Practicality and Efficiency

Informality

Future Orientation

Valuing the future and the improvements Americans aresure the future will bring what they need at the present. Americans hope that the future would bring even greater happiness they have now. Almost all energyis directed towardrealizing that better future.

7. Action/WorkOrientation

"Don’t just stand there," goes а typical bit of American advice, "do something" Americans routinely plan and, schedule an extremely active day. Any relaxation must be limited in time, pre-planned, and aimed at "recreating" their ability to work harder and moreproductively once the recreation is over. The first question one American will ask another American when meeting forthe first time is related to his or her work "What do you do?" "Where do you work?"

Americans are one of the most informal and casual groups of people in the world. As one example of this informality, American bosses often urgetheir employees to call them by their first names and even feel uncomfortable if they are called bу the title "Мг." or "Mrs."

9. Directness, Openness and Honesty

Many other countries have developed highly ritualistic ways of informing other people of unpleasant information. Americans, however, have always preferred the direct approach. They are likely to be completely honest in delivering their negative evaluations. If you come from а society, which uses the indirect manner of conveying bad news or uncomplimentary evaluations, you will be shocked at Americans' bluntness.

Americans have а reputation for being an extremely realistic, practical and efficient people. The love of "practicality" has also caused Americans to view some professions more favorably than others. Management and economics, for example, are much morepopular in the United States than philosophy or anthropology, law and medicine more valued than the arts.

11. Materialism/Acquisitiveness

Foreigners generally consider Americans to be very materialistic. Americans would like to think that their material objects are just the natural benefits, which always result from hard work and serious intent — а reward, they think, which all people could enjoy. But by any standard, Americans are materialistic. This means that they value and collect more material objects than most people would everdream of owning. It also means they give higher priority to obtaining, maintaining and protecting their material objects.

V. Summarize the information you’ve got from the article and speak about every point from it in general.

For example: Point 1 - Personal Control over the Environment. That means that Americans are sure that they must control nature and take care of the environment by themselves.

Дата добавления: 2014-11-25