American Society
Americans come in all different colors and nationalities. Although Americans do not always agree with each other, they are united by a very special thing: the values and ideals that were originally described in the U.S. Constitution over 200 years ago.
Probably above everything else, Americans consider themselves individuals. There are strong family ties and strong loyalties to groups, but individuality and individual rights are most important. If this seems like a selfish attitude, it also leads Americans to an honest respect for other individuals and an insistence on human equality.
Related to this respect for individuality are American traits of independence and self- reliance. From an early age, children are taught to "stand on their own two feet," an idiom meaning to be independent.
Americans place a high value on achievement and this leads them to constantly compete against each other. On the other hand, even if Americans are often competitive, they also have a good sense of teamwork and of cooperating with others to achieve a specific goal.
Americans are often accused of being materialistic and driven to succeed. How much money a person has, how much profit a business deal makes, or how many material goods an individual accumulates is often their definition of success. This goes back to American competitiveness.
American Food Style
Many changes are talking place in American food styles. The United States is traditionally famous for its very solid and unchanging diet of meat and potatoes. Now we have many different alternatives to choose from:various ethnic foods ,nutrition-balanced health food ,and convenient and delicious fast food, in addition to the traditional home-cooked meal.
Ethnic restaurants are commonplace in the United States. Because the United States is a country of immigrants, there is an immense variety in its catering culture. Any large American city is filled with restaurants serving international cooking. Many cities even have ethnic sections: Chinatown, Little Italy or Germantown. With this vast ethnic choice, we can enjoy food from all over the word .This is a pleasant thought for those who come here to travel or to work ;they can usually find their native specialties. Besides the ethnic sections of the cities, there are regions , which are well known for certain food because of the people who settled there . For example ,southern California has many Mexican restaurants, and Louisiana has a strong Creole accent to its food. Creole is a mixture of French, African, and Caribbean Island food.
Health food gained popularity when people began to think more seriously about their physical well-being. Health food includes natural food with minimal processing, i.e., there are no preservatives to help it last longer or other chemicals to make it taste or look better.
Fast food restaurants can be seen all over the country. People usually have a short lunch break or they just do not want to waste their time eating. Because fast food restaurants are places which take care of hundreds of people in short time, there is usually very little waiting. And the food is always cheap. Some examples are burger, pizza and fried chicken places
Americans come in all different colors and nationalities. Although Americans do not always agree with each other, they are united by a very special thing: the values and ideals that were originally described in the U.S. Constitution over 200 years ago.
Probably above everything else, Americans consider themselves individuals. There are strong family ties and strong loyalties to groups, but individuality and individual rights are most important. If this seems like a selfish attitude, it also leads Americans to an honest respect for other individuals and an insistence on human equality.
Related to this respect for individuality are American traits of independence and self- reliance. From an early age, children are taught to "stand on their own two feet," an idiom meaning to be independent.
Americans place a high value on achievement and this leads them to constantly compete against each other. On the other hand, even if Americans are often competitive, they also have a good sense of teamwork and of cooperating with others to achieve a specific goal.
Americans are often accused of being materialistic and driven to succeed. How much money a person has, how much profit a business deal makes, or how many material goods an individual accumulates is often their definition of success. This goes back to American competitiveness.
American Food Style
Many changes are talking place in American food styles. The United States is traditionally famous for its very solid and unchanging diet of meat and potatoes. Now we have many different alternatives to choose from:various ethnic foods ,nutrition-balanced health food ,and convenient and delicious fast food, in addition to the traditional home-cooked meal.
Ethnic restaurants are commonplace in the United States. Because the United States is a country of immigrants, there is an immense variety in its catering culture. Any large American city is filled with restaurants serving international cooking. Many cities even have ethnic sections: Chinatown, Little Italy or Germantown. With this vast ethnic choice, we can enjoy food from all over the word .This is a pleasant thought for those who come here to travel or to work ;they can usually find their native specialties. Besides the ethnic sections of the cities, there are regions , which are well known for certain food because of the people who settled there . For example ,southern California has many Mexican restaurants, and Louisiana has a strong Creole accent to its food. Creole is a mixture of French, African, and Caribbean Island food.
Health food gained popularity when people began to think more seriously about their physical well-being. Health food includes natural food with minimal processing, i.e., there are no preservatives to help it last longer or other chemicals to make it taste or look better.
Fast food restaurants can be seen all over the country. People usually have a short lunch break or they just do not want to waste their time eating. Because fast food restaurants are places which take care of hundreds of people in short time, there is usually very little waiting. And the food is always cheap. Some examples are burger, pizza and fried chicken places
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