How is the Guatemalan culture different from the US?

Answer 1

One of the differences is the food. Although both the US and Guatemala have a great variety of international restaurants, it is not as common for the citizens of Guatemala to eat in these restaurants; they are mainly for tourists. Most Guatemalans prefer to eat food typically associated with Mexico, tortillas, salsa, beans, etc. However, there are also foods cooked by the different indigenous populations (i.e.; bushbol, a dish cooked by the Ishil population.)

A second difference is transportation. Although, of course, people do drive automobiles in Guatemala, biking and walking are much more common there than in the United States. There is public transportation (buses, trains) in the cities, in the extreme rural areas, even cars are not common. People there walk are ride horses and burros or mules.

As is previously alluded to in the first paragraph, there are a number of indigenous populations in Guatemala, each with their own language, food, music, and culture. Also, some indigenous people have their own way of dressing. The United States also have indigenous populations, but many have lost their native culture and have adapted the larger American culture.

Another difference, and probably the biggest difference, is that Guatemala is, by and large, a collective society, whereas the US is more an individualistic society. This means Guatemalans prefer to do most things in groups, and the good of one person in a group, is good for all in that group. In the US, it is more common that the good of one person, is primarily their success alone.