US Culture

The U.S. is known as the melting pot of the world. There are so many different types of People who come to this country and bring a little bit of their old country with them. The food and the customs are the two major things you can find around showing Culture. In the big cities there are neighborhoods of different cultures, Chinatown, Germantown, etc there's even a Dutch town. Although there's nothing Welsh around here, but hopefully that'll change when I move other there.

The work ethic in this country is work harder and work later in the day than any other country. A lot of stores are open later. Start work earlier and work later. This is a Money driven society, unlike other cultures in the world, who close up at 5 or 6 pm. This country is a mixture of cultures that work hard, and just like everybody else, just trying to live the funnest fullest life they can. I never got used to the 24hr shops. I also loved the fact that the mall didn't close till 10, shopping till late sounds fun.

~These are my own personal experiences and my own knowledge of US Culture. I'm sure I'll find more throughout my time in the USA~

[ US Holidays ] [ Food ] [ Sport ] [ T.V ] [ Wildlife ] [ Miscellaneous ]

~US Holidays~

July 4 Independence Day - Independence Day (Fourth of July) celebrates the birthday of the United States of America, founded July 4th 1776, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It's celebrated with many elaborate firework displays, picnics, parades and marching bands. The 4th of July is a national holiday, with many businesses closed in celebration of the United States freedom from persecution, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and to display one’s love of their country.

Martin Luther King Day - This day is in celebration for the man who fought for freedom, equality, and dignity of all races. This day is to remember his speech and message "I have a dream" You'll find many religious gatherings and parades to celebrate the day. Martin Luther King Day was originally celebrated on his birthday, which is January 15th. It is now celebrated the 3rd Monday of January each year.

February 22 Presidents Day - Presidents' Day is the combined celebrations of the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Many businesses and offices are closed on this national holiday.

Memorial Day - Memorial Day the last Monday in May, this day is the day where people pay respects to the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country. Many church and memorial services are held on this day. To many Americans the day also represents the beginning of summer with a three-day weekend. There are always great store deals to be found with most retail establishments having storewide Memorial Day sales.

Labor Day - Labor Day, the first Monday in September The first Labor day was in 1882 it began to celebrate the working class, annual and national tribute to the contributions of workers.

Columbus Day - Columbus Day honours Christopher Columbus' first voyage to America in 1492. States celebrate Columbus Day on October 12. Cities and organisations sponsor parades and banquets on Columbus Day.

Halloween - October 31 - Halloween the time when Ghosts & Goblins come alive. The US tend to celebrate Halloween with such enthusiasm. Traditionally, children and adults, go from house to house in their neighbourhoods and receive sweets & Candy Corn. Everyone dresses up in colourful costumes to go “Trick or Treat” You can read about the history of Halloween

Thanksgiving Day - Thanksgiving Day, also known as "Turkey Day" Thanksgiving always falls on the last Thursday of November. This day is usually celebrated with family gatherings, which generally prepare a Turkey meal and pumpkin pie.

~Food~
This is a list of all the foods I have personally discoverd in the USA, some of my stories are pretty funny, read on.

Fast Food Resturaunts - There are so many Resturaunts around America, I was amazed at how many there were around. A lot of the Resturaunts aren't that expensive too, you never really have to cook although eatting out is a good way to pile the pounds.

- Clayton says this drink is also known as "Rocky Mountain p**s water." This drink is basically a fizzy yellow/green drink, I think it tastes like lemon & lime. Kinda reminds me of Seven up really, we never got this drink back in the UK or Wales for that matter.

Rootabaga - This is a light orange/greeny Vegetable, I've never heard of this vegetable before. I was planning on making Clayton a Welsh Cawl, and one of my ingredients was "Swede" Clayton had no clue what this was, I even described it to him many times. We went grocery shopping one day, and as I was in the fruit/veg isle I found my vegetable, it was a Rootabaga. So I guess the UK/Welsh have a different name for it. Rootabaga/Swede.

Hershey's Chocolate - This chocolate is the American version of Cadbury's. It doesn't taste near as nice, I'd much prefer Cadbury. Luckily there are some stores around that carry Cadbury's Chocolate.

Bacon - I've noticed that Bacon is different to the UK. I can't seem to find lean back bacon anywhere, the only Bacon around is streaky. I don't know whether it's just the State or what.

~Sport~

Football is a major sport in the U.S., American Football is watched by millions of fans around the country. The Superbowl, the championship of football, is the most watched program on T.V. I never was too keen on football, the American version looks worse than the English. I'd much prefer a game of Welsh Rugby!

Baseball is the other sport that is held dear to the American heart. It started in the 1800s and has been played for years since, with the exceptions of a couple years due to strikes as well. The sport is still very popular even after all these years. Now I'm getting into Baseball, Clayton is a major fan of the Chicago Cubs, seeming that's his home town. He has promised me he'd take me to a real game one day

~Televison~

Television is a lot different to the UK, and Wales. American TV Channels don't have the Soaps I always watched over in the UK Emerdale, EastEnders, Coronation Street. Although they do have these soaps running in Canada on , and seeming we live so close to the Canadian boarder we can pick up this channel. So I'm somewhat blessed that I have my own home TV soaps and shows that I can watch daily. The episodes are somewhat out dated though, I think they are a few years behind the UK. But that really doesn't bother me especially if I'm homesick. also receives Keeping Up Appearances and To The Manor Born.

The one soap I really miss is this is an Australian soap and is only aired in the UK and Australia. I think I've watched this soap since I was a little girl, and to just suddenly not watch is kinda wired. Although I will be checking on the website for recent updates and storylines.

The one thing I've noticed about the US Channels is that there are so many commercials and advertisements, they are so frequent. A show like Friends or Charmed will start and as soon as the credits have gone by, it's time for a commercial. Back home we'd only have one commercial half way through the show.

Another big difference to the UK and the US is that the US don't have to pay a TV License. Us in the UK and Wales have to pay to watch our TV, it's normally a set fee of £116 a year and you have to pay it for each household that has a TV. If you don't obtain a TV licence then you can be fined and even prosecuted. It's great that we don't have to worry about certain things like that.

I've also noticed that rated films are shown in the day what's up with that? half of them are cut out and edited. Most bad language are bleeped out, hehe and they don't do a very good job of the bleeping out. What's the point in showing a rated movie in the day show the film late at night where we can all enjoy it without the bleeps. Rated films wouldn't even be shown in the UK until after the watershed.

~Wildlife~

Coyotes - These are just like big dogs and only come out at night. I can't get used to these animals, they are really scary at night. Just before bed you can hear them howling & yelping, I get really scared they howl practically all night and if your not used to thier sounds can be pretty scary. You can read up on Coyotes

~Miscellaneous~

The Mail Man - Who delivers mail to your mailbox and collects your letters that you leave for him. I love the little mail boxes I think they are really cute, you can also have little cute desings for your mail box too. Back in the UK the Post man would post your letters through a letter box in your door.

Right side - Driving on the right side of the road. I personally don't drive yet, but I still can't get used to people driving on the right side. I still even head for the drivers side ocassionaly.

Automatic Cars - The UK doesn't have many automatic cars. I bet it'll make life a lot easier for me when I start to drive. I also thought it was cool that Clayton's car had automatic seat belts, as soon as you close the door the seat belts would automatically pull back.

Drive Throughs - I noticed there are so many drive throughs around. You can drive through practically anywhere, restaurants, coffee bars, ATM's, Mail boxes.

Friendly People - American people are very friendly. Strangers on the street often say hello and smile to you while your out walking. Shop Assistants, waitress are always so friendly, which really does make for a nice atmosphere.

Tax - The US don't add their tax into their advitested price, it gets added on at the checkout counter. Which is kinda hard to work out the exact price of your goods. In the UK we pay 17.5% tax and is normally included in the sales price. Tax varies from state to state, and isn't added onto some items like food.

Free refills of drinks - This is so cool I loved this like so much. When your in a restaurant the waitresses always come by to top up your drinks. Tea/coffee/Soda. Back in the UK you'd have to pay for each drink.

Stores & Malls - Always open till late 10pm at the latest. This is cool, shopping till late sounds fun, most of our stores in the UK close at 5pm. The only time they are open late is the run up till Christmas.

Wooden Houses - I think these wooden houses are so cute. They always look so pretty and petite. In the UK we have brick houses. Although there we're two American wooden houses, built near by me. They are quite old, and very unique to our area. I remember taking Clayton to see them, he was quite intrigued with them. You can read about these houses here from a local newspaper article.

Country Fairs - When I first met Clayton he took me to a real Country fair. I loved the rodeo races, and the country music concerts. The fairs have many country stalls, and they also have a fun fair.

Trains - The trains in the US are a lot bigger and better. You mostly see cargo trains everywhere on lines, I actually haven't seen a passenger train as of yet. The trains come in funky colors and designs, and some people like my soon to be husband are mad enough to chase them as a hobby.

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