U.S. Customs and Traditions: Features of American Culture

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

The United States of America is a huge multinational country. It can even be called a country of emigrants. Each new nationality that once settled on the territory of America brought something new to the culture and traditions of the United States. In this way, ingrained customs were intermingled with many different and interesting traditions from other cultures. Therefore, for each day of the calendar, there will definitely be a national event that is typical, if not for one state, then for another.

What Americans like to celebrate

Americans are a very cheerful people, which allows them to make a real holiday out of any ordinary day, all it takes is a couple of friends and a barbecue. Speaking briefly about the traditions of the United States, the inhabitants of the country do a lot not only for fun, but also, paying tribute to the memory and gratitude for many things that have ever happened and take place in the history of the country.

Many American holidays and traditions are no different from other fears. To thoseinclude, for example, New Year and Christmas. But there are others that may seem unusual and funny to us. How about having a party in the parking lot before a football game, pinching people on St. Patrick's Day or blowing up a huge pumpkin?

Same holidays as other countries

Christmas - December 25th. The difference is that we celebrate it in January and not in December, and not on such a large scale. Christmas is one of the most beloved and important holidays for Americans. At this time, the entire territory of America resembles a real fairy tale. Not only do people decorate the house from the inside, decorating the Christmas tree and hanging colorful socks on the fireplace, they also attach great importance to the design of the house from the outside. A spruce wreath is hung on the door, and the facade is decorated with many garlands. In some states, they even hold a competition for the title of the most beautifully decorated house. Some houses during the Christmas period can safely be called a work of art.

New Year - January 1st. And this holiday, on the contrary, does not have such significance as ours. Of course, many celebrate it with their families and at a large festive table, but some do not attach any importance and go to work on the 1st.

However, the traditions of celebrating this day in the United States also have their own characteristics. For more than a century, on the night of the 31st to the 1st, New Yorkers have gathered in Times Square to watch the ball of time descend. The ball of time is a large luminous sphere that descends from a 23-meter pillar. She comes to the base exactly at midnight,when the new year comes.

Easter. As in the rest of the world, this Christian holiday does not have an exact date. The only thing that remains the same is that it takes place in the spring and always on Sunday. Americans visit church on this day, decorate eggs and prepare various sweets. Traditionally, the day after Easter, the fun begins on the White House lawn. The President of the United States is engaged in an exciting hunt in which Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies become prey.

Public holidays

President's Day. Head of State Day falls on the third Monday in February. In fact, it is dedicated to the position, and not to a specific person. However, according to tradition, it is dedicated to the birthday of D. Washington, who went down in history as the first president of the United States. The traditions of the United States do not provide for a large-scale national celebration on this day, people simply pay tribute to the memory.

Martin Luther King Day. On the third Monday of the first month of the year, Americans remember a bright speaker, leader of the Black Rights Movement in the USA and the most famous African Baptist minister.

Memorial Day - May 30th. This day is like our parents' day. But the Americans are sent to the cemetery not only for the sake of the dead relatives, but also to pay tribute to all the departed. On Memorial Day, they remember and thank distant ancestors and people who gave their lives for the country.

Independence Day - July 4th. In the cultural traditions of the United States, this day has a special significance. Every year, starting from the distant 1776, whena declaration of independence was signed, the population of the country celebrates this holiday very cheerfully and unitedly. Thousands of costumed parades take place through the streets, and fireworks explode throughout the country at the end of the day.

Veterans Day - November 11th. The holiday is dedicated to the memory of people who died in any of the wars in which the Americans took part. Most government offices are closed on this day. The President goes to the National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Labor Day. The celebration takes place on the first Monday of autumn, in September. Parades dedicated to workers are held across the country. But not everyone treats this day as a day of honoring labor: for some it is the end of summer, for others it is the beginning of the school year.

Thanksgiving. The celebration takes place on the fourth day of November. People spend it with their families, at a large table, on which there should traditionally be a turkey. According to US tradition, the audience say words of gratitude for everything they have. It can refer to god as well as family, friends, or the government. Each person will find someone and for what to express gratitude.

Columbus Day. Remember and thank the discoverer of America on the second Monday in October.

US National Holidays and Traditions

Halloween - October 31st. It is also called All Saints' Day. A favorite American holiday, which many people approach with full responsibility, regardless of age. People dress in a variety of costumes:from terrifying to funny, and go to the celebration. Some arrange fun at home, others go to theme parties. Children gather in groups and go from house to house. Knocking on the door, they say to the owners: "Candy or life." As a rule, the owners of houses should have sweets in store for such a case.

Father's Day. Celebrated on the third Sunday of June. A good holiday, which is dedicated to sometimes strict, but still loving fathers. There are no specific rules for holding, each family decides how to spend this day at its own discretion, but most Americans prefer gatherings with loved ones.

Valentine's Day - February 14th. This holiday is loved and celebrated almost all over the world. A wonderful occasion to show your soulmate your love. The main symbol of the holiday is a valentine in the form of a heart. But many are buying gifts, balloons and flowers.

Unusual holidays

Groundhog Day - February 2nd. This is an interesting tradition of the USA and Canada. The holiday has been held annually since 1886. On this day, people wait for the groundhog to emerge from its burrow. If he went out calmly - spring will come soon, if he was afraid of his own shadow and returned to the hole - it will come no earlier than in 6 weeks.

Mardi Gras. Celebrated on the Tuesday before fasting. A cheerful and noisy holiday is akin to our Maslenitsa. People arrange carnivals on the street, eat pancakes and dress up in national costumes. If this is a parade, then it is led by the king and queen of the holiday. They shower the sense with various trifles, coins and beads. There is a legend that if the celebration does not end at midnight, the devil will steal the souls of the night merry fellows.

Tailgate party. Long before the start of a sports match, fans arrive to have a picnic in the parking lot. People fry steaks, drink beer, sing and dance. Some come from the evening to take a good place and be in the thick of things. There are also those who bring comfortable chairs and televisions with them.

Become a pirate. On September 19, all Americans have a unique opportunity to feel like a real pirate. You can put on a pirate hat, fight with sabers and use the slang of the conquerors of the seas. And most importantly - you can drink as much as you like from a bottle of rum.

The American dream. A holiday whose meaning has long been lost. Few can tell what the American dream is. But the main meaning of the celebration is to remind the population of freedom, and that any dream is feasible.

Punking Chunking. An autumn holiday that Americans spend on farms. People welcome autumn, rejoice in the harvest and just relax. But the most important thing that this event cannot do without is a pumpkin explosion.

Traditions and customs of the United States that are not for everyone

St. Patrick's Day - March 17th. On this day, the Irish go from head to toe in green clothes and hats, visit Irish pubs and drink a lot of beer. Each of the celebrants can pinch the person who is not wearing green clothes.

Kwanzaa is the last week of December. It's New Year's for African Americans. The celebration begins on December 26 andends January 1st. On this day, it is customary to give thanks and give gifts to your loved ones. The entire week-long festival is accompanied by lit candles and a daily appeal to philosophy.

Wedding Traditions

The moment of marriage differs little from that in other countries, but the marriage proposal should take place exactly six months before the celebration. It is customary to report the engagement in the newspaper, which provides a section on upcoming weddings. It is also necessary to conduct a wedding rehearsal, where the newlyweds and guests will gradually rehearse the upcoming event.

Birthday Party

Children's birthday parties are rarely held at home or in institutions. The yard of a private house is mainly used for the event. American parents try not to give ordinary gifts to surprise both the child and the guests. Invited artists, circus performers and even animals entertain the assembled audience all day long. Gifts are not usually opened immediately, they are put on a special table. Only at the end of the evening, everyone gathers, and the child begins to open the gifts, aloud voicing the wishes and the name of the giver. Parents record this information and then send a thank you note to everyone.

Interesting facts

• In America, it is not customary to take off your shoes at home or away. Even if a person is hot and uncomfortable, he will, as a last resort, ask permission to take off his shoes.
• In restaurants everyone paysfor himself, even if you were invited there, knowing that you have no money. An exception is a date, and then, if the gentleman said in advance that dinner is at his expense.
• If you go to a birthday party, be prepared to pay for yourself there too. The birthday boy does not pay for the guests' food and drinks, on the contrary, the guests pay for it.
• Everywhere you need to leave a tip. This is not written anywhere, but is an ethical rule.
• Americans don't snack on strong drinks. They eat only with wine or beer, and drink vodka warm.
• The temperature is measured by putting a thermometer in the mouth. You will really puzzle them if you place it under your armpit.