FREE ESSAY ON COMPARISON BETWEEN AMERICAN AND INDAIN CULTURE

COMPARISON BETWEEN AMERICAN AND INDAIN CULTURE

Comparison Between American and Indian Culture and Values
There are a lot of differences between American and Indian culture and values. As we know
today, the American culture is a mixture of different cultures. India, on the other hand,
has its own culture and values. I would like to introduce the culture and value
differences between these two countries.
Americans believe that they can really control their future. They are more specific to
plan things. Indian people, however, believe that everything goes by God's will. They
make short term plans. However, Americans always like to plan things ahead. They think
they can/should control and dominate nature and the world around them. Americans are more
goal-oriented, where as Indian people are more people oriented. They make their goals
around people of the family. They even change their goals sometimes if they do not suit
the needs of their family or family members. On the other hand, Americans are always
ready to do anything to get the job done or achieve their goal.
One major difference between the two cultures is family values. American people tend to
have a series of short-term relationships, and many do not commit with one person for a
long time. Indians, however, believe in long term relationships. They are more
family-oriented and respect human relationships. They care for their family and are
always ready to do anything for them. Extended families are traditional in India, while
nuclear families are prevalent in the U.S.
Change is a good value and indicative of improvement and growth. Americans thinking about
change is very positive. They like mobility, migration, movement and change in their life
style. Indian culture, on the other hand, looks upon change as negative. They like
stability. They work hard to maintain their status quo. Americans place great emphasis on
time and its value. They believe "time is money," and try to make every day productive.
They do not like to waste time. They always like to do their work on time. Unfortunately,
Indians are careless about the value of time. Time does not mean much and carries little
importance for them.
Indians are more formal than American people. Americans believe to formal is to be stuffy
and arrogant and affected. This casual egalitarian attitude is meant to make everybody
(foreigners) feel at home and welcome. American people are more practical but Indians are
more efficient. Americans believe in more action and fewer words. Every decision is to be
based on practicality, not upon aesthetics, or on consensus so everybody is made to feel
good. Indians are known for their hard work, vitality and dynamism. There is an old
saying "Dab ke wah te Raj ke kha" (work hard and eat to your satisfaction) that is very
appropriate for Indians. Due to their hard work, Indians are very successful in other
countries; they work as teachers, doctors, engineers, drivers, shopkeepers and run
restaurateurs. They are less rigid. They have learned to assimilate the new culture
pattern. Where as, the core of western culture is individual. They may be less hard
working than Indians, but they have more resources.
As you can see, here are many differences between the American and Indian cultures.
Americans are independent and relaxed, while Indians tend to be extremely family-oriented
and hard working. Americans enjoy mobility and change, while Indians seek stability. Even
though each culture has both negative and positive aspects, both would benefit greatly
from learning about one another.
Americans like privacy and are very independent. They believe the individual is
paramount. Americans do not like to work in groups, but Indian people are collectivist
people. They always enjoy working as members of a group. Americans tend to think about
themselves and place their needs above all else. American teenagers, for example, do not
always consider consequences before they act. They just care about having fun. Indian
teens have to think of many things before they make any decision. They must consider the
effect their action will have on their family, and how society will react. Family
reputation is very important to them, and they must be careful not to do anything to put
down the family name. Family values are much more important for them. Family comes first
and individuals own identity is second.
Americans take pride in their own accomplishment, not in name. They believe that a person
should be self-reliant and not be dependent on others. On the other hand, Indians are
very dependent on others. Children are not brought to be independent. They are taught
form very young age that there are others who will help them and they have to help
others. They help their young ones. Elders generally make decisions. Very few can make
decisions on their own. Their elders always support young ones.
Competition is a good value. Competition is what brings out the best in people and
achieves the best results. The spirit of competition is more in Indians people as
compared to Americans. In school, for instance, Indian children are encouraged to excel.
The expectations of families towards their children are very high. Parents always
motivate their children to compete with others and live up to their full potential.
From the beginning, American children are taught to be direct, open and honest. They are
raised to look others straight in the eye and "tell it like it is." They do not hesitate
to express their opinions. Indian children however, are taught respect above all else.
Unlike American culture, starting straight into the eyes of elders is considered
disrespectful. A child is expected to be soft-spoken, respectful and obedient at all
times.
Many of the differences between eastern and western cultures stem from the fact that
eastern cultures and values are based around their religions. Religion and family has a
tremendous effect on the values and daily lives of Indians. Americans, being more
individualistic, respect their religion but live life according to their own will.