he values Americans live by may seem strange to you. As a result, you mightfind their actions confusing, even unbelievable. This is my opinion aboutAmerican Value. Whether you agree with me or not - or is willing to accept asvalid any generalizations about Americans - my observations arethought-provoking.
Americans do not believe in the power of fate, and they look at people whodo as being backward, primitive, or naive. In the American context, to be"fatalistic" is to be superstitious, lazy, or unwilling to take initiative.Everyone should have control over whatever in the environment might potentiallyaffect him or her. The problems of one's life are not seen as having resultedfrom bad luck as much as having come from one's laziness and unwillingness totake responsibility in pursuing a better life.
In the American mind, change is seen as indisputably good, leading todevelopment, improvement, progress. Many older, more traditional culturesconsider change disruptive and destructive; they value stability, continuity,tradition, and ancient heritage - none of which are considered very important inthe United States.
Time is of utmost importance to most Americans. It is something to be on,kept, filled, saved, used, spent, wasted, lost, gained, planned, given, evenkilled. Americans are more concerned with getting things accomplished on timethan they are with developing interpersonal relations. Their lives seemcontrolled by the little machines they wear on their wrists, cutting theirdiscussions off abruptly to make their next appointment on time. This philosophyhas enabled Americans to be extremely productive, and productivity Is highlyvalued In their country.
Equality is so cherished in the U.S. that it is seen as having a religiousbasis. Americans believe that all people are created equal and that all shouldhave an equal opportunity to succeed. This concept of equality is strange toseven-eighths of the world which views status and authority as desirable, evenif they happen to be near the bottom of the social order. Since Americans liketo treat foreigners "Just like anybody else", newcomers to the U.S. shouldrealize that no insult or personal indignity is intended if they are treated ina less than-deferential manner by waiters in restaurants, clerks in stores andhotels, taxi drivers, and other service personnel.
Americans view themselves as highly individualistic in their thoughts andactions. They resist being thought of as representatives of any homogeneousgroup. When they do join groups, they believe they are special. Just a littledifferent from other members of the same group. In the U.S. you will find peoplefreely expressing a variety of opinions anywhere and anytime. Yet, in spite ofthis independence, almost all Americans end up voting for one of their two majorpolitical parties. Individualism leads to privacy, which Americans see asdesirable. The word privacy does not exist in many non-Western languages. If Itdoes, it is likely to have a negative connotation, suggesting loneliness orforced isolation. It is not uncommon for Americans to say, and almost tobelieve: "If I don't have half an hour a day to myself, I go stark-ravingmad!"
Americans take credit only for what they accomplish as individuals. Theyget no credit for having been born into a rich family but pride themselves inhaving climbed the ladder of success, to whatever level, all by themselves. Inan English-language dictionary, there are more than 100 composite words thathave the word "self" as a prefix: self-aware. self-confident, self-conscious,self-contented, self-control, self-criticism, self-deception, self-defeating,self-denial. The equivalent of these words cannot be found in most otherlanguages. It is an indicator of how highly Americans regard the self-made manor woman.
Many other countries have developed subtle, sometimes highly ritualistic,ways of informing others of unpleasant information. Americans prefer the directapproach. They are likely to be completely honest in delivering their negativeevaluations, and to consider, anything other than the most direct and openapproach to be "dishonest" and "insincere". Anyone in the U.S. who uses anintermediary to deliver the message will also be considered "manipulative" and"untrustworthy". If you come from a country where saving face is important, beassured that Americans are not trying to make you lose face with theirdirectness.
As a matter of fact, the major American Value is distinct from Chinese. Weought to accept it when we communicate with Americans. Thus, we need makeourselves think globally and act locally.