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Culture and Tradition of the USA | Understanding the American Way of Life
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Culture and Tradition of the USA | Understanding the American Way of Life

Charlotte Koks
Charlotte Koks

It is a fact that many people aim to experience the American life. However, moving to the USA isn’t as easy as counting one, two, three. So, before you go to this best country to study abroad, learn the culture and tradition of the USA first.

How much do you know about the USA? Is it enough for you to survive in the new foreign country once you’re there? What American culture and traditions do you know about already?

In this blog, we’ll share some details for you to understand the culture of Americans. We’ll try to give the best information available for your advantage. So, if you’re ready to unfold the American lifestyle, keep scrolling down.

The Culture and Tradition of the USA | Who are the Americans?

We have seen countless Hollywood movies that we associate with the American lifestyle. It’s undeniable that our impression of the USA lies with their liberation. Nonetheless, there’s more to the happy-go-lucky facade of the Americans.

The Americans are known to be friendly and happy people. Their famous “How are you?” is more of a greeting rather than a question. And in return, a simple “I am fine, thanks.” is enough to make their day a good one.

Indeed, the culture and tradition of the USA are what make it a perfect destination to work and study abroad. So, here are some things you should know about the Americans.

Eating Fast Food and Large Portions

The American way of life is always an easy way because of their busy lives. Living in the USA is like competing in a race where everything has a time limit. Hence, fast food chains have been a part of their system.

Many Americans rely on drive-thru to grab a quick meal on the go. As part of the American lifestyle, the servings of their food are in large portions. As a result, the obesity problem in the USA continues to rise.

Driving Everywhere and Getting Around

driving-around-as-part-of-culture-and-tradition-of-the-usa

Another culture and tradition of the USA are driving everywhere and getting around. Most Americans in big cities own a car because of their fast-paced lives. And for those who don’t have, they always rely on public transportations to reach their destinations quickly.

On the other hand, people from smaller towns love to walk around the streets. They always find pleasure in meeting other people along the way while breathing fresh air. Thus, you have to consider the kind of city you want to live in in the USA.

Emergency Services

911 is a famous emergency hotline in the USA. If ever you encounter problems in your area, you only have to dial these numbers. Afterward, you will be in contact with a general emergency service dispatcher to report an issue or concern.

This emergency service has been a part of the American lifestyle for the longest time. The good thing about this is getting a quick response, especially if you’re in a bad situation. Hence, Americans have been at ease because of the help of this emergency service.

Holidays

celebrating-holiday-with-family-and-friends

Holidays are something to look forward to in any place worldwide. These are the best times when people reward themselves with a vacation break to enjoy and relax. However, each holiday has different American culture and traditions they follow.

For example, Americans would decorate their homes with lights and garlands during Christmas. Some would travel abroad and spend time with their families. Nonetheless, the point of the holidays is to honor the culture and tradition of the USA. 

New Year’s Day (January 1)

Watching the “Ball Drop” in Times Square is one of the American culture and traditions. Also, the famous New Year’s kiss is something that people look forward to, especially the teens. Indeed, there are many exciting things to do on this day.

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Third Monday in January)

The celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. has marches and parades. During the event, you can hear speeches by civil rights leaders and politicians. Also, individuals and organizations undertake efforts to support MLK Day of Service.

Presidents’ Day (Third Monday in February)

father-and-daughter-attending-an-event-during-presidents-day

This holiday is also known as Washington’s Birthday. Schools organize events and lessons about the presidents of the USA, particularly George Washington. And since it’s a long weekend, some would go on a trip to breathe fresh air and unwind.

Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)

Another holiday that many Americans observe is Memorial Day. As part of the American culture and traditions, they would visit cemeteries and hold family gatherings. Also, some would be participating in parades in honor of the people who sacrificed for the country.

Independence Day (July 4)

Independence Day is associated with concerts, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, etc. Also, people wear red, white, and blue gear on this day. But the most significant part of this day is the fireworks display, which cheers for the country’s pride.

Labor Day (First Monday in September)

celebrating-labor-day-over-a-picnic-with-friends

Cities and towns across the USA still celebrate Labor Day up to the present. American culture and tradition during this holiday include parades, picnics, and fireworks. Many people would participate in the events as Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer.

Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)

Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World. To celebrate this holiday, local groups host parades and street fairs. Moreover, it features colorful costumes, music, and Italian food.

Veterans Day (November 11)

Veterans Day intends to honor and thank all military personnel who served the USA in all wars. You can witness parades, church services, and the American flag that hangs half-mast

Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)

friends-celebrating-thanksgiving-as-part-of-the-culture-and-tradition-of-the-usa

In both Canada and America, family and friends gather for a feast on Thanksgiving. However, American culture and traditions often include turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. Also, parades and football games have a long association with the holiday.

Christmas Day (December 25)

The culture and tradition of the USA during Christmas vary from one family or person to another. Nonetheless, people would love to decorate their homes or gardens with lights and Christmas trees. Also, some would go to churches to enjoy Christmas carol services.

Sports

people-watching-football-game

One of the highlights of the American lifestyle is their love for sports. It plays a significant role in society as they help transmit values such as fair play and teamwork. Indeed, sports have been a “social glue” bonding the country together.

So, here are the four biggest sports by the number of audiences in the USA:

  • football
  • basketball
  • baseball
  • hockey

Tipping

handing-out-ten-dollar-for-a-tip

Another famous culture and tradition of the USA are tipping for services. Because of a loophole in labor laws, some service employees get paid lower than minimum wage. As a result, customers would give extra cash to compensate for their underpaid job.

However, some Americans seem to find this tradition a little bit hassle. They think that it should be the employers who would give the servers the just payment they deserve. But as much as they want to stop this practice, it has been a part of the American lifestyle.

Live the Culture and Tradition of the USA with GrowPro | We Got You

having-fun-while-living-the-culture-and-tradition-of-the-usa-with-growpro

Living the American dream is to live with the culture and tradition of the USA. So, if you decide to move to the USA, expect some culture shock for a while. The feeling is normal, and you can get used to them eventually.

However, if you move to the land of opportunity with GrowPro, we can surely help with your adjustment. As you know, we are a growing company with our growers in different destinations. Thus, you can always have a friend or family to be with in this journey.

So, why would you choose GrowPro to help you reach your dream destination? First, we make sure that we will give importance to your plans and desires. Second, we don’t just leave promises; we live with them.

So, here’s one of our most requested experience for your reference. You can complete the form and wait for a call for further assistance. Also, we’ll give tips on finding the best accommodation, transportation options, and more.

We live with our mission to help international students study and explore abroad. Set aside your fears and worries, for we will be with you every step of way. So, choose GrowPro now because we got you!

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About the author

Charlotte Koks
Charlotte Koks

Hey there! My name is Charlotte, and I'm working as an International Project Manager at GrowPro Experience. My goal is to help students all around the world to live the experiences of a lifetime 🙌🏽. I'm trying to inspire students by means of telling the story of former growers, showing what we are doing at each destination and writing about our cities and tips on our blogs. I got a big passion for adventures, doing sports in the park, learning new languages and seeing new places 🌏. That's one of the reasons why I studied European Studies and why I currently work for GrowPro, to expand my horizons. Hopefully, I can inspire you to do the same!

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