How ordinary people live in America: lifestyle, features and history

America is a huge country with a high economic level and comfortable living conditions. Everything seems so attractive that many migrants dream of staying in the US. But how do ordinary people actually live abroad? It is generally accepted that in America they earn a lot, and life is simple and pleasant. In order to figure out whether everything is so rosy, it is worth considering different aspects of life in the United States.

The nature of Americans

How do ordinary people live in America? Basically, they are united by national traits - ease of communication, openness and friendliness. Americans are very polite, and in order not to offend another person, they can simply remain silent. Residents of America are free in their movements around the country, they easily get to know each other and make friends. Although there are certain invisible boundaries. Houses are separated by small fences, and friendship does not imply interference in the affairs of a neighbor.

The conversation cannot discuss political, religious or financial matters. Mentioning social status is considered indecent. Americans are very fond of humor and practical jokes, but they are quite specific and not always clear to foreigners. With the help of jokes, US residents smooth out conflict situations. They often use humor to express their own opinions.

Everyday life

Is life difficult for people in the US? The history of all families is approximately the same. The life of Americans is mainly concentrated around their own home. The lawn in front of him is brought into perfect condition, even if there is not enough time for household chores. Americans do not make daily shopping trips, but stock up on food at once for a long time.

They pay mainly by credit cards and rarely by cash. Once a week, the whole family always gathers for dinner together, discussing the news. Parties are held on the lawns to socialize with the neighbors. Children are obliged to help their parents with the housework - to clean the snow, mow the lawn, vacuum, etc.

For this, their parents pay them small fees. American teenagers often earn extra money at car washes, supermarkets, etc. Such an experience is considered mandatory, since grown children immediately leave their father's house after school and they need the skills of physical labor and earning money for a living.

Life style

How do people live in America? The day starts like in other countries. In the morning, parents leave for work (mostly in private cars), and children go to school on special buses. Housewives are engaged in housekeeping. Many teenagers drive their own cars, even though their insurance is much more expensive for adults.

Almost all Americans attend different clubs, golf, bridge and other entertainment. Some US residents are members of public organizations and are involved in charity work. Church members organize lunches. Dishes for them are prepared at home and then put on a common table. Children are engaged in different circles: ballroom dancing, tennis, etc.

Americans love to talk on the phone. Almost all families have notes posted on refrigerators reminding who in the family is and what exactly needs to be done. Americans are distinguished by their smiling, cherish personal and other people's time. They prepare carefully for important negotiations, they value punctuality very much. Almost all US residents follow a strict schedule, many use diaries.

Lifestyle

How do ordinary Americans live in America? Their lifestyle is quite dynamic. All week they are constantly in motion - work, business. Only weekends are left for rest. These days, Americans go out with their families to the parks, for walks or to meet friends. Vacations and holidays in America are much less than in Russia.

The average US citizen takes only one vacation a year. During the holidays, they prefer family trips to other states, to the countryside, to the mountains, etc. Wealthy Americans mostly vacation in Hawaii or the Bahamas. Residents of the United States are very fond of discounted goods; purchases are rarely made without them.

All services, including medicine, are quite expensive, so a salary of several thousand dollars is considered low. You can only live on this money with great difficulty. To support a house, a family, pay taxes, for education, etc., an American needs to receive at least 20 thousand dollars a month. Smoking in public places in America is prohibited.

Alcoholic drinks are consumed in small quantities and mainly in the form of cocktails. Because of the addiction to fast food, most Americans are prone to obesity. Sports are promoted to lose extra pounds. There are many lonely elderly people in the USA. They are rarely visited by children and grandchildren. Residents of the United States invite only relatives or close friends to their own home, they prefer to meet with everyone else on neutral territory.

Real estate

The American way of life obliges to have your own housing. But since it is not possible to save up for it, most often houses are purchased on credit or taken on a mortgage. The most popular are small one-story cottages from 150 to 250 square meters. Such a house costs an average of $150,000.

The cost of housing may be higher, it depends on its area, location of the block and building material. In modern American homes, a spacious living room, children's and dining rooms are required. Americans buy houses on credit (usually at 10 percent per annum) for 30 years. The period, terms and amount of payments depend on the level of salary, advance payment and the cost of the cottage.

Job

How do ordinary American hard workers live? They have an eight-hour working day and two days off weekly. Employers offer different schedules. Americans can choose to work part-time, work from home, etc. For a stable and high standard of living in America, you need to have a college degree. In the United States, you can’t get a job “by pull”. The standard of living depends on the annual income of the whole family. Salary depends on education and profession. Highest Paid Professionals:

  • television workers;
  • managers;
  • doctors;
  • lawyers.

Their income can be from 15 to 20 thousand dollars a month. Teachers, junior medical personnel, employees of state structures have lower wages. In America - hourly pay. The minimum wage is approximately $7.5 an hour.

The level of income largely depends on the state. In them, the same position can be paid differently. The highest income of Americans is provided by their own business or private activities. Any US resident can become an entrepreneur. The state supports the development of small businesses.

Education

Schools are divided into elementary, middle and high schools. And they are all in different buildings. Senior students start studying at 7 am, and kids - from 8:30. Education in many schools is paid, the cost depends on the area of ​​​​residence. Payment is made once a year. The amount is included in the total tax. Further funds are distributed by the state.

Education can be obtained in both public and private schools. Education in universities takes place mainly on a paid basis - from 3-10 thousand dollars annually. In colleges, education lasts four years. Part of the payment is borne by the state. Foreign students are allowed to enter US universities. There is a special visa for this.

food prices

How do ordinary people live in America? Not all Americans can afford to go to restaurants and cafes. In the United States, it is customary to buy food from wholesale stores, as it is much cheaper and saves time. Prices in supermarkets can be much lower than, for example, in Russian ones. But the low cost of goods is often associated with poor quality.

Grocery items may have an expiration date, good-looking meats are bursting with hormones, and fresh and beautiful vegetables are full of pesticides. Cheap and lots of quality products. The US supports farms, the cost of land and taxes is quite acceptable for small businesses. Accordingly, all this is expressed in low food prices.

Social security and taxes

How do ordinary people live in America? The standard of living directly depends on the annual income of the family. An important condition for a comfortable existence is insurance. This usually applies to real estate, cars and health. Retirees over the age of 65 are eligible for health insurance from the state. This category also includes children under 19 years of age.

Each company provides its employees with insurances on which you can receive payments. Some large organizations issue them not only to their specialists, but also to their families. Small companies that cannot provide insurance to employees often offer discounts on various products.

Free medical care is provided for low-income citizens. Americans spend 30 to 50 percent of their income on taxes. The largest deductions:

  • state taxes;
  • federal;
  • sales taxes;
  • for real estate and property.

Low-income citizens, pensioners and students are not subject to taxes.

How life is in America: a look from the inside. Credit "trap"

Almost all ordinary people are gaining loans. Cards are opened even in childhood and adolescence. Almost all US residents have savings accounts. This is insurance for a rainy day. Savings are used in extreme cases (job loss, etc.). Americans have to do financial planning in advance.

Kindergartens are paid. Approximately 700 dollars are paid monthly for one child. Expensive are sports, dance and other sections, in which it is customary to give kids and schoolchildren. Against the backdrop of all payments, even a week of illness and disability can lead the middle class to bankruptcy.

Payment of bills

How does the average American middle class live? Almost every second family pays a mortgage or rents a house. A small two-story cottage costs about $5,000 a month, excluding utilities. Medical insurance, car insurance, student loans, etc. all cost a lot of money.

Cars are most often rented, bought - less often. But almost every adult family member has a car. Monthly payments on a car range from 200 to 400 dollars per month. If family members do not have a good credit history, then one can only dream of their own home and a cloudless life.

Sales

How do ordinary people live in America? They prefer to shop at sales. Americans dress simply, they try not to spend a lot of money on clothes. When things wear out, they are taken to a humanitarian aid center. In America, there are many stores with discount branded clothing. What in other countries can cost thousands, in the United States can be purchased at sales for $50.

Discounts are made in stores all the time. Many sales are organized in honor of holidays. After them, the remaining things come true at even lower prices. At large sales, queues begin to line up a few hours before the store opens, and some even set up tents on nearby lawns in which they spend the night. Most often this happens at supermarkets with household appliances.

Coffeemania and fast food restaurants

How do ordinary people live in America? They spend a lot of money on coffee. Long queues form at the coffee shop in the morning. Then they repeat during lunch and after work. Despite the fact that coffee can be made at home and it will cost much less, millions of Americans spend hundreds of dollars annually on the purchase of an invigorating drink. No less popular are bistros with fast food and frozen convenience foods for microwaves.

How Americans live: interesting facts

Many Americans consider it their duty to have a gym membership. Even if they don't go there at all. In America, it is not customary to borrow or lend money. If a person cannot take out a loan for his needs, then he is more likely to miss the semester, refuse to travel, but never ask for a loan of money. This is considered indecent.

All three emergency services always come to calls. Moreover, firefighters are most often the first to provide first aid. There are many toll roads and tunnels in the USA. Medicine is very expensive, but it is at a highly professional level. Americans call skyscrapers towers.