Cultural customs and taboos from around the world

Culture is the identity of any community or group of people, and it’s often expressed through customs and taboos. These customs and taboos are the unspoken rules that guide people’s behaviours in different societies. Understanding and respecting them can help to promote cultural tolerance and enhance our appreciation of diverse cultures. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some cultural customs and taboos from around the world.

1. No shoes inside

In some countries, it’s considered rude to wear shoes inside someone’s home. This is because shoes carry dirt and bacteria from outside, and it’s seen as disrespectful to bring that into someone’s living space. In Japan, for instance, it’s customary to remove shoes before entering a home, temple, or other indoor spaces like schools or offices. Australians, Canadians, and Americans also take their shoes off when they enter their homes.

2. Pointing with the feet

In many cultures, pointing at someone or something with the feet is a serious offence. In Thailand, for example, it’s seen as very disrespectful to point your feet at someone or something they consider sacred, such as a Buddha statue. Similarly, in India, it’s not only considered disrespectful but also unclean to point your feet at anyone.

3. Eating with your hands

Eating food with your hands is normal in some cultures, especially in India, Africa, and the Middle East. However, in some parts of the world, including Western countries, it’s viewed as unhygienic and rude. Indians famously eat with their hands and even use bread, roti, or naan to scoop food. Similarly, in Morocco, the traditional dish of couscous is eaten with hands.

4. Eye contact

In some cultures, maintaining eye contact while talking to someone is seen as a sign of respect and attentiveness. While in others, it’s considered a sign of aggression, insolence, or immodesty. For example, in some Asian cultures, such as Japan and China, it’s customary not to make direct eye contact when talking to an elder or a superior.

5. Hugging and Kissing

Hugging and kissing are common ways of showing affection in many cultures, but not all. In some cultures, physical proximity and touch are not encouraged between strangers, especially of the opposite sex. In the Middle East, for instance, men only greet other men with a handshake, and women only greet other women with a hug.

In conclusion, cultural customs and taboos from around the world are fascinating and an essential aspect of cultural diversity. Understanding and respecting cultural differences can help us build stronger relationships and promote understanding among different cultures. By learning about other cultures, we embrace the richness of human diversity, and we become more open-minded and appreciative of different ways of life.