In Europe there are people who have lived in the same house and been in the same
job for 20, 30, 50 years and would hate to change something. That's not the American way of life. They love change, they call it "the spirit of adventure"; a spirit that they think is more characteristic of America than of Europe. In the States they seem to be constantly pulling down old and often quite beautiful houses or throwing away things merely because they are old. They have none of the Englishman's sentimental love for things because they are old.
The Englishman prizes privacy, the American prefers sociability. The American houses have no hedges or fences separating them from each other. There are none of those little shut off gardens, generally just a strip of grass with trees on it.
The American in his house doesn't object to being seen by everyone – he actually likes it. And inside the house, instead of the separate hail, living-room, dining-room so typical of the English, the American has "open plan" house, just one large room where all the family activities go on.
With this sociability goes overwhelming hospitality. You are invited to parties at the houses of your friends, to theatres, dinners, sports meetings. They all show the interest in your affairs and ask you to let them know if they can help you. When you are invited to a home where food will be served, it is best to let your host or hostess know in advance if you have dietary restrictions.
In some houses the atmosphere is quite formal. In others, it is informal and you may sit at the kitchen table dinner. Informality is not a slight or discourtesy, but a way of taking you into the warmth of the family circle.
Many Americans are terribly impressed with mere size: to them "bigger" and "better" seem to mean the same thing.
Americans put an emphasis on punctuality. It is important to be on time at business, social and public events. If you must miss an appointment for any reason, telephone ahead to the person you were supposed to meet in order to cancel it.
The United States is a sports-loving nation. Sports in America take a variety of forms: organized competitive struggles, athletic games played for recreation, hunting and fishing. Most sports are seasonal; some sports are commercial and professional. Baseball is the most popular sport in the United States. Football is the most popular sport in the fall. It is played by almost every college and university in the country. There are professional football teams in all major cities of the United States Basketball is the winter sport in American schools and colleges. Other spectator sports include wrestling, boxing and horse racing. Americans like both to engage in sports and to watch games being played.
No one who knows America even a little would make the mistake of thinking Americans all alike.