My Name in Another Culture

All of a sudden I found myself thinking sociologically when I was remembering the first day I started volunteering at the hospital. I remembered I was talking to a boy and a girl who were training me about marriage. She said that in  her culture (in India), the girl would have her husband's name as her middle name. Then, her daughter would have her dad's name as her middle name also like her mother. It reminded me of how in Mexico, the bride would take both her husband's last name and her own. For example, if I got married with Tom Cruise ( just an example), my name would be Pamela Campos de Cruise.

This would be an example of culture shock and well kind of a culture similarity. It would be a culture shock because I did not know about this custom of another culture. It kind of amazed me but at the same time I made a connection with my own culture. Maybe there are other ways I can have my name. What would the connection be called?

Rabbit's leg + Deer's Eye + Spit = Good Luck for Life!

All of a sudden I found myself thinking sociologically when we were watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" in class a few days ago. When Tula's mom spits on her grandsons head, Ean asks why she does that. Tula responds that it is for good luck and to keep the devil away. It reminded me of how some cultures, like mine, have similar things like that, except without the spitting. I know that in some parts of Mexico, it is very popular that a child, especially a newborn, to wear a "deer's eye" necklace or bracelet. As weird as it sounds, it's true. Not in all cases is the deer's eye real, but if the parents are really supersticious, then the child will definetely have a real deer's eye... eww! As far as I know, my family doesn't believe in that and has not used it. Even if my family did believe in it, just the thought of wearing a deer's eye gives me the creeps! ;)

The whole deer's eye and spitting on heads seems kind of odd in American culture(Culture Shock), but wouldn't other cultures think that American superstitions are just as weird? Think about how others would react if they saw an American throwing salt off their left side of their shoulder, or carrying a rabbits leg? What's so different between carrying a rabbit's leg and a deer's eye, they're both animal parts aren't they? (Personally I still wouldn't wear neither of those.) These superstitions would be culture universals because they're still superstitions that people have but only different ways to keep superstitions away.

All of a sudden I found myself thinking sociologically when I was volunteering at the hospital. A Hispanic family came in to visit a patient and they weren't very fluent in English. So I decided to help the receptionist by helping to translate. But while I was translating, I found myself stumbling or thinking about the letters in both English and in Spanish. The family later thanked me and so did the receptionist.

I found this to be a culture clash because two different cultures met and couldn't interact successfully because of a language barrier.I have seen this happen many times and never really thought about it until now. I now understand why some people may not like or feel uncomfortable. It is because they are experiencing some sort of culture clash because of a language barrier or a restriction one culture has but the other one doesn't. But what about me getting confused with the letters in Spanish and English in my head? Would that still count as a culture clash?

Why Can't I Burp Too?

All of a sudden I found myself thinking sociologically when I was eating at the dinner table a couple of days ago. My sister had burped and was lectured from my parents for burping so loud. They told her that it was rude and unladylike to burp at the dinner table. I was thinking that burping could be considered a folkway in society, but is it the same folkway for all genders? Why is it that my brother can burp and get a simple "no, no" while my sister gets a lecture? Is a man's folkway not the same as a woman's? What about age or culture?

This is just like what we were talking about in class about how we define folkways and mores. Burping in some countries, like Mrs. Haas said, it is rude if you do not burp at the dinner table after eating. But in our society, it is rude to burp at the dinner table. I wonder if these folkways change depending on gender, age or culture. For example, is it the same thing if a 4 year old burps than if a 16 year old burps? What if a girl and a boy both burp? Who will be braking a folkway according to society? Maybe I should try it and find out!

America in 5 Pictures

The old Uncle Sam poster is a symbol that represents America because it represents how much dedication the U.S. government is about having Americans participate and join in the U.S. Army. We as Americans want to be seen as very dedicated.















 The Hollywood sign is a symbol that represents America because America is highly "revolved" with media, which include Hollywood stars. Also, it represents an inspiration for many Americans.

 Las Vegas is a symbol that represents America because Americans like to be known as people who are fun to hang out with. As Americans, we love to take a break from things and just have fun. What other place to have fun in (if you're over 21) than the wonderful place of gambling in Las Vegas. Remember that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas ;) !

 The bald eagle represents America because it is a very unique and rare bird, just like America likes to be seen. Just like we like to be seen as the only true country with its' own unique way of life.

 The statue of liberty represents America because it signifies freedom the welcoming to immigrants to the land of opportunities. The statue of liberty represents America because it also shows that Americans like to be seen as welcomers and friendly.

Does she not know how to say "Goodbye"?

All of a sudden I found myself thinking sociologically when we were discussing about culture in class. We were sharing our stories on how two cultures "clash" together. And how hard it is to communicate and interact with other cultures. I remembered the time I "clashed" with a culture. As you probably know, I am hispanic and as a custom in my culture, we greet and say goodbye with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek. So when I was saying goodbye to my cousin's girlfriend, who is white, she thought that I was going to whisper something in her ear because I was getting too close to her.I asked my cousin "Does she not know how to say Goodbye?" I was actually trying to say goodbye but she later found out how to greet and say goodbye to people in my family.

 This reminded me of how much struggle our class went through when we tried to communicate with each other in different cultures. I can only imagine how hard it must be for people who have to interact with other cultures. Such as business people and airline workers. I wonder if cultures count as a group?I hope we get to learn more about how to understand other cultures and how other cultures greet each other.