What is culture? What is my culture?

cul·ture

ˈkəlCHər

noun

1. 1.

   the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.

Here is how I see American culture. Everyone in America loves their rights. People enroll in the military to fight for our freedom. When someone's rights are taken away, there are protests in the streets to have it restored. If people in the government or law enforcement are treating someone unfairly, people will fight to make sure that they are punished for their wrong doings. Lots of people are really patriotic and would do anything for the country that has given them the life that they live. Everyone is also unique. Everyone has their own style of doing things that is distinctly them. People are all different nationalities, have all different religions, have all kinds of different ancestry, talk differently, use different slang, have different friends, have different jobs, have different goals in life, and so much more. People are constantly expressing themselves through art and fashion. Art and fashion are also a way for people to rebel against the social norm and to stand out in a crowd or expose something to the public. People in America are also all about opportunities and most hate the idea of missing a once in a lifetime experience that could potentially change their life forever. Another one of the best things is the food. America has all kinds of absolutely amazing food. Not only is there the stereotypical american food like hamburgers, but there's food from all over the world and from all different cultures. Worked into the country are all kinds of other cultures besides it's own, like China Town and Little Italy in New York. Although American culture is very distinctly "American", it has all other kinds of culture woven through it to make it something even more unique.

The only experience I've ever had that could be considered a culture shock is when I went to Germanfest in Wisconsin this summer. I've always been told that I'm German on my mom's side of the family, my Grandmother escaped Germany through the Berlin Wall, but I'd never really done anything "German" with that part of my family. I really had no idea what to expect from a festival about German heritage except maybe a bunch of German people who had had a little too much to drink, which turned out to be very accurate. I spent the next 6-8 hours listening to German music and even learning some of the lyrics, learning the dances to the German songs, watching people walk past wearing traditional German outfits, dancing with random strangers who were just there to have fun, eating German food, and so much more. It was easily the biggest party I've ever been to and potentially the most fun I've ever had. I didn't end up getting back home until two in the morning but I wasn't tired at all, I'd spent the entire night in what seemed like a constant adrenaline rush and the next morning I couldn't walk because of all the dancing I did. It was all definitely worth it though. Going was an amazing experience and I would love to go again next year. I had never really witnessed anything German before despite the fact that my family is German and it was so much fun that I can't wait to do it again.