This thesis examines the cultural characteristics of Brazil, Russia, India, and China (the BRIC countries), and the United States, in order to assess what these characteristics mean for U.S. Americans doing business with the BRICs. An in-depth review of the literature, both academic and popular materials, was conducted in order to analyze what is currently being said about the cultures of these countries. Country profiles are created that summarize the existing literature. These profiles are analyzed to see what themes, patterns, differences, and relationships may exist both within the cultures of the BRICs and as compared to the United States. It is discovered that the BRICs are becoming more Western in their values, behaviors, and beliefs, due to increased exposure to Western societies.