Successful self-presentation entails appropriately conveying what we would like others to think and know about us. It is a very important activity that is sometimes on the forefront of our minds. When we go for a job interview, or meet our boyfriend's parents, we are very conscious about making a positive impression on those we interact with. However, we are usually not as aware of the role self-presentation takes in our lives. Almost everything we do says something about who we are: how we dress, talk, walk, which activities we engage in tells the world a little about us.
Self-presentation is not constant. It changes from person to person, according to what each individual values. One person might like to be known as affluent, while the other wants to be seen as angsty. Even within a person, self-presentation will vary depending on the situation. What is appropriate to do in the company of friends is different from the way one must act at work, or at a wedding. Despite the enormous variety of forms self-presentation can take, it seems to have patterns within cultures. Different sets of priorities motivate entire cultures to emphasize different things when interacting with others.
In the United States, it is important to be seen as an independent individual who is capable of accomplishing objectives and has special abilities. To get ahead, be it regarding relationships or employment, one must stand out from the crowd. While this again varies from person to person and situation to situation, people generally portray themselves in a positive light. Being modest is more effective with friends than with strangers, whom one must impress upon with minimal time. The pattern is constant throughout, however: emphasizing the good and downplaying the bad. This also affects feedback: people believe it is important to praise, and highlight achievements while deemphasizing limitations.
This pattern does not hold true for all countries. While acceptance by others is important for the majority of people throughout the world, how to achieve this differs in other countries. For instance, dependence and subservience, which are seen as strongly negative in the United States, are expected roles for some people in other countries.
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