Ex 7-1: What Americans Have in Common

This 15-minute brainstorming exercise is designed to identify shared values, experiences, and cultural touchstones that unite Americans despite political and social differences. It can be done individually or in a group.

The “Common Ground” Brainstorming Plan (15 Minutes)

• Materials: paper, pens, a wall or whiteboard.

• Facilitator: If in a group, one person keeps time and keeps the energy high.

Phase 1: Silent Generation (0-5 Minutes)

• Goal: Generate maximum ideas without groupthink.

• Prompt: “What do Americans from all walks of life have in common?” (Consider values, daily life, culture, and history).

• Action: Everyone writes down as many ideas as possible silently. Do not criticize or discuss.

Phase 2: Thematic Grouping (5-10 Minutes)

• Action: Participants share one idea each with the group sequentially.  Leader groups ideas by theme on flipchart or marker board.

• Potential categories include:

              • Core Values: (e.g., Freedom, Equality, Optimism, Privacy)

              • Daily Life/Behavior: (e.g., Directness, Informality, “Time is Money” mindset, Workaholism)

              • Shared Experiences/Culture: (e.g., Celebrating the Fourth of July, Watching the Super Bowl, Eating Thanksgiving dinner, Coffee culture) 

Phase 3: Synthesis & Reflection (10-15 Minutes)

• Goal: Highlight the top 3-5 commonalities that seem most important.

• Discussion Questions:

              • Which of these themes are still true despite current divisions?

              • What surprised you?

              • How can these shared values improve conversations about tough topics?

• Devotion to Individualism: A shared belief that individuals are responsible for their own destiny, independence, and self-reliance.

• Optimism and “Can-Do” Attitude: A “future-oriented” mindset that believes problems can be solved and the future will be better than the present.

• Informality and Directness: A preference for casual communication, first-name basis (even with bosses), and getting straight to the point.

• The “American Dream” Ideal: A belief that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success through hard work and merit.

• Respect for Equality (Idealized): The belief that all people are of equal value and should have equal opportunities, regardless of family background.

• Consumerism/Materialism: A shared culture of capitalism where material items are often seen as the deserved reward for hard work.

• Cultural Holidays: Thanksgiving, Independence Day (4th of July), and Labor Day are widely celebrated across the nation.

• Patriotism: While expression varies, a general love for the country and pride in its democratic ideals.

[5] https://meetingkickstarters.com/explore/what-do-we-have-in-common

[8] https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/american-culture/american-culture-core-concepts

[9] https://quizlet.com/36392325/9-american-core-beliefs-and-values-flash-cards/

[10] https://web.as.miami.edu/personal/corax/kohlsamericanvalues.html

[11] https://www.bu.edu/isso/files/pdf/AmericanValues.pdf

[12] https://shorelight.com/student-stories/culture-of-usa

[13] https://davisic.princeton.edu/guide-living-princeton/about-us-culture

[15] https://www.udel.edu/academics/global/isss/resources/life-us-ud/american-culture/

[16] https://altitudecareercoaching.com/embracing-the-american-dream-key-values-of-american-culture-for-immigrants/

[17] https://scri.siena.edu/the-american-values-study/

Values-Based Conversations. Remembering What We Have In Common 3A – Make Me An Instrument of Peace

We Have More in Common Than You Think

https://www.theroot.com/15-things-all-americans-have-in-common-1851768171

Despite a Divided Nation, 15 Peculiar Things All Americans Have in Common

From the MAGA faithful to the most left-leaning Democrats, American culture brings us together.

By Kalyn Womack

March 7, 2025

America feels more divided than ever. If we weren’t already split before last year, President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and company have us holding down our sides of the fence even more now.

Yet, from the MAGA faithful to the most left-leaning Democrats, American culture brings us together. We always hear the banter about how Americans are perceived and viewed when we travel to other countries. Our behavior and very aura makes us stick out like sore thumbs to the locals. However, if those international tourists took a trip here for the first time, there’s a laundry list of things they would find peculiar about American way of life.

Despite the constant divisive narratives spewing from the White House, there are a lot of common things that connect us and differentiate us from our international visitors – some better than others. For example, what if I told you something as simple as tipping our food servers isn’t so normal overseas?

On another note, we share some fundamentals that were engrained in our belief system thanks to the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. Though this country doesn’t always live up to those beliefs (*cough* all men are created equal *cough*), they still rest on our subconscious.

We’ve compiled a list of these things that make the American experience unique based on the surveys taken by Boston University, ICES, Business Insider and Best Life Online. Keep scrolling to see what “American” things we do.

Religious Freedom

Church vs. State is still very serious in this country despite some legislators’ faith-based arguments on topics like abortion and LGBT+ rights. Even though most Americans identify as Christian, there is a general respect of how other citizens decide to exercise are about their Freedom of Religion rights.

Talking to Strangers

Culturally, Americans don’t mind chatting it up with a random person in the supermarket. Some of the best people you might encounter in this country are folks you don’t even know and may not see again beyond the checkout line. Kindness costs nothing.

Accommodations for Kids

Not every country normalizes the playpen in McDonald’s or even a “kids menu” at restaurants. Most notably, in Europe, children and adults often patron the same places without a distinct separation for “kid-friendly” spaces.

Large Food Portions

You might travel overseas and realize the food portions are smaller. That’s because Americans have normalized mega-jumbo sizes for entrees across cuisines. We ain’t complainin’ either! You’ll almost always have leftovers.

Belief in “The American Dream”

America is known as the land of opportunity, guaranteeing every person whose feet touch the soil access to freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. While that’s not always true, even for homegrown citizens, it is still a looming belief that America is the best place to live, raise a family and begin a career.

Time is Money

Americans stay on the move thanks to supply, demand and good ol’ capitalism. Americans must make a point to carve out time for a hobby, take a nap or have a leisurely stroll. We even take our lunches to go and eat while walking or driving to the next destination – an oddity to European countries who rarely do so.

Equality

We had to fight for that “all men are created equal” bit to be naturalized for all men. Despite the cracks, equal opportunity in America is still an expectation we expect each other and the government to live up to. Even with our challenges, we are still considerably more liberal than other countries.

Western Superiority

Americans can be big heads. We’ve always thought that our country was the best on the planet, promoting democracy and the best way of life. I mean, western culture has heavily influenced all parts of the world. However, the root of that influence also stems to a superiority complex that made it appear that the U.S. had to intervene with the affairs of every other country in the world. Thanks, colonialism.

Tipping Food Servers

No, it is not a normal habit overseas to tip food servers. However, American waiters and waitresses often rely on those big tips in addition to their wages just to survive.

Individualism

Americans will stand together when we need to but everyday life can be quite isolating. The atmosphere of competition from school to the work field spills into our personal lives, causing many of us to desire time alone and sometimes, be a bit self-centered.

Hello American Flags

Patriotism is so real. We might be the one country who dedicatedly decorates with the American flag. From tee shirts to classroom decor or even on the front porch of a home, you don’t even realize how many star-spangled banners are flown in the country until you take time to notice.

Focus on Future

Americans are generally optimistic about their futures. Majority of us grow up having an expectation to excel to the next level or believe our dreams can be executed despite the obstacles we face.

Work More, Play Less

Americans do have a shared work experience that demands majority of our time, leading us to take fewer vacations – unless you’re an influencer entrepreneur.

(American) Football

THEE American sport. Many other countries consider “football” to be what we call soccer. However, we have our own sport, in the likes of rugby, that is truly a national event.

Drive-Thru Culture

Americans rely on cars so much, we are probably the only country that has accommodated the most drive-thru accessible businesses. Banks, Starbucks, pharmacies, fast-food – one thing America is about is convenience.