Folkways of American Life

Eating Big Macs (Also: Whoppers...).   Drinking Coca-Cola (because, in the back of their minds, it's what people are looking to find: it's the real thing!). (But some prefer Pepsi, because it's up to date with modern folks who watch their weight, because they made it light, just right for you, and because it refreshes without filling, too; Pepsi's for those who think young.)   Using chemical deodorants and anti-perspirants (Arrid, Ban, Secret, Lady Sure Stick, Degree, Old Spice, Sure, Dove, Mennen, Dry Idea, Drysol...). Also: Deodorant soaps, e.g.: Safeguard.... And specialized "feminine" deodorants, e.g.: Summer's Eve....   Cutting hair short [applies to males only, "Keep America beautiful. Get a haircut!"].   Males cannot wear skirts. (N.b.: But males are encouraged to go around in public bare-chested showing their nipples.)   Watching TV sitcoms (Third Rock, Friends, Frasier, Seinfeld...).   Driving automobiles (esp. "gas guzzler", rollover-prone Sport Utility Vehicles, e.g., driving a Range Rover or Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator or, now: Hummer to the shopping mall; Previously: "See the U.S.A., in your Chevrolet, America is asking you to call... Life is completer in a Chevy....").   Shopping in shopping malls.   Hubcaps. [Note: Hubcaps are becoming passé, as more new cars come with alloy or "styled" steel wheels.]   Watching SuperBowls on TV.   Advertising (simultaneously promoting svelte sexy beauty, and consumption of fattening foods).   Living in single-family detached suburban houses (commuting in traffic jams; lawnmowing...).   Golf and tennis.   Idolizing celebrities who are not political or religious leaders: Frank Sinatra, Elvis, OJ, Madonna....   Playing the stock market.   Wearing business suits and neckties [males mostly, although some women do too].   Piercing tongues, nipples, navels and other body parts for non-religious reasons [adolescents, mainly; but also: adults circumcise infant males].   Suntanning as an activity pursued for its own sake (esp. by persons with light-color skin who are especially susceptible to skin cancer).   Living in "nuclear" families.   Voting in periodic elections in which many millions of persons cast ballots.   Taking standardized qualifying and certifying tests (PSAT, SAT, GRE, LSAT...; CPA, CSW, "The Bar"....).

E-mail me your favorite American ethnic customs.   Learn  about The Franklin Mint: Culture criminals since 1964.   Learn  more about the increasing role of socially manufactured chance in contemporary American life.   See the most beauteous mole in the world! Do you know the eighth deadly sin? Enjoy your obligatory pleasures!   Are you out of gas?   Eternity American style: A Florida golf community. See  cameo (small) images of 21st century American middle-class folkways Read  about it: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) investigates outbreak of obesity in West Virginia (June 2005).

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Can America become happy again by: singing in the rain? How about strapless dresses & pillarless coupes? Meet Oscar!   Try something different: mine myths! And.... RYO: Create your own cartoon!

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See for yourself: American Standard.
Take a NYS DMV eye test!
 

Life  doesn't have to be like this: Learn to eat well, enjoy and stay thin -- the French way.

What's new on this website? Go to website Table of Contents (Or try: Borgean index...). Return to Brad McCormick's home page. Go to site map.

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http://www.cloud9.net/~bradmcc/AmCulture.html Copyright © 2001,2002 Brad McCormick, Ed.D. bradmcc@cloud9.net 22 April 2006 (2006-04-22 ISO 8601) v05.03