My Culture And The American Culture example essay topic

Introduction Culture is the enduring behaviors, ides, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next. In this paper I will describe what I think are the differences between my cultural background and the American culture. I will discuss some of the ideas and social structures found in my culture as well as my parents. I will also cover the attitude differences that exist between my culture and the American culture. Everyone knows that the social influences of culture are enormous. Still, given how readily most of us think of our way as the way, cultural diversity can astonish us.

Thanks to migration and modern transportation, most nations today have become a diverse mix of people, forcing almost everyone to struggle with the tension between affirming diversity and seeking unity. I was born and raised in the United States, as were my parents. Because of the many discussions around the dinner table, I have managed to learn a little bit about my family tree. My father was born Anthony Thomas Ellis in Wilkes-Barre, Pa and was in the steel business his entire life until he past away in 1977.

He was of Lebanese decent, dark eyes and skin and a prominent nose. My mother was born Lillian Road and was born in April of 1923. She was Lithuanian and Polish, very beautiful with fair skin and blue eyes and light hair. She pasted away three years ago of Alzheimers. My parents married and moved to Pittsburgh, Pa for awhile then went to the Pocono's for a couple of years before finally settling in Levittown, Pa due to my fathers profession and the booming Steel business.

I have two brothers and two sisters. We all got along like most traditional families did. I remember when I was younger at our family picnics, there was always Middle Eastern music being played and my father would always get up and sing. There would always be someone trying to belly dance. In Lebanon, there is always something entertaining to do. Traditional dances such as the Darke are popular in villages and they bring to life costumes of the distant past.

Both in nightclubs and at private parties and celebrations, oriental or "belly dancing" is always a great attraction. Beirut, which was once known for its nightlife before the war, continues to be the place to go for excellent nightclubs, discotheques and cabarets. Although I never spoke the language, most people in Lebanon speak French or English in addition to the native language, Arabic, and often other languages besides. Like American culture, Lebanon's shopping centers and main streets are filled with shops selling every necessity and luxury, both local and imported. Lebanese appreciate its handicrafts, either in the old style or tasteful modern adaptations of traditional designs. There is pottery of all sorts, glassware and cutlery.

Brass and copper goods of every kind have attractive hand-worked designs. Maybe this is where I get my yen for collecting old pottery and cutlery. As for clothing, like the American culture, everything is available from the top Paris designers to jeans and leisure wear. But there are many areas in the Middle Eastern societies that still prohibit women from showing their faces and entering certain establishments such as; coffeehouses and the market, which are considered mail domains. One of my fathers favorite meals always included Kielbasa. In Lebanon you will immediately be invited to taste the delicacies of the local cuisine.

An anise flavored alcohol better known as Arak is served in small glasses and mixed with ice and water. Local wines, some of which match in quality imported renown wine, go very well with these dishes. One of the various main dishes you might be offered is Keb be, which is mutton carefully pounded and cooked with crushed wheat. Chaw arma, lamb grilled on a vertical spit is another typical plate. Norms restrain and control us so successfully and so subtly that we hardly sense their existence; American males may feel uncomfortable when Middle Eastern heads of state greet the US President with a kiss on the cheek. When a Middle Eastern student first visited an American McDonald's restaurant they fumbled around in their bag looking for eating utensils until they seen the other customers eating their French fries with, of all things, their hands.

In many areas of the globe our best manners are a serious breach of etiquette. As mentioned before, my mother was of Lithuanian and Polish descent. They say that culture is the mainstay of the survival of Lithuania. Lithuanians had managed to preserve their national identity, in other words their culture, language, literature, art and traditions. There ethnic customs and traditions are reflected through rural architecture, clothing, dances, and song. The unique method of Lithuanian singing, the sutartine, is known all over the world.

Modern day Lithuania is somewhat smaller than it had been historically. Lithuanians now reside in neighboring countries including Poland, Byelorussian, and the Kaliningrad District. Russians make up Lithuania's second largest ethnic group. Poles are the third largest ethnic group in southeastern Lithuania. The Roman Catholic Church dominates present Lithuania. Most consider themselves Catholics.

I was raised to go to church every Sunday and we practiced Christianity, although not very well, but we did believe in God. I remember that it was my mother that was more involved with the Church then my father. I was raised in a catholic school till I reached high school. That is when I begged my mother if I could go to public schools, away from the uniform environment. My father did not approve, he wanted us to stay in an all girl school. One of the stresses that came with being raised by a father who had a Middle Eastern background was dominance and disciplines.

My father was very strict in raising me along with my brothers and sisters. Pretty much he was the head of the household and what he said was usually final, there was not debating. My father was raised in a household when he was young with the same pattern of discipline. But most of my life my culture was similar to most Americans, being raised in a household that had a TV and traditional XMAS and the normal Holidays. Spent the summers down the Jersey shore and went to the Pocono's for ski weekends.

My father did not like it when my sister and I began to date boys. My mom had stayed up many of nights convincing my dad they were where growing up. With what is going on around the world today especially with the Middle East, I tend to think about the Arab Americans that were born and raised in this country. Because of their looks, they are categories with the "culture" that exist outside the United States. This is a good example that sometimes people categorized certain Americans by the way they look and not as part of the society they grew up in but rather the cultural background they have inherited through blood. Conclusion American culture is changing as we speak.

The diversity in this country has changed dramatically in the last decade. American now exists of many different people with strong beliefs from their cultural background combined with the modern lifestyle of the United States. As we prepare to play, work, and live with people whose culture and gender differ from our own, we need to understand how each of us has become to be who we are. And accepting our differences, our societies need also to embrace unifying ideals that will hold the together..