Create a new account

It's simple, and free.

Greek vs. American Cultures

AmericaÆs freedom and opportunity have drawn immigrants from all over the world to her shores to join together in one of the largest melting pots in the world. In the streets of America, Italians can live next door to Germans, and Africans can live next door to Native Americans. Since immigrants bring elements of their culture with them to America, knowing someone of another ethnicityùor even growing up in an ethnic familyùcan convince us that we are acquainted with that culture. However, when immigrants arrive here, they gradually become assimilated into American society. They may still speak their native language and live in neighborhoods where others from their land congregate, but as time goes by, they gradually and almost imperceptibly adapt to the American culture. This is why knowing the French lady across the street is not the same as knowing French people who live in France.

It is usually surprising, then, to travel to a foreign country for the first time and discover how different its culture and lifestyle are from ours in terms of priorities, fellowship, and entertainment. Such is the case with Greece. Even American Greeks are struck by the differences between our culture and the native Greek culture. One of the first things that Americans notice in Greece is contrasting priorities. Americans are always pressed for time. They are juggling many responsibilities, stressed, and ôtryingö to make time for their professed priorities but usually falling short. In Greece, there is no such inner turmoil. Enjoying life with family and friends is one of the top priorities, and there is no struggle to try to accommodate that in a busy schedule. When it is time for a meal, everything stops. Stores close, people go home, and all else is temporarily dropped. The Greeks enjoy life to the fullest. They eat together, laugh much, and give no thought to matters of less importance when they are enj

...

Page 1 of 4 Next >

More on Greek vs. American Cultures...

Loading...
APA     MLA     Chicago
Greek vs. American Cultures. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 08:12, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1712371.html