VALUES AMERICANS LIVE BY

Robert Coles

INTRODUCTION

Most Americans would find it difficult to clearly define what exactly the values ​​by which they live are. Many people simply never thought about it.

But even if they did, they would ultimately probably refuse to answer the question by directly listing such values. And the reason for this refusal will be a conviction that in itself is also a purely American value - the belief that each person is so unique that no single list of values ​​can be applied to everyone without exception or even to the absolute majority of fellow citizens.

And although Americans may consider themselves more unusual and unpredictable than they really are, it is still important that this is how they think about themselves. Thus, Americans believe that family, church and school have had only a minor influence on them. Each of them is sure that he “chose the values ​​with which he is going to live his own life.”

Despite this self-assessment, a foreign anthropologist, having observed Americans, would probably be able to compile a list of the common values ​​that guide the majority of members of American society. Moreover, the list of typically American values ​​would differ significantly from those values ​​held by residents of many other countries.

Washington International Center staff have been introducing thousands of international visitors to life in the United States for more than thirty years. And this allowed us to see our compatriots through the eyes of our visitors. We are confident that the values ​​listed in this booklet are shared by the vast majority of Americans.

Moreover, it can be said that if our foreign guests truly understood how deeply rooted in the American public life these 13 values, they would understand 95% of America's actions - actions that may seem strange, incomprehensible or incredible when a foreigner looks at them from the perspective of his society and his values.

Differences in human behavior or cultural differences only make sense when viewed through the core beliefs, perceptions and values ​​of that specific group. When you encounter an action or hear a statement in the United States that surprises you, try to imagine it as an expression of one of the values ​​listed in this booklet. For example, if you ask Americans how to get somewhere in their city, they will probably tell you in great detail how you can get there yourself, but won't even think to walk two blocks and just take you there. Foreigners sometimes consider this kind of behavior a sign of “unfriendly” Americans. We believe that the point here is in the concept of “help yourself” (the sixth value on our list) - it is so strong in Americans that they are absolutely sure: not a single adult wants to depend on another, even temporarily. And future-orientedness (the eighth value) leads Americans to believe that it is much more useful to teach you to find your own way in the future.

Before going directly to the list, it should also be noted that Americans consider all of these values ​​to be purely positive. They do not realize, for example, that people from many Third World countries perceive change (value 2) as something inherently negative or dangerous. In reality, all of these 13 American values ​​look both negative and undesirable to many people in the modern world. Therefore, it is not enough just to become familiar with these values. It is good to consider them, as far as possible, with an open mind, outside of the negative or pejorative context they may have in your own experience and national culture.

It is important to emphatically emphasize that our goal is only to introduce you to the most important American values, and not to impose them on you, our foreign guests. We couldn't achieve this goal even if we wanted to, and we don't want to. We simply want to help you understand the Americans with whom you are in any way connected in terms of their own value system, not yours.

L. Robert Coles

Executive Director, Washington International Center, Washington, DC, April 1984

1. Power over circumstances

Americans no longer believe in the power of DESTINY, viewing those who continue to do so as backward, primitive, or hopelessly naive. Being called a "fatalist" is just about the worst thing that can happen to you among Americans; to an American it means that the person is superstitious, lazy, and unwilling to take any responsibility or initiative to improve his circumstances.

In the United States it is considered normal and correct for Man to control nature, and not vice versa. In particular, Americans believe that everyone individual must be able to control everything in his environment that could potentially affect him. It is generally accepted that the problems a person has are not due to bad luck, but to a personal reluctance to arrange their life better. In addition, it is considered normal that everyone should first and foremost consider their own interests.

Most Americans would disagree that there are some things that are far beyond what people can control. The Americans literally went to the Moon because they did not want to reckon with the power of the Earth.

Americans feel that they are called, even forced, to do what 7/8 of the inhabitants of this planet would admit completely impossible.

2. Change

According to Americans, change is certainly good. Change is always associated with development, improvement, progress and growth.

However, many older and more traditional nations see change as a disruptive, destructive energy that must be avoided at all costs. More than change, such national communities value stability, continuity, tradition, a rich and ancient heritage - none of which is valued too highly in the United States.

These first two values—confidence that a person can handle anything and a belief in the benefits of change—along with the American belief in the benefits of hard work and the idea that each person has a responsibility to do the best he can in life, have helped Americans achieve much. It doesn't matter whether these beliefs are "true" - what matters is that Americans think and act as if they are true. And as a result, they make them true.

3. Time and its management

For any American, time is a value of utmost importance. It seems to foreigners that Americans are more interested in getting things done on time (according to a predetermined schedule) than in developing deep interpersonal relationships. For an American, following a schedule means planning everything in detail and then executing your plan exactly.

It may seem that most Americans are completely controlled by the little machines they wear on their wrists that can stop any lively discussion so that their owner can complete the next item on his schedule on time.

American language is full of references to time, making it clear how highly it is valued. Time can be “lasted”, “saved”, “filled”, it can be “saved”, “used”, “spent”, “wasted”, “lost”, “received”, “planned”, “given”, “make the most of it” and even “kill it.”

An overseas visitor will soon learn that in the United States it is considered very impolite to be late for a meeting - even by 10 minutes - past the scheduled time. (Whenever it is absolutely impossible to arrive on time, you should call and warn that you have been delayed by unforeseen circumstances and will be half an hour - or how much? - late.)

Time is so highly valued in America because if you consider it important, you will obviously achieve more than if you spend it wastefully. This philosophy has proven its benefits. American proverbs emphasize the importance of time and using it wisely, setting goals and sticking to them, even allocating time and energy so that the fruits of your labor can be enjoyed later. (This last idea is called "delayed gratification.")

4. Equality and equality

For Americans, equality is one of their most important values, so important that they even gave the concept a religious basis. They say that all men were "created equal." Most Americans believe that God does not care about people's intelligence, physical condition, or economic status. In secular terms, this belief has become the assertion that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Americans differ only in their ideas about how to translate this ideal into reality. However, virtually all of them agree that equality is an important civic and social goal. Americans' ideas about equality often make them almost eccentrics in the eyes of foreigners.

Most people understand this completely differently. For them, rank, status and power seem much more desirable, even if they themselves are at the very bottom of the social pyramid. To belong to ruling class and power seem to give people in other societies a sense of security and confidence. Outside the United States, people know from birth who they are and how they fit in. complex system called "society".

Many high-ranking foreigners in the United States are offended by the way they are treated service staff(waiters in restaurants, salespeople in stores, taxi drivers, etc.). Americans, on the other hand, do not feel the need to show any special deference to those who stand above them in the social hierarchy, and, on the contrary, often treat people of lower status as if they were important persons. It is important for those traveling to the United States to understand that there is nothing offensive or disparaging about such an attitude towards status or position in society. You just have to be prepared for the fact that during his stay in our country to a high-ranking person will be treated exactly the same as anyone else.

5. Individualism and integrity privacy

Individualism, the development of which in the Western world is associated with the Renaissance and began at the end of the 15th century, found its most vivid expression in the United States of the 20th century. Here, each person is considered absolutely and incomprehensibly unique, that is, completely different from all other people and therefore especially precious and wonderful.

Americans' ideas about their individualism, both in thought and in action, are perhaps somewhat exaggerated. They do not like to be considered representatives of any homogeneous groups, no matter what those groups are. They can, of course, join - and do join - many groups, but they still consider themselves a little different, a little more unique, a little more special than other members of the same group. And they leave these groups as easily as they entered them.

The idea of ​​privacy as an extreme manifestation of individualism is perhaps even more difficult for foreigners to understand. Even the word “privacy” does not exist in many languages. If it exists, it probably has very negative connotations - loneliness or isolation from one or another social group. In the United States, privacy is considered not only a purely positive, but also an absolutely necessary, desirable and absolutely pleasant condition of life. It is quite possible to hear from an American: “If I don’t spend at least half an hour a day alone with myself, I will simply go crazy,” and he is truly convinced of this.

American individualism means that here you will encounter a wider range of opinions and absolute freedom to express them anytime, anywhere. Yet despite this wide range of personal opinions, almost all Americans ultimately vote for one of the two major political parties. This is what we meant when we said that Americans are more proud of their individualism than they actually practice it.

6. “Help yourself” concept

In the United States, only what a person has made himself is valued. Americans don't attach any importance to the fact that you were born into a rich family. (In the United States, this is referred to as "an accident of birth.") Americans are proud that they were born poor and, through their own efforts and hard work, climbed the difficult ladder of success to any level, that they achieved everything themselves. And, of course, this is American social system allows Americans to move up the social ladder with relative ease.

Take English dictionary and look at compound words with the prefix "self-". In the average dictionary there are more than a hundred words such as self-confidence (self-confidence), self-awareness, complacency, self-control, self-criticism, self-deception, self-defense, self-denial, self-discipline, self-esteem (self-esteem), self-expression, conceit, self-improvement, self-confidence, self-respect, self-restraint, self-sacrifice - the list goes on and on. Most of these words do not exist in other languages. This list is perhaps the best indication of how seriously Americans take doing things for themselves. The “self-made man” is still an ideal in 20th century America.

7. Competition and free enterprise

Americans believe that competition brings out the best in people. They argue that it challenges a person, forces everyone to do their best. Consequently, the foreigner will see how competition is encouraged at home and at school, even for the youngest Americans. Very young children, for example, are encouraged to answer a question to which their classmates do not know the answer.

You personally may find competition quite unpleasant, especially if you come from a society that favors cooperation over competition. And many American Peace Corps volunteers working as teachers in various educational institutions In developing countries, the lack of competition in the classroom is a major concern. They very soon learn that what they thought was one of the universal human characteristics is in fact a purely American (or “Western”) value.

Placing a high value on competition, Americans invented a free enterprise economic system based on it. They are quite confident that an economy that encourages competition brings out the best in people, and that a society that encourages competition will make rapid progress. If you look for evidence that Americans most often welcome free enterprise, you will find it in all areas, even in such diverse areas as medicine, art, education, and sports.

8. Future-oriented

Believing in the future and valuing improvement, Americans believe that the future will force them to re-evaluate the past, and therefore they are largely unaware of the present. No matter how happy the present is, it often goes unnoticed - Americans are accustomed to hoping that the future will bring them even greater happiness. Therefore, almost all efforts are aimed at realizing this future. The present, at best, serves only as a precursor to later and more significant events that will gradually lead to something even more significant.

Because Americans have been taught (value #1) to believe that Man, not Fate, can and should control circumstances, they are excellent at planning and executing short-term projects. This skill, in turn, is the reason why Americans are invited to every corner of the earth to plan and carry out the miracles of which their determination is capable.

If you belong to another culture - such as a traditional Muslim culture - where discussing or actively planning for the future is considered a futile or even sinful activity, you will have problems philosophical problems with this specifically American activity, but also religious objections. And yet you will have to learn to live with it, as all the Americans around you will look forward to the future and what it brings.

9. Action/work orientation

“Don’t just stand there,” says typical American advice, “do something!” This is usually said in crisis situations, although in some sense these words only express the cheerfulness of Americans, for whom action - any action - is better than inaction.

Americans typically plan and schedule an extremely active day. Any rest should be time-limited, planned, and intended only to “refresh” their ability to work harder and more productively after the respite ends. Americans believe that a relatively small part of life should be devoted to leisure. They believe that wasting time, sitting idle or sleeping on the move is a sin.

This absurd attitude towards life has given rise to many people known as "workaholics" or people who are so engrossed in their work that they constantly think about it and feel uneasy when they are not at work - even in the evenings or on weekends.

The workaholic syndrome, in turn, makes Americans completely identify with their profession. The first question from one American to another when meeting will be related to work: “What do you do?”, “Where do you work?” or “Who (what company) do you work for?”

And when such a person finally goes on vacation, even his vacation days will be carefully planned, very eventful and active.

America is perhaps one of the few countries in the world where there is every reason to talk about the “dignity of human labor,” meaning by this hard physical labor. In America, even corporate presidents engage in physical labor from time to time, without losing respect from other people, but, on the contrary, gaining it.

10. Ease

If there is a certain formality in relationships between people in your country, you will probably think that Americans are too informal, even disrespectful, with those in power. Americans are one of the most informal and laid-back peoples in the world.

One example of this ease: bosses in America often ask their employees to address them by name and even feel awkward when they are called "Mr."

Clothing is another area where American casualness is particularly noticeable, sometimes downright shocking. Arriving, for example, at a symphony concert in a large American city, a person may today find among theater audience people in blue jeans, no ties, and short-sleeved shirts.

The ease is also visible in the greetings of the Americans. Instead of the formal “How are you?” Mostly it was an informal "Hello!" This is how they address both superiors and close friends.

If you are a high-ranking official in your country, this casualness will probably be quite unsettling at first. Americans, on the contrary, consider such ease as a compliment! And, of course, no one wants to offend you, so you should just accept it as a matter of course.

11. Directness, openness and honesty

Many other countries have developed subtle, sometimes very specific “rituals” that are used in cases where it is necessary to tell someone something unpleasant. Americans, however, have always preferred a direct approach to business. They usually tell the unpleasant truth straight to your face with complete honesty. If you come from a society where it is not common to talk directly about bad news or make unflattering comments, you may be shocked by the outspokenness of Americans.

If you come from a country where it is important to “save face,” rest assured, Americans are not trying to make you lose face with their frankness. It is important to understand that an American does not lose face in such circumstances. While you are in this country, adapting to its customs will be your task and yours alone. There is no way to soften the blow of such directness and openness if you are not used to it, except to tell yourself - here Life is going according to different rules. In reality, Americans are demanding in every possible way from their compatriots more and more openness and directness. The numerous openness training programs that emerged in the United States in the late 1970s reflect this public sentiment well.

Americans see dishonesty and insincerity in anything but the most direct and open approach, and quickly lose confidence in anyone who prefers hints and omissions to direct statements. Anyone in the United States who would use an intermediary to communicate anything would be considered a manipulator and not worthy of trust.

12. Practicality and efficiency

Americans have a reputation for being realistic, practical and efficient. When discussing any major decision in the United States, practical considerations tend to take precedence. Americans themselves say that they are not too inclined to philosophize or theorize. If Americans were to admit that they have a philosophy, it would most likely be pragmatism.

Will this bring money? Will it pay off? What can I gain from this activity? These are the questions Americans typically ask themselves in their daily lives, not questions like: How aesthetically pleasing is this? Will it be pleasant? Will this advance knowledge?

This practical, pragmatic orientation has enabled Americans to produce more inventions than any other country in human history. It is the love of “practicality” that makes Americans prefer some professions to others. Government and economics, for example, are much more popular in the United States than philosophy and anthropology, and law and medicine are more highly valued than the arts.

The priority of practical issues is also manifested in the United States in the disdain for “emotional” and “subjective” assessments and the desire for “rational” and “objective” assessments. Americans always try to ensure that emotions have minimal influence on the decisions they make. They always judge a situation based on objective factors. The "empirical" approach to problem solving, popular among Americans, also reflects their practicality. This approach involves compiling a list of possible solutions to a given problem and then examining each one one by one to identify the most effective one possible.

13. Materialism and consumption

Foreigners often perceive Americans as more materialistic than Americans tend to think of themselves. Americans like to think that the material things they own are a natural advantage that comes through hard work and determination. This is a reward, they believe, that everyone else could receive if they were as hardworking and determined as the Americans themselves.

And yet, whatever you say, Americans are great materialists. This means that they value things and their acquisition much more than human contacts and their development.

American values ​​The history of the United States goes back about 200 years. A country's history influences its culture

American values Ethnic composition: White (European descent) 83.5% Black (African American) 12.4% Latino (Hispanic) 11%

American Values ​​Freedom is at the center of American values. Americans consider themselves the freest and best in the world. Freedom is understood as freedom of opportunity, freedom of choice. The concept of freedom dates back to the Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence.

American Values ​​“We hold it to be self-evident that God created men equal and endowed them with unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. " (Declaration of Independence)

American Values ​​Progress is directly related to the concept of freedom. "Life will be better". Frontier spirit. Vast open spaces. Expanding borders, conquering nature, industrialization. Progress as the realization of human capabilities. Progress as development and the transfer of values ​​from generation to generation. (Achievements of the USSR in space.)

American Values ​​American Dream J. T. Adams 1931 “The dream of a land where life is better, richer, fuller for every person of opportunity, for each according to ability and achievement. » Hard work. Independence. Persistence. “Anyone can become a millionaire. "Obama, Schwarzenegger.

American Values ​​Mobility - "a nation on the move". Moving from place to place is common for Americans. Job search - sending out resumes. Divorces. Change of housing - a good expensive house.

American Values ​​Individualism Freedom is based on individualism. Individuality is sacred (T. Jefferson). Believe in yourself, rely on your own strength. Economic independence. (Children). Success is measured by the level of one's own achievements. Dislike of privileges and titles. Individual entrepreneurship is more prestigious than government or other service.

American Values ​​Volunteering Helping others on your own initiative. Voluntary organizations. Raising funds for those in need. Help to other countries.

Features of communication Schedules and agreements are taken very seriously. Speed ​​of action is valued. If you are late, you must ask for forgiveness; if you are late for a meeting, you must warn.

Features of communication Concentration on the present. Fast results. Short-term planning. Thinking in short periods of time. 2-3 years is a very long time!

Peculiarities of communication They do not like serious conversations, especially on philosophical topics. They don't like to be interrupted.

Psychological characteristics Americans Competitiveness, own career, personal success (non-collectivists). Informers. Freedom of choice in everything. Denial of all restrictions (behavior, family life, raising children).

Psychological characteristics of Americans Distrust of political ideology (with the exception of democratic values). Distrust of authorities. Government is a necessary evil.

Psychological characteristics of Americans They love recognition of their own successes. Public recognition is a strong motivating factor. They love to teach others, especially foreigners.

Psychological characteristics of Americans Egalitarianism. Calling by name. Lack of titles (doc). Showing equality. T-shirt. Tie. Outward friendliness. American smile. Handshake when meeting. Handshakes, kisses, hugs (individually).

Psychological characteristics of Americans Appreciate good manners in communication. (please, thank you). How are you? (with friends). They do not like it when their shortcomings are publicly pointed out to them.

Psychological characteristics of Americans Friendship is based on common interests and not on kinship of souls. Short-lived. Psychoanalysts

How to behave with Americans Americans are focused on themselves and their careers, and not on their employer and organization. Equality and equality, especially external. Don't show superiority. Openness, friendliness, naturalness and informality of communication.

How to Deal with Americans They like to get straight to the point. They feel uncomfortable when they speak in hints or beat around the bush.

How to Deal with Americans Take instructions seriously, avoid ambiguity in expression, praise achievements, and do not express inequality (especially towards women and minorities).

Gary R. Weaver, Ph.D.

Winter 1997, vol. 14, pp. 14-20.
The revised edition was published in the journal Kokusai Bunka Kenshu (Cultural Exchange Training),

Special Issue, 1999, pp. 9-15.

To understand the political, economic, social and even personal motives of behavior of any group of people, we first need to become familiar with the prevailing and fundamental cultural values ​​of these people, transmitted from generation to generation in the process of cognition. If you are not familiar with the fundamentals American culture, you will never be able to understand Americans.

Culture is like an iceberg. Its top is only the smallest part. The bulk is hidden under water. This is equally true for culture. The visible part - people's behavior - makes up the smallest share of the total cultural traditions nation. This is its outer shell, and the main part, the internal culture, is below the level of evidence (the underwater part). It's in people's heads.

Internal culture should be understood as a way of thinking and perception. First of all, such a culture implies values ​​and beliefs learned on a subconscious level by a person who grew up in a certain cultural environment. Such values ​​and beliefs determine the basis of human behavior.

BEHAVIOR

BELIEFS

VALUES AND TENDENCIES OF THINKING

Culture is like an iceberg - the bulk is under water

BEHAVIOR

BELIEFS

VALUES AND TENDENCIES OF THINKING

The picture depicts two “cultural icebergs” approaching each other, just as people from different cultures can approach each other. Please note that the largest part of a person’s culture is internal culture, that which is below the level of evidence.

After two icebergs collide, most people will notice a difference in behavior. They may overemphasize details such as greeting others incorrectly or wearing inappropriate clothing. Errors at this level of culture are relatively small. Most people expect people from another culture to make mistakes at a behavioral level. On the other hand, the true clash of cultures occurs in the subconscious, internal cultural level based on fundamental cultural values.

When internal cultures collide, we begin to understand more clearly the differences and similarities of cultural values. Moreover, understanding internal culture, especially fundamental values, allows us to develop a system for analyzing and interpreting behavior.

The United States of America is not a melting pot.

Many people believe that the United States of America is a mixture of many different cultures without an underlying or prevailing culture. The “melting pot” metaphor has become commonplace. People coming to America from all over globe, bring their culture here and “dump” it into the “American cauldron”. The mixture is shaken and heated until a cultural alloy is formed.

There is some grain of truth in this. American society is culturally diverse. However, an underlying culture does exist, and immigrants become part of it, sacrificing individual differences in order to adapt to existence within the prevailing culture of society. A more accurate historical metaphor would be a cultural "stamping machine", using the "template" or "mold" of a white male of Anglo-Saxon origin and Protestant denomination.

In the early 1900s, a Catholic German immigrant could learn English and blend into the Protestant population. He could change his German name in a typically Anglo-Saxon way - Wilhelm Schmidt became William Smith or simply Bill Smith. People who fit the standard cultural mold achieved success more easily and faster than those who could not adapt. Even today, the most prosperous of the Arab immigrants are Libyan Christians. Being Christians, in contrast to the Muslim majority of the Arab diaspora, they adapted much more quickly to the prevailing American culture.

American Indians, as well as Mexican and African Americans, did not fit the mold. No matter how hard they tried to behave like white Anglo-Saxon Protestants, they could not change their skin color or hair texture. Even if they spoke impeccable English and understood fundamental values ​​and principles of behavior, the otherness of people of races other than white was obvious, and they were easily excluded from the prevailing culture.
Americans are not Europeans.

Some people believe that the United States of America is just another country with European culture. However, the first immigrants to arrive in America in large numbers were “atypical” Europeans. Many of them fled Europe to escape religious or political persecution. The other group were people who had broken the law and were exiled to the “New World” by the British.

The values ​​and beliefs of the bulk of immigrants were not popular in Europe. They arrived in a corner of the globe where these values ​​and beliefs were strongly encouraged and strengthened. Some sociologists even claim that these values ​​developed and took root in America due to its unique physical and social environment.

Religion in America

Of all the immigrants, the most powerful influence on American culture was the Calvinists, who were persecuted in Europe for their religious beliefs. There they belonged to religious minorities who fought against the Roman Catholic Church or other official state religion. Often they were ready to sacrifice freedom in defense of their beliefs, and therefore they were often called religious fanatics.

Religion has always been an important value for Americans. Many of the first independent states were formed by separate religious groups and later became part of the United States, which recognized equal rights for all religions. Even today, about 70 percent of all Americans call themselves Protestants, and the church membership in the United States is higher than in any other industrialized country. A recent survey found that 94 percent of Americans believe in God, compared with about 70 percent in Britain and 67 percent in West Germany.  Nearly 80 percent of Americans surveyed said religion was very or very important important place in their lives, while on average only 45 percent of Europeans (Germans, French, English, Italians, Austrians and Dutch) gave similar answers. 2

Americans expect their leaders to respect religion, and they are accustomed to the fact that the President of the United States ends his speech with the words “God bless America.” The phrase “One nation under God” printed on the $1 bill.

Remaining the most important cultural value of the nation as a whole, religion also occupies a certain place in the system of individual values ​​of individual citizens. There is no official state religion in America. The constitution prohibits state support of any religion and interference in the practice of religious rites. It's paradoxical, but in European countries Where state or national religions are recognized by law, religion has lost its former meaning over the years.

Willingness to take risks

In 1700-1800 There was little population movement within Europe. People continued to live in houses that belonged to their parents. Immigrants heading to America were ready to leave their parents' home and go to the other side of the world, knowing that 20 percent were doomed to die along the way. They risked their lives for a new world where religious and political freedom awaited them. Above all, opportunities for economic prosperity opened up for those who were willing to take the risk and travel to the New World.

The individual's willingness to take risks is a fundamental feature of American culture. There was no real hope of escaping poverty in Europe. Life did not promise changes. He who was born poor died poor. But immigrants believed that life could be changed if you were not afraid of risk.

Today, immigrants are still united by the “American Dream” of economic prosperity and success. Even though many continue to live in relative poverty after arriving in the country, their children attend American schools and learn English. It is the first generation of children born in America that helps families escape poverty. This, perhaps, was hardly possible in their homeland.

Progressive Economic Mobility

In Europe in the 1700s, Calvinism was considered a revolutionary theory because it did not support the economic status quo. Calvinism was based on the assumption that change is good and man has a responsibility to take the initiative and bring about change.

Europe had an extremely rigid socio-economic class system and mixing of classes was rare. However, Calvinists believed that God rewarded the hard worker and that a person could achieve a higher class position through personal effort.

In all cultures, beliefs and values ​​that bring rewards occupy a predominant place. Immigrants found a corner of the world isolated from the wars that rocked Europe. Here, unlimited natural resources and sparsely populated lands awaited them. Indeed, under such conditions, an immigrant willing to work was given the opportunity to succeed. Such beliefs and values ​​were rewarded handsomely, and they continue to be essential cultural values ​​to this day.

Egalitarianism, personal achievements and actions

No politician in the United States would seek public office using an academic title such as Ph.D. Even the US President or Ambassador should be addressed as "Mr. President" or "Mr. Ambassador" rather than "Your Excellency." Americans do not like titles and often address their interlocutor by name. We associate the title with European tradition, where the title is often given at birth. Americans believe that all people have equal status and equal opportunities to achieve social status through work.

In America social status conquered by human activity. The fundamental importance Americans place on personal achievement stems from the Calvinist belief that all people are equal before God and can work to achieve the fulfillment of any desires.

The highest measure of success in the United States is personal success achieved through hard work and enterprise. American heroes are always individualists, entrepreneurs who achieved success in any kind of activity... Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Paul Bunyan or Rimbaud. No politician will say: “vote for me because I come from such and such a family and have great connections.” Speaking about themselves, almost all US politicians, to one degree or another, portray some semblance of Abraham Lincoln - a man who achieved success on his own, grew up in poverty and became president thanks to his own merits without any outside help.

President Clinton grew up poor, worked hard to pay for his education, and, as a Rhodes Scholar, graduated with honors from Yale Law School. Thanks to his personal merit and ability to compete with other politicians, he won the support of the American people and was elected president.

It is no coincidence that the bible of capitalism, Adam Smith's Inquiries into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, was published in 1776, the same year in which the United States of America was founded. Free enterprise, market capitalism and political liberalism were formed on the basis of individual achievements, the mobility of social strata within the class system and anti-government policies. The development of these ideas was facilitated by the greenhouse conditions of America with its abundance of natural resources, low population density and continuous economic growth.
Self-reliance and independence - the values ​​of the first American settlers

If you had emigrated to America from Europe in the mid-1800s, you would likely have begun to gain your experience American life a poor man in a crowded city block. This is the fate of many of today's immigrants. Most of them worked hard and saved money, wanting to take advantage of the economic opportunities of the West, where there was land, minerals, gold and a chance to get a job.

Caravans of wagons stretched to the West. This path was not much like a collective tourist trip. Each family traveled in their own wagon, ate separately, and each had their own destination. To survive in the border areas, the settlers needed complete independence and autonomy. These values ​​of the early settlers merged with the values ​​brought by Calvinists from Europe to form the founding values ​​of America.

Almost every politician wants to be photographed wearing a cowboy hat. Why? Because when Americans think of a cowboy, they imagine a lone figure on horseback galloping across the prairie. Cowboys never traveled in groups. They were men of action, self-reliant and independent individualists who survived without any outside help. For Americans, a cowboy is a Calvinist on horseback who represents the prevailing values ​​of society.

Thus, one cannot think of a worse insult to an American than to tell him that he is dependent on someone or relies on others. When we help others, we often do so indirectly, in a roundabout way, through anonymous charities, and very rarely directly, because the help may offend the person in need.

The average American gives about five hundred dollars to charities each year, and the poorer the donor, the larger percentage of his or her income is given to charitable causes. About 48 percent of the population volunteers an average of four hours a week to benefit various organizations and causes. 3 They give their time and labor freely to less advantaged members of society - the poor, the elderly or children. Voluntary free labor is also a fundamental value.

It should be emphasized again that such help should never be given directly, otherwise you will offend the person you want to help. Ideally, for those receiving this help, it should be an opportunity to do something that will help them move up a notch. For example, many of America's earlier philanthropists, such as Andrew Carnegie, did not give alms to the poor. Carnegie built universities and libraries so that the poor could study there and improve their economic well-being on their own. His help did not have a detrimental effect on the independence of the individual.

Throughout the entire period American history the core family consisted of husband, wife and children, but without grandparents, aunts, uncles or other relatives. Such a small family was very mobile. Even today, the average American moves 14 times in their lifetime, mostly in search of better economic opportunities in other parts of the country. Parents expect that after their child aged 18-19 has completed high school, he will leave his parents' home by entering a higher educational institution or starting to work. Children should not be financially dependent on their hard-working parents.

American liberalism and capitalism.

The country's leading political principle should be considered what many Europeans call “liberalism,” although in the United States itself this principle is often classified as a form of “conservatism.” Americans believe that the smaller the government, the better, and that the government should not interfere in the lives of the individual. Another logical continuation of Calvinism.

Most Americans do not trust a strong central government. This is why we do not have a parliamentary system that unites the executive and legislative branches of government. It has always been believed that the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government should be separate and should have a proportionate share of political power.

The prevailing economic belief is free-competitive capitalism, in which government should not interfere in the economy and all responsibility for success or failure rests with the individual. This approach is a logical development of the ideas of Calvinism. Unlike many European countries and even Canada, the United States does not have a socialist party, and compared with other industrialized countries, federal government support for health care, child care, the unemployed and the elderly is much less significant. Even education issues are predominantly the responsibility of local rather than federal authorities.
Americans identify themselves with their occupation.

If you happen to meet an American at a party, he greets you like this: “Hello. My name is Gary Weaver. I am a professor at an American university. What do you do?" We identify ourselves with what are we doing.

People from many other cultures identify with their origins. Inhabitant East Africa may greet you by saying, “Hello. My name is Amos Ntimama, son of William Ole Ntimama from Narok in the Masai Mara.” Here, the starting point of self-determination is an understanding of who he is, so first of all the father’s name and place of birth will be named. Social status is based on family and inherited traditions, not on the activities of the individual.

In many traditional non-Western rural cultures, children are taught that family relationships and connections are more important than individual achievement. In fact, achievements are important for the sake of family or friends. Friendships that are reliable, well-established, and time-tested are highly valued, and people want to depend on and rely on others. Cooperation rather than competition is admired and encouraged in the family and at work.

Given the enormous importance placed on independence, autonomy, and personal achievement, the American who fails in personal or financial endeavors feels personally responsible. He often feels guilt for lack of effort, failure to become more competitive or to take advantage of an opportunity. In many non-Western cultures, with their respect large families and inherited traditions, people who fail tend to feel shame, since the failure of an individual affects everyone who is connected with him in one way or another.

These values ​​also influence the way Americans conduct business meetings. They tend to get to the point much more quickly than is typical in cultures where relationships are so important. For many traditional cultures with rural population It is customary to take time to get to know each other and determine the status of the participants, and only after that begin to discuss matters. Some Americans think that Mexicans or Africans “waste time” with non-business interactions before starting work. On the other hand, Africans and Mexicans sometimes consider Americans to be “pushy” and always rushing to get things done without caring about establishing relationships.

The US is becoming a "bowl of salad"

Of course, the United States has changed. The majority of the population is no longer comfortable with the concept of a “melting pot” or “cultural stamping machine.” Today's popular metaphors indicate that it has become acceptable to maintain differences and at the same time remain part of a single society. In a salad, each vegetable adds its own identity and flavor, just as men and women of the black, white, yellow and brown races come together to form a society that maintains respect for individual differences of gender, race, religion and ethnic background.

Some Americans fear that the prevailing culture will be destroyed by large numbers of immigrants coming from non-European cultures. Since 1964, about one million immigrants have moved to America every year, the vast majority of whom are from Latin America, Caribbean, Asian and African countries.

There is no evidence to support such concerns. Despite almost zero growth in the non-Hispanic white population, those who succeed in our society behave like Anglo-Saxon Protestants. They gain respect for hard work, personal achievement, and ability to take action. At the same time, many want to preserve their cultural, racial or ethnic identity and see no reason to forget them in order to achieve success in modern American society.

Positive and negative aspects of American cultural values.

For a correct approach to understanding cultural values, generalizations are necessary. Values ​​do not apply to every person or every situation possible in America, and every prevailing value has exceptions. For example, Americans need a sense of belonging to a group, just as the Japanese need a sense of kinship and collectivism.

The need to feel united big family, the collective, may be even more developed in the United States, and this stems from an over-celebration of individualism. As a result, on national holidays or international crises, Americans come together with a sense of genuine strength and unity. Patriotism in the USA is given exclusively important and it is often called the "civil religion" 4 of America. Just as with people of other faiths, immigrants are often more fanatical in their commitment to America and its values ​​than US-born citizens.

Conquered social status, individualism, autonomy and independence. Recognition of all these values ​​was necessary for those who wanted to survive and succeed in the advanced American society of 1800-1900. These values ​​allowed immigrants to succeed and were vital to the country's economic growth. Yet, will these values ​​serve America well in the new millennium?

America's rugged individualism has resulted in many older adults choosing to live on their own—on their own and independently—rather than relying on and being dependent on their children. Many young people have difficulty making friends or making connections. love relationship, because they cannot give up the usual competition of personalities. Siblings, friends, and even husbands and wives periodically compete with each other. Today, this form of competitive individualism can be excessive and counterproductive. It can have an extremely negative impact on the psychological situation in the family. It is possible that after 2000 we will become dependent on family and will have to rely on relatives for economic and psychological stability and support.

In the summer of 1996, the most popular movie in America was Independence Day. The day on which the feeling of American patriotism is strongest is the 4th of July - on this date America celebrates the declaration of independence from Great Britain. The film has become a classic example of prevailing American cultural values. Aliens from outer space were trying to conquer planet Earth, and the president personally led the plane into the attack. Americans fell in love with this modern sci-fi western.

However, in today's world of economic and political interdependence, lone cowboys can become dangerous. In the new millennium, Americans may need to embrace a more reasonable proportion of individualism and competition to collectivism and cooperation.

 Andrew Greeley, Religion Around the World: A Preliminary Report(Chicago: National Opinion Research Center, 1991), p. 39.

2 Ronald Inglehart, 1990 World Values ​​Survey(Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, 1990), question 3 F.

3 Richard Morin, “So Much for the ‘Bowling Alone’ Thesis: A compilation of data suggests that Americans are actually becoming more involved,” The Washington Post National Weekly Edition, June 17-23, 1996, p. 37.

4 Seymour Martin Lipset, American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword(New York: W.W. Norton, 1996), pp. 18, 63-64.

Below is the full text of the article by American historian L. Robert Coles, “The Values ​​By Which Americans Live.” The article was written by him in April 1984, when he was executive director of the Washington International Center.
It may be interesting in terms of discussions about the future of Russian-American relations. Is there anything in common between Russian and American society in terms of their values? The answer to this question determines not so much the tactics as the strategy of relations between the two states. How significant are the differences in the “mentality” of our peoples? It is clear that president-elect USA Donald Trump is a product of American culture, the core of which is precisely values.
The content of the article may raise other questions.Do Americans really live by the values ​​Kohls listed? Does the US political elite share these values? Is Kohls' article scientific or propaganda?
As usual, I will not express my opinion on the questions raised until I see the comments from readers. The only thing I can say is that what confuses me is that there are exactly 13 of these values.

“Most Americans would find it difficult to clearly define what exactly the values ​​by which they live are. Many people simply never thought about it.
But even if they did, they would ultimately probably refuse to answer the question by directly listing such values. And the reason for this refusal will be a conviction that in itself is also a purely American value - the belief that each person is so unique that no single list of values ​​can be applied to everyone without exception or even to the absolute majority of fellow citizens.
And although Americans may consider themselves more unusual and unpredictable than they really are, it is still important that this is how they think about themselves. Thus, Americans believe that family, church and school have had only a minor influence on them. Each of them is sure that he “chose the values ​​with which he is going to live his own life.”
Despite this self-assessment, a foreign anthropologist, having observed Americans, would probably be able to compile a list of the common values ​​that guide the majority of members of American society. Moreover, the list of typically American values ​​would differ significantly from those values ​​held by residents of many other countries.
Washington International Center staff have been introducing thousands of international visitors to life in the United States for more than thirty years. And this allowed us to see our compatriots through the eyes of our visitors. We are confident that the values ​​listed in this booklet are shared by the vast majority of Americans.
Moreover, it can be said that if our foreign visitors truly understood how deeply ingrained these 13 values ​​are in American public life, they would understand 95% of America's actions - actions that may seem strange, incomprehensible or unbelievable when a foreigner looks at them from the perspective of their society and their values.
Differences in human behavior or cultural differences only make sense when viewed through the core beliefs, perceptions and values ​​of that specific group. When you encounter an action or hear a statement in the United States that surprises you, try to imagine it as an expression of one of the values ​​listed in this booklet. For example, if you ask Americans how to get somewhere in their city, they will probably tell you in great detail how you can get there yourself, but won't even think to walk two blocks and just take you there. Foreigners sometimes consider this kind of behavior a sign of “unfriendly” Americans. We believe that the point here is in the concept of “help yourself” (the sixth value on our list) - it is so strong in Americans that they are absolutely sure: not a single adult wants to depend on another, even temporarily. And future-orientedness (the eighth value) leads Americans to believe that it is much more useful to teach you to find your own way in the future.
Before going directly to the list, it should also be noted that Americans consider all of these values ​​to be purely positive. They do not realize, for example, that people from many Third World countries perceive change (value 2) as something inherently negative or dangerous. In reality, all of these 13 American values ​​look both negative and undesirable to many people in the modern world. Therefore, it is not enough just to become familiar with these values. It is good to consider them, as far as possible, with an open mind, outside of the negative or pejorative context they may have in your own experience and national culture.
It is important to emphatically emphasize that our goal is only to introduce you to the most important American values, and not to impose them on you, our foreign guests. We couldn't achieve this goal even if we wanted to, and we don't want to. We simply want to help you understand the Americans with whom you are in any way connected in terms of their own value system, not yours.
1. Power over circumstances
Americans no longer believe in the power of DESTINY, viewing those who continue to do so as backward, primitive, or hopelessly naive. To be called a "fatalist" is just about the worst thing that can happen to you among Americans; to an American it means that the person is superstitious, lazy, and unwilling to take any responsibility or initiative to improve his circumstances.
In the United States it is considered normal and correct for Man to control nature, and not vice versa. In particular, Americans believe that each individual should be able to control everything in his environment that could potentially affect him. It is generally accepted that the problems a person has are not due to bad luck, but to a personal reluctance to arrange their life better. In addition, it is considered normal that everyone should first and foremost consider their own interests.
Most Americans would disagree that there are some things that are far beyond what people can control. The Americans literally went to the Moon because they did not want to reckon with the power of the Earth.
Americans feel that they are called upon, even forced, to do what 7/8 of the inhabitants of this planet would recognize as completely impossible.
2. Change
According to Americans, change is certainly good. Change is always associated with development, improvement, progress and growth.
However, many older and more traditional nations see change as a disruptive, destructive energy that must be avoided at all costs. More than change, such national communities value stability, continuity, tradition, a rich and ancient heritage - none of which is valued too highly in the United States.
These first two values ​​- the belief that one can handle anything and the belief in the benefits of change - together with the American belief in the benefits of hard work and the consciousness that each person has a responsibility to do the best he can in life, have helped Americans achieve much. It doesn't matter whether these beliefs are "true" - what matters is that Americans think and act as if they are true. And as a result, they make them true.
3. Time and its management
For any American, time is a value of utmost importance. It seems to foreigners that Americans are more interested in getting things done on time (according to a predetermined schedule) than in developing deep interpersonal relationships. For an American, following a schedule means planning everything in detail and then executing your plan exactly.
It may seem that most Americans are completely controlled by the little machines they wear on their wrists that can stop any lively discussion so that their owner can complete the next item on his schedule on time.
American language is full of references to time, making it clear how highly it is valued. Time can be “lasted”, “saved”, “filled”, it can be “saved”, “used”, “spent”, “wasted”, “lost”, “received”, “planned”, “given”, “make the most of it” and even “kill it.”
An overseas visitor will soon learn that in the United States it is considered very impolite to be late for an appointment—even by 10 minutes—against the scheduled time. (Whenever it is absolutely impossible to arrive on time, you should call and warn that you have been delayed by unforeseen circumstances and will be half an hour - or how much? - late.)
Time is so highly valued in America because if you consider it important, you will obviously achieve more than if you spend it wastefully. This philosophy has proven its benefits. American proverbs emphasize the importance of time and using it wisely, setting goals and sticking to them, even allocating time and energy so that the fruits of your labor can be enjoyed later. (This last idea is called "delayed gratification.")
4. Equality and equality
Equality for Americans is one of their most important values, so important that they even gave the concept a religious basis. They say that all men were "created equal." Most Americans believe that God does not care about people's intelligence, physical condition, or economic status. In secular terms, this belief has become the assertion that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Americans differ only in their ideas about how to translate this ideal into reality. However, virtually all of them agree that equality is an important civic and social goal. Americans' ideas about equality often make them almost eccentrics in the eyes of foreigners.
Most people understand this completely differently. For them, rank, status and power seem much more desirable, even if they themselves are at the very bottom of the social pyramid. Being part of the ruling class and having power seems to give people in other societies a sense of security and confidence. Outside the United States, people know from birth who they are and how they fit into the complex system called "society."
Many high-profile foreigners in the United States are offended by the way they are treated by service personnel (restaurant waiters, store clerks, taxi drivers, etc.). Americans, on the other hand, do not feel the need to show any special deference to those who stand above them in the social hierarchy, and, on the contrary, often treat people of lower status as if they were important persons. It is important for those traveling to the United States to understand that there is nothing offensive or disparaging about such an attitude towards status or position in society. You just have to be prepared for the fact that during his stay in our country, a high-ranking person will be treated exactly the same as anyone else.
5. Individualism and privacy
Individualism, the development of which in the Western world is associated with the Renaissance and began at the end of the 15th century, found its most vivid expression in the United States of the 20th century. Here, each person is considered absolutely and incomprehensibly unique, that is, completely different from all other people and therefore especially precious and wonderful.
Americans' ideas about their individualism - both in thought and in action - are perhaps somewhat exaggerated. They do not like to be considered representatives of any homogeneous groups, no matter what those groups are. They can, of course, join - and do join - many groups, but they still consider themselves a little different, a little more unique, a little more special than other members of the same group. And they leave these groups as easily as they entered them.
The idea of ​​privacy as an extreme manifestation of individualism is perhaps even more difficult for foreigners to understand. Even such a word - "privacy" - does not exist in many languages. If it exists, it probably has very negative connotations - loneliness or isolation from one or another social group. In the United States, privacy is considered not only a purely positive, but also an absolutely necessary, desirable and absolutely pleasant condition of life. It is quite possible to hear from an American: “If I don’t spend at least half an hour a day alone with myself, I will simply go crazy,” and he is truly convinced of this.
American individualism means that here you will encounter a wider range of opinions and absolute freedom to express them anytime, anywhere. Yet despite this wide range of personal opinions, almost all Americans ultimately vote for one of the two major political parties. This is what we meant when we said that Americans are more proud of their individualism than they actually practice it.

6. “Help yourself” concept
In the United States, only what a person has made himself is valued. Americans don't attach any importance to the fact that you were born into a rich family. (In the United States, this is referred to as "an accident of birth.") Americans are proud of the fact that they were born poor and, through their own effort and hard work, climbed the difficult ladder of success to any level, that they were self-made. And, of course, it is the American social system that allows Americans to move up the social ladder with relative ease.
Take an English dictionary and look up difficult words with the prefix "self-". In the average dictionary there are more than a hundred words such as self-confidence (self-confidence), self-awareness, complacency, self-control, self-criticism, self-deception, self-defense, self-denial, self-discipline, self-esteem (self-esteem), self-expression, conceit, self-improvement, self-confidence, self-respect, self-restraint, self-sacrifice - the list goes on and on. Most of these words do not exist in other languages. This list is perhaps the best indication of how seriously Americans take doing things for themselves. The “self-made man” is still an ideal in 20th century America.
7. Competition and free enterprise
Americans believe that competition brings out the best in people. They argue that it challenges a person, forces everyone to do their best. Consequently, the foreigner will see how competition is encouraged at home and at school, even for the youngest Americans. Very young children, for example, are encouraged to answer a question to which their classmates do not know the answer.
You personally may find competition quite unpleasant, especially if you come from a society that favors cooperation over competition. And for many American Peace Corps volunteers teaching in various educational institutions in developing countries, the lack of competition in the classroom is a major concern. They very soon learn that what they thought was one of the universal human characteristics is in fact a purely American (or “Western”) value.
Placing a high value on competition, Americans invented a free enterprise economic system based on it. They are quite confident that an economy that encourages competition brings out the best in people, and that a society that encourages competition will make rapid progress. If you look for evidence that Americans most often welcome free enterprise, you will find it in all areas, even in such diverse areas as medicine, art, education, and sports.
8. Future-oriented
Believing in the future and valuing improvement, Americans believe that the future will force them to re-evaluate the past, and therefore they are largely unaware of the present. No matter how happy the present is, it often goes unnoticed - Americans are accustomed to hoping that the future will bring them even greater happiness. Therefore, almost all efforts are aimed at realizing this future. The present, at best, serves only as a precursor to later and more significant events that will gradually lead to something even more significant.
Because Americans have been taught (value #1) to believe that Man, not Fate, can and should control circumstances, they are excellent at planning and executing short-term projects. This skill, in turn, is the reason why Americans are invited to every corner of the earth to plan and carry out the miracles of which their determination is capable.
If you come from another culture - such as a traditional Muslim one - where discussing or actively planning for the future is considered a futile or even sinful activity, you will have not only philosophical problems with this specifically American activity, but also religious objections. And yet you will have to learn to live with it, as all the Americans around you will look forward to the future and what it brings.
9. Action/work orientation
“Don’t just stand there,” says typical American advice, “do something!” This is usually said in crisis situations, although in a sense these words only express the cheerfulness of Americans, for whom action - any action - is better than inaction.
Americans typically plan and schedule an extremely active day. Any rest should be time-limited, planned, and intended only to “refresh” their ability to work harder and more productively after the respite ends. Americans believe that a relatively small part of life should be devoted to leisure. They believe that wasting time, sitting idle or sleeping on the move is a sin.
This absurd attitude towards life has given rise to many people known as "workaholics" or people who are so engrossed in their work that they constantly think about it and feel uneasy when they are not at work - even in the evenings or on weekends.
The workaholic syndrome, in turn, makes Americans completely identify with their profession. The first question from one American to another when meeting will be related to work: “What do you do?”, “Where do you work?” or “Who (what company) do you work for?”
And when such a person finally goes on vacation, even his vacation days will be carefully planned, very eventful and active.
America is perhaps one of the few countries in the world where there is every reason to talk about the “dignity of human labor,” meaning by this hard physical labor. In America, even corporate presidents engage in physical labor from time to time, without losing respect from other people, but, on the contrary, gaining it.
10. Ease
If there is a certain formality in relationships between people in your country, you will probably think that Americans are too informal, even disrespectful, with those in power. Americans are one of the most informal and laid-back peoples in the world.
One example of this ease: bosses in America often ask their employees to address them by name and even feel awkward when they are called "Mr."
Clothing is another area where American casualness is particularly noticeable, sometimes downright shocking. Coming, for example, to a symphony concert in a large American city, a person can today find among the theater audience people in blue jeans, without ties, and in short-sleeved shirts.
The ease is also visible in the greetings of the Americans. Instead of the formal “How are you?” Mostly it was an informal "Hello!" This is how they address both superiors and close friends.
If you are a high-ranking official in your country, this casualness will probably be quite unsettling at first. Americans, on the contrary, consider such ease as a compliment! And, of course, no one wants to offend you, so you should just accept it as a matter of course.
11. Directness, openness and honesty
Many other countries have developed subtle, sometimes very specific “rituals” that are used in cases where it is necessary to tell someone something unpleasant. Americans, however, have always preferred a direct approach to business. They usually tell the unpleasant truth straight to your face with complete honesty. If you come from a society where it is not common to talk directly about bad news or make unflattering comments, you may be shocked by the outspokenness of Americans.
If you come from a country where it is important to “save face,” rest assured, Americans are not trying to make you lose face with their directness. It is important to understand that an American does not lose face in such circumstances. While you are in this country, adapting to its customs will be your task and yours alone. There is no way to soften the blow of such directness and openness if you are not accustomed to it, except to tell yourself that life here follows different rules. In reality, Americans are demanding in every possible way from their compatriots more and more openness and directness. Numerous programs The openness training that emerged in the United States in the late 1970s reflects this public mood well.
Americans see dishonesty and insincerity in anything but the most direct and open approach, and quickly lose confidence in anyone who prefers hints and omissions to direct statements. Anyone in the United States who would use an intermediary to communicate anything would be considered a manipulator and not worthy of trust.
12. Practicality and efficiency
Americans have a reputation for being realistic, practical and efficient. When discussing any major decision in the United States, practical considerations tend to take precedence. Americans themselves say that they are not too inclined to philosophize or theorize. If Americans were to admit that they have a philosophy, it would most likely be pragmatism.
Will this bring money? Will it pay off? What can I gain from this activity? These are the questions Americans typically ask themselves in their daily lives, not questions like: How aesthetically pleasing is this? Will it be pleasant? Will this advance knowledge?
This practical, pragmatic orientation has enabled Americans to produce more inventions than any other country in human history. It is the love of “practicality” that makes Americans prefer some professions to others. Government and economics, for example, are much more popular in the United States than philosophy and anthropology, and law and medicine are more highly valued than the arts.
The priority of practical issues is also manifested in the United States in the disdain for “emotional” and “subjective” assessments and the desire for “rational” and “objective” assessments. Americans always try to ensure that emotions have minimal influence on the decisions they make. They always judge a situation based on objective factors. The "empirical" approach to problem solving, popular among Americans, also reflects their practicality. This approach involves compiling a list of possible solutions to a given problem and then examining each one one by one to identify the most effective one possible.
13. Materialism and consumption
Foreigners often perceive Americans as more materialistic than Americans tend to think of themselves. Americans like to think that the material things they own are a natural advantage that comes through hard work and determination. This is a reward, they believe, that everyone else could receive if they were as hardworking and determined as the Americans themselves.
And yet, whatever you say, Americans are great materialists. This means that they value things and their acquisition much more than human contacts and their development.”

I have already written about what the average American is like. But the average American is just an empty shell, where characteristics such as income, age, mobility, habits and many other indicators, although interesting, do not exhaust the content hidden behind the nut shell, or rather, behind the skull of the average American. How does he live, what are his views on life, moral values?

Sociologist Robin Murphy Williams proposed a set of core values ​​that he believed were rooted in the national psyche and shared by the majority of Americans (American Society: A Sociological Interpretation, New York: Knopf, 1960). What are these values? I will present them in random order.

First of all, Americans value achievements and success, and well-deserved success, achieved not at any cost and in roundabout ways, through acquaintances, connections, inherited wealth, but as a result of persistent work. They don’t like whiners, those who blame failures on external circumstances and prefer to rely on chance and “maybe.” Clever man, not striving for success, is almost an oxymoron for Americans. Another thing is that they spread the concepts of fame and success. In 1998, Louis Harris polls asked Americans whether they wanted to be famous (defining fame as "to be popular, widely known, and recognized for achievements, activities, abilities, expertise, and opinions") and 69% said no. . Ideas inculcated popular culture that everyone in America is obsessed with being famous is simply not true. And in 2002, according to a Gallup poll, teenagers were asked to name their idols, and only 25% chose artists famous people or athletes.

Activity and work, the principle “time for work, time for fun” is still professed by many. Americans for the most part work diligently and tirelessly. Emelya on the stove is perhaps unique Russian phenomenon. You are supposed to sympathize with the hero who, lying on the stove, gives orders, and on whom luck falls for no reason at all. He has luck, and the sympathy of readers (listeners, viewers), and he has love. It is difficult to imagine that such a fairy-tale hero could arise in American or even Northern European (about southerners - aut bene, aut nihil) folklore. Workaholic is a widespread phenomenon in America. If earlier the main burdens of work fell on the shoulders of men, then American women They have long been sharing the labor burden in the family, or even plowing alone. Many women cannot imagine the joys of life without work, they are success-oriented and work so hard that they have no time for personal life doesn't stay. I learned the expression career woman only in America. Americans work more hours per week than the French and Germans, but fewer than Koreans or Singaporeans (Business Insider, 2013). Americans work an average of 38 hours a week, which is more than many European countries, as well as Australia. Unfortunately, the American government has been instilling a dependent mentality for years, “fighting poverty,” and as a result of this “fight,” the number of so-called poor people is not decreasing, but dependence on government assistance is becoming stronger.

American individualism is inextricably linked with the above-mentioned moral values. Americans have traditionally valued success that comes from individual effort and initiative. Reliance on yourself, your taste and preferences - this spirit is imbued with childhood. Parents tend to listen to their children's preferences rather than impose their views on them. Individualism has its downside - loneliness. The feeling of loneliness is quite subjective: you can feel loneliness acutely even when you are with your family. Loneliness is aggravated by dependence on electronic toys, gadgets, and social networks, which, despite all the advantages, are still surrogates for live communication. As a result, family values ​​suffer. In 2012, 27% of all US households consisted of one person. As of 2013, 44.1% of US residents over 18 years of age were unmarried. Parents and children often live far from each other, seeing each other only on holidays. Parents try not to interfere in the lives of their children, and children fiercely defend the boundaries of their independence.

In conjunction with individualism is freedom. First of all, of course, freedom associated with the right to choose, but not only. This refers to both civil liberties and freedom to start your own business. In the US, although much has been done to help small businesses, bureaucratic obstacles have recently created a less free atmosphere for businesses than before. As a result, the United States is not among the top ten freest countries for business (special thanks to the current President and his team!). But it included Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, Chile, Mauritania, Ireland and Denmark. In America, freedom of choice is striking - be it the choice of clothing, food, hairstyle, style of behavior or career, education, etc. In The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less (New York: Ecco, 2004), sociology professor Barry Schwartz wrote: “When people have no choice, life is almost unbearable. With increased choice, as exists in our consumer culture, the autonomy, control and liberation that this variety brings is powerful and positive. But as our choices increase, the negative aspects intensify to the point where we become overwhelmed with them. At this moment, choice no longer liberates, but weakens.” (My translation. - L.A.).

Efficiency, productivity, and practicality are very important to Americans. These are people who do not tolerate long delays and love to work quickly, applying innovative solutions, transforming ideas into practical actions. Know how of American business is the most important developments that are inseparable from American culture. When I finished studying for my master's degree in library science, I attended a college graduation ceremony. By that time, I had only lived in America for three years and, I remember, I was struck by the precise organization of this ceremony. Crowds of graduates, their relatives and friends, and with all this - no crowding, no confusion, everything was thought out, like an orchestral score. Careful preparation for any event or undertaking is the norm, not the exception, in America. Whether it’s good or bad, even such a seemingly conservative organization as a library is constantly changing something, introducing new service models, new technologies. Either a system for automatically accepting books is being introduced, or books are being handed over using machines. Until recently, we only gave out books and disks to readers, then e-books, and now we are giving out Google Nexus tablets at home, and readers use portable laptop computers in the library.

America certainly worships scientific and technological progress, and this faith, in turn, is accompanied by an ever-increasing level of environmental consciousness. However, the problem of climate change is not so clear-cut as to warrant singing hosannas to the newly minted Nobel guru, Gore. There is nothing to be done, America is the locomotive of progress. Advancement along the thorny road of progress is accelerated by the interest of private businesses in making profits. A by-product of this selfish activity is the increasingly widely satisfied needs of workers and others like them who strive for material comfort. We lived in a country under the slogan “Everything in the name of man, for the good of man!”, when in reality Soviet progress meant sacrificing the interests of the people to the interests of the state. We may have had empty store shelves, but our missiles inspired fear abroad. Isn't this the desired goal? Arriving in America, we discovered that there was practically nothing of any kind of household convenience that had not already been invented and introduced here.

Do you think the list is incomplete? Me too. Let's wait for the next issue...