Introduction
The belief that ethical and social norms reflect the cultural environment produced by them is known as cultural relativism. Cultural relativists believe that cultures, and the moral systems that shape relationships within civilizations, differ essentially (Ryan, 2011). As seen by their culinary choices, people have become much more accepting of cuisine from cultures other than their own. People used to be more inclined to find certain meals offensive, but today they are less likely to criticize others based on their culinary preferences. Cultural relativists are accurate in their assertion that people should be more tolerant and understand cultural diversity on occasion (Ryan, 2011). Some activities done in foreign cultures are unusual and unexpected. This work is written to study two aspects of different cultures from outsider and insider positions.
American and Italian cultures from outsider and insider positions
I have lately begun to reflect on my nation and culture, and I would like to understand more about what defines an American. To discover out, I decided to take a look externally. Essentially, I am curious what non-Americans think of our culture and us as a whole. I first started thinking about this when I could not think of something specifically American. The point is that our country has many things, but none of them are genuinely American.
I discovered that most Americans are pretty polite, caring, inviting, and open individuals who live in varied countries. The prevalent perception is that Americans are and have always been optimistic dreamers who think that everything is attainable with hard effort and determination. The most striking thing I discovered was that the enormous amount of sugar in nearly all food disgusts non-Americans. Many of the postings I read mentioned how Americans could not even eat their bread since it was so sweet. Guests are astounded by the variety of options available in restaurants and grocery shops. To non-Americans, the idea that people can choose what bread they want for their sandwiches, what kind of cheese they want to have on them, and what kind of dressings they want is incredible.
Outsiders may find it unusual that the U.S. flag is displayed everywhere. This was fascinating and perhaps a little eye-opening for me because, as Americans, people take these things for granted. People sometimes require an outsider’s perspective to have a more profound and comprehensive understanding of issues. I realized how many characteristics are uniquely American and what gives them excellent citizens of a great country. I believe we sometimes take our freedom and mode of living for granted, not recognizing how wonderful they are.
Outside of large metro regions in the United States, public transit is scarce. The urban transport systems of New York City, Chicago, and Boston are among the best, yet they pale in contrast to those in several other nations. Many Americans possess a car, and many locations are only accessible by automobile. Moreover, automatic cars predominate the American automotive market, so do not be alarmed if someone gets into an automobile and cannot find the clutch. Non-Americans have difficulty getting about since the country’s vastness astounds practically all tourists.
The American society as a whole is exceedingly self-aware, with a strong emphasis on looks and achievement. People in America see the efforts they take to be culturally acceptable as crucial everyday behaviors, such as spending a significant amount of time doing their hair or cosmetics or selecting their clothing. Other times, this need for acceptability goes to more extraordinary measures, which can be costly, such as physically modifying facial traits. However, these practices that people in American civilization conduct themselves are considered commonplace by people in modern society. These traditions are all acceptable in society and may be required to into society and comply. Non-Americans are always surprised by such self-care from local people, as it comes down to little things that are not always so obvious.
Italy is a nation in Southern Europe comprised primarily of a vast region in the Mediterranean Sea. Italy is the cradle of the Renaissance, the epicenter of the Roman Empire, and the center of Catholicism. These cultural artifacts have had a significant impact on the development of Western cultural heritage. They are still idealized over the world, to the point where it is difficult for people to forget stereotypes about Italians.
In comparison to other European countries, Italy’s separate states took a long time to unite. As a result, the Italian population remains regional; connections and allegiance to one’s municipality or neighborhood are frequently more significant than those to Italy as a country. This is not to suggest that Italians are not patriotic; they are incredibly proud of their country. Therefore, they are most aware of their Italian identity when Italians travel abroad. Nevertheless, nationalism is rarely a motivating force for the general public.
In locations where prior geopolitical shifts have annexed territories and submerged others into Italy, sensitivity over the Italian identity might grow. For instance, before World War I, the Italian county of Alto Adige was traditionally merged with the Austrian province of Tirol above it. Its residents, who have been part of the German-speaking world for generations, may have a more robust cultural bond with this northern area. Sardu speakers are the most significant language minority on the island of Sardinia, where approximately more than one million individuals prefer their native tongue to Italian.
The reputation or honor of an individual is highly valued in Italian society. It is seen as a reflection of their family and background, and it is primarily a means of expanding prospects. A person’s reputation in Italy is determined by the impact they make on others. The concentration on establishing a positive first impression may appear trivial, yet this is not always the case. It frequently refers to preserving one’s elegance and dignity in the face of adversity in the lower class. Moreover, because an excellent reputation entails social acceptability, one of the most important attributes is the capacity to accept different viewpoints and pacify individuals with various interests.
Socialization is essential on both a formal and informal level in Italian society since connections are meaningful. Public squares, for instance, allow Italians to socialize without having to schedule an event. This is an opportunity to communicate with the general population, meet with friends, and learn about current events. Despite the fact that it is a casual event, individuals typically dress up for these little ceremonial walks since the stroll and talks along the route provide opportunities to watch others, be noticed, and create a good impression. This informal social gathering help to reinforce a feeling of togetherness. Older individuals may sit at cafés on well-known streets, watching or waiting to be approached by passers-by. Outdoor eating is popular because it allows individuals to eat in a communal atmosphere while also observing the public without becoming the focus of attraction. Most prominent streets feature eateries with tables put up outside and visible to the community.
A striking aspect of American culture is the aspect of appearance. It has evolved primarily due to the development of the media entertainment space. The film industry is one of the most developed, which requires actors to perform high-quality roles, so they try to take care of themselves. If individuals talk about ordinary people, they are consumers of this content, which also gives an incentive and tone to self-expression. In Italy, one of the main aspects of culture is family values, which are well developed. People love spending time together with family members, which creates a massive bond for generations. Socialization is an important aspect; people like to contact each other and spend time together at cafe tables or in a cozy family yard.
Conclusion
To summarize, cultural relativism is the view that ethical and social standards reflect the cultural setting in which they are created. People sometimes need an outsider’s perspective to have a deeper and more complete grasp of topics. Non-Americans are sometimes startled by locals’ self-care, consisting of little, seemingly insignificant details. I discovered how many features are particularly American and how these attributes make them outstanding citizens of a proud land. One of the essential features of Italian culture is the well-developed family values. People like spending time with their families, fostering a vital link across generations. Because contacts are important in Italian society, socialization is necessary on both a formal and informal level. In Italian society, a person’s character or integrity is highly cherished. It is considered a representation of their family and upbringing, as well as a method of broadening their horizons.
Reference
Ryan, L. (2011). Muslim women negotiating collective stigmatization: ‘We’re just normal people’. Sociology, 45(6), 1045-1060.