The United States is often referred to as a melting pot of cultures. Traveling from one state to another, or even from one city to another, reflects this nickname. From coast to coast and district to district, ways of life can be dramatically different. There is rural evidence vs. urban differences but there are even differences in urban areas. In Los Angeles, the city is full of unnecessary stores like dog spas, dog grooming centers, and iPod accessory stores. Where, as in a city like Chicago, you do not find pet spas, but an original mix of places with music and modern clothes.
The differences between east, midwest, south, and east are some of the most interesting. On the East Coast, carbonated beverages are called sodas, but in the Midwest they are more commonly known as sodas. Another difference is the name of a lollipop. In the East and West, it is a lollipop, but in the South and Midwest, it is a “Sucker.” There are other differences between regions, such as the way things are done, schooling, and the style of dress. Moving from one place to another can be a strange experience, because very insignificant parts of daily life, like what you call sweets, change.
Politics has been classified by location since before the civil war. It has always been that the north was democratic and the south more republican. Today, this barrier is often seen in rural and urban areas. Urban areas tend to be more densely populated by Democrats and Liberals. The most rural areas are usually Republican by majority. This may seem like a generalization, and it does not mean that all farmers are Republicans and all urbanites are liberal. It is a simple “by majority” statement.
The location also plays an important role in culture in a different way. People’s interests, hobbies, and styles vary depending on where they live. If someone lives on the coast, they probably grew up surfing, skating, or some other kind of activity in hot weather. They probably think boardwalk shoes, shorts, and tank tops are cool. However, for someone who grew up in the mountains, hiking, biking, and observing nature may be more your style. Jeans, jackets and hats can be part of your wardrobe. What’s “cool” in a city can seem strange and strange just 50 miles down the road. People are shaped by where they live.
Big cities are often admired for their cultural diversity of different ethnicities, but in reality the entire United States is like a big city. In a small town you can find two hundred people who grew up elsewhere. These people grew up with different values, environments and habits than where they live now. It may seem strange since they haven’t moved to another country, but different states and cities vary greatly in the United States. People are amazed at how different things can be even when they are so close together. Ethnic ties are not just country by country.