Culture Differences Include Intangible Things

 

 

  To begin the understanding and acceptance of other cultures, we must first start to look

at the what the differences are.  Knowledge is the first building block to being more aware that

"our way" of doing things isn't the best or the only way.  When we begin to realize that our "normal"

 behaviors are only "normal" to us because that's all we've ever known, we may begin to see other

culture's beliefs and behaviors as normal for them.  We all have something to learn from one another.  

 

 

                                                                    What are some of these

 

                                                                    differences you ask? 

 

                                                                                         *Religious Beliefs    *Family Dynamics

                                                                                         *Values                   *Importance of Time

                                                                                         *Norms                   *Names/Titles

                                                                                         *Language               *Holidays   

 

                    

 

 

                     On this clip, get a first hand account of how our culture can seem

                                so different to others coming here for the first time. 

 

 

 

 

 

                    A FEW NOTABLE DIFFERENCES FROM AROUND THE WORLD...

 

 

                            Philippines:

 

                 *Have a strong belief in Bahala Na, literally meaning "leave it to God."  This belief helps them to deal with

                   life's stuggles. 

                 *Time is usually only thought of to be a rough guide.  It is rude to show up early to an invited dinner and in fact the

                    most important person is supposed to show up the latest.   

 

 

 

                                                                                              Thailand:

 

             *Superiority has such an importance that even if your twin is born 30 seconds before you, they are still your superior

                    in most circumstances and you would refer to them as such. 

                           *With the Buddhism religion, the most prevenlant religion in Thailand, it is taboo for a women to touch a monk. 

                    If done so, even on accident, the Monk must go through a purification ritual.

 

 

 

                                                         Spain:

 

             *It is very common for the entire family to get together for birthdays and other special events.  Since most families live

                    so close together, it's not out of the ordinary for 20-30 people to be over to celebrate a birthday!

                           *Most workers that work close to home still typically go home for a few hours of siesta in the early afternoon.  This may

                    be primarily because they like to spend a lot of social time out and about at bars and restaurants, even on

                    weeknights when they will be to work at 7 or 8 the next morning.  Talk about enjoying life to it's fullest! 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                              *PAGE COMPLETED BY ALISSA BETTENCOURT