Comparing and Contrasting Venezuelan & American Culture by Daniela Acuna

Every country has its ways to show its traditions, heritage, and manners that had been transmitted from one generation to another and how they have changed with time. Each country’s values represent life and how people live. The way some things are seen in some countries are not the same in some others, but they may agree in a few. The way some things are in Venezuela may not be the same in the United States. There will always be differences, but there will also be points in which both countries will find similarities between them.

When talking about differences between Venezuela and the United States, we can start saying that in Venezuela people are generally unpunctual. That is because (in general) Venezuelans do not really matter about time, because it is seen as something to be part of and enjoy while being able to. That differs a lot from the United States, because time represents something that can be used wisely in order to make future better than present or past. Time for Americans is a valuable thing that can bring either gains or losses, so it has to be administrated.

Also, Venezuelans do not really have a “Own space/Privacy” concept. Generally speaking, for us it is necessary to have certain contact with people. This concept is also reflected in the way Venezuelans maintain their relationships with others. Keeping constantly in contact, visiting family or friends, making reunion parties, and gathering together are very common things between Venezuelans. This happens a little different in the United States. Americans need to have a personal space in both physical and spiritual senses. They maintain a certain distance with other people, even with family and friends. And they are not used to do these kinds of things.

Family and friend relationships are really important to Venezuelans and one of the top priorities for most of us. Since young, we are taught to be independent remaining close to the loved ones. We are taught that small details with a meaning, watching out, staying close and supporting and helping each other are very important facts when maintaining any kind of relationship. This also happens in the United States, but not in the same way. As I see it, Americans are taught to live and care mainly about themselves. They do care about people around them, but they are more independent, and this independence concept is reflected in the way that family and friends become a secondary priority in an American’s life, and primary priorities become things such as work, appointments, schedules… which sometimes results in that Americans are seen as materialistic and individualistic people.

In Venezuela, traditions and memorial dates are valued in a special way, because they show a lot from our culture and heritage, similar to The United States. Obviously, they do not celebrate these events the same way, but both countries care about historical and cultural facts that reflect and show how life has been and is. There is only a difference and is that Venezuelans try to maintain the presence of traditions from the past day by day, trying to incorporate them in our modern life. In contrast, Americans celebrate and commemorate traditions only in a certain day of the year, and they do not care too much about them in their day by day because they are constantly focused on the future, but they are still an important element of their culture.

When talking about similarities between both countries, we can start by saying that music is also part of every country's culture. In Venezuela, our music is valued all around the country and often played in public events. The harp, the four and the maracas are the most typical instruments in Venezuela, and to play most our typical music these instruments are needed, and they have become a symbol of our folklore. Likewise, the electric guitar has become in a symbol of the United States, because it has been and is present in almost every single musical genre played here. From Rock and Roll to Country music the guitar is always present.

Like Venezuelans, Americans are very religious. But Beyond religions, people in both countries, in general, are very faithful to their believes. In some cases, their devotion becomes part of traditions which are respected and valued in their own way. Obviously, it does not happen the same way in Venezuela and in the United States, but religion has always been an important part of each culture.

Even though informality is a very own concept for each culture and country, both Venezuelans and Americans can be consider as informal people, but it depends on the place and circumstances.

But generally speaking, Venezuelans and Americans treat other people in a casual way without commonly using a certain formal language. The informality may be also reflected in the casual way people usually dress, but it depends on lots of facts that make or not someone being informal.

Both countries are also similar in the way they conceive the equality concept (by word: equality in opportunities and chances. By practice: equality in the choices people make).

Both Venezuelan and American people are very nice. Although cultural differences, they show their hospitality and kindness to everyone from either their country or anywhere else through the nice way they treat them. I have not lived in the United States to say that what I wrote here is completely true, but it is the way I perceive and see it. But beyond all the differences and similarities between Venezuelans and Americans, in their own special way they look forward to make of their country a better place for the present and for the future working very hard to get what they want and keep producing.