American Heritage: Values and Traditions

American heritage includes the customs and traditions of the United States. According to anthropologist Cristina De Rossi, culture is made up of many things, like religion, food, clothing, language, marriage, music, our ideas of right and wrong, table manners, how we greet people, how we act with loved ones, and much more.

The United States is the third-largest country in the world, with over 332 million people, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau. On average, a baby is born every 9 seconds, and someone dies every 11 seconds.

Besides the Native Americans who originally lived on the land, the U.S. population has grown mainly through immigration. Every 666 seconds, a new immigrant arrives in the country.

This is why the United States is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, according to The London School. People from almost every part of the world have influenced American culture. The English, who started settling in the 1600s, had a big impact, according to the Library of Congress. American culture has also been shaped by Native Americans, as well as people from Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

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The United States is sometimes called a "melting pot," according to Golden Beacon USA. This means that people from many different cultures have added their unique traditions to American culture. Just like other cultures have influenced the U.S., American culture also affects the rest of the world. The term "Western culture" usually means the cultures of the United States and Europe, according to ScienceDaily.
 

People blend into American culture in different ways. "Each group of immigrants adjusts in its way," De Rossi told Live Science. For example, Spanish-speaking Catholic communities in the U.S. may keep their language and family traditions, but they also become part of city life and follow many American customs.

The Northeast, South, Midwest, Southeast, and West regions of the U.S. each have their special traditions and ways of life.

Language

The United States doesn't have an official language, according to the U.S. government. People in the U.S. speak many different languages from all over the world. The most common non-English languages are Spanish, Chinese, French, and German. About 90% of people in the U.S. speak and understand at least some English, and most official work is done in English. Some states have their official or preferred languages. For example, Hawaii has two official languages: English and Hawaiian, according to the Washington Post.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that over 350 languages are spoken in the United States. These languages are grouped into four main categories:

1. Spanish 
2. Other Indo-European languages – like German, French, Italian, Russian, Hindi, Greek, and more  
3. Asian and Pacific Island languages– such as Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Tamil, and others  
4. All other languages – this includes languages like Arabic, Hebrew, Hungarian, African languages, and Native languages from North, Central, and South America.

These groups help show how many different languages people speak in the U.S.

Values

Every country has its values and beliefs, and the United States is no different. In general, Americans believe in the ideas written in the Declaration of Independence — that everyone is created equal and has basic rights like the right to live freely and to try to be happy. Let’s take a closer look at what these ideas mean in American culture.

Independence

From a young age, Americans learn to be independent and take care of themselves. American culture, schools, and other parts of society strongly encourage people to make their own choices and shape their futures through hard work and effort. The freedom to follow your path and the idea of happiness are very important. This can also be seen in college life, where students choose their majors and study what fits their personal goals.

For international students coming from cultures where everything is done as a group or family, adjusting to the focus on individualism and independence might be challenging at first. However, being independent doesn't mean you're alone; there are many communities, advisors, and support services in the US that you can turn to when you need help.

Food

American food was shaped by both European and Native American influences early on. Today, some foods are known as truly American, like hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and meatloaf.

The saying “as American as apple pie” is often used to describe something truly American, even though apple pie didn’t come from America, according to the Smithsonian.

There are also cooking styles and foods that come from specific parts of the U.S.

• Southern-style cooking, often called "American comfort food," includes dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread, according to Southern Living.
• Tex-Mex,  popular in Texas and the Southwest, mixes Spanish and Mexican cooking. It includes foods like chili and burritos, and uses a lot of shredded cheese and beans, says Culture Trip.
• Jerky, which is dried meat eaten as a snack, was created in the United States, according to NPR.

Equality

In the United States, equality means that everyone is born equal, with no one being better or worse than anyone else. American universities strongly believe in equality and often include statements about equal rights in their official documents, such as charters, annual reports, and codes of conduct for students and staff. They also have policies in place to prevent discrimination in areas like admissions, hiring, and events.

If you attend a US university, you can expect to be part of a fair and welcoming campus, where everyone has the opportunity to learn and freely chase their goals.

Materialism

America has the biggest economy in the world, based on capitalism. Because of this, American culture often values money and material things. In this system, businesses try to work as efficiently as possible. This helps investors make money and gives customers more choices at lower prices. People are also encouraged to spend money, which helps keep the economy growing. Many parts of the financial system are built to support this spending.

Because of the strong economy and focus on capitalism, people sometimes judge success by what they own and compare their possessions with those of others. This focus on material wealth can help explain some of the unfair differences in America, but it can also vary depending on where you live and the people around you.

Holidays

In the U.S., several important holidays might be new to international students. 

Here’s a simple list of major national holidays:

• New Year’s Day (January 1): Americans celebrate the start of a new year, often spending time with family and friends. It’s a time for new beginnings.
   
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January): This day honors Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader who fought against racism and for equal rights. People reflect on fairness and may volunteer in their communities.
   
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May): This holiday honors U.S. soldiers who died in service. People place flowers on graves and join parades. It also marks the start of summer, with many families enjoying barbecues and outdoor fun.
   
• Juneteenth (June 19): This day celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. People across the country mark it with events like parades, fairs, and barbecues.
   
• Independence Day (July 4):  Also called the Fourth of July, this day celebrates America’s independence from British rule. It’s known for fireworks, parades, and big gatherings.
   
• Labor Day (first Monday in September): A day to honor American workers and their contributions. It’s also seen as the end of summer, and people often enjoy outdoor fun and family time.
   
• Veterans Day (November 11): This holiday honors people who have served in the U.S. military. It’s a time to thank veterans for their service.
   
• Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November): A day to give thanks, often spent with family and friends over a big meal that includes turkey. It remembers the first harvest shared by Pilgrims and Native Americans.
   
• Christmas Day (December 25): Celebrates the birth of Jesus. It’s a major holiday in the U.S., with decorations, music, gift-giving, and family gatherings. Many people start getting festive as early as October.

In addition to these holidays, some states and cities have their own local holidays. For example, Massachusetts celebrates Patriots’ Day on the third Monday of April to remember the first battles of the American Revolution. The famous Boston Marathon also takes place on that day.

Religion

Almost every religion in the world is practiced in the United States, a country founded on the idea of religious freedom. According to a 2017 study by the Pew Research Center (an independent research group), about 70% of Americans say they are Christian. About 23% say they don’t follow any religion, and about 6% belong to non-Christian religions.

The number of people with no religion is expected to go down. Pew Research says this group may shrink from 16% in 2015 to 13% by 2060.

A 2021 study found that Americans identify as follows:

• 63% — Christian (40% Protestant, 21% Catholic, 2% others
• 25.1% — No religious affiliation
• 2% — Jewish
• 1% — Buddhist
• 1% — Hindu
• 1% — Muslim  

Social Norms and Etiquette in the USA 

American culture includes certain social rules and manners that might be new to you. Here are some basic things to keep in mind when interacting with people in the U.S.:

• Don’t ask personal questions: Americans care a lot about privacy. It’s considered rude to ask about things like someone’s age, weight, salary, religion, or political views.
   
• Be on time: Time is important in the U.S. Being late to a meeting or event can make you seem careless or disrespectful. Try to be punctual!
   
• Tip properly: In U.S. restaurants and bars, tips and taxes are not included in the menu prices. Your meal may cost about 15–25% more than what’s listed. It’s normal to tip your server 15–20%, as this is part of their pay.
   
• Don’t cut in line: Skipping ahead in a line is considered rude. If you’re in a hurry, you can politely ask the person in front of you but don’t be surprised if they say no.
   
• Be mindful of pets: Many Americans have pets at home. If you’re allergic or uncomfortable around animals, let your host know ahead of time so they can make adjustments.
   
• Ask about food preferences: If you're making a meal for American friends, remember that many people follow specific diets. It’s a good idea to ask what they can or can’t eat.
   
• Use polite gestures: Smiling is a common way to show friendliness. Light conversation or “small talk” with strangers, like when waiting in line, is also normal and polite.
   
• Expect large food portions: Meals at restaurants in the U.S. are often big. Don’t worry, you can always ask to take the leftovers home!

These social habits reflect how Americans show respect for each other and the many different backgrounds people come from.

Sports

Sports are a big part of American culture, and people all over the country are passionate about them. The most popular sports in the U.S. are American football, basketball, and baseball, each with its professional league. These sports have been around for a long time and have huge fan communities, with famous players and a rich history.

There are also major events like the Super Bowl (football), the NBA Finals (basketball), and the World Series (baseball). Many Americans get excited about these games, whether they're watching on TV or attending live games in huge stadiums. If you're in the U.S., visiting one of these massive stadiums at least once is a must.

If you enjoy sports, they can be a fun way to meet new people. Many U.S. colleges and universities have sports teams and clubs, with some even offering national competitions!

American Arts

The United States is famous for its influence in mass media, especially TV and movies. The U.S. makes up about one-third of the global media and entertainment industry, which is worth $717 billion, according to Select USA.

Television became popular in the U.S. in the early 1950s, and now American TV shows are watched worldwide, as PBS notes. The U.S. also has a huge movie industry based in Hollywood, California, and American films are loved around the world. In 2019, the U.S. film industry made a record $100 billion, according to Forbes, though it dropped in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.
The U.S. is also known for its arts heritage beyond movies and TV. New York City is home to Broadway, and America has a rich theater tradition, as Arcadia Publishing explains. American folk art, like quilts and handmade crafts, is another unique style. American music is very diverse, with popular genres like rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, country, bluegrass, rock 'n' roll, and hip hop.