It is an interesting question, knowing that it is a big country. How different are the people living in the north with those living in the west coast? From opinions of people from different backgrounds collected across time, most of them agree in one fact: many if not most cities are one big franchise. Except of a few ones, they look quite similar with each other. This may good or bad feature of this country but how about its people? How do Americans think?
When I did a vacation trip to USA in 2007, a cousin from Ecuador wrote me a letter about the life in this country from his point of view and what he thinks that I should know before my departure. Notice how he describes the typical behaviour of people of the state Ohio. Let's read the letter.
Table of Contents
The Letter
Introduction
Dear Juditova, I'm in New Jersey right now, but I wrote to my wife so she could ask to her parents. I suggest from August 14, 2007 to September 14, 2007, partially because we are going to Ecuador a few days earlier. It would be great that we could go in the same airplane together but it is not required. From Miami there are direct flights to Columbus and there they can pick you in car. In those dates, it is still hot, but a sweater wouldn't be a bad idea. Of course, from the city that you come from, it is not going to be a problem.
How is life there?
My father-in-law is called Frederick and after selling insurances for many years, he decided that what he REALLY likes is teaching mathematics in high-school. So that is what he is doing. He likes to run marathons and also al least 30 minutes a day. Charlotte, his wife, works in a hospital as a technician of radiology. She works plenty of hours there and it is very demanding and it is, as mothers usually are, the ones that holds home and family together with her strengh of character and her love. She loves stuff like knitting and handicrafts. […] They live in their house from all life in a small city in Ohio. Search it on Google Maps. One of their childs live in Columbus, the capital of the state. The small city has around 2000 inhabitants that produces ceramic. Before there was a coal mine, but it closed years ago. The nearest mall is one hour away. It isn't exactly charming as city, but it is free from all the oportunities to lose time and the sense or meaning of life available in other cities. They are good people. The teenager in THRILLED (like that, with capital letters) that you are coming. You are going to make him popular 😄. They are simple and modest people that doesn't appeal for the presumptuous lifestyle. They like what is informal, easy-going and calmed and habitual. They have their iPod, cable TV, computers, yet they are not interested in the show business lifestyle. They like good people, stuff well done, they want good education, a good job, a good wife and nice children. They have a high priority to kindness, to be cordial and educated and to have good intentions and do no harm to other people.
How to integrate
In terms of manners, urbanity, etiquette, tidiness, etc, Ecuadorians generally have cultural shocks with the yankees. Yankees do not have aristocrats or cleaning ladies. You are used to give kisses, greet with your hand, to eat with forks, knives and tablecloth; that beds, floors, the kitchen and bathrooms are always immaculate. Try and do your best to cook, sweep, wash the clothes, scrub, flush the toilets, pick up any mesh that you find when you are with the family. Don't be fussy with people that doesn't count with external help. Be yourself. Try that they feel comfortable... when you do a joke, make them laugh and not only yourself. If they take out their shoes, do it as well. If they tell a bad word, say it as well. Perhaps you would like to tell an anecdote of your life, something different from yourself: say it shortly enough and relate it to the people that are listening it like "Well,'x' is done in my country, the same way 'y' is done in your country". Remember that people generally, even the good ones, are interested in themselves, in their problems and in their stuff. Interest yourself in them, let yourself get fascinated in their lives, find out about what they live, participate in their worries or sorrows and hobbies. Do not keep distances, be yourself, easy, not presumptuous. You have more opportunities than the majority of people in Ohio. No one is going to spend one year in Germany when they graduate. If they have enough luck, they will go to college or university. Do not remind them. If they ask you, then tell something about you and then ask them something that makes them feel important and realise that your are genuinely interested in them.
How do Americans think?
For me, it's a wonderful opportunity that you spend some time with other family. English... well, iot is barely learned in one month. (Truth be told, I hope that some German is useful for you). Most importantly, you are going to see life from another viewpoint. Even to good people, such as my uncle, has a difficult time viewing life through other lenses and accept that all yankees are son of ($·*Ñ]! There are many kinds of yankees, with many diverse opinions and that different groups have different influences. What it looks as hypocrisy and incoherence, is actually variety and pluralism. Generally, the yankee is instinctively proud of what he or she has: a cou8ntry founded on ideals of liberty and dignity, as Lincoln used to say: ideals never reached or accomplished, always pursuited and approximated. Living in a huge country and inmensily successful, it is not accounted for or in necesity to find out what occurs in the rest of the workld. Loivijng ij a coujtrystable enjoguh and full of opportunities, he or she doesn't not feel the necesity to tals about polotics, to criticise to minister A or B. The yankee certainly laments or feels sorry aboutthe suffering in other countries and sincerely wants to help, but he or she doesn't understandt why they unite, as they did in 1787, establishes a constitution that lasts for hundreds of years and put themselves to work. It is not easy to be successful but why don't they try it or at least do the effort? It is not your job to open their eyes, your mission is to open YOUR eyes and see their world.
Ending of the letter
One of the most important and keen books that you can read is "Democracy in America" from a french, Alexis de Tocqueville. If you can find it in Spanish, take it a look. See you there and I send you a hug. -G.
