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Health & Fitness

The Culture of America, Washington State and Gig Harbor

Pondering the various cultures here in America and abroad.

I was watching a famous Travel Channel Show and was pondering about various countries and their ways of living, eating, business, in other words, their "culture". People all over the world are similar in so many ways and different in the ways of culture. Culture according to the dictionary is: The quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.

That about sums it up. When I watch these various shows, one thing is clear: culture tells a story about what is important to that society, to that country, how they express themselves. 

I started to think about America and what is labeled as "American"...after all, America is the melting pot, no? So many people from various countries have assimilated like the Borg and become Americanized. 

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My mom and dad have gone through the hallowed halls of Ellis Island and embraced the American way. What is it to become Americanized after all, is it liking baseball? Eating fast food? Pursuing the American dream, whatever that is? I think, we can safely say that with all due respect, you view a person as becoming Americanized when they can speak English! 

As the decades progress, culture in America has worn many faces; i.e. how we describe marriage, how we decide what is good for us, how to have healthy lifestyles. Thank goodness we still have freedom to decide either for or against what the status quo dictates. 

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In various European countries, one thing I have seen is that many folks are cloistered, kept from the influences outside their little world. In America, it is duly noted that its not only a melting pot, but a quilt: a cross section of various cultures, right in one continent. 

How people live in the south is way different than here in the Pacific Northwest. People from New York (including yours truly) remember things that others would never have known about. Look at Washington State: we have a very interesting culture all its own. Folks around here have different words for rain. There's the misting rain, the drenching rain, the never ending rain....we layer our clothes for changes in weather and sometimes even wear socks with sandals (ugh). 

We relish in our love of cooking, our love of the outdoors and our love of coffee and tea and even chocolate! We are true epicureans, true rugged individuals, ready to face various weather challenges head on. Even the Puget Sound is a culture all its own. This area is the only area I know where we are one big community. 

When I lived in Redding, we didn't know what was happening 20 miles from us....but here, you travel to Kirkland and find a fellow Gig Harborite. Even the news covers the whole region. I truly love that about this area. It's one big family enjoying all the things that this area is blessed with. 

And now take Gig Harbor. The culture of Gig Harbor is very interesting. Gig Harbor knows how to do it well. What is "it"? Well, you name it....they know how to celebrate! Washington has festivals to celebrate its bounty and Gig Harbor has its own share of celebrating. 

From the to the Arts and Crafts and Music, we celebrate! You find out quickly as you tour the downtown area, what was the history of Gig Harbor and the founding fathers and mothers who gave their names to the streets you see. Those placards that are scattered around the city give us an ever enduring respect for those who braved much harsher conditions to make Gig Harbor home. 

But through the years, Gig Harbor has maintained its charm, has continued to be a showcase city for Washington and has provided more ice cream cones per capita than California I bet! With that said, culture is truly fascinating, whether you are a world traveler or just make it your goal to see as much of Washington or America as you can!

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