Using an etic perspective, we can gain an outsiders view on our cultural practices that we deem "normal" in comparison to other cultures. Americans really love their ice. Anyone can read what you share. Collectivist cultures are usually contrasted with individualistic cultures. But while these American traditions might seem normal stateside, they are certainly not universal. - Rosa Moscoso, 42, Havana, "A country of freedom, particularly freedom of thought. 15 Unique Aspects of American Culture. What may feel totally normal to Americans is often far from it for outsiders. From an etic perspective, American practices probably seem just as strange or unusual to outsiders as other cultural practices sometimes appear to us before we understand the cultural context behind them. We have black, asians, white, hispanics, indians just to name of few and yet we don't have massive in fighting between races or religions. They are big and loud and they are in charge of everything." (New York: Penguin . Flashnewb, many Chinese people do not understand how America can function so "well" since the people here are all so different. Examine your own culture from an etic (outsider's) perspective and Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. You get a vision of their culture and their way of life. But, besides the Willy Wonka level of sugar, we use a substantial amount of cheese in everything. One child was given a circle with a hole in it, which was in a rectangular case, and he put this circle into a box and proceeded to stare at the screen and hold a device attached to the box by a wire. See the appropriate sections in the textbook, based on your chosen topic from Week Three, for information on how to approach your paper from an anthropological perspective. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Eggs are a universal delicacy, but outside of the U.S., they are seldom stored in the fridge. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. (PDF) An Outsider's View of an Ancient Culture - ResearchGate - B.S. Cheese is life people. If not, think of a country or place where youve always wanted to go, and become aware of the images your mind creates when you think of this place and its people. The point is that we have many amazing things in this country, but how much of it is concretely ours? Sometimes, you need an outsiders perspective to get a clearer and wider view of things. It's a wonderful country and there is high security, standard of living is very high. I had a wonderful time doing my book report on "American Cultural Patterns: A cross-cultural Perspective". It's pretty infuriating to live somewhere where something as natural and beautiful as the human body is viewed as taboo and "corrupts" our youth, but a guy getting his head cut off or getting beaten to death is perfectly okay for kids to watch. Such houses, I have observed, draw peoples eyes as they pass by. Americans are also seen from afar as generous tippers, friendly, uncomplicated, rich and the standard bearers of freedom, equality, creativity and technological power. These are the kind of zoomed-out, big-picture stories that result from asking the most basic questions and that in other newsrooms might be killed because they are too obvious, or have been done 1,000 times, or dont have a new angle. They are the kind of stories that result from sending reporters out to ask the biggest unresolved questions about their own society from making them think, in short, like a foreign correspondent freshly returned to a now-unfamiliar home. Views differ considerably, however, among the country's religious communities - 72% of Lebanese Christians say the spread of these ideas is a good thing; only 23% of Sunni and 13% of Shia . They believe in the right to have a good life and to help others to have a good life, and I think that's part of what makes them Americans." Whether you're heading into a bar or buying a six-pack at the grocery store, there's a good chance you'll be asked for your ID in the United Stateseven if you're well into your 50s. There's an undercurrent of savagery and violence waiting to be expressed on a grand scale it seems, and I believe it's because American culture is unwittingly pushing for complete atomization of society, people can no longer rely on the elite for virtuous principles and leadership, and that people are starting to realize that . Whether it be through something small or something quite significant, it's a . I can imagine that persons evaluation would be something like the following: During this holiday called Christmas, families take great care to ensure that they decorate their houses and various shrubs with wires. I hope that, without sounding whiny, sharing this might help others who also feel like outsiders see that, strangely, they are part of a community. American Cultural Patterns Chapter Summary - 1100 Words | Cram NACIREMA: UPDATING A CLASSIC TO SEE YOUR OWN CULTURE AS AN OUTSIDER. Persons from religious perspectives other than Christianity, which emphasizes "individual salvation," may see the individual as equal to all living things, as on a journey toward individual fulfillment, or even as . To me a pumpkin spice coffee is so strange!-- TallGrass2, dressing up young girls in short skirts and getting them to dance around and cheer on young men strikes me as odd preparetodobattle, I work at a summer camp and there is nothing funnier than watching the international counselors be totally weirded out by the flag ceremony we have every morning/evening (5-7 camper colorguard raises flag, salutes, 60-90 people recite pledge and girl scout promise in unison, we turn on our heels and file out silently in the morning, in the evening we fold the flag, sing taps, turn on our heels and file out silently to dinner) izzielosthermind, Eating/drinking coffee as you go, to me the best part of eating is sitting down, talking, and relaxing tallgrass2, I know this does not apply to everyone but your attachment to your college/university AFTER you have left. Cushman (2009) used an active learning methodology to explore minority students' insider knowledge and make outsiders aware of their lack of knowledge relative to I prefer hanging out with Canadians or students from Europe, because at least they are quite polite." The fish fry, a long-established Friday staple during Lent, is roaring back from COVID with an assist from something decidedly newfangled: an interactive map built by local volunteer coders that points the way to scores of churches, fire halls and other places that offer battered and breaded seafood for the taking. Still, and after more than a decade following the publication by Headland, Pike and Harris (1990), discussions about insider versus outsider status of the researcher remain alive and relevant. Why did they not just give them to the people in the first place? Miner gives an insight on the Nacireman people, which he describes in his essay as an unknown tribe, and the completing of the Nacireman's magical beliefs . What we know so far about the Chinese spy balloon and other objects shot down by U.S. What identifies an American? In America, on the other hand, taking time off is often treated like a sin. Let's move to the music, more specifically, blues and jazz, which are two personal loves of mine. } America stands out because people recognize merit out there." By looking at our own cultures as outsiders we can see that we are under the same influence of the power of culture as others are. 48-49). It's cars. However, young people both in and outside the U.S. are particularly fond of American popular culture. Individualism vs. Collectivism. C. It is important for Asian Americans to learn American culture as quickly as possible so they don't feel like outsiders. In most European countries, service fees are included in the price of a meal, and tips don't usually go above 8 to 12 percent. However, while the quarter makes senseseeing as its value is equivalent to one-fourth of a dollarthat's the only coin whose name is at all logical in terms of its worth. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.". BANGKOK -- The rest of the world may think Americans eat a lot of burgers, have huge shopping malls and are ruled by an arrogant government.And yet the "Ugly American," it would seem, isn't all . By the time you've been inside an American establishment in the summertime for just 10 minutes, you'll be freezing cold and eager to get back out into the sweltering sun. I mean, for the love of our sacredly majestic Bald Eagle, apple pie isnt even American! Through this process, Asian American parents can be transformed themselves, and maybe shift their own conceptions of education towards the one I hold and do their part in encouraging a cultural shift that will benefit future generations, as this new conception of education becomes the one that is passed down. As is tradition. Not sure whether I actually am ready to move there because it must be a tough country to live in. In fact, Al Jazeera may represent something quite new in the business (though not unprecedented): the foreign gaze for domestic consumption. I came to realize how many things are truly American and what makes us great people of a great nation. Though this can vary a bit by regionwe're looking at you, New Yorkersin general, Americans are much quicker than the average foreigner to smile at a stranger and offer a warm hello, even if they're just passing each other on the sidewalk. The Outsiders was actually published when the author was only 17 years old. It is more cozy (laughing), less restrictive (made drinking gesture)." We like to eat when we like to eatand if that means going to Denny's at 3 a.m., so be it. In addition, for some reason, the tree must be a rather large tree with lots of foliage. Two Views of Culture: Etic & Emic | Cultural Anthropology - Course Hero Y'all get snow up there.'" A society that has more things than our society." examine your own culture from an etic (outsider's) perspective and Throughout the novel The Outsiders, readers can see just how harshly culture can change people. Americans can come across as self-interested, aggressive and rude to some outsiders. How it Feels to be an Outsider: Making Abnormal Normal So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! To find out, I thought that I should get a view from the outside of the proverbial white picket fenced, good ol Murican home. - Pedro Ivan Gonzalez, 35, juice seller, Havana, "It is a world imperialist power country. "Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is . - Liu Xiaodan, 30, hotel manager, Beijing, "My impression of Americans is that they uncomplicated. To non-Americans the fact that we have a choice of, what kind of bread we want our sandwich on, and what kind of cheese we want on said sandwich, along with what kind of dressing, is just mind blowing. right back and expect an answer," Sophie-Claire Hoeller wrote for The Independent. Then they leave hard biscuits shaped like men and a cup of milk out next to the tree. I want an outsider's perspective on why this country is so fucked. They also put some wires around it, which when attached to the wall, make the tree look very bright. A good book on a rainy day or with calming music is a wonderful way to take a break from the responsibilities of life and escape into another world. Collectivism stresses the importance of the community, while individualism is focused on the rights and concerns of each person. But when Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based television empire that has long broadcast to viewers around the world in Arabic and English, announced plans to start a U.S. news channel, it ignited a wildfire of controversy. Many said they found it to be one of the weirdest things about being in the US. Included 600 grams of cheese. Here, we're far too busy to waste time, so we have drive-through restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, liquor stores, and more. The background. One habit was found to help keep the brain healthy over time. An Outsider Looks at Life in America. Summary Of Body Ritual Among The Nacirema By Horace Miner - Antara Rao, 18, student, New Delhi, "I have traveled all over the United States in Greyhound buses as a tourist. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { American culture: Traditions and customs of the United States used by the People to entertain and amuse themselves.". America gave birth to these two soulful genres and in my personal opinion from my search that is that the world is very glad, as these genres gave birth to rock, pop, rap, and hip-hop. Money rules everything. Bacon or sausage? They're calm and kind and friendly and they like to smile." Sometimes it doesnt fit very easily through the entrance to their house, and many members of the family have to help get the tree through the doorway. Nor am I saying that we dont have an intricately rich history that has shaped us to what we are today. I thought you had to go to a dedicated gun store for that. "Sometimes I enjoy ordering freakishly large things over hereit turns consumption into tourism and makes me feel as though I'm at a carnival. They just don't get the idea of loyalty to the school. 2 - A Chinese Golden Lily Foot by Lai Afong, c1870s. In 1,100-1,500 AD, it is reported that the first signs of Navajo culture emerged. (She believed) that the people's voice should be heard." They simply don't see us as their equal but we are. - Knut Braaten, 43, handyman, Oslo, Norway, "I think there obviously is the American dream, the idea that unifies them all. In this game you can.. paper from an anthropological perspective. - Ingerlise Kristensen, 68, retired bank employee, Copenhagen, Denmark, "America is food fast food and (Coca) Cola. There is, of course, diverse reporting on health care and the stock market and climate change on Al Jazeera America, but there is unmistakably in its coverage a hint of this thesis Americas bountiful callousness. The amount of older people I saw on my trip wearing college gear was insane. Now, I am sure this doesnt just extend to us Americans, but I thought about how each country has their own beautifully unique world of its own. All Rights Reserved. In most other countries, when you buy a drink, that prince is for a single cupful of your beverage of choice. The book is about observing American culture from an outsider's perspective, and comparing it to other cultures from across the globe. Here are 33 "normal" customs and habits in the U.S. that weird out the rest of the world. Basically, I am wondering what non-Americans think of our culture, and of us in general. There are few countries in which you'll encounter a billboard or bus ad for a divorce attorney or see several personal injury spots while watching half an hour of daytime TV. Yet, America's admirers have felt betrayed by other shades of the American character: the military interventions in Vietnam, Iraq and elsewhere; the gun violence; the right (inexplicable to many) to carry weapons; the deep and angry racial divisions; and, lately, a presidential nominee calling for harsh restrictions on Muslims and Mexicans. - Christopher Darroch, 39, actor, Toronto, "Americans are American because they feel (they are) better than the rest of the world but in reality we are as good as they are. So that finally, outsiders will feel they belong. What is even more confusing is that these items in the boxes are often not kept. Americans are nothing if not by the book about the little things, so most foreigners quickly learn that it's wise to keep some form of ID on them at all times if they plan on having a drink. After doing a little adventuring on the web and seeing all different kinds of opinions and views from people all over the world, I came to love my country even more. Another oddity of American advertising are those spots you see for prescription medication during every commercial break. The authors' research uncovered four factors: (1) The outsiders were not. Warning: "continue" targeting switch is equivalent to "break".Did you mean to use "continue 2"? How does The Outsiders relate to American culture? In some of my classes, as part of a paper exploring the concepts and influenceof culture, I ask students to explore a ritual within their own culture but from an outsiders view as if they were witnessing the practice for the first time and trying to understand it. } ); Get the picture? The biggest thing I found was that non-Americans are almost disgusted by the sheer amount of sugar in almost all our food. Cultural Perspective on African American Culture Angela Khristin Brown E-mail: brownlas6@aol.com Received: 05-09- 2013 Accepted: 09-10-2013 Published: 31-10-2013 . Americans are unusually casual about handing over their credit cards in a way that tends to freak foreigners out. But in the U.S., people are happy to just toss their card in a folder with the bill and let the server take it away for swiping. The particular Skittles flavor we call "grape" is an American curiosity of its own, but for those in the United Kingdom and Australia, this flavor doesn't even exist. Native Americans use the internet to safeguard traditions | CNN Every once in a while, an outsider comes along with a new vision or a new way of doing things that revolutionizes a . When described the way the Miner does, it sounds strange and maybe even a bit gross. The reality doesn't match the ideal. I was wearing a T-shirt that said, 'You Can't Get This In The States.' You can describe American culture in general, as Miner does, or you can describe an American subculture, such as a specific geographical group (e.g., New Yorkers), a particular ethnicity (e.g., African Americans), or an agerelated category of Americans (e.g., millennials). The general consensus is that American's are very optimistic dreamers and have been; that we believe that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance. - Gennelyn Escopete, 33, DVD street vendor, Manila, Philippines, "Probably capitalism, but I see it more as freedom that every person can do what he wants, when he wants - true freedom, but it costs a lot I think, and sometimes it brings you lower than takes you higher." This extraordinary insight highlights the power that outsiders have, forcing us to see ourselves from an altogether different perspective. A European, on the other hand, "will launch into a monologue about their health and wellbeing and ask [how are you?] For example, 84% of those ages 18 to 29 in Taiwan hold this view . Andersen, Margaret L. and Taylor, Howard F. 2008. They just like speaking their mind, which is a reason that I don't feel quite comfortable going around with Americans." Many are so flabbergasted by the amount of choices we have in, not only our restaurants, but our grocery stores as well. Native Americans are adapting to the pandemic with online events and educational videos to share their culture. Finding creative ways to fry things that probably shouldn't be fried is an American specialty and something that definitely confuses tourists. The Americans are more of a tipper, good tippers. I did not find any discrimination. America permeated their lives - through comics and Coke, through Hollywood and Neil Armstrong, and via the internet, iPhone and Facebook. They look super fake. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Todd Beer, PhD, is a faculty member in the department of Sociology and Anthropology at Lake Forest College, a wonderful liberal arts college north of Chicago. These Americans, thus, are all quite concerned with the overall presentation of their houses: they make sure other people see and admire them. - B.S. The difference is one of cultural ownership and general acknowledgement, of giving credit where it's dueespecially when credit is long overdue to a historically oppressed people. The general consensus is that Americans are very optimistic dreamers and have been; that we believe that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance. - Ziva Meizels, retiree, Jerusalem, "I think their patriotism, you know, God bless America. Understanding Our Perceptions of Asian Americans Due to the individuals moulding as an anthropologist and as a person by society, ethnographies can be clouded by researchers views on subjects as active agents through upbringing, sex . All Rights Reserved. Wrapping up in a warm blanket with a hot drink and some calming music is one of the best ways to spend and indoor kind of day. It's not uncommon to chat up a stranger while waiting on line or traveling on public transportation. 37 Weirdest Customs in American Culture - Unique US Traditions - Redbook Please enter valid email address to continue. While other countries boast colorful bills with cultural figures, the U.S. seems determined to keep their barely-green dollars as unexciting and indistinguishable as possible. What People Around the World Like - and Dislike - About American Although the insight of an outsider can clearly observe another's culture, I do not agree with him or her criticizing it as if it is his or her own country. To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click hereto follow us on Instagram! Shopping malls, meals, people, cars. But one thing for sure, they cannot make beer." They are taken to a store where, when presented with a slip of paper, can be exchanged for currency. Because there is no such ethnicity. Sure, fried chicken is hardly a foreign conceptbut try explaining chicken-fried steak or deep-fried Oreos to a non-American. I think sometimes we take our freedom and our way of life for granted, not realizing how great it really is. Independence. Their approach is different from ours we do it because we care about others, they do it because they get tips they were raised that way." Do people of different nationalities and tongues think of our star spangled flag and hyper-patriotism? american culture from an outsiders perspective For a country that's the center of the global economy, America's currency is pretty dull. Though the conditions of pre-Columbian America and 15th-century Iberia are beyond the scope of Latin American history proper, they must be given consideration in that connection. Nacirema, that "exotic", far-off place where people do "strange" things is one of the best ways to help students look at American culture as an observer rather than as the standard by which all other cultures should be compared. Some of the answers are pretty hilarious and/or eye-opening. Ethnocentric people compare their culture to others on such elements as religion, behavior, language, customs, and norms. At one moment, she is playing the game while addressing viewers, and, standing before us, begins to beat an innocent man with a golf club: fresh, jarring, thought-provoking television.