CULTURE
CULTURE IS…
System of beliefs, values, customs, practices, norms, and social behavior of a nation
or people
It is learned
It is UNIVERSAL!!
Culture is like an iceberg. Some
aspects are visible; others are
beneath the surface. Invisible
aspects influence and cause the
visible ones.
HOW THE WORLD SEES US…
Americans…
 Are always in a hurry to get things done!
 Are so impatient!
 Insist on treating everyone the same!
 Don’t show very much respect for their elders!
 Always have to say what their thinking!
 Always want to change things!
 Always think everything is going to get better! They’re so optimistic!
THE CONCEPT OF TIME?
Time in Society
Traditional
Western
5 min. before appointment
Servants on time
All on time
5 min. after
10 min. after
Mumbled apology
Servants late
Slight apology needed
15 min. after
Mildly insulting
20 min. after
Full apology needed
30 min. after
Rude
1 hr. after
On time
Very insulting
1hr 15 min. after
Late
Unforgivable
THE CONCEPT OF BEAUTY?
Definition:
 Something pleasing, impressive to look at, listen to, touch, smell, or taste
 Personal physical attractiveness; something very good, attractive, or
impressive of its kind
 An excellent aspect
Western?
Mauritania, Africa = Fat
MAURITANIAN WOMEN
THE CONCEPT OF HELLO?
Cambodia- One puts hands together like "praying hands" holding them
against your chest. The higher you hold, the more respect you show.
Greece- Back-slapping takes the place of shaking hands in many greetings.
Guam- There is a Filipino tradition on Guam to put one's right knuckles against
an older person's forehead.
Maori- Some press noses together while closing their eyes.
Niger- The Kanouri people shake a fist at head level and call "Wooshay!
Wooshay!" ("Hello! Hello!")
Tuvalu- Relatives press a face to a cheek of the other and sniff deeply.
Zambia- Some greet each other by gently squeezing a thumb.
THE CONCEPT OF FOOD?
VIEWS ON CULTURE
Ethnocentrism
 Judging groups based on your own cultural beliefs
Cultural Relativism
 Judging one based on what they believe
“REALITY IS A PRODUCT OF LANGUAGE AND
CULTURE, THAT’S WHAT I LEARNED.”
~ RICHARD WILEY
( P E A C E C O R P S V O LU N T E E R )