My Experiences in the United States

My name is Silvie. I am from the Czech Republic. I am just about to finish one-year of living in the USA. It was a very interesting life experience. I enjoyed living here, traveling, and getting to know people and their life styles.

America is a beautiful land with gorgeous nature. There are beaches, deserts, plains, marshlands, tundra, forests, and snow-covered mountains. I like the diversity a lot. It was always amazing to travel and watch how much can the states in the United States differ. Nobody can be bored here. There is always something interesting to explore!

The United States of America covers a land area of 3,618,770 square miles and is inhabited by some 281 million individuals. America’s population reflects remarkable ethnic diversity.  

From my own experience I can say that most Americans I met were very nice people. I especially liked their positive, encouraging, and open-minded attitudes. They were also friendly, funny, honest, and self-confident. I noticed that Americans like being successful and study and work hard.  Some of them are well-organized people with a written list of things to do and a schedule for doing them. I also admire their punctuality because I am pretty bad at being on time.

I had to laugh when I read this passage in a book “American Ways” by Garry Althen, “In their efforts to use their time wisely, Americans are sometimes seen by foreign visitors as automatons, un-human creatures who are so tied to their clock and their schedules that they cannot participate in or enjoy the human interactions that are truly important things in life. ‘They are like little machines running around’, one foreign visitor said”. It is a funny example. 

Althen believes that, Americans, like people everywhere, as they grow up are taught certain attitudes toward other countries and the people who live in them. Parents, teachers, schoolbooks, and the media are principal sources of information and attitudes about foreigners and foreign countries.

Althen continues to say, “Americans generally believe that theirs is a superior country, probably the "greatest" country in the world. If Americans consider their country to be superior, then it cannot be surprising that they often consider other countries to be inferior. It is economically and militarily powerful; its influence extends to all parts of the globe. They believe their "democratic" political system is superior because it gives them freedom to complain about anything they consider wrong with it.”

As I noticed, pastors in churches also make Americans believe that they live in the best country in the world. I agree that life in the United States gives people many great opportunities and they can enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the history of the world. Life is much easier here but it does not mean that people in other countries are unhappy and would prefer to live in the United States.

Let me give you an example. Some Americans, whom I talked to, after finding out that I will go back to my country asked me why I was going to do that. They said "Oh, really? It will be hard! Isn't there a way to stay here? Oh, I am sorry." Why did they say that when some of them even didn't know where my country was? That’s what I didn’t like to hear and never enjoyed.

But there are many things that I really like and enjoy about living here. First thing you have to notice pretty soon when you live or just visit the USA is the word "Hi". Anyone can say "Hi" to anyone and anywhere, on the streets, in parks, at schools, in supermarkets etc. I like this informality a lot. It sounds friendly and warm. In my country and in other countries, people don’t greet if they don’t know each other.

In supermarkets, shop assistants not only say "Hi" but also ask you "How are you today?" or "Did you find everything OK?" I like it. In my country, shop assistants never ask you that. They often don’t smile and can act like you bother them.

"I am fine, thank you" is right answer when you are asked "How are you"? I noticed that many people from different countries are confused when Americans (or also English people) ask them that and sometimes don’t even wait for your answer. I heard some people say "Americans are rude" or Americans are not sincere because they smile and say how are you but they don’t care at all how I am". Now I just smile when I hear this opinion because I know that it is not true, they are not rude. This "How are you" is just different than "How are you" in some other countries. It is a part of saying "Hi". I mean, in some countries you are supposed to give more details on this question like "Oh, I am having really bad day! I overslept. I was late for work" etc.

To be honest, something similar happened to me in England. I was asked how I was and then was left with my mouth opened. I didn’t have time to answer. The person who asked me was gone. I learned the lesson.

I like American English and its many cool words. I like when people call themselves “guys, buddies, dudes, folks, pals”.  They all mean the same and American people use them often. "Hi buddy, what’s up? How is it going, dude?" Doesn’t it sound cool? It definitely does. At least for me… J

I also like how Americans hug each other. What a nice and pleasant gesture! I like it much more than just shaking hands like in my country. 

I would like to add that eating habits are one of those interesting things to watch when you visit a different country. The typical American food is fast-food. "Fast –food industry" can be seen as a clear example of an American cultural product. McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and others fast-food establishments prosper in a country where many people want to minimize the amount of time they spend preparing and eating meals. The millions Americans who take their meals at fast-food restaurants cannot have much interest in lingering over their food while conversing with friends, as millions Europeans do.

"Peanut butter and jelly sandwich" is very common and popular in the U.S. To be honest, I haven't tasted it yet. I just can't. It seems to me so unusual combination that I can't even try it. Well, this is just a small example. What I am trying to say is that what is strange for one culture on one side is just very common for another culture on the other side.

Americans eat out quite often. Portions are usually very big in restaurants. When I share a meal with a friend it is enough for both of us. What is interesting and what I like about eating out are "doggie bags". Doggie bags are boxes for leftovers to take home with you. It is a nice idea. The name itself is interesting. Doggie bags were originally used to take meat scraps home to people's dogs. I do not want to be rude but I think that some Americans eat a lot. Some of them eat much more than they need and it probably causes the problem with increasing obesity in the USA.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I am very glad to be able to spend a year in the USA. I loved traveling around the USA and seeing those beautiful places. I am very thankful for meeting nice people during my year here. They have enriched my life a lot and I will never forget them. I really like their positive, encouraging, and open-minded attitudes. I can honestly say that it was the most interesting year in my life. 

I used some information from a book “American Ways” by Gary Althen.