I do believe that we are "a creature of our culture." From what I have experienced, it seems to me that every culture has some sort of tradition or custom that would be viewed as strange by another culture. For example, my mothers friend is Polish, and she thinks it's very weird to dress up and ask strangers for candy on Halloween. Society and our culture tell us that such activities are common, so we tend not to think twice about them, but to an outsider they may seem very strange. On the other hand, the traditions and customs that we celebrate may also alter the way we view things, think of things, and also communicate.
Culture also plays a key role in discovering who you are as a person. If a culture celebrates and rewards a group of people based on their weight, height, gender, sexuality, skin color, education, or wealth, and you are not within the rewarded group, then you may begin to feel as an outcast. In America, we tend reward thin females over overweight ones, but in many other cultures things are the complete opposite. Our culture tells us whats beautiful and socially correct. If we don't fit into their guidelines, then our own image of ourself may begin shift to a more negative point of view. As horrible as it is, our culture is responsible for shapping our lives.
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I think it is good for people to be able to go out and experience different cultures. It not only helps to get in touch of your own culture and find out what you truly value, but also to experience the life and values of others. I think that if we all understand where each other comes from, then perhaps communication between people of different cultures would be better. I especially think it is important because we are so used to how we view not only ourselves but others based on our specific cultures. It is always good for us to go and think outside the box and experience how others view themselves and others based on their specific culture.
Hi Steph-annie! I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that we 'tend not to think twice about them' when referring to cultural practices. Why do you think we 'tend not to think twice' about them? Do you think other cultures have similar practices? And, is this what makes 'our' culture unique? Or are we different just like everyone else?
I totally agree that our culture really dictates what is important and who is accepted. I thought it was interesting how our said that in our culture being thin is praise worthy but being bigger isn't. When I was in Hawaii I noticed that it was much more popular for the natives being the Samoans and Hawaiians to be larger. But in Hawaii it isn't exactly attractive to be thin as a rail, as it is would be in America.
I also enjoyed how you talked about the tradition for Halloween and how weird that would be to someone who had no idea what it meant. I am a nanny for my job and I was talking to another nanny who is from Germany about thanksgiving. Her name is Sarah and she wanted to know what thanksgiving was all about. She thought it was strange that we would spend a whole day eating food to celebrate that we essentially took land from the Indians. All traditions and customs seem strange when they aren't your own.
Good blog Steph-anie have a wonderful week.
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