american culture

The American
Culture
(At a Glance)

Starting Question
• What is in the Filipino
culture that is unique
and different from
other
countries/cultures?
• What is your
impression of
America?
• What do you know
about the American
culture?

United States
• Known as the “melting pot”
– Academics = “salad bowl” (cultural
diversity)
– Immigrations = Ireland, Germany,
Poland, Italy, and Western Africa

• Four races = Native American or
American Indian, African American,
Asian and White

Graph

Flag
• Stars = the 50
States
• Stripes = the 13
colonies

Interesting State Facts
• Nevada = Only State that has legalized prostitution
– Brothels are heavily regulated

• Utah = has the largest population of Mormons

– Main church = The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints

• Hawaii = used to be it’s own country as a
monarchy
• Texas = used to be part of Mexico
• Massachusetts = the only States that
legalizes same-sex marriage
• Washington D.C. = the countries capital
– Not a State but a district
– Mostly African Americans live there

New York City
• The Statue of Liberty

– Given by France after
the American
Revolution
– Represents freedom
and democracy
– Torch: symbol of
enlightenment
– Crown (25 windows):
symbolizes gemstones
and heaven’s rays
shining over the world
– Crown spikes (7): seven
seas and continents
– Tablet: a book of law
– Broken chains: freedom
as movement forward
against oppression and
servitude

Personal Spaces
• Intimate distance: about 18 inches (45.7 cm)
apart
– For family, pets and very close friends

• Personal distance: about 4 to 5 feet (1.2 - 1.5
meters)
– For friends and acquaintances
– Handshakes with strangers = at least 2 to 4 feet apart

• Social distance: about 4 to 12 feet (1.2 - 3.7
meters)
– For formal, business and other impersonal interactions
such as meeting a client

• Public Space: more than 12 feet (3.7 meters)

The American Dream
• Land of opportunity
• (1) individual freedom
of choice in life styles
• (2) equal access to
economic abundance
• (3) the pursuit of
shared objectives
mutually
advantageous to the
individual and society

September 11, 2001
• Do you remember
what you were doing
at this time?
• What was your first
reaction when you
heard about the news?
• What is your attitude
now towards the
United States?