Describe a cultural product or practice and reflect upon the cultural perspective(s) it illustrates.
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Describe a cultural product or practice and reflect upon the cultural perspective(s) it illustrates.
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For my third cultural post I decided to talk about the importance of blood types in Korea. In dating culture, many Korean girls like to ask for the other person’s blood type to tell what kind of person they are and to see if they are compatible. This is similar to horoscopes in American culture. Type A people are said to be introverted and patient, but stubborn. Type B people are said to be creative and passionate, but irresponsible and self-centered. People often describe Type B men as “players” or “bad boys” and believe they won’t be good husbands. Type AB people are said to be introverted and rational, but indecisive and sometimes two-faced. Type O people are said to be ambitious and athletic, but arrogant and insensitive.
I wanted to write about "Chuseok" which is Korean Harvest Day ( Thanksgiving).
On the morning of Chuseok, we have Charye which is a memorial service for ancestors. With Korea becoming more westernized and Christainity being a big part of it, this practice is less common nowadays.
For food, We eat songpyun, which is like a rice cake with sweet honey stuffings inside or sometimes a savory nutty stuffing inside. It depends on who makes it.
There is also Hangwa which is like a snack made of grains and honey and other things. It looks like a very intricately made cookie.
This is a day when all family members gather and eat great food and just have a good time much like the Thanksgiving in the United States. Obviously not many Koreans are still farmers like they used to be so this is more about keeping the tradition alive and just having fun with the family. In many ways, it is no different from the United States' Thanksgiving.
Chai (Tea) plays a crucial role in fostering conversations and in bringing people together in Pakistan. People often start their day with sipping chai in a very relaxed and slow-paced manner. It is very common for people in Pakistan to offer each other chai during the slightest conversation. Chai almost seems to set a different pace to the conversation and time; one that is comfortable that draws people together. People drink chai for multiple reasons. One may drink chai to refresh themselves before starting a long task or the day or simply to strike a conversation.
Casual jokes are often made about the color of chai and who can make the best. The tanner the color of the chai, the better the taste is regarded as. Jokes are often made between family members and friends about whose turn it is to make the tea because of who made it last time. Before a marriage takes place or when the family is inquiring about the woman that is being married into the family, a casual joke may come up about how she makes her chai and roti (bread). Many people share pride in making good Chai. Casual acquaintances form a deeper relationship over chai because of the way one starts to know someone’s preferences for tea. For example, just the simple act of remembering how much sugar or milk one prefers in their chai can allow room for chai to become routine among casual acquaintances. The small act of simply remembering one’s preference can become routine among people.
Turkish Coffee
The first start of Europe Coffee culture is form Turkey. Their coffee culture is so traditional and it is also registered UNESCO World Heritage.
First, History. The first Coffee house in the world is Café Kiva Han in 1554 in Constantinople which is Istanbul today. In early 16century, the Ostman empire emperor Sherimou first, brought some coffee on his way back from Arab and Africa. Because almost everybody who live in Constantinople at that time is Muslim, so they are not allowed to drink alcohol, so coffee is the only way people enjoy together. So is is spread widely all over the Ostman Empire. In coffee house, people gather around play some games, conversation and listening some interesting stories from story teller. Everybody loved coffee a lot, there were law that if the husband did not give his wife enough coffee for a day, a wife could have right to divorce him.
Until now Turkish coffee is so popular not only in Turkish but in the world. It is famous because of its strong and long lasting flavor of coffee. Turkish coffee is much softer and stronger than any other coffee in the world. Its traditional way of extracting flavor of coffee could make that deep flavor. When you drink coffee in Turkish it is common to eat some Turkish delights called Locoum.
Let me explain shortly how to make Turkish coffee.
First you should grind roasted coffee bean, of course you just can buy made one. There are no adding and filtering process. It just mix of water and coffee and sugar. Because it has no filtering process, you can also find some coffee grounds. People just want to get rid of the gronds so they invented dripper and later they developed technic and made Espresso. When you make Turkish coffee, there are traditional pot called Cezve or Ibrik. Cezve is like pot without its cap and it has a long grip. Ibrik is kind of more traditional pot which has its cap and it looks like long shaped pots. And Ibrik is rarely seen even in Turkey these days.
Not only its good flavor, but Turkish coffee has been an important part of Turkish culture.
For both men and women, coffee has been at the center of political and social interaction. During the Ottoman period, women socialized with each other over coffee and sweets. Men socialized in coffee houses to discuss politics and to play backgammon. Over the years, Turkish coffee houses have become social institutions providing a place to meet and talk. Today, Turkish coffee houses continue their role in society as a meeting place for both the cultured citizen and the inquisitive traveler. Istanbul offers many new and delightful cafe - restaurant where friends and family meet to discuss topics of the day over a cup of traditional Turkish coffee.
For many people, the most enjoyable side of Turkish coffee is when another person reads the coffee grains, which is a kind of fortune telling. Called Kahve fali. White bad black good. There are also tradition about wedding and coffee, when deciding they are gonna marry or not, they consider the bride’s skill of making coffee. If the taste is good, it means the bride is a good cook. Sometimes, in their first meeting in bride’s house, the groom to be visit with some Locoum and brider to be just made coffee. If she deosn’t like the guy, then she just put salt in the coffee instead of sugar. Sometimes if he finish his coffee with salts, then he is considered to be patient and good man.
There is even an old saying about it:
“Bir fincan kahvenin kırk yıl hatırı vardır.” (“A cup of Turkish coffee will be remembered for forty years.”) It means that the person who offers the coffee is to be respected and remembered for a long time for the sake of his offering.
Koreans like to use blood type as personality markers, similar to the ways we use the zodiac and horoscope in the western world. There are four blood types: Type A, Type B, Type AB, and Type O. These different types each have their own qualities that are believed to tell you about the personality of an individual. Although there is no scientific basis for this, Koreans and other East Asians ask for each others blood types in casual conversation, similarly in the way someone here may ask you what your zodiac sign is.
Type A's are known for being reserved, introverted, and introspective. They are excellent listeners and make great friends.
Type B's are known for being outgoing and friendly, and are perceptive of other peoples feelings.
Type AB's are rational and freedom loving, they are also very popular and liked by many people.
Type O's are practical and organized; they make fantastic leaders.
In this way, Koreans take something that is tangible and real and turn it into something that can tell you about yourself. Unlike the zodiac (which is demonstrated by the way the constellations, something some people may not believe in), blood type is something that is assigned to us at birth. This illustrates the Korean belief that the inside somehow matches the outside. This might also be applied to other things such as health and beauty (for example, eating well translates to having good skin).
A recent phenomenon that has made a cultural impact in Korea is Muk-bang. Muk-bang involves a BJ, or broadcast jockey, who indulges in large amounts of food and commentates about the food or any other topic for viewers to see. Broadcast jockeys can make this form of entertainment a full time job because they receive sponsorships or donations from viewers. Some can make up to $10,000 a month! The reason for it's popularity can be traced to the examination of the general household. According to ABC news, 26% of all Korean households are single. These people are lonely and tend to eat by themselves. Watching these Muk-bang videos allow them to feel as if he or she is dining with a friend. There is also an interactive aspect of Muk-bang where viewers can communicate with the performers in chatrooms. This can provide a reason why this phenomenon has become so popular.
Koreans like to drink their alcohol differently then any other countries. Since drinking is such a common practice in Korea, social life is dependent on the ability to drink and socialize at drinking gatherings. There is also a tradition of respect when it comes to drinking in Korea.
Common rules for drinking in Korea
1. When the younger pours or receives drinks from the older, always use two hands.
2. Never pour your own drinks
3. Look away and do not make eye contact with the older, when drinking the alcohol
4. Do not fill up a glass unless it is completely empty
In Korea, people drink mostly soju, which is a form of hard liquor that is made from wheat. This mixed with beer becomes somek, which is another common mixed drink in Korea. There is also rice wine that has a deep history with farming. Rice wine is involved in a more casual setting and is more popular with the older crowd.
Third Cultural Post: Cultural Topic of Your Choice
In this cultural post, I will talk about visiting leave-taking etiquette and the ways in which Indonesians say goodbye. Leave-taking etiquette is widespread in Indonesia. The etiquette is governed by politeness, and therefore when a guest is about to leave, he or she must ask for permission to leave. The request to leave is usually directed to the oldest member — usually a parent — in the place in which permission is asked. Next, etiquette requires the host to “protest” on the grounds that the guest is leaving too early. In response, the guest must give an excuse, no matter its truthfulness, that is valid and therefore acceptable to the host. Finally, the host grants permission to the guest to depart. Giving an excuse and an explantation thereof serves as a way to maintain a friendly relationship as well as to present politeness. Here in the United States, guests often depart without an excuse, which is culturally acceptable. However, in Indonesia, this leave-taking ettiequte must be practiced. Lastly, if the guest is younger than the host, the guest and the host perform a certain handshake. The guest and the host handshake, and then if the guest is younger, he or she brings the host’s hand to his or her forehead whiling bowing slightly. This is usually done in a formal setting. However, if the guest and the host are friends and are of comparable age, this is not culturally acceptable.