about time - Show up 10 minutes late, ah, no big deal. Here, that is considered VERY disrespectful. Show up 5 minutes EARLY - always.

Orion

Answer 2

Americans have no CULTURE in the sense they have no different clothings etc etc since I asked many American friends the same question and they claimed **what do you mean culture? Your Western culture comes from us!** Which could be translatable as jeans and tee shirts, but that's probably it.

Answer 3

Oh my, what a good question.

There are so many different traditions because of diversity.

I'm not really sure how to answer. If you could give more specific questions then maybe we could help.

Answer 4

BRUSH YOUR TEETH(just kidding I bet you already know that!) Most americans celebrate easter , the forth of july, holloween, and christmas. Buy a phone, and be friendly.we always eat breakfast lunch and dinner!!!!



HOPE I HELPED!!!!

Answer 5

Spit on anyone you see smoking, ignore the coffee addicts that stumble out of restaurants, and don't go to a porno parlour without your mother.