Post by bdgiorgi on Oct 23, 2017 18:12:15 GMT
Sudden awareness of norms when traveling
We are often unaware of the cultural norms of our own society until we visit another country. When you first visited another country did you have any experience that suddenly made you aware of a norm you hadn’t realized you held? Describe this experience and the norm involved.
Cultural norms (as well as gender roles, etc) are implemented in many ways, most being subliminal, as we create meanings and associations in where are all socially constructed. When i visited my family in Italy, certain experiences made me aware of the norms I hadn't realized I held, making them subliminally. It's a lot hotter in Italy then it is in Canada and most of the house had no air conditioning, however i noticed all the doors and windows were kept opened but with no mesh or screen to protect from insects or outside animals from coming in. So what i would do is go around the house and shut all the windows and doors, I do this because when I'm back home, the doors and windows are usually closed and when they are opened there is a screen to provide protection, however this was not the way of living in Italy. Another norm i wasn't aware i held was the fact that i do not walk outside without shoes on, the floor is dirty and can cause bacterial infections if i were to step on something or cut myself. However, this is not the case in Italy, to my surprise everyone walked around bare foot, inside and outside so i had to conform for that time being so i didn't offend my relatives who welcomed me in their home for the time being.
We are often unaware of the cultural norms of our own society until we visit another country. When you first visited another country did you have any experience that suddenly made you aware of a norm you hadn’t realized you held? Describe this experience and the norm involved.
Cultural norms (as well as gender roles, etc) are implemented in many ways, most being subliminal, as we create meanings and associations in where are all socially constructed. When i visited my family in Italy, certain experiences made me aware of the norms I hadn't realized I held, making them subliminally. It's a lot hotter in Italy then it is in Canada and most of the house had no air conditioning, however i noticed all the doors and windows were kept opened but with no mesh or screen to protect from insects or outside animals from coming in. So what i would do is go around the house and shut all the windows and doors, I do this because when I'm back home, the doors and windows are usually closed and when they are opened there is a screen to provide protection, however this was not the way of living in Italy. Another norm i wasn't aware i held was the fact that i do not walk outside without shoes on, the floor is dirty and can cause bacterial infections if i were to step on something or cut myself. However, this is not the case in Italy, to my surprise everyone walked around bare foot, inside and outside so i had to conform for that time being so i didn't offend my relatives who welcomed me in their home for the time being.