La culture américaine Vs la culture européenne (document en anglais)

American versus European culture

The Europeans have created America and therefore both cultures have much in common. These two continents are not far from each other, yet despite their similarities, the differences are much greater. Those differences have grown with the time, especially concerning those fundamental topics, which are politics, nutrition and etiquette.

First of all, there is a large difference between the French and the Americans concerning nutrition. Moreover, the French population will prefer to eat a certain quantity and quality of food. On the other hand, the Americans will insist more on the quantity than on the quality. The way a country consumes its food can illustrate how society is working. Nutrition in the USA can be qualified as modern because it is easy to prepare and fast to eat. Furthermore, the Europeans are trying to keep a traditional style of food and so they are eating more healthily than the Americans. In USA the average of food eaten is considerable. They are eating two times more than the European, that’s why there is so many obesity in US.

Fundamentally, the politics in those two continents are quite the same because they are both based on the constitution. As we know the Unites-States is the most important nation in the world and is also placed in the first position in many industries.

Europe united is the most powerful country in the world so the distinctions are quite important to notice. The most striking difference is on the social view. Europe is helping the poor’s by giving them grants and good insurance. On the other hand, in US when you are in a financial difficult position most of the time the government is not going to help you. The most shocking example is when you are sick and you have to go to the hospital but you can’t afford you this service, they are not going to treat you.

Finally, the most glaring differences are especially at the etiquette level. Basically we are not acting and living like each other. The greetings are really casual in America, handshake and saying hello are enough and you should call people by their first name.

In Europe it s more rude you have to be traditional. Someone presents you and you also have to call people by their first name and last name. The big differences are on the dinning rules. In USA you can eat a lot of foods by hands, you can refuse things you don t like, it is served in large plates and you have to pass over the plates for the other guests.

In Europe all those things are improper. There are some strict rules that are dictated the way you have to eat and if you don’t refer to it the guests will not appreciate.

In conclusion, most of the people think that there are not so many differences between our two cultures but if we search deeply we can see that a real gap has been created with the ages. Furthermore the topics we have illustrated have created many debates and meditatively it is one of the major subject.

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