CultureWhat is culture?

Culture

Culture – material and non material ways of life that are transmitted from one generation to the next.

Culture is learned.

Learned behaviors are not genetically inherited.

Elements of Culture

UniversalsVariables

SubculturesValues

AttitudesLanguage

DialectStereotypesGratification

StatusClass

Culture

Culture Universals – commonalities found in all cultures

1. Material – Food, Clothing, Shelter

2. Arts and Leisure

3. Views of the Unknown – death, magic, religion

4. Communication – expression, gestures

5. Family/Kinship

Culture

6. Institutions – economic, educational

7. Gender/Sex – double standard, adultery tolerated, incest taboo

Culture

Cultural Variables – differences among cultures

Subculture – group within a culture that has common characteristics that set them apart.

Comparison

The best way to understand culture is to compare the culture of another country to our culture. The following twelve “instances” relate to typical American reactions in different situations followed by differences in perceptions of other cultures:

Eating and/or presenting gifts with left hand

(In many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, the left hand is considered “unclean,” as it is also used with the water to clean yourself after defecating [no toilet paper].)

Not eating “ripe” duck eggs, but drinking cow’s milk.

(Some Chinese and Phillipinos consider a near-petrified egg as a delicacy, but the thought of drinking a glass of milk may fill some Chinese with horror. Do you like fried grasshoppers?)

Not visiting their close relatives very often, especially grandparents, even if they only live ¼ mile up the road.

(This type of activity may be interpreted by people in some cultures as evidence that you do not honor and respect the older people in your family or the other members of your family, thus, you are a selfish, conceited person who uses other people and consequently is somebody not to be trusted)

Acting aggressively, being blunt or direct, always in a hurry, and cold in business dealings.

(People in Hispanic and Asian societies often perceive that Americans put more faith in the mechanics and legality of business dealings that in taking time to get to know potential business associates well enough so as to be able to trust them in business affairs.)

Shaving legs and underarms of females

(Prostitutes are the women who do so in several European countries.)

Standing and conversing at distances that are either too close together or too far apart for comfort

(A person’s personal space does vary with culture. Americans tend to be most comfortable when a person is an arm’s distance away [with the fist closed] when visiting other people. Arabs or people from the Mediterranean countries prefer to stand very close to each other when talking. When an American and an Arab talk together, both may end up feeling frustrated, uncomfortable, and sometimes angry with each other, and may not even understand why that is so.)

Young people not accepting advice of older people. Older people accepting advice of younger people on technical matters. Equality of business matters among people of varying ages, even if some do not have property or other proof of prosperity.

(People from traditional, non-future oriented, and sometimes-rigid societies often do have a hard time accepting such behavior, as it may appear that younger people in such situations are insolent or disrespectful. This is often brought about by the phenomenon of “lateral transfer of knowledge” that is so prevalent in a modern or future-oriented society, that is the person who has information passing it along to the person who needs the information irrespective of the age, position, or social status of the people involved.)

Speaking to strangers, looking people directly in the eye when meeting them.

(This is considered rude, forward, and disrespectful in some cultural settings. The Navajo Indian shows respect by looking down at another person’s shoes rather than looking that person in the eyes as many Americans are taught to do. Many Americans believe that a person must have something to hide, is dishonest, or sneaky if he or she cannot look a person directly in the eye. Think of the frustration of the Anglo teacher talking with the Navajo pupil in Arizona.)

Having an exact concept of time.

(As Americans, we feel uncomfortable if we are more than two or three minutes late to a meeting, and make excuses for doing so. We tend to be critical of people responsible for meeting if those meetings do not start on time. In many other cultures, being late for social affairs is the norm and expected. Even within the US, we see regional differences. For example, people in the northeastern part of the US are more prompt, generally, and less tolerant of arriving at a meeting late than are people in the southern part of the country.)

Including children in adult activities

(Letting children be active participants in conversations when adults from outside the family are invited to the home is a practice frowned upon or not practiced in some cultures. The old saying, “Children should be seen not heard”.)

German CultureBeing the first to drink ChampagneIs a tradition for celebration in many European-descended countries. In Germany, when guest arrives, champagne is poured. It is not touched until the host feels the drink has “mellowed” enough as indicated by the host being the first to drink. Never would a guest begin a toast in Germany. Sometimes one would sit for an hour or more to allow the champagne to mellow before the toast begins. Of course, Islamic persons would never even consider drinking champagne.)

Reading a book or passport

(In Islamic and some Asian cultures, books are read backward to front, not front to back as in North America.)

Names – Asian and Hispanic

(Luis Mario Samayoa Paz or Kim Doo Ro)