Informality is a common assumption about American Culture meaning we are very informal in speech.
As a nation, individual states have devised their own “slang” or idiomatic speech, it seems that the only times we use formal speech during formal events and situations; for example, weddings, meeting someone who holds a high position, and public forums. While in other countries, formal speech is a part of daily life unless you are talking to a friend or a sibling, it’s considered rude to not speak formally to an elder, a co-worker or etc. Posture is another informality in American Culture; we slouch or lean on wall while talking to someone instead of standing or sitting up
straight.
Individualism is very important to American culture, from birth Americans are taught to not depend on anyone but themselves. You are taught to do everything for yourself and nothing is just handed to you. In America, you usually think of the typical “American family” but it's actually the opposite. You are responsible for your own destiny and success, if you fail it’s nobody’s fault but your own. Individualism is also keeping a lot of your problems to yourself and not talking to anyone about it because you will be looked at as weak and unable to help yourself. In my opinion, this is what makes serious things hard to talk about such as racism, mental illness, poverty and etc. Everyone looks at everything as someone else’s problem which usually causes for the response “get over it” or “you are overreacting”.
Overall, I believe American culture lives up to some assumptions made by people and I think it should have an impact on how we think. We wouldn’t want someone to think that we are a bad person so we change our ways to show that we are actually a good person. I believe we should take the same idea and to live up to the good assumptions made about America; to actually make it the land of freedom and opportunities. I know it is going to take some time but I have enough faith to think we could one day reach that goal.