Be an All American Teenage Girl

Anyone can be an “all-American” girl—it’s all about how you carry yourself and how you behave. The term “all-American” is used to describe a person who possesses characteristics that are associated with Americans, such as independence, friendliness, and hard work. [1] [2] And because the modern American is all about independence, it’s important to make sure that you adapt each of the “all-American” traits to fit your own unique traits and personality and to make you feel as confident as possible. There’s no one right way to be “all-American.”

Steps

Being Yourself

  1. Speak your mind. American culture values independence, so being “all-American” means you’re not afraid to say what you think. Share your opinions, respectfully, even when others disagree you. Be honest and confident when sharing your opinions. [3]
    • Make eye contact. This shows people that you are confident and trustworthy.
    • State your case clearly. Avoid words and phrases like “maybe,” “um,” “I think,” and “I’m not sure.” They make it seem like you either don’t know what you’re talking about or don’t really believe what you’re saying.
  2. Stick up for what you believe. When you’re “all-American,” you’re not just willing to say what you think; you back it up with action. Get involved in issues that you think are important. Work hard to achieve what you think is right.
    • Make contact with decision-makers to let them know what you think. This could mean making phone calls, creating or signing petitions, or using social media.
    • Get involved in your community by volunteering with local clubs or organizations.
    • If you’re old enough, vote in local, state, and national elections.
  3. Accept others as individuals. Part of being independent means accepting that other people are unique individuals, too. As an “all-American” girl, you don’t always have to like what other people think, and you’re not expected to. However, it’s important to remember that they have the right to their own opinions, just like you do. [4] Make sure that you respect other people the same way that you want them to respect you.

Working Hard

  1. Go the extra mile. Americans are famous for their work ethic, and most Americans believe that success is the direct result of how hard you work. [5] So being an “all-American” girl means you don’t just do the bare minimum to skate by. You know that the more you work, the more you can achieve.
    • Look for areas where you can improve your performance. Does your spelling need work? Could you use more practice with fractions? Ask yourself what you can do to get better, then do it.
    • Strive for perfection in your work. If you know an assignment could be better, keep working, even if you’ve met the basic requirements. Don’t turn in C work when you know you are capable of A work.
  2. Accept opportunities. When you’re an “all-American” girl, you believe that your work leads to success. That means it’s important to look for new chances to show off your skills and knowledge. [6] Don’t wait for your boss to ask you to take that extra shift—offer to do it. Don’t wait for your Spanish teacher to offer extra credit—ask for it. If you want to be in the school play, audition. If you want to be on the basketball team, try out.
  3. Take responsibility for your work. Being “all-American” means that you don’t depend on other people to help you out or make sure you’re doing a good job. You are your own first, and harshest, critic. You hold yourself to a high standard. [7] This doesn’t mean that you don’t ask for extra help if you know you need it. But it does mean that you don’t depend on other people to catch your mistakes for you.
  4. Manage your time. Being “all-American” means that you believe the way you spend your time is a reflection of your ambition and your drive to succeed. Strive to make the best of your own time and respect others’ time.
    • Be punctual. Running late all the time shows others that you don’t take their time, or your work, seriously.
    • Don’t procrastinate. Make sure that you do your work as soon as you are able. Putting things off means that you’re more likely to have to rush later, which means you’re more likely to make mistakes.
    • Meet deadlines. This shows others that you respect their time and are good at managing your own. [8] If your paper is due on Friday, make sure it’s ready and the best it can be by Friday. Plus, if you turn things in on time, you don’t have to extend your stress time!

Dressing Like an “All-American” Girl

  1. Keep it casual. The “all-American” girl is all about being comfortable. Clothes tend to have a looser fit than is typical in other parts of the world and fabric tends to be thinner (think t-shirts and cotton weaves). If you don’t feel comfortable in it, don’t wear it! [9]
  2. Be bold. The “all-American” look doesn’t shy away from bright colors and bold patterns. When you’re “all-American,” you’re confident and not afraid to stand out. Feel free to choose patterns and colors that grab your attention. [10]
  3. Keep it simple. The “all-American” style is not as focused on layering of clothing as the European and Asian styles tend to be. Pick one top (maybe two) and one bottom that work well together. The most exciting parts of the “all-American” style tend to come from accessories. [11] Simple and comfortable clothing is the hallmark of American style. [12]
  4. Wear exciting accessories. The “all-American” look uses bold accessories. Think long, sparkly earrings and chunky bracelets. And don’t feel like you have to just choose one bracelet, necklace, or ring—the “all-American” style allows for lots of layering of accessories. [10]
  5. Don’t forget your jeans! You don’t have to wear them every day, but the “all-American” style is jean-crazy. Denim shorts in summer and long jeans when it’s cool out are staples of the “all-American” look. Choose styles and cuts that you look and feel good in and wear them often. And don’t be afraid to experiment with colored or patterned jeans if you want! [11]
  6. Wear sexy, sophisticated make-up. Americans wear more make-up than just about anybody else in the world. Don’t wear more make-up than you’re comfortable with, but do have some fun experimenting with different make-up techniques to see what accentuates your best features. The “all-American” make-up style tends to include several parts: [13] [14]
    • Eyeliner. Use a thick layer on your top lid. Don’t be afraid to try eyeliner in bright colors!
    • Lots of mascara. Eyelashes are key to the “all-American” make-up style. The idea is to make them look as long and thick as possible, in order to draw attention to your eyes.
    • Smoky eyes. Make sure you perfect your smoky eye look!
    • Find a bright, bold lipstick shade that makes your lips pop!
  7. Keep your hair simple. The “all-American” girl tends to keep her hair down or in a ponytail. Longer hair is more common. A messy “bed-head” hairstyle is popular. And many girls straighten their hair to a sleek shine.
  8. Make sure you feel good. The most important requirement for an “all-American” girl is that you are true to yourself and your style. Don’t worry about trends, social norms, or expectations. Dress in whatever way makes you feel like your best self. [9]

Being Friendly

  1. Talk to strangers. Americans are renowned for being super friendly, so the “all-American” girl is interested in other people. As the saying goes, “a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.” [15] Standing in line at the store, sitting in a waiting room, and waiting for class to start on the first day are all great opportunities to make low-stakes small talk. Just asking someone how they’re doing is a great way to meet a new person and make them feel good.
  2. Smile. One easy way to project “all-American” friendliness is to smile at people. This is easy even if you’re shy. Smile at everyone you meet—people you walk past on the street, your waiter or waitress, the person taking tickets at the movies. This makes you feel good, it makes others feel good, and it makes your interactions with people more pleasant.
  3. Embrace diversity. America is a diverse country, and modern Americans are proud of that diversity. When you’re an “all-American” girl, you accept the differences between you and the people you meet, even if you don’t understand them. Be friendly to everyone, no matter what they look like or where they come from. Try to get to know them better. It can be fun!

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/all-american
  2. ↑ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-american
  3. ↑ https://www.princeton.edu/intlctr/davis-ic-home/living-in-princeton/american-values/
  4. ↑ https://ropercenter.cornell.edu/public-perspective/ppscan/92/92003.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/03/12/how-do-americans-stand-out-from-the-rest-of-the-world/
  6. ↑ http://basicsofmanagement.com/positive_work_ethics.php
  7. ↑ http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2014/02/how-to-build-a-strong-work-ethic/
  8. ↑ http://blog.online.saintleo.edu/career-advice/How-To-Develop-A-Good-Work-Ethic-In-5-Easy-Steps
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/09/08/why-americans-dress-so-casually/
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 http://www.glamour.com/story/differences-between-american-french-style
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/british-vs-american-style-observations-from-a-british-girl-abroad/
  12. ↑ http://www.newsweek.com/fashion-american-style-simple-not-sloppy-82917
  13. ↑ http://allabout-japan.com/en/article/1533/
  14. ↑ http://thezoereport.com/beauty/makeup/nail-american-beauty-look/#slide-end
  15. ↑ http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/international-student-counsel/2013/06/11/5-keys-to-understanding-your-american-classmates

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