Appearances are deceptive. It is a common truth; practically everyone has met at least someone whose character and appearance differ radically.
When one sees a tall, broad-shouldered youth, one expects him to be strong-willed and brave. One thinks: 'A model to follow!' How often a good-looking individual turns out to be petty, weak-willed or even cowardly. Then one thinks: 'A mediocrity!'
At the same time everyone knows that a lot of great people were of a poor build: short and fragile. It did not stop them from displaying intelligence and courage. Ingenuity does not depend on one's complexion or constitution.
Plump or fat people create an impression of generous and kind personalities. Strangely enough, not rarely they may be thrifty or even greedy. One usually thinks: 'A scrooge!'
On the other hand, thin or slim nervous ladies often tend to be lavish. They like to buy and never think twice when they pay. One thinks: 'I would call her open-handed and Mother would call her a spendthrift'. Yes, mothers are always stricter in judgements.
Has it ever happened to you that you come to an important office and see an important boss? You immediately evaluate his looks: 'Round-faced, small narrow eyes, dimples on the cheeks and an upturned nose. What a kind-hearted person! A simpleton!' You tell the boss of your troubles and expect immediate help. But the boss appears to be rude, harsh and wilful. You never get your help and think: 'A stone heart and an iron fist'.
When someone sees a delicately built pretty blonde with curly hair, blue eyes, a straight nose and a high forehead, one is inclined to think that the beauty is intelligent and nice. It may be disappointing to think later 'What a stupid, capricious, impolite bore!'
On the contrary, when one sees a skinny brunette with ugly irregular features a hooked nose, pointed chin, close-set eyes and thin lips, strange thoughts come to one's head; because it is the image of evil people cruel and cunning. It may be a relief some time later to find her a clever, gentle and good-mannered lady and think: 'What charm! A heart of gold!'
Another general misconception lies in the fact that children are always expected to resemble their parents. And parents like it when children take after them. Relatives like to compare moles, the shape of noses, etc. The greatest compliment is: "They are as like as two peas'. The greatest disappointment is to find nothing in common. We want to deny people their exclusiveness, we don't want to admit that nature has selected other options from an enormous genetic fund developed over generations. Why do we like our copies? Who knows!
Nature likes to play tricks on us. But don't you think it is a present on the part of nature? Life becomes not a boring routine, but a brilliant kaleidoscope of characters and appearances which often clash.
What Americans are like?
The USA is populated by a large and highly-diverse collection of individuals. Its difficult to generalize about what Americans are like.
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The American society is composed of people from many social, cultural, ethnic and national backgrounds, different social standings and vastly different philosophies of life. But still there are some features which are typical of an average American.
1. Americans are individuals.
They have strong family ties, but individuality and individual rights are most important for them. Americans want to control their own destinies without outside interference (). It also leads Americans to an honest respect for other individuals and on insistence on human equality ().
2. Americans are independent and self-relied.
From an early age children are thought to stand on their own two feet (an idiom meaning to be independent). It means achieving both financial and emotional independence from their parents as early as possible.
Americans believe that they must be self-relied in order to keep their freedom. Most students in US choose their own classes, select their own majors (= main subject), follow their own careers; arrange their own marriages instead of following a parental plan.
3. Americans are direct. Very direct.
Honesty and frankness are more important to Americans than saving face. They may be blunt (, ) at times and in polite conversation they may bring up topics and issues which one can find embarrassing, controversial or even offensive. Americans are quick to get to the point and their directness encourages Americans to talk over disagreements ().
4. Americans are very informal.
They like to dress informally, entertain informally and they treat each other in a very informal way, even when there is a great difference in age or social standing. Students and professors often call each other by their first names. Each student usually has his own table; they may even sit on the floor during their lectures or on the grass in campus. To some people this informality may seem disrespectful, but it is a part of US culture. Although there are times when Americans are respectful of and even sentimental about a tradition, in general there is a little concern for set social rules.
5. Americans are competitive.
They place a high value of achievement and this leads them to compete against each other. Everywhere there is a friendly and not so friendly competition. Although often competitive, Americans also have a good sense of team spirit of cooperating with others to achieve a goal.
They may do something nasty if they feel that the person is better than themselves, to spoil someones career.
6. Americans are achievers.
They are obsessed with records of achievement in sport, in business and elsewhere and they normally keep them on their office walls or displayed them at home walls.
Americans like to show off.
7. Americans are friendly but in their own specific way.
Friendship among Americans turns to be shorter and more casual than friendship among people from other cultures. This has something to do with American mobility, and the fact that Americans dont like to be dependent on other people. Also Americans tend to divide friendships, having friends at work, friends in aerobics or family friends.
8. Americans ask a lot of questions.
Some questions may seem pointless. You may even asked very personal questions by someone you have just met. These questions usually grow out of their interest or curiosity.
Silence makes Americans uncomfortable. Small talks about the weather or the latest sport events help to avoid silence.
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9. Americans are often accused of being materialistic.
Success is often measured by how much money a person has, how much profit a business makes, how many material goods a person accumulates. Expensive possessions are symbols of ones financial success, but for Americans this materialism is natural and proper.
They have been taught that it is good thing to achieve, to work hard, acquire more material badges of their success, and like people from elsewhere, they do what they are taught. Many Americans are materially successful and still have time to appreciate the cultural, spiritual and human aspects of life.
Their motto is: the earlier you start working the more material badges you can acquire.
10. Americans are time-conscience and value punctuality.
They keep appointment calendars and live according to a schedule. They are usually on time for appointments. American students seem to be always in a hurry and sometimes this makes them appear rude. Americans are generally quick, energetic and get many things done by rushing around.
11. Americans tend to be geographically naive.
Many US students are not very knowledge about international geography or world affairs. Very often they ask uninformed questions about current events. Probably, because the USA is not surrounded by many other nations, some Americans tend to ignore the rest of the world.
