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Americans are also distinctive in the degree to which they believe in the ideal, as stated in their Declaration of Independence, that "all men arc created equal", although they sometimes violate the ideal in their daily lives, particularly in matters of interracial
relationships, Americans have a deep faith that in some fundamental way all people (at least all American people) are of equal value, that no one is born superior to anyone else. "One man, one vote", they say, conveying the idea that any person's opinion is as valid and worthy of attention as any other person's opinion.
Americans are generally quite uncomfortable when someone treats them with obvious deference. They dislike being the subjects of open displays of respect — being bowed to, being deferred to, being treated as though they could do no wrong or make no unreasonable requests.
It is not just males who are created equal, in the American conception, bat females too. While Americans often violate the idea in practice, they do generally assume that women, according to the viewpoint of the feminists, may be different from men but are in no way inferior to them.
This is not to say that Americans do not make distinctions among themselves as a result of such factors as sex, age, wealth, or social position. They do. But the distinctions are acknowledged in subtle ways. Tone of voice, order of speaking, choice of words, seating arrangements — such are the means by which Americans acknowledge status are more likely to speak first, louder, and longer. They sit at the head of the table, or in the most comfortable chair. They feel free to interrupt other speakers more than others feel free to interrupt them. The higher status person may put a hand on the shoulder of the lower status person; if there is touching between the people involved, the higher status person will touch first.
Foreigners who are accustomed to more obvious displays of respect (such as bowing, averting eyes from the face of the higher status person, or using honorific titles) often overlook the ways in which Americans show respect for people of higher status. They think, incorrectly, that Americans are generally unaware of status differences and disrespectful of other people. What is distinctive about the American outlook on the matter of equality are the underlying assumptions that no matter what his or her initial station in life, any individual has the potential to achieve high standing and that everyone, no matter how unfortunate, deserves some basic level of respectful treatment.
In 1917, William Tyier Page of Maryland won a nationwide contest for "the best summary of American political faith" The U.S. House of Representatives accepted the statement as the American's Creed on April 3, 1918. It reads: "I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people, by the people, for the people... established upon the principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes". Reflected in this creed freedom for individuals and equality of conditions have characterized the American society from its early stages to the present days.
