I wanna learn more about the American culture, what do you recommend?
Posted by Over-Elderberry3614@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 38 comments
Hello! I live in Poland, my dad's American, therefore making me one too. I feel tied to both countries - my grandfather flew missions over Tokyo as a radar operator of his B-29. Recently I learned much more about his exploits during the war, and pretty much ever since I am more and more interested in learning about American culture (don't need to learn about WW2 tho - I am literally a WW2 history nerd). Anyways, what would you recommend I read about, watch or check out? Also, what should I see the next time I'm in the States?
For context my family (well the American side) lives in Bethesda - I've seen most of the DC area, Smithsonian, Potomac river, etc - so I'm thinking of something else.
averagejosh@reddit
Watch:
- Seinfeld
- King of the Hill
- The Office
- The Simpsons
dhrisc@reddit
Going to rec some documentaries:
Ken Burns' documentaries are in depth and well loved here and core Americana, covering things like the Civil War, Jazz and Baseball....
Hoop Dreams - urban life, basketball and capitalism 80s/90s
Harlan County USA - coal country, capitalism, solidarity unionizing, 60s
Vernon, Florida - slice of life, Florida, everyday people
Woodstock - concert film
dnext@reddit
Depends on where you are going in the states. If you are already in Bethesda MD, there's a great civil war battlefield, Gettysburg, about 75 mins away.
Or you could go down to the historic triangle in VA. That's a weekend trip, 4 hours. The Yorktown Victory Center, which was the final battle of the Revolutionary War. The Jamestown Settlement. Colonial Williamsburg, which is a recreation of life in 18th century Virginia. Plus there's a great theme park, Busch Gardens. Several great roller coasters.
For sports in the DC area, you could go to a Nationals Baseball Game, a Wizards basketball game, a Capital Hockey Game, or a Commanders Football game, depending on the time of year.
As to watch, I'd recommend Friends as a sitcom, Breaking Bad for a crime show, Star Trek for Scifi, and Band of Brothers for a war story. Westerns are also very classically American. Tombstone is a modern classic.
OK, hope that helps!
SaoirseMayes@reddit
I'd recommend Antietam over Gettysburg. It's closer to DC and doesn't have all the touristy stuff that Gettysburg does. Way quieter than Gettysburg, a much more enjoyable visit overall.
CycadelicSparkles@reddit
I second Antietam, and I say this as someone who really loves Gettysburg a whole lot.
Over-Elderberry3614@reddit (OP)
The history part sounds interesting and since it is close by, I would probably do that. As for band od brothers, oh man, that's one of my favorites haha, along with The Pacific and Masters of the Air
Individualchaotin@reddit
Watch the following movies
Read: - Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Important-Echo3906@reddit
Watch The Sandlot too
23onAugust12th@reddit
And Roots.
President-Lonestar@reddit
Jarhead's an interesting choice. I would personally swap it out with Generation Kill
Over-Elderberry3614@reddit (OP)
Generation Kill was more in depth dive, yeah
Over-Elderberry3614@reddit (OP)
The last two I know very well, haha. I watched Forrest Gump with my dad as a kid.
danceswithturtles286@reddit
Great list! If accessible in your country, I’d add the series “This Is Us.” I think it is a Netflix series, but it’s absolutely phenomenal and takes the viewer through the lives of a family and those around them from the 1950s-today. It addresses war, racism, sexism, adoption, addiction, parenting, death, disability, intergenerational legacy, and so much more. I grew up in the U.S. and was born in the 90s and learned so much from that show
livelaughlinka@reddit
Also:
Dazed and confused,
Superbad,
Tangerine,
MrChristmas99@reddit
I’m gonna add Rocky movies 1-4 and Remember The Titans for movies and Their Eyes Were Watching God for a book
Ok_Sentence_5767@reddit
The sopranos is a really accurate portrayal of Italian American culture, the family dynamics remind me a lot of my extended family
Coolface-IR@reddit
Watch some dumb people say America has no culture.
Scrappy_The_Crow@reddit
It encompasses more than WW2, but the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio is awesome. If you stop to read many of the displays, it will take you more than a day.
Have you been to Udvar-Hazy?
Over-Elderberry3614@reddit (OP)
Yes! But I will gladly revisit, I was about 10 I think when I saw it. I do remember being ecstatic to see the space shuttle, I also remember seeing the F104 😅. Next time I'm in the States I will 100% revisit.
daswisco@reddit
Rent a car and go on an American Roadtrip. Map out a number of national parks and historical sites and just spend a week or two exploring on the road. Pull over whenever you see something that catches your interest and check it out. Basically just get a rough idea of a few major things you want to see and then just let the rest of the trip get filled in along the way. My favorite part of the country is Colorado/Wyoming/South Dakota area. There are so many national parks and other great things to see it’s hard to do much better.
Over-Elderberry3614@reddit (OP)
That's actually a nice idea, and yep, I thought of doing it once. Hell, maybe I'll do something like that as a post graduation trip to celebrate.
Exnixon@reddit
I think for a lot of Europeans, you get a lot of American culture sent your way, but it's a very shallow version of American culture.
I'd recommend reading some classic American literature. Huckleberry Finn is one of the great American novels. So is To Kill a Mockingbird. Of Mice and Men is also great (and short!)
For movies, The Sandlot and A Christmas Story are both classic family movies that capture American childhood in the postwar era, roughly my parents' generation. In the same vein but more mature is Stand By Me.
I didn't intend for it to be this way, but most of the aforementioned are coming-of-age stories.
Over-Elderberry3614@reddit (OP)
I read Huckleberry Finn as a kid haha, I will check out the rest tho! I might however read Finn in original version, I have only read it in Polish, and the originals are usually better.
Khaleesi_dany_t@reddit
If you're in Arkansas check out the national parks, we're not the natural state for nothing!
Over-Elderberry3614@reddit (OP)
Oh yeah, national parks are indeed my thing. I'll also recommend something, If you ever happen to visit Poland, I Real recommend checking out the Tatra Mountains National Park. Tatras are literally a miniature version of The Alps! My mom and my other grandfather are both climbers, I did some off trail hiking as well, before my leg got fucked up
mostlygray@reddit
Come visit the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Then go up north to Duluth, then keep going until you get to Grand Marais. Then take Highway 1 west and get a donut at Patten's (The home of the big donut). Then keep going west until you hit Lake Bemidji, check out the college campus and do some fishing. From there go south through Park Rapids and down to Detroit Lakes. Then you can work your way back to the Twin Cities. Don't forget to stop at Matt's for a Jucy Lucy.
That should take you about a week on the road. When you're on the north shore you need to stop at Gooseberry Falls and Tettegouche. People like Betty's Pies, I'm not a fan but it is kind of a big deal to others. I'm more of a Sven and Ole's pizza person.
Over-Elderberry3614@reddit (OP)
Noted, thanks!
President_Camacho@reddit
The Ulysses S. Grant biography by Ron Chernow if you enjoy military life.
Outrageous-Good6827@reddit
The Blowback podcast series for sure! You can read Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, and I'd also recommend Malcolm X's autobiography (it's interesting and also interesting to read about the book in context with his life). Look up Fred Hampton if you don't already know who he is. You might also enjoy reading The Color of Law to understand modern American physical infrastructure + legal infrastructure.
pawsplay36@reddit
Read: To Kill a Mockingbird. As I Lay Dying. Invisible Man (Ellison). Stone Butch Blues. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Old Yeller.
Watch: American Graffiti. Milagro Beanfield War. Grease. Biloxi Blues. Little Big Man. Some Like it Hot. Knives Out. Malcolm X.
Check Out: Any real rodeo. At least one major river. At least one crazy themed festival, whether it's the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque or the Buffalo Wings event in Buffalo.
ShipComprehensive543@reddit
I am unsure what tv streaming you have available to you, but CNN had a series called The Decades (produced by Tom Hanks), where they had 8 episodes per decade of programming where they highlighted American culture by each decade, I believe starting with 1970's to early 2010's. They were really great programs if you can find them. They covered anything and everything from current events, politics, tv, music and trends that built American culture.
Here is a wiki link to the 1990's miniseries for reference: The Nineties (miniseries) - Wikipedia
cfcblue26@reddit
gotta watch the Sandlot
siestarrific@reddit
Watch the Simpsons and South Park
Entropy907@reddit
Find some Jerry Springer episodes to watch on YouTube.
K_in_Belgium@reddit
Boston and Massachusetts are old by American standards, full of Revolutionary War history, have a lot of other cultural things to do as well as outdoor activities and nice beaches.
CIMARUTA@reddit
Movies to watch:
Breakfast Club
Fast times at Ridgmont High
Donnie Darko
Gangs of New York
Fargo
Indiana Jones
E.T. Extra Terrestrial
Edward Scissorhands
Back to The Future
Sandlot
Wayne's World
The Shining
Thelma and Louise
Platoon
Blad Runner
Die Hard
Caddyshack
Top Gun
Goodfellas
Forrest Gump
Books:
East of Eden, of Mice And Men( Steinbeck in general)
Faulkners Sin and Salvation series
The Great Gatsby
To kill a Mockingbird
Farenheight 451
The Color Purple
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
There's plenty more but here's some starters lol
SadCapitalsFan@reddit
I say this as a New Yorker, if you want the quintessential American city, Boston is a great place to go. Plenty of historical sites, baseball, and plenty to do. Also all-around safe and affordable compared to some of the other big cities
Least_Bat1259@reddit
I recommend Pennsylvania. If you like history Pennsylvania has got a lot of it.