Perceptions of American Values

Instructions: Draw connecting lines to what you think what perception matches which value.

Value Positive Perception

1. Take Charge Equal opportunity is the cornerstone of US democracy

2. Its up to you US people tend to believe they need to speak up to be

heard

3. Level the playing One survives and succeeds as an individual. Be a

field winner.

4. Reach for the Saving time is critically important

American Dream

5. Play by the rules Nature, our own lives, and the world is ours to shape
according to our needs and desires

6. Tell it like it is Doing right, playing fair, protecting ones self from
crime are important

7. Time is money Prosperity and money are signs of Gods favor

Key Word Negative Perception

1. Materialistic, greedy & unprincipled

2. Mechanistic & impersonal

3. Selfish & competitive

4. Impatient & unrealistic

5. Competitive, insincere & superficial

6. Rigid, self-righteous, & inhumane

7. Disrespectful & hypocritical

Name one you agree with:

Name one you disagree with:

PART II:
Marias Story, New York City, New York

I am Maria de los Angeles and I am a city child who never lived at the Plaza. I lived in an
apartment in the Projects in Manhattan, but my grandma, Maminon, was a chambermaid at The
Plaza and she was proud to work in such a grand place. She always called it The Hotel. She
talked about the famous people who gave her extra tips because she did such a good job. Her
grey eyes sparkled when she described the mens tuxedos and the womens beautiful jewels
and fur wraps. I was so excited when Maminon told me that I was old enough to join her and my
two older sisters on the visit to the Hotel during Easter vacation. We had the new spring coats
and the patent leather shoes and white gloves we bought for Easter. A handsome doorman
opened the door for us. We went upstairs where we met the Housekeeper, a very important
person, who offered us juice and cookies. The housekeeper said, Your grandmother is the best
worker on my floor. You must be very proud of her. We certainly were. My grandmother taught
us the nobility of hard, honest work. She taught us the pride of accomplishment in a job well
done. I hold the value of the simple dignity of honest labor as a core principle in how I live my
life, I encourage my children to live theirs and fight for the right of every hard working person to
earn a living that reflects his/her work is valued.

When meeting an American, often the first thing they ask you is What do you do? They want
to know what kind of career you have. This shows they value work and expect others to work
hard and to do a good job and be successful.

Julus Story, Washington DC

I came to the U.S. a number of years ago from China to go to school. Later, I married an
American, have a career in technology and have now received my citizenship. Being an
American means I have more freedom now--for example, in the US a persona can voice
opposition. (In China, we were always told not to discuss politics, especially if it was negative
toward a policy or government official--even though China has no relaxed its policies about
expressing personal opinions, life can still be difficult.) At least here, anyone can express what
they think in regards to the government, business, issues although political correctness
hinders some in my opinion. Having said that, being an American also means to have to put up
with others opinions, politics, and their influence, which in my opinion, is not always a good
thing--I call it too much freedom.

In my traditional way of thinking, America is a land for those who are willing to work hard, to
succeed, and to make a better life. Being an American means putting up with everything to live
a happy life here. Most of all, being an American means being with my family and loved ones. It
also means having a place where my children can work hards towards their dreams. They will
have opportunities to do whatever they desire or dream to do. The sky is the limit here.
VOCABULARY : Understanding new words within context

1. Negative
In China, we were always told not to discuss politics, especially if it was negative toward
 a policy or government official
Negative means
a. Good
b. Problem
c. Bad
d. Nice

2. Voice
. A person can voice opposition
Voice means
a. Sing
b. Say
c. Read
d. Know

3. Hinders
. Although political correctness hinders some in my opinion.

Hinders means
a. Slows down
b. Stops
c. Helps
d. Speeds up

4. Relaxed
even though China has now relaxed its policies about expressing personal opinions
Relaxed means
a. Increased
b. Stopped
c. Paused
d. Eased

5. Put up with
being an American also means to have to put up with others opinions
Put up with means
a. Tolerate
b. Accept
c. Like
d. Not like