xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); The Outsiders was actually published when the author was only 17 years old. And he said, 'Oh Canada! People are nice but superficial. In anthropology, folkloristics, and the social and behavioral sciences, emic (/ i m k /) and etic (/ t k /) refer to two kinds of field research done and viewpoints obtained.. -- Teaching_man, I was not aware that you can buy guns in supermarkets in America. Studying America from an outsiders perspective: why Germans think It's the many electronics we have the bridge in San Francisco." Shopping malls, meals, people, cars. What may feel totally normal to Americans is often far from it for outsiders. Costco, Wal-Mart, and other big-box stores that you need a map to navigate are a particularly American thing. The greasers live on the east side and are known as "hoods". He clearly thought that was more important than spending time with his family or friends. Despite the fact that these people are so punctiliousabout care of the mouth, this rite involves a practice which strikes the uninitiated stranger as revolting. 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. Sure, fried chicken is hardly a foreign conceptbut try explaining chicken-fried steak or deep-fried Oreos to a non-American. And he drank tap water oh no!" Sometimes, you need an outsiders perspective to get a clearer and wider view of things. The paper, written by University of Chicago trained anthropologist Horace Miner was originally published in 1956. While we do have some American comfort food, especially here in the South, what is there that we created ourselves? The etic perspective is data gathering by outsiders that yield questions posed by outsiders. -- KevinDevogel, That the price on things in your stores are not the actual price but the price without tax and such -- 77-97-114-99-111, You guys can't separate nudity from sex. It has hired big-name stars, including Soledad OBrien and Ali Velshi, from American networks. -- Countsblink, Made Mac n cheese for my aussie cousins. But if you were to use this pronunciation in conversation with an English speaker from another country, they'd probably give you a puzzled look. They desire a different one, which holds more importance. The growth and diversification of the Asian American population in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal. Countries whose intellectuals have long protested the Wests tendency toward Orientalism in its presentation of foreigners now have an opportunity to engage in a bit of Occidentalism.. Now without the photo below (but maybe skewed by the photo above) and in the context of the rest of the paper, many students do not recognize this as our daily habit of brushing our teeth. It has been seen as the land of plenty, freedom and equality where Indian migrants could head behemoths like Google, Microsoft and Pepsi, and a South African could capture the imagination with an electric car. 15 Unique Aspects of American Culture. As an American this is something I love. I found the people very hospitable, nice and very cordial." Tipping. I've seen that many times they are very charismatic, friendly but that does not mean that they share the political thinking of the United States (government)." Cheese is life people. You don't see cheerleaders at the World Cup, do you? 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. It's not uncommon to chat up a stranger while waiting on line or traveling on public transportation. -- B_Underscore, A friend came from the UK and he said Wal-mart was the weirdest thing, you could buy 24 rolls of toilet paper and a 12 gauge shotgun in the same store. I prefer it here. You get a vision of their culture and their way of life. American culture: Traditions and customs of the United States The following is an excerpt from one of the excellent papers I received from a student, Emily Ong (used with her permission). A star, or in some cases an angel or other figurine is put on top of the tree, and it seems to be an honor for the person who is allowed to put it there. Cultural relativism can be seen with the Chinese culture and their process of feet binding. Driving everywhere. Non-Americans of reddit, what aspect of American culture strikes you as the strangest. [email protected] +44 0330 027 0207 or +1 (818) 532-6908 . jdavem, The way its often described to me is that Americans have a very "open mind", and that we can handle having a lot of different people around, even when we don't agree. they aren't actually looking for an answer. And yet the "Ugly American," it would seem, isn't all bad. 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 . Outsider Approach In Anthropology - 1865 Words | Cram What People Around the World Like - and Dislike - About American Things Americans Do That Seem Just Bizarre to the Outside World 20 American Habits That All Other Countries Think Are Crazy. PDF Cultural Perspective on African American Culture - ed Many are so flabbergasted by the amount of choices we have in, not only our restaurants, but our grocery stores as well. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. And after 9/11, the world grieved with America. Miner describes Americans as "magic-ridden people" (Miner 2009, 507). American Culture, Values and Traditions: American Outsiders - Academia.edu From our portions to our PTO, here's where we differ from the rest of the world. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.". Sign up for notifications from Insider! But to watch Al Jazeera Americas reports is to discover that the truth lies somewhere in between these visions the network as fundamentally foreign versus the network as all-American. paper from an anthropological perspective. Many American kids and teenagers leave home for extended periods of time, often for summer camps or travel. xhr.send(payload); I kind of like doing some things that I know I cant do in real life, the boy replies. WHAT MAKES AMERICANS AMERICAN? Works Cited. America stands out because people recognize merit out there." The more multi-cultural our cities become, the more globalization and hyper-mobility affect our culture, the more it's normal not to be normal. 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. Let's look at 10 traditions Americans celebrate without even considering how strange the rest of world consider them. [] https://thesocietypages.org/toolbox/nacirema/ (Links to an external site.) While I thought this over, I also began to think of why people, myself especially, are so enthralled with other countries. Americans go nuts with air conditioning, cranking it up on hot days to the point that you might actually need a sweater. 1.6: Cultural Relativism - Social Sci LibreTexts american culture from an outsiders perspective Guide to US and American culture, society, language, etiquette, customs, manners and protocol. Why have an 8-ounce steak when you can have a 20-ounce one? 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. Baby Showers. The paper,written by University of Chicago trained anthropologist Horace Miner wasoriginally published in 1956. History of Latin America | Meaning, Countries, Map, & Facts 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. "Body Rituals Among the Nacirema, " by Horace Miner, is an essay written about the Nacirema, or American people, from an outsider's perspective. 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. 10 Strange American Traditions | HowStuffWorks - Karin Cohen, 25, bookshop worker, Jerusalem, "The first thing I think when I hear United States is a world power." but don't tell them (laughing)." The concept of dancing cheer squads that help support sports teams (or compete against each other) is pretty odd for most non-Americans. Required fields are marked *. Sometimes we are even better than them . For example, 84% of those ages 18 to 29 in Taiwan hold this view . The background. What I've concluded from my time here so far is that most of the people in Europe consider Americans good-hearted, but completely insane people. 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). One of the reasons why we see so much of servers in the States is because they are constantly refilling customers' water glasses. Bacon or sausage? Finding creative ways to fry things that probably shouldn't be fried is an American specialty and something that definitely confuses tourists. IV. Potential Cross-Cultural Pitfalls and Dangers Enter Al Jazeera, which recently sent a correspondent to Cleveland, a city it called Americas infant mortality capital. The question it pursued fused the local and the global: why rates of premature birth and infant death in many neighborhoods exceed those of developing nations.. I had a wonderful time doing my book report on "American Cultural Patterns: A cross-cultural Perspective". Adam Schubak Partnerships Editor Adam is a writer based out of New . And they are a people that like having a lot of fun and their brands: McDonald's, all of that, makes the American identity or North American we call them North Americans rather than Americans, because we all are Americans." - Men Xuezhi, 54, doctor, Beijing, "I don't like American guys who always pursue their own personal interests. 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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. The culture of the United States includes traditions, regional customs, institutions, art and so much more. When a store clerk or acquaintance in America asks, "How are you doing?" Like, for example, in real life, you cant kill people. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The ones immediately outside their house are apparently not fit. Figure 1.6. They also put some wires around it, which when attached to the wall, make the tree look very bright. - B.S. Holidays are integral parts of different cultures and by looking at them through the eyes of an outsider, we can see how culture influences perspective. This I do not know. How big the country is and the amount of time you guys are willing to drive. And what do you think of when you think of a typical American? Collectivism stresses the importance of the community, while individualism is focused on the rights and concerns of each person. In fact, in a 2017 report from the National Retail Federation, 65 percent of consumers reported owning a U.S. flag. 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. Once they get home, they have to lift it once again off the car and into their house. Our collective workaholism is totally bizarre to outsidersand quite frankly, we can see why. - Christopher Darroch, 39, actor, Toronto, "Capitalism. First Encounters in the Americas | Facing History and Ourselves WHAT IS THE FIRST THOUGHT THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD "AMERICA"? In a moments answer, a culture is revealed anew. (PDF) An Outsider's View of an Ancient Culture - ResearchGate In Japan, open-mouthed, teeth-exposed laughter is thought to "sound like horses," and is considered impolite, and in particular, unladylike, in the same manner Americans consider coughing . Consider that it was written directly from the perspective of a teenager - experiencing life and writing about it. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. In cultural anthropology, our fieldwork is referred to as ethnography, which is both the process and result of cultural anthropological research. They just like speaking their mind, which is a reason that I don't feel quite comfortable going around with Americans." In this book, American culture refers to pattern and behavior of the mainstream. "Sometimes I enjoy ordering freakishly large things over hereit turns consumption into tourism and makes me feel as though I'm at a carnival. In the United States, pharmaciesthe closest things we have to chemistsdouble as convenience stores, with aisles upon aisles of food, cleaning supplies, and even makeup products. Go to many other countries and the smallest differences in culture, language, and background will almost automatically cause some major issues. Search CNNs Web site on the subject, and the links almost invariably carry you to content about beleaguered places like Madagascar. What is even more confusing is that these items in the boxes are often not kept. Included 600 grams of cheese. Now, Im not talking about Bud Light and the like, Im talking about the large amount of micro-breweries and craft beers we make. - Ziva Meizels, retiree, Jerusalem, "I think their patriotism, you know, God bless America. Examine your own culture from an etic (outsider's) perspective and In America, on the other hand, taking time off is often treated like a sin. According to the (Journal of Psychology, 2000) culture and beliefs about time is . In the process, the new Pittsburgh is helping point the way to the old. 48-49). In America, the letter Z is, well, zee. The Outsiders was written by a teenager about teenagers. The Reddit user NoDownvotesPlease said: "That was the weirdest one for me. They are big and loud and they are in charge of everything." It's like your entire concept of beauty hangs on it. Fair enough! 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. You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. If you're a member of B, then . A society that has more things than our society." 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. In most other countries, when you buy a drink, that prince is for a single cupful of your beverage of choice. I'll call the first one "A" (Americans, for instance). It is told in a first-person narration style, with the narrator being a 14-year-old boy. Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. Get the picture? 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. Culture In The Outsiders - 600 Words | Internet Public Library PDF The "Outsider/Insider" Assignment: A Pedagogical Innovation for You see, I even have two iPhones." For a country that's the center of the global economy, America's currency is pretty dull. This works in making work more enjoyable too. Those who choose to study and observe people can take two approaches to in recording ethnographies; a subject orientated perspective or an outsiders perspective. Because there is no such ethnicity. "Long winter nights and the seclusion of the reservation. Your email address will not be published. A Quest to Return the Banjo to Its African Roots - Smithsonian 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. In American-Indian culture, silence is valued as sacred. To examine these facts other cultures are taken into consideration to accurately without prejudices towards African Americans. Hinton's young adult novel The Outsiders, stereotyping is a significant issue. - Ayumi Takeoka, 41, housewife, Tokyo, First published on August 4, 2016 / 5:32 PM. american culture from an outsiders perspective Individualism vs. Collectivism. 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. To get a better picture, think of 100 percent authentic Italian food and wine, visiting a thousand year old English castle that once held kings, queens, and knights, or the awe-inspired embellished clothing worn in the streets of India. 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. Not in America it isn't! It's baffling. Driven by sustained immigration and refugee resettlement during the 1970s and 1980s, Asian Americans have emerged as the nation's fastest growing racial group. Amazing article that will definitely help people better understand how others may view their culture. All the pomp and circumstance surrounding prom, I have cousins who live in the US and just hearing about the number of hoops they had to jump through to ask someone to a dance is hilarious. It's a wonderful country and there is high security, standard of living is very high. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. For foreigners, the excessively large cracks in the stall doors in public restrooms are just plain confounding. This one might seem obvious, but what if I told you that having a cup of hot cocoa is more than chocolate powder in warm milk? So much hard work gone to waste. Begin by listening to the podcast "Bears, Birds and Bones Body Rituals Among the Nacirema Essay. We're desensitizing the wrong thing. Here are some of the best: 1. No, this isn't the standard bottle of wine in the States, but it's a common sight at any American supermarket or wine store and something you'd rarely encounter in the wine countries of the world like Italy or France. Part 1: An etic view of African American race from an outsiders perspective is believed as religious and demonstrates a unique lifestyle. In most other English-speaking countrieslike Canada, Ireland, or England, the letter Z is pronounced zed. Americans love their red, white, and blueeven when it's not the Fourth of July or Veterans' Day. - Shitij, 26, sales and marketing worker, New Delhi, "A lot of (consumer) products. To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click hereto follow us on Instagram! So, traveling down any city block, suburban street, or rural road, a foreigner will probably encounter at least a few American flags flying high, which likely isn't the norm in their home country. you will examine your own culture from an etic (outsider's) perspective NEW YORK Al Jazeera wants to make its name as American as pizzaburgers. Many people's vacation days tend to pile up as the months of 50-hour workweeks roll on. It is more cozy (laughing), less restrictive (made drinking gesture)." Burgers, the American dream, choppers, Elvis, cowboys. 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. I prefer hanging out with Canadians or students from Europe, because at least they are quite polite." The United States of America serves as the global symbol of 'madness' and 'non-stop chaos' in the best and worst ways possible. And it's a country with quite advanced technology industries. It is especially hard for an outsider to gain access to certain private rituals, which may be important for understanding a culture. used by the People to entertain and amuse themselves.". if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { The reporter, Lori Jane Gliha, made deft use of practiced innocence. Extra-Large Food Portions. American culture is clearly more advanced than all other cultures. Anthropologists conduct their research in the field with the species, civilization, or groups of people they are studying. One habit was found to help keep the brain healthy over time. A thread on Reddit asks the question: Non-Americans of reddit, what aspect of American culture strikes you as the strangest? If movies aren't your style or you need a quieter way to relax, pick up a good book. But while these American traditions might seem normal stateside, they are certainly not universal. Nacirema: Updating a Classic to See Your Own Culture As an Outsider The Socs live on the west side and are known as the west side rich kids who have all the breaks. - Pedro Ivan Gonzalez, 35, Havana, "I think the way they are talking and dealing with personal relations is quite direct. - Kenni Friis, 28, computer technology student, Copenhagen, Denmark, "They're generous. Covering the United States this way means, for starters, reporting on subjects like infant mortality. Despite the fact that these people are so punctilious, about care of the mouth, this rite involves a practice which strikes the uninitiated stranger as revolting.