nonverbal ways (without words, but The Future, Change & Progress: • Lack of concem about history and tradition than are people from older societies. "History doesn't matter," many will say. • Many look ahead and have the idea that what happens in the future is within their control, or at least subject to their influences. • tis often believed that people, as individuals or working cooperatively together, can change most aspects of the physical and social environment if they decide to do so and create a plan of action or schedule. Achievement, Work, Action, and Materialism: • "She's a hard worker" Or "he gets the job done." are expressions used in admiration for a person who approaches a task conscientiously and persistently and is successful. • This conveys an admiration for achievers, people whose lives are centered around efforts to accomplish some physical, measurable thing. Social psychologists use the term "achievement motivation" to describe what appears to be the intention underlying US American's behavior. • There is still a strong belief that the ideal person is a "hard worker."A hard worker is one who "gets right to work" on a task in a way that meets reasonably high standards of quality. Directness and Assertiveness: • Many consider themselves to be frank, open, and drect in their dealings with other people. It is believed that one should explicitly state what they think and what they want from others. • This is often seen in conflicts or disagreements and the belef that they should be settled through discussions among the people involved. • Many will often speak openly and directly to others about things they disike. This is intended to be "constructive, so that the other person will not find it offensive or unacceptable. • I they do not speak openly about what is on their minds, they will often convey their reactions in nonverbal ways (without words, but through facial expressions, body positions, and gestures). • in many Asian countries it is taught that one should guard their emotional responses. Their words, the tone of their voices, or their facial expressions will usually reveal what they are feeling-angry. unhappy, confused, happy or content. Time • For US Americans, time is a "resource". "Time is money." many say. "You only get so much ime in this life: you'd better use it wisely." The future will not be better than the past or the present unless people use their time for constructive, future oriented tasks A wel organized" person, one who has written lists of things to do and a schedule for doing them is often valued highly. • The ideal person is punctual (that is, arives at the scheduled time for a meeting or event) and is considerate of other people's time (that is, does not "waste people's time" with conversation or other Value / Belief Individualism: • Many have been trained from early in their lives to consider themselves separate individuals who are responsible for their own situations in life and their own destinies. • They have not been trained to see themselves as members of a close-knit, tightly interdependent family, religious group, tribe, nation, or other group. Equality: • Many believe in the idea of equality, as stated in their Declaration of Independence, that "all [people] are created equal." and have a deep faith that in some way all people (at least al US American people) are of equal value. • Although they sometimes violate this ideal in their daily lives. • Many acknowledge status differences in subtle ways when it comes to factors such as gender, age, wealth, or social position. This can be seen through tone of voice, order of speaking, choice of words, seating arrangements. Informality: • The idea of equality leads to informal behavior and relationships with other people. Store workers and waiters, introduce themselves by their first (given) names and treat customers in a casual, friendly manner. • Slang is heavily used on most occasions, with formal speech reserved for public events and fairly formal situations. People of almost any station in life can be seen in public wearing jeans, sandals, or other informal attire. People slouch down in chairs or lean on walls or furniture when they talk, rather than sitting or standing up straight. • The superficial friendliness is related to this informal approach. "Hi!" many will say to just about anyone. "How ya doing?" (That is "How are you doing?" or "How are you?") This behavior does not reflect a special interest in the person addressed.