Culture 101
© Tracy Bowens
"We're from different cultures." "Culture Shock." "Adapting to a new culture."
You always hear these phrases involving the word "culture" in reference to moving abroad. But what exactly is "culture?"The Elements of Culture
Many different elements comprise a country's culture. They include:
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1. Material Cuture
2. Social Institutions
3. Belief Systems or Values
4. Aesthetics
5. Language
Material Culture
Material culture can be broken into two parts. The first is the level of technology used and understood in a country and the second is the economics or the way people use their capabilities and the benefits that result from that usage. Economics also inlcudes the production of goods and services, their distribution, and how they are consumed.
If you come from an extremely technical country like the United States, you may be shocked to go to a less developed country where things that you take for granted, like washers and driers, rarely exist.
Social Institutions
A country's social institutions may be one of the first things people think about when they think of culture. This element of culture describes how people relate to one another. In studying the social institutions of a culture or society, one looks at the social organization, education and political structure of that country. What are the roles of men and women? Of family? How do they teach what they consider to be good behavior to younger generations? What is their education system like? Does the country have a high literacy rate? Even if they do, do they like to read? Bookstores, which are quite common in America, are rare in some African countries.
Belief System or Values
Religion falls under this element. So do the basic values of a country. What do the people believe? What are their attitudes? How do they treat time? If you come from a fast moving place like New York City, will you be able to adapt to a culture where the people move slowly and the words "being on time" have no meaning at all? If you are an independent woman, will you be comfortable in a Muslim country?
Aesthetics
The aesthetics of a culture refers to the arts, folklore, music, drama, and dance of that culture. It can indeed be what makes the culture interesting and unique. It can also be the cause of many misinterpretations since the same symbol may have different meanings in various countries.
Language
One almost always thinks of the spoken language when one thinks of culture. But do you also think of the unspoken language that cultures use (i.e. gestures, eye contact, body language, physicaly distance). Knowing the cultural nuances of both types of language is extremely important. For example, the hand gesture used in American to imply that everything is "Ok" is extremely offensive in Argentina.
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