Culture includes all the ways that include all people’s entire way of life. In most cases, when we are making a comparison between different cultures there is always some obvious differences. At the same time, cultures do share common elements. There are cultural patterns that are common on a global basis. I will give an example of family units. Every individual in the universe and different societies do recognize the structures of a family. At the same time, the functioning of each family varies from one to another. When you look at the American culture, people are supposed to move out of their parents’ home sometime before they marry and bring up their kids. When you look at Asians, people live in their parents’ home until they are married and moves out. Others can live in their parent’s homestead even after they are married. Other cultural differences that exist among different societies and cultures are enacted differently. There are basic human survivals that cultures revolve around. They include basic needs like food shelter and clothing. It could also revolve around shared experiences like death birth or sickness. There are other universals like language. In this essay, I will do a comparison of communities, how they differ and the similarities that they have. Cultures differ and share common elements at the same time because every culture has different beliefs and norms.
Humans have so much in common but cultural differences are much more similar compared to cultural universals. All cultures have language but when you analyze a particular language, its structure, and the etiquette while conversing there comes the differences. When you observe people from the Middle East having a conversation, they tend to stand close to each other. The American people while conversing tend to keep a distance. Simple things like eating and drinking also vary among cultures. You will find some cultures contain people who love traveling and are interested in trying new foods while others do not really appreciate the new experiences hence they think what they have as part of their culture is much better than the others. Many are times’ people from the United States do not like other cultures’ ways of cooking. For instance, they think that eating pigs and other animals like dogs is disgusting but they never question their habit of eating cows. Such attitudes of judging other cultures based on what they believe in happens to be with so many individuals. Americans also judge the Asian from the side they drive on. They say that they drive from the wrong side rather than just saying they derive from the other side.
It is important and healthy for everyone to embrace his or her culture. That community pride connects people in society. Living up to the standards of society can be very difficult but it is the obligation of every individual to embrace it. For instance, every person values good health but smokers may find it difficult to quit smoking. Smoking is an act that is really condemned in societies. However, judging other cultures by their actions leads to disliking particular cultures which may result in conflicts and also misunderstandings. Also, when people travel abroad, upon coming back they shouldn’t find it difficult interacting with people from their culture. This especially has a different experience of what people refer to as a noble way of life. Being proud of your own culture does not really mean imposing its values on others. Studying new cultures is appreciated but embracing your own is important. Some people are well-wishers and they visit places to help individuals living there. These well-wishers are people who have done an analysis and realized that such areas contain people who are not educated and their society is not developed as well. Such people end up instilling their cultural values in other cultures. During colonialism, the European colonizers viewed people who lived in the land that they colonized as people who never obtained any kind of culture. They also viewed them as savages who were in dire need of European governance.
People can get frustrated and disoriented when they are introduced to new cultures. It is a state that is mainly referred to as culture shock. When a student in china travels to study in America may find it annoying when a student asks a question in class. It is a practice that is usually considered rude in China. A visitor from Chicago might feel out of place when he or she visits Montana because the place is quite silent than the usual experience. The two experiences are different from what the victims are used to. Due to the anticipated cultural difference from their culture. Their excitement gives a way to discomfort and doubts about how to behave well in the new environment. The culture shock is usually recovered from when people keep learning about a culture and adapt to its norm.
It mainly arising due to unexpected cultural differences. Different cultures have different ways of appreciation. Some communities really value winning and they find it enjoyable. Other cultures believe that putting your skills in action is important not only on a personal level but also to the environment. It is important that every individual view every culture by its own standards and not on personal interests. An open mind and willingness to consider are really required, adapting to the different culture, the new norm as well as the values. It’s not always possible to not discriminate against some cultural values because we are human. In this case, sociologists tend to have a very hard time while trying to engage with a new culture. They struggle to reconcile aspects of their own culture with aspects of a culture that they are studying.
In conclusion, I can say that culture is a very comprehensive concept and it actually includes almost everything that surrounds us and has an influence on an individual’s thoughts and behavior. Every person must understand the culture of where he or she resides. It may have a great influence on lifestyle. For any person who has ventured into business as well, the cultural values and norms may have a great influence on the business hence the importance of getting familiar. The behaviors of an individual can be determined by the culture they come from. Overcoming the cultural differences may not be as easy. Relocating from one place to another where both cultures differ can really affect an individual’s lifestyle which mainly affects students who have to live with together yet that are all from different cultures. Researchers say that an increase in social interaction among people from different cultural groups reduces racial and ethnic tensions. These are tensions that arise from the different cultures and the prejudice that they may hold. It mainly happens because such contacts help disconfirm stereotypes that individuals hold from different backgrounds. I agree with them because it is then that we learn how to embrace different cultures. We get to learn a lot and it is the choice of an individual to absorb what is good and filter what feels is not right. A language is an effective tool as it influences the manner that people conceive of concepts and objectives.