Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

The Elements of Culture

Good Essays
1397 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Elements of Culture
Culture, way of life.

Culture is different to many people around the world. It can be how and where you live, the clothes you wear, what you eat, the music you listen to and much more. It can be a particular society with different art and manners. Culture can be behavior and characteristics of a social group or organization. Culture is any and every way that people of a group (family, tribe, nation etc...) interact with each other. It is the internality of the distinct ways of their interaction that we can call the culture of their ways. Not to discount of course how their culture dictates their interactions with those outside of themselves.

I've found culture to be "fluidic" if that is the right word, it changes over time, one generation practices a set of traditions passed down then the next practices a slight variant and then the next generation changes it again or the group decides to change it all together.
Our cultural environment helps us to develop our identity. It gives us our customs and traditions that provide continuity from one generation to the next and help to determine a more cohesive society in which we share common values and principles.

In most western countries the population is made up of hundreds of different cultural backgrounds. By maintaining their ancestral culture and blending its traditions with those of the broader society, we evolve into an interesting cultural melting pot that gives us access to a diverse range of beliefs, customs, traditions, music, dance, cuisine, art. Literature etc… and hopefully makes us more tolerant and appreciative of others.

For me 'Culture' is near synonymous with 'tradition' in the sense that you just do something…not because there is any legitimate reason, logic or point to it, you simply do it because other people did it before you; however a culture might be influenced by outside cultures and events, I’ve seen this happen within my own culture over the last 18 years, and the base skeletal structure is still there from previous generations but it is vastly different to what it used to be. I would say that this century will see the rise of something different that I don't have the words for.

Any particular culture would be nearly impossible to teach in schools, as one persons culture is defined by not only their place of living or the people around them, but also by their values and beliefs. 'Cultures' can be grouped by some defining characteristics, but even within cultural groups will be many sub-cultures. It would be more beneficial to teach in schools an understanding of what defines someone's culture to gain greater acceptance of the differences between individuals and how we can live together in spite of that.

Our cultural environment helps us to develop our identity. It gives us our customs and traditions that provide a continuity from one generation to the next and help to determine a more cohesive society in which we share common values and principles.

In most western countries the population is made up of hundreds of different cultural backgrounds. By maintaining their ancestral culture and blending its traditions with those of the broader society, we evolve into an interesting cultural melting pot that gives us access to a diverse range of beliefs, customs, traditions, music, dance, cuisine, art. literature etc and hopefully makes us more tolerant and appreciative of others.

Due to our history in Australia it could argued that our culture is primarily British and European, however the fact that the first settlers were convicts meant that they were at the lower end of society and so did not bring with them all that much ‘British Culture’. A web site called Convict Creations (www.convictcreations.com) created by an American, is dedicated to explaining Australia’s culture through the fact that we began as convicts, the opening line says, ‘Australians are odd people who seem to have turned the principles of culture upside down. They despise their politicians and academics… yet, celebrate long dead horses and bushrangers.’ On reading this information, I had to laugh. Although sounding very tongue-in-cheek, most of it is true. The Australian culture is to hate Politicians; we do celebrate Phar Lap, the unbeatable horse that was star of the Melbourne Cup (a horse race that my home state of Victoria has a public holiday for); and offcourse the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly. The site goes on to say, ‘They are forgetful in the words of their national anthem… however, it would be wrong to say they are not patriotic as a song about a suicidal sheep thief seems to instil them with a great deal of pride.’ Waltzing Matilda, the song that everyone would prefer as our national anthem, is, as stated, about a swagman whom had stolen a sheep and ends up killing himself in a billabong (a water hole) rather then going to jail. A song I have grown up with and only today thought exactly about the words I was singing!

In some instances, as shown above, the stereotype or the quirky facts are true, however there is a lot portrayed in the media about Australia that we generally completely cringe at. The famous line, ‘G’day mate, How ‘bout we put a shrimp on the barbie’. What is wrong with this statement? Firstly, I am almost certain an American created it; secondly, Australians don’t cook shrimps on the BBQ, and thirdly, it’s not a shrimp, it’s a prawn!

The Aussie man, blond hair, scruffy, working on the land, dirty face, beer can in one hand – he’s got a ‘hard earned thirst, that needs a big cold beer, and the best cold beer is Vic’! A classic advertisement for our most popular beer: VB (Victoria Bitter). If you are thinking, ‘what about Fosters?’ Well, Fosters is enjoyed most places in the world, except Australia. There are however some traits of the stereotype that I believe are Australian. Traits that I have only noticed being away from home and therefore being able to compare. The tough guy, laid-back, jokes around a lot.

Australian females, I think are a lot harder to categorise. Maybe it is because I am an Australian male, or because the Australian stereotype is usually a male, or even because women are generally claimed as being ‘so difficult to understand’ that I cannot put them in a category.

Something that is truly Australian culture is the love of Sport. Not only our much beloved Aussie Rules but cricket, tennis, rugby, soccer, swimming and basically anything that is outdoors and active. As mentioned earlier, the state of Victoria has an annual public holiday for a horse race!

If there’s one thing I don’t like about Australians it is the presence of the Tall Poppy Syndrome. Something that is relatively unknown out of Australia, as we created it. The syndrome is the act of pulling someone down when they are on top. The origins of such a syndrome are from another cultural attitude that is to support the underdog. This however often means that the person or team whom are winning is now disliked. Whether it is sport or business, Australians spend years congratulating someone or a team for trying to succeed, then when they are finally on top, the public and the media can’t wait to bring them back down again.

Australia has been described as having ‘less culture then in a tub of yoghurt’. A comment referring to the country’s age in terms of white settlement. Yes, culture in the traditional sense is not so distinct in Australia but I believe we do have a lot of culture though it more to do with attitude and lifestyle then history and tradition. After spending time abroad in the past the general feel towards Australia is that it is a far away land, and not much is known about it. Stereotypes are therefore strong, the media and Australia’s tourist industry have capitalised on this therefore there are often misconceptions about our country. But, on the other hand, in 1954, Bob Hawke was immortalised by the Guinness Book of Records for sculling 2.5 pints of beer in 12 seconds. Bob later became the Prime Minister of Australia. You make up your own mind.

I will finish by saying I am proud to be Australian.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Culture

    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Culture can be basically defined as a pattern of learned behavior and ideas acquired by people as members of society. Culture was created in order to accommodate human beings in different society and establish their identity. Culture is not accustomed to one specific characteristic. It has a multiple dimensions. The way we talk, dress, eat, sleep, work and our knowledge and skills can be accustomed to our culture. These human manners are not uniform all over the place so, they change over time and space. Thus anthropologists have distinguished different cultural traditions different from one another with very thin line between them. And in the course people share, burrow and practice culture from one other. Cultural practices have become inevitable part of human being because we have become biologically dependent on culture for our own survival. For example human beings are not born with some natural instincts. In fact we depend upon the support, nurture and culture of our surroundings to survive. And by learning the cultural practice of the place we live in, we become mature enough to make rational decision and act for our own survival.…

    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Culture Definition Essay

    • 958 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Culture has been changed and passes down multiple times by your ancestors before you. Changes can come rapidly or slowly depending on the culture. Cultures can also be spread out and distributed by people of that same culture. Differences in cultures have led to a diversity of the people from different parts of the world.…

    • 958 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Culture surrounds us everywhere we go. It reflects the people of the times and when it changes, so do the very people it reflects. A general definition would say that culture, related to society, is a set of norms that govern behavior. Within this set of norms the people of a society do certain rituals and behaviors to fit in with the world around them. Different trends rule the times. Whether it be anti-war protests, to civil rights movements, to legalization of same sex civil unions and even divorce-the people of the times roll with many different ideas and tendencies.…

    • 1595 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    What is culture? Culture is the total of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by and passed on by the members of a specific group. It involves religion, language, education, food and shelter, security, creative expression, relationships, and political and social organization. However, it ties us up to one group and separates us from other groups. A group that shares a geographic region is called a society, while a group that shares a language, customs, and a common heritage is called an ethnic group. Culture changes over time by acculturation, diffusion, and innovation; It spreads by religions and language. Culture develops, spreads, and changes over time.…

    • 654 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Spread Of Culture Essay

    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages

    First of all, culture is the total of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by and passed on by the members of a specific group. It involves things like food, shelter, religion, security/protection, education, creative expressions, language, relationships to family and others, and political and social organization. Some people would say that culture acts kind of like a blueprint for things like how a person should act to fit in with a group. It ties everyone together into one group while separating them from other groups. Culture includes all products of human work and thought and helps us solve some problems that everyone faces.…

    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Components of Culture

    • 424 Words
    • 2 Pages

    • Not understanding the symbols of a culture leaves a person feeling lost and isolated…

    • 424 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Culture is the behaviour, beliefs and characteristics of a particular group of people. Age groups, ethnic groups and social groups etc… are all examples of groups of people that possess their own unique culture. The people within a culture are expected to follow the norms and values that are passed down through generation to generation. Over the past 30 years, different cultures have gradually intermingled due to an increasing number people immigrating to different countries, which each bring their own cultures, be it religious or pop culture etc... . This is particular visible in many western countries such as Britain, Canada and the United States, as there…

    • 1327 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Culture is the way you live your life, the way you exist, the way you survive. It is the area that you live in, the cuisine that you consume, the clothes that you dress in, the dialect that you dictate, the way you commemorate special occasions and the way you worship and believe in a religion.…

    • 2055 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Culture is your way of life. Your beliefs on how you think you should live and conduct yourself. Culture is not limited to race or ethnic background because several groups of people regardless of race can be from the same culture.…

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Culture and Discipline

    • 404 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Culture is the customs, beliefs, social, and general family behaviors of a group or groups of people.…

    • 404 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Everyday we are bombarded by culture as we walk down the streets of our city and even through the corridors of our home from our parents to our siblings. Therefore culture is the belief, laws, traditions, and many more that make a way of life unique from one another. Culture is the first stepping stone to begin creating your self identity, but it does not fully encompass our being. Therefore a balance is created between the too, we will always be influenced culture but always express our own individuality.…

    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Culture is defined as the system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their world and with one another, and that are transmitted from generation to generation through learning. Culture helps us understand how things are created, developed, managed and changed. Each culture is unique, I do not think people will find any culture that is exactly like another culture but I think that they can find many similarities. Some similarities that I have noticed are their dedication to their families, religion and their own native cultures as well fitting into fitting into the culture in which they live. Differences between cultures seem to almost outweigh the similarities. Some differences other than the obvious language barriers that I have noticed are personal and family values, what is considered polite, how hygiene is regarded to the food that they eat.…

    • 707 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Culture is a way of life for people, and it helps construct the foundation for people's values, beliefs, and choices in life. Culture makes societies unique, making it an essential element in influencing our everyday lives. As it's carried from generation to generation, people will adapt to new technology and changes, but the principals remain the same. There is no doubt that my culture has influenced me in making almost every decision in my life so far, underlying what I've been taught and the values I've been raised with.…

    • 871 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    There are plenty definitions of culture but all of them refers to common history, common likes, common traditions…

    • 2532 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Chinese Culture in Singapore

    • 4184 Words
    • 17 Pages

    There have been many attempts to define culture, but never have there been one that has been able to encompass every aspect of what it really means. Culture is part of our lives. Knowingly or unknowingly, we grow up within a particular culture, and tend to follow its rules and regulations without questioning its validity. An analogy of culture would be that if people are clay, then culture would be the mould that shape us to what we are today.…

    • 4184 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Better Essays