Holidays in the United States

Behavior, which can be defined as the way a person acts or does things, can be shaped by cultural norms and values. In Germany, for example, not cleaning your plate at the end of a meal can be considered impolite, but in the United States it is not shamed against if you do not clean your plate. This example can shape behavior by either being thankful for what you have been given or greedy by not finishing your meal. These differences and similarities can not only be seen in customs, but also in holidays. There are a few holidays in Germany that are different than in the United States; such as, Dreikönigsfest, but Weihnachten, which is called Christmas in the United States, and Sankt Martinstag, which is similar to Halloween, are two of some…

in the seasons of autumn and spring. There are also distinctions which allow each season to stand out on its own. During spring everyday something new is born from a beautiful flower to a buzzing bee. The plants and trees begin to wither in autumn as the days grow longer and cooler. Though, autumn and spring are similar seasons, they have many drastic differences such as climate, holidays, and changes in appearance. Spring is the giver of life and autumn takes life away.…

observance of Labor Day occurred. Over the next four years, this holiday would be celebrated in over 400 cities. Oregon was the first state in the union to make Labor Day an official holiday, New York would follow later that same year. Furthermore, New York declared the first Monday in September as the official day to celebrate this holiday (Foner, 2005). By 1894, Labor Day became a federal holiday. How this holiday would look and take place was outlined in the first proposal for the…

commence with the topics my grandmother and I spoke about I will introduce her. Her name is Ana Arenas. She was born on the fourteenth of January in 1933. She was also born in the rural area Garagoa Boyacá, Colombia. She is living in her native country, but visits during holidays to visit…

There are many holidays throughout the year. Holidays can represent different things depending on a person's religion or culture. They are generally made to celebrate, appreciate or admire a person or object that is important to that culture. There are many cultural differences and similarities in holidays with Spanish-speaking countries compared to the United States. Spanish speaking countries have specific holidays that are important to their country, a few are the Day of the Dead,…

Could you imagine celebrating a holiday with a family of a different culture than yours? The Chinese narrator of “Fish Cheeks” celebrated Christmas Eve dinner with a United States family. The diverse cultures become evident throughout the short story. Culture diversity only makes one’s culture more unique. The diversity between Chinese and United States culture is unique and is easily shown in “Fish Cheeks.” Chinese customs, traditions, and popular holiday food differ greatly from United States…

In Spanish-speaking countries holidays are very different from what most people celebrate in the United States. It is important to understand these differences when learning about other countries because it can give a better understanding of culture and traditions. In Spanish-speaking countries they have different holidays, traditions and culture than we do in the United States. They have many holidays that we do not celebrate such as the Day of the Dead and Carnival. “Day of the Dead is a…

There are many varied interpretations, perceptions, and feelings regarding one of the most recognized holidays in the United States. Today, it appears many people face the professional and moral dilemma of just how to be honest and informative about the true nature of Thanksgiving without passing on historical distortions, and racial and cultural stereotypes. The problem is that part of what many feel they have learned in childhood about the Pilgrims and indigenous Indians and the 'First…

On the fifth of May every year many Mexicans and Mexican-Americans gather together to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (fifth of may in Spanish). Many Americans mistakenly believe this day to be Mexico’s Independence Day (actually celebrated on September 16). In reality, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the 1862 Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. The French went on take the capital, Mexico City, and impose a monarchy until 1867, but the battle still symbolized a significant Mexican…

Culture: United States and China There are several cultures across the world but there are all different from one another. Culture is the knowledge, language, values, customs, and material objects that are passed from person to person and from one generation to the next in a human group or society. (According Kendall Diana, 2014, Sociology in Our Times 10th Edition). The two cultures that I chose are American and China cultures. I chose American and Chinese because I want to learn more about…