Living Like Americans? Reject or Embrace?

With the rising to position of "superpower" of world, the global reach of US has become beyond doubt. Not only India, if you look other countries, from global politics, trade, local entertainment, fashion, cuisine, the mark of United States is Perceptible. But as globalization has helped spread or made American way of life so popular, specially the eating habits, lifestyle, values and culture does question of "cultural imperialism" occur to your mind? The way we see "the American way" across the globe?

I was just wondering is American way of life the right model towards which rest of the countries and culture of world is moving? Communication has increased that evolution of cultures between the world is kind of getting uniform. So do you think it is harmful the way world is accepting the American way (its cuisine, culture, style, fashion, politics)? Should this standard way of life be embraced? Or rejected as it is harmful?

I don't think Soumya any one is completely changing their way to American way of life. People may be reacting postively and embracing the few things that they enjoy. Like some Indians may burgers , but i have never come across an Indian that rejects Indian food and only eats burgers or roast chicken.

As for politics , every Country has their own form of politics. No ape-ing the U.S here.

Style and fashion- We Indians are dressing in Western clothes, but not rejecting Sarees or salwar Kammez's. They too are worn much more than what is American style.

As for the U.S they too have fascination with the East as we pointed out in some other debates.

So i believe their is MUTUAL admiration and acceptance here.

Being in USA, it is difficult to live a complete Indian lifestyle. For good or sometimes compelled to persue some American ways of life. Since USA is the superpower of the world, so it's lifestyle is very appealing and fascinating to rest of the world(like the rich and famous always attract the other sections of society).

I can see lots of Asians and Asian stores and restaurants here. But it has not been truly infiltrated into the American mainstream culture. Asia is still exotic and a mystery to them. They are very much into their own country and culture, hardly care about the rest of the world. To them the world is US. But may be time will change. Not to forget, American culture is a "Cosmopolitan" culture, mainly European and Latin American. Then came the Africans and Asians. It is lucky to have the best of the world.

From India's point of view, this American culture is definitely going to affect us(mainly cities), like if we look into history our culture has gone through many cultural evolutions. Still we will preserve and carry on with our deeply-rooted ethics and heritage.

I agree with you Abhijit. Even eating habits..i've seen people in India now eat white bread, pizza, burgers in their daily life. When i was being raised, these thigns were not that popular atlest not in my town. We didn't have much pizza, and burgers etc. that popular and i am sure during my paren't age it was not even considered..so things are changing and our lifestyle is difently chaning a lot. I think our food indian home food is really very healthy and we should stick to our food...like pasta, bread, etc. even americans have now discovered that anything white is not that good..they even recomment eating brown rice and everything brown.

Culture. it has definetly change. i liked example abhijit gave about lingo kid used in india. i remember i used to have a friend who was obsessed with Mtv when we were in college ..though she did not understand half of what they were singing 😕 ....not only india even friends from china keep american names now...😕 (this is not in plp living in US but living in china) t-shirt and jeans are more common than salvar for sure. compared to 20 yrs back ..so there is difinetly change...

i strongly believe that India does not adopt social culture from america. americans really are not social culture and too formal when it comes to social life. they 've started using all kind of machine and auto checkout lane which is getting less and less contact with human....i love the way pople in india have social ties with their neighbours and this is something i really like.

also, kids and plp having coke and pepsi and soda everywhere is lot of american culture....we never had soda in our house when we were being raised and not allowed to drink soda till little older..i've seen 3-4 yrs old gulping soda here which is considered "cool" in india.😕

Yes Sowmyaa. You are right. With globalization things have really changed in India. Things were lot different 10 yrs back, specially with the younger generation.

But I too believe that it's not possible to change totally our prevailing Indian culture in India, there might be additions. Ours is thousands of years old, and has seen so many ups and down. While a country like USA should be more adoptive,it's new and it's always easier to mould a new one. Formed with the knowledge, skill and experiences from the whole world it fascinates the rest of the world.

To me another aspect of American culture is "I and you(singular)" where as Indian culture is about "we".

Dear Pardes Friends!

Please share your views on this topic! Recently I was having a conversation with my family members on this issue and I thought I should make a post in DM and I found this post and therefore I'm bumping!

Regarding food habits: Indians are prone to heart attack and Hypertension more because of their diet.They consume less leafy vegetables and fruits compared to westners!(I read this in India Today)

Wishes,

Mythili

I agree with the good doctor, so helpful saved me so much of typing 😆

Originally posted by: sareg

I agree with the good doctor, so helpful saved me so much of typing 😆

Which Dr.?? 😕 Mr. Vijay Dinanath Chowhan ji 😉 😆

Originally posted by: Dabulls23

Which Dr.?? 😕 Mr. Vijay Dinanath Chowhan ji 😉 😆

🤣 DB 🤗 ..Some time or the other we are all being possessed by Raunaq and coming up with cutest of the questions... 😆

Sareg ji is referring to Abhijiit ji, the poster on the 1st page of this post, as doctor...

I also agree with Sareg ji..I agree with Abhijit ji and thanks to the good old doctor, he saved some space on the world wide web... 😆

Originally posted by: sowmyaa

I agree with you Abhijit. Even eating habits..i've seen people in India now eat white bread, pizza, burgers in their daily life.

what? i am shocked to know that white bread was not common in india