American way of life: how Americans live
America is always on the mind. She beckons and evokes conflicting feelings, she is discussed and condemned, and of course, she is admired! Tourists usually return home from America quite impressed by the sociability and friendliness of Americans. Of course, you can meet exceptions: an ill-mannered taxi driver, a rude waiter, although this most likely will not change the overall impression. But you can really get to know the American way of life only after living in America for a while.
For those who have not yet been to the “states”, it will most likely be interesting to briefly get acquainted with what the life of Americans is like, what is its image and style. So the introduction begins...
How do Americans live?
In fact, the main American national traits are friendliness towards strangers and ease of communication. These people are trained to be polite with guests, and when answering the standard question: “Do you like it here?” Asked somewhere in Europe, they will adhere to the rule: “If you can’t say something good, it’s better not to answer at all” . And therefore, the standards of honesty that other nations profess, Americans interpret in their own way, considering such “honesty” as a sign of rudeness.
As a rule, in America, people move freely both geographically and socially. They easily make acquaintances and make new friends. True, most American houses are still separated from each other by a fence. And even such invisible barriers as lawns are adequately perceived and respected: one can have friendly relations with a neighbor in a dwelling, and at the same time not show interest in his affairs. And although this dividing line is very thin, it still exists as a border.
Americans believe that religious, political, and income-related topics should not be discussed in casual conversation, and people who insist on mentioning their status in a conversation or those who put on airs are usually considered insincere. They are often the object of ridicule.
In general, Americans love practical jokes, puns and jokes, however, their specifics are not always clear to foreigners. You have to live in America for two years to learn to perceive their humor, which they call "tomfoolery" - this part of the everyday communication of most residents of the "states", which is often the background of ordinary conversation. However, jokes, witticisms and mutual banter are not used just as entertainment. Their goal is often more serious - the expression of their own opinion. In view of this, many American citizens believe that any person can be recognized by the perception of a joke addressed to him. They appreciate the ability to joke in such a way as to get out of a sensitive situation or prevent an argument.
American daily life
The life of most ordinary Americans is concentrated, as a rule, around their home. Necessary homework is always found, and most do it with their own hands. And if the owners do not have enough time to clean up the yard or in the rooms, then the lawn in front of the house must be in perfect condition, otherwise - a fine!
They do not go to the store every day and stock up on groceries, usually for a week. They almost never pay in cash, because they prefer cards (most often credit cards). Once a week, without fail, the whole family gathers together for dinner to discuss and find out what is happening. It is customary to arrange parties on the lawn for the neighbors.
In many families, parents, as a rule, always demand all possible help around the house from children. Americans instruct their children to vacuum rugs and furniture, wash floors and windows, mow the lawn, clear snow, and look after pets. But in some families, adults also do this work. Children are often rewarded for such services with little pocket money.
Teenagers usually work part-time at the supermarket or washing cars, mowing lawns, delivering newspapers, or babysitting. Parents welcome this not at all because they cannot provide their children with everything they need. It's just that such an experience is useful, because children leave the house immediately after graduation, having already been accustomed to physical labor, which often becomes the beginning of progress towards gaining the necessary position in society.
American lifestyle
The morning in an American family begins, perhaps, as in other countries: working parents go to work, and children go to school. Most of the adults leave in cars, while the children are picked up by school buses. By the way, at the age of 16, many children get a license and have their own cars, despite the fact that insurance for minors and novice drivers (with the exception of excellent students) is many times more expensive than for adults. 
Schools are divided by age: elementary school, middle school and high school, each in a separate building. For kids, classes begin at 8:30, and for high school students as early as 7 in the morning (at about 6:30 in the morning they are picked up from the stop by a yellow school bus). The cost of schooling depends on the area in which you live (the better the area, the higher the status of the educational institution). Tuition is paid once a year, it is included in the general tax, and then the state itself distributes the money for its intended purpose.
Many Americans work no more than eight hours a day and usually take two days off each week. In addition, some employers offer work with various modes, part-time work or remote work at home, using the phone and the Internet. Online in the States is considered the norm in everything - they pay bills online, make purchases.
Almost every American, in addition to work or study and household chores, attends courses, goes to a bridge, bowling or golf club. Many are members of various public organizations and societies, while being very active in charity. Parishioners of one church often organize charity events: dinners where everyone treats others to some dish they brought with them, selling pastries or cakes, and even washing cars.
Life is also “boiling” for children: playing a musical instrument, riding and ballroom dancing lessons, skating, swimming, tennis and golf - everything that parents consider useful. One child goes to a club for a party or meeting, another goes to the library, and a third goes to the movies. Neighbors constantly come in, the phone rings without ceasing, notes hang on the refrigerator, reminding family members (everyone without exception!) Of what needs to be done, and so on for days on end.
Lifestyle in America
There is a lot of work, and people don’t have time to just lie on the couch. On your feet all week, and only on weekends you can get out to the park, have a barbecue, invite friends to a party. There are few holidays and vacations in the USA, and they are shorter than, for example, in Russia. The middle class rests once a year, especially if there are children. Family vacations are expensive, most vacations are spent in California or Florida. Wealthy people prefer to relax in Hawaii, the Bahamas and Alaska. All Americans, regardless of income, love discounts and usually do not buy anything without discounts (fortunately, they are almost always available).
Life tends to force "American residents" to do well in exams for admission to prestigious universities in order to get a high-paying profession, be able to "grow" professionally and intellectually, lose weight, improve health and learn to relax. In America, you can’t get a job through blasphemy and you won’t pass an exam for beautiful eyes. Only hard work and ability can guarantee a consistently high standard of living.
Any services, be it medicine, education or calling a plumber to your home, are expensive, and you can’t live on a salary of 3 thousand dollars. The average American needs to earn $7,000 to $10,000 a month to afford to keep a house, travel, educate their children, receive services, pay taxes, and go to shops and restaurants. A trip to the doctor (visit only) costs from 40 to 60 dollars for insurance, if there is neither insurance nor money, then it is easier to immediately prepare for a “meeting with Elvis”.
American lifestyle
Americans believe that everyday life should be untiring, and everything that industry produces should serve a person and make his life as comfortable as possible. Everything from mail-order sales to banking services right in the customer's car, from computer services to the supply of materials for clothing and ready-made confectionery or culinary dishes to take away, is done in this country for the people! Why carry cash in your purse when you have a plastic card?
In clothes, Americans also prefer comfort, and only at work or a party they follow the dress code. They don’t iron clothes, they don’t dry them like we do on a string, they have machines: one washes, the other dries. Office clothes are usually sent to the cleaners ($2.50 per shirt), from where they are returned in a ready-to-wear condition. No American will lie under the hood of a car - he will invite a specialist, and nine out of ten will buy coffee in a cafe in the morning or drink it on the go on the way to work, although almost every home has a fine coffee machine.
Every American smiles, especially at work. It's not acceptable to be rude at work. After all, the boss must show his subordinates, and his subordinates - to buyers or customers, that “everything is OK with me!”. The American businessman is not pedantic or petty, but at the same time he understands that there are no trifles in the organization of any business. Therefore, he carefully prepares for the upcoming negotiations, taking into account absolutely all the elements that can in any way affect the success of the case. Citizens of the United States also value punctuality and save time - they use laptop diaries and live according to a schedule, arriving exactly on time for an appointment.
American lifestyle
Smoking in public places is prohibited, and Americans drink alcohol in the form of cocktails, where there is more ice than liquid. Most of the population suffers from obesity - cheap fast foods are plentiful and difficult to refuse.
To combat overweight, which is turning into a national problem, sports are promoted - even the president participates in races and various sports events.
There are many lonely old people in the country and you will often meet an elderly person walking his dog than with his grandchildren, since children and parents in the United States exist far and apart from each other. Americans are very independent, because the main idea of the American way of life is that everyone is the creator of his own destiny.
Americans are sociable, but visiting their home is not at all easy. It is more likely to receive an invitation from them to a restaurant than to your own home. To spend a lunch break with a person during the working day means to maintain a business relationship with him. But to invite a married couple to your house in the evening is already a personal relationship. In general, they rarely eat and cook at home, preferring to go to restaurants, by the way, almost all restaurants are adapted so that even small children can sit here.
Since American citizens are great patriots of their homeland, they do not approve of any criticism that foreigners express about anything related to their country, for example, about an article published in a newspaper or magazine. They may not approve of the policy pursued by their president at all, but they will not allow any criticism of foreigners in his direction.
This people sincerely believes that their American way of life is the highest achievement of mankind, and the United States of America itself is the most important country in the world. And they sincerely respect all existing American laws and their authority.
So your acquaintance with how Americans live in their United States has come true.
