America is the third largest country in the world with a population of 325 million. The country has developed from its native American roots following a series of waves of immigration and has drawn in people from all over the world. As a result it is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, often described as a ‘melting pot’. In such a vast country it is virtually impossible to describe a ‘typical’ American.
Freedom and individualism in America
The American lifestyle places a strong emphasis on personal freedom and individualism. Expats might notice the sense of empowerment and self expression that permeates various aspects of life, from career choices to personal beliefs to how people speak about themselves and their lives. If you are from a country that favors a more collectivist mindset, this may be jarring, but it is part of what has built the free wheeling, bombastic, and exciting aspect of life in America.
Family in America
The nuclear family unit is most common in the US, although there are families made up of any combination of relations. While marriage before children used to be the norm, unmarried couples and single parent homes are just as common now. American families value individuality, and past stigmas against different kinds of families are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Even so, multiple generations of family members living together are not common. As children grow older, they become more independent from their families. Americans are considered adults at the age of 18, which coincides with high school graduation. It's normal for young adults to live on their own, even if it's in the same town as their parents. The United States' focus on personal happiness and fulfillment means it's common for families to live apart because of work or personal preference.
Work life balance in America
Americans work a lot, clocking in more hours than any other industrialized country. Part of this norm is the idea of the American Dream and that you can achieve anything if you work hard enough. It's probably the most valued part of life in the US, to the point that a job is almost synonymous with a person's identity. In fact, contrary to many cultures, asking a person what they do for a living is a common question and not seen as rude or intrusive. In American work life, making money is the supreme goal, and it's not considered crass to say so. An unfortunate byproduct of this lifestyle is that many Americans don't have a lot of paid time off vacation (aka annual leave), or even when they do, they don't always use them. The average American worker gets 11 days of paid vacation per year, which might be a shock to those from countries with more robust labor laws. Many European countries tend to offer more generous paid vacation time. It's not uncommon for employees in countries like France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to have a statutory minimum of 20 to 30 days of paid leave per year.
Language There is no official language in the US, although some states have official or preferred languages. English is the dominant language and 90% of the population speaks at least some English. However, it is estimated that around 20% of the population speak a language other than English at home. Spanish, Chinese, French and German are the most common other languages.
Religion in America
The first European settlers came to the United States looking for freedom and opportunity and religious freedom was a big part of this. To this day, religion continues to play an important role in American society, and almost every known religion is practiced in the country with over 70% of Americans identifying as Christians.
The original settlers in America were often driven by a desire to find religious freedom and religion is still very important in American society. Virtually every known religion is practised in America and only 23% of Americans identify themselves as having no religion, according to research by the Pew Research Center. Around 71% identify themselves as Christian and there are growing populations of Muslim and Buddhist followers.
Sporting culture in America
Sports are deeply ingrained in American society, with major leagues for football, basketball, baseball, and more. Expats might enjoy the excitement of attending live games and engaging in spirited sports discussions. On game days, in certain cities and college towns, you might see people dressed in team colors, marching bands, and tailgating near the stadium. "Tailgating" means gathering in the parking lot of a sports stadium or event venue before a game or event. People often set up grills, food, and drinks, and hang out in the open space behind their parked vehicles.
