Values Americans Live By

          We were given an article to read in class that was written by Robert Kohls. The entire article explains to foreign people visiting America, how America works. Kohls makes a point of telling these people that we as Americans believe, “their belief that every individual is so unique that the same list of values could never be applied to all. or even most, of their fellow citizens.” This is basically saying that Americans think each person is so individual that none of us could have the same values. On the back of this article there is a list of the top fifteen values Americans do have. Kohls states, “Before proceeding to the list itself, we should also point out that Americans see all of these values as very positive ones.” Other countries look at our values and think our priorities are askew. Other countries view a lot of our values negatively.

            Value number six on the back of this worksheet is Process and Progress. Kohl uses an example of someone asking for directions. In America if someone asks for directions, you explain in detail how to get to that place, and then you move on. In other countries that would be considered rude. They would expect you to walk with them and show you the place they wish to go. We as Americans view this as a learning experience. If you tell them how to get there and they take the directions and get to that place they have learned something new. As Americans we believe in personal progress.

            Although, we view our country as a not having values, we just do not notice them. Other countries notice them very quickly. We come of as rude or unfriendly because we are focused on progress and individualism.  
 This picture shows that Americans are mainly focused on work and like to do thing by themselves. Although this is showing that girls are proving that they can do the same as boys, it is still a good example to show how competitive Americans are.