Cultural Differences? Or, are we really that different?

[kaibigan 8]

Differences between people within any given nation or culture are much greater than differences between groups. Education, social standing, religion, personality, belief structure, past experience, affection shown in the home, and a myriad of other factors will affect human behavior and culture.

As we interact with others of different cultures, there is no good substitute for receptiveness to interpersonal feedback, good observation skills, effective questions, and some horse sense. There is much to be gained by observing how people of the same culture interact with each other. Don't be afraid to ask questions as most people respond very positively to inquiries about their culture. Ask a variety of people so you can get a balanced view.

Making a genuine effort to find the positive historical, literary, and cultural contributions of a society; learning a few polite expressions in another person's language; and showing appreciation for the food and music of another culture can have especially positive effects.

My contention, then, is not that there are no cultural differences. These differences between cultures and peoples are real and can add richness (and humor) to the fabric of life. My assertion is that people everywhere have much in common, such as a need for affiliation and love, participation, and contribution. When the exterior is peeled off, there are not so many differences after all.

[Dakine 26]

Differences between people within any given nation or culture are much greater than differences between groups. Education, social standing, religion, personality, belief structure, past experience, affection shown in the home, and a myriad of other factors will affect human behavior and culture.

As we interact with others of different cultures, there is no good substitute for receptiveness to interpersonal feedback, good observation skills, effective questions, and some horse sense. There is much to be gained by observing how people of the same culture interact with each other. Don't be afraid to ask questions as most people respond very positively to inquiries about their culture. Ask a variety of people so you can get a balanced view.

Making a genuine effort to find the positive historical, literary, and cultural contributions of a society; learning a few polite expressions in another person's language; and showing appreciation for the food and music of another culture can have especially positive effects.

My contention, then, is not that there are no cultural differences. These differences between cultures and peoples are real and can add richness (and humor) to the fabric of life. My assertion is that people everywhere have much in common, such as a need for affiliation and love, participation, and contribution. When the exterior is peeled off, there are not so many differences after all.

"showing appreciation for the food and music of another culture can have especially positive effects."

Please don't eat something with bagoong in it before you kiss your mate!

Also don't fry daing in the house!

[kaibigan 8]

filipinos love to eat daing... bagoong best with green mango.. yum yum!!!! hehehe...

jamies fave.. no bagoong :bonk: just green mango shake lolz!!

Edited May 5, 2009 by kaibigan

[luckymom 0]

"Cultural difference" should not be an issue in any relationship. The food that we eat in the Philippines is way way different in some aspects with the foods that they eat here in the US. With me and my husband, he likes some of it but I don't force him to eat foods like shrimp paste "bagoong" which I truly like and sinigang. I cook my own food for me and I cook his food also. No issues about food. About attitudes, it's very easy to deal with it, some of them are common sense and "ADJUSTMENT" is the key. LOVE is universal and no amount of cultural difference can break any relationship. It can be an issue but constant communication will lead to better understanding. That's only my perception and I just go by how my life with my USC hubby. There's no conflict at all except for some minor and petty things.

[sasha414 0]

compromise is one of the secrets to a good marriage. no matter how much cultural difference there is or not, the key is to communicate and meet each other halfway.

[adiiann 163]

Hahahaha.... as of now, I am eating indian mango and bagoong. Mamimiss ko kasi 'to pag-umalis na ako.

Anyway, scientifically speaking, the differences between from us and other nation is that our culture depends on where we live. The foods and atmosphere of every nation affects the way of thinking and behavior of all the people. There's a chemical chain that can explain it. The surviving factor in every nation dictates how people interact in their environment. But as the earth evolves, there are lot of consideration now why we're different from others.

[rheanick 42]

Differences between people within any given nation or culture are much greater than differences between groups. Education, social standing, religion, personality, belief structure, past experience, affection shown in the home, and a myriad of other factors will affect human behavior and culture.

As we interact with others of different cultures, there is no good substitute for receptiveness to interpersonal feedback, good observation skills, effective questions, and some horse sense. There is much to be gained by observing how people of the same culture interact with each other. Don't be afraid to ask questions as most people respond very positively to inquiries about their culture. Ask a variety of people so you can get a balanced view.

Making a genuine effort to find the positive historical, literary, and cultural contributions of a society; learning a few polite expressions in another person's language; and showing appreciation for the food and music of another culture can have especially positive effects.

My contention, then, is not that there are no cultural differences. These differences between cultures and peoples are real and can add richness (and humor) to the fabric of life. My assertion is that people everywhere have much in common, such as a need for affiliation and love, participation, and contribution. When the exterior is peeled off, there are not so many differences after all.

Cultural differences: US is Low Context while Philippines is High Context. Big difference... Just a matter of acceptance.

[Psoas10 17]

Well here in Hawaii it is the puti or Haole from the mainland that has to adjust more than the Filipino from PI. Seems weird, but my wife fits in here better than my brothers wife who is from the mainland.