American culture in proverbs

Bob and I just finished listening to the book Crossing Cultures with the Gospel, by Darrell Whiteman. Even after more than 18 years of living outside of our home culture, we needed to hear the research, advice, and examples of this anthropologist about how to bridge cultures well. As we listened to the book we had many conversations about how to be intentional in learning and adapting as we prepare to transition to another new place.

 
In the final section of the book, Whiteman says that most of us are not conscious of our own cultural assumptions and values, which can cause discomfort and miscommunication when cultures clash. The first step in intercultural relationships is knowing ourselves and our own culture. He writes, “One way to discover worldview assumptions and help a person become aware of their cultural baggage is through proverbs.” Whiteman cites a book by Stan Nussbam that uses proverbs to characterize American cultures and values. Here are Nussbam’s “Ten Commandments” of American Culture (along with my own comments)

1. You can’t argue with success.
That is, achieving success is more important than how you achieve it.

2. Live and let live.
Americans value freedom and privacy, so we are reluctant to interfere or criticize the way someone lives.

3. Time flies when you’re having fun.
Having fun, pleasure, and leisure are important to us!

4. Shop till you drop.
This demonstrates the high place of consumerism in American culture, and that shopping is a form of entertainment.

5. Just do it.
We value action and decisiveness.

6. You are only young once.
Youth is idealized in American culture, along with seizing opportunities.

7. Enough is enough.
This phrase often represents the importance of justice or rights in America.

8. Rules are made to be broken.
Individualism and free choice is more important than following rules.

9. Time is money.
Think about phrases like “wasting time”, “spending time”, “saving time”—efficiency is a high value in American culture.

10. God helps those who help themselves.
I have heard people say that this phrase is in the Bible –is it really? This idea reflects our worldview of expecting people to always seek to improve their economic, social, or educational position. If someone is not working hard to improve themselves, why should anyone else help them—even God?

What do you think? How accurate do you think this characterization of American culture is? How many of these proverbs do you think you identify with? Are there times when you have experienced the discomfort of confronting a worldview very different from your own?

We leave you with an Oromo proverb from Ethiopia, as quoted by Darrell Whiteman:

“Because the baboon cannot see its bald bottom, it laughs at the defects of others.”
(That is, people can easily overlook their own glaring deficiencies and self-righteously criticize others.)