View Full Version : What are the TABOOS in your culture?
Divinus Arma
07-31-2006, 03:48
Think about it. What would be offputting in your culture? Try and keep in mind your sub-culture as well. For example, smoking marijuana, although illegal, is taboo in U.S. Christian society, but not in U.S. libertarian or liberal circles. ALSO, try not to mention just what is taboo, but what is NOT taboo that you think would be in other countries!
Also, the FCC bans cursing and nudity on public airwaves and certain cable channels during specific hours...
Hmmm. Talking politics and religion in casual conversation with someone you just meet is also fairly taboo, unless it is in private and the gathering is related to the topic in some way.
Urinating and deficating in view of the public is certainly taboo, as is nudity of any sort. Public displays are mildly taboo, but same-sex PDA is totally taboo everywhere but gay communities.
If your are obese, you'll be stared at. Same thing goes if you are a man and dress like a woman (except in Los Angeles), are male and wear a thong while roller skating, etc. Cursing in public is generally frowned on everywhere except youth events where rebellion against adult tradition is "cool". Drunk driving is illegal and despised by most. We are also required to wear seatblets in most states, and helmets on motorcycles as well.
In the U.S. it is NOT taboo to eat pig, though I suspect that would be offputting in Islmaic and Jewish areas.
It is also NOT taboo to show violence on TV, but I am not sure who would think otherwise elsewhere.
I can't speak on what is considered a 'Canadian taboo', even there is such a thing as some kind of uniformity among Canadians to constitute a cultural group.
As far as the metal community goes...short hair could be considered a taboo. Monotheism isn't popular much, either. There's a bit of a dress code and vulgarity is an everyday thing.
The more I think about this, though, the more I'm reminded that I'm also a culture of one, and that my views aren't necessarily common ones, but there's no real way for me to tell if they're from 'my' culture - how I think is how I think.
Samurai Waki
07-31-2006, 04:44
...cannibalism. Curse Humans for being so tasty, yet illegal to eat.
Don Corleone
07-31-2006, 04:56
Well, Mrs. Corleone has made it pretty damn clear that lap dances are taboo. Not sure if this qualifies as a cultural taboo, but I'm too terrified to think of the consequences.
Interesting question. I was raised by a 3rd gen Irish-American mother, and 2nd gen Italian-American father, both of whom grew up up in ethnic enclaves in Boston (Brookline and the North End, respectively).
The only real 'strange' taboos I grew up with were around the Catholic Church, and I've broken all of those. I think my parents 'respect' my choices, but they can't bring themselves to accept them, and constantly pray I'll leave my wicked Methodist ways behind and come home to the aristocracy. Not going to happen.
Only real taboo I can think of in my house was nudity. My parents were very free with colorful language (as am I, as Ser Clegnane can attest). But we were hardcore over on men only see men naked and women only see women naked. I changed in a pool cabana with my sister one time when I was 8 and my father spanked me right there in front of the whole pool party.
Oh, that's another one. Very Italian-American thing. I was very free in terms of what rules were laid upon me, but when I broke one, my Dad broke me. I was 16 and had no curfew.... My sister on the other hand (who was older) had a zillion rules, but at the end of the day, no hard consequences.
Think about it. What would be offputting in your culture? Try and keep in mind your sub-culture as well. For example, smoking marijuana, although illegal, is taboo in U.S. Christian society, but not in U.S. libertarian or liberal circles. ALSO, try not to mention just what is taboo, but what is NOT taboo that you think would be in other countries!
Also, the FCC bans cursing and nudity on public airwaves and certain cable channels during specific hours...
Hmmm. Talking politics and religion in casual conversation with someone you just meet is also fairly taboo, unless it is in private and the gathering is related to the topic in some way.
Urinating and deficating in view of the public is certainly taboo, as is nudity of any sort. Public displays are mildly taboo, but same-sex PDA is totally taboo everywhere but gay communities.
If your are obese, you'll be stared at. Same thing goes if you are a man and dress like a woman (except in Los Angeles), are male and wear a thong while roller skating, etc. Cursing in public is generally frowned on everywhere except youth events where rebellion against adult tradition is "cool". Drunk driving is illegal and despised by most. We are also required to wear seatblets in most states, and helmets on motorcycles as well.
In the U.S. it is NOT taboo to eat pig, though I suspect that would be offputting in Islmaic and Jewish areas.
It is also NOT taboo to show violence on TV, but I am not sure who would think otherwise elsewhere.
What's the purpose of acquiring this knowledge ?
Once US soldiers knew that it's forbidden for Muslims to eat pork, they forced it on their prisoners. Knowing that homosexuality is forbidden, they forced homosexual acts on their prisoners. Once they knew that desecration of the Koran is a crime to Muslims, they desecrated it, flushing it down the toilet. They knew that destruction of holy places, graves, mosques is a crime, they did that too. They knew that Muslim women are only to reveal themselves to their families yet they routinely walk into homes where women are have no choice but to show themselves to the occupation soldiers. Then again how can one expect anything to be respected in war, specially when the Muslims themselves have lost all sense of morality.
You are a soldier are you not ?
I'm wary of discussing any such thing that it may be used in a dishonorable way to further the aims to brutality of the criminally insane.
Don Corleone
07-31-2006, 04:58
Yeah Sinan. Beheading civilians on videotape clearly shows just how one-sided this all is. Give me a break.
Nobody said it was one sided, Capo.
Then again how can one expect anything to be respected in war, specially when the Muslims themselves have lost all sense of morality.
That's exactly the point each person is now willing to use the knowledge of the other's culture to hurt them.
Don Corleone
07-31-2006, 05:06
First, Capo is a 17 year old high school student in New Jersey. I am a 36 year old electrical engineer formerly in North Carolina, now New Hampshire. Please try to keep the differences (though, having been here for over 2 years, and 4K posts, I'm finding this a very odd explanation).
Second, Eclectic posted a topic about 'what strange taboos did you grow up with' and you come back with "Why, you're a western soldier and will use them to torture poor muslims" and you're asking why I think you have a chip on your shoulder?
Grow up and get a life.
Incongruous
07-31-2006, 05:10
Saying that All Black Dab Carter is not that good, i s a major Taboo over here and one which I frequently break.
Big_John
07-31-2006, 05:13
I'm wary of discussing any such thing that it may be used in a dishonorable way to further the aims to brutality of the criminally insane.whoa, whoa, whoa! maybe E is just curious.. no need to start another 'us vs them' flame war. also, Sinan, your first post in this thread could be construed as implying that you believe E is fishing for torture methods, which i'm sure isn't your intention. but you might want to be more carful with your wording.
Don Corleone
07-31-2006, 05:17
Never mind. Pointless.
Think about it. What would be offputting in your culture? Try and keep in mind your sub-culture as well. For example, smoking marijuana, although illegal, is taboo in U.S. Christian society, but not in U.S. libertarian or liberal circles. ALSO, try not to mention just what is taboo, but what is NOT taboo that you think would be in other countries!
Well every Canada day (July 1st) the commons puts on Canabis day. Where in the confines of the Halifax commons (public out door recreational facilities in the downown core given to the people of Halifax by the crown for common use in purpetuity) you can toke-up and the police let it go. Vancover police let pot heads go about there buisness unmolested 24/7. Marijuana bars exist there. Vancover PD's position is "We got better things to do than arrest and process pot-heads. They don't really hurt anyone but themselfs."
Also, the FCC bans cursing and nudity on public airwaves and certain cable channels during specific hours...
The CRTC says that after 10 pm and before 4 am (local time natch) swearing and nudity (pron might be crossing the line) is perfectly fine on any channel on the dial is fine. Also all TV channels (and radio stations) have to broadcast 33% Canadian content.
Hmmm. Talking politics and religion in casual conversation with someone you just meet is also fairly taboo, unless it is in private and the gathering is related to the topic in some way.
Not true here. While on my work term one of the guys would rant about anything that bothered him for 15 minutes at a streatch. Bush and Harper were his favorite subjects.
Urinating and deficating in view of the public is certainly taboo, as is nudity of any sort. Public displays are mildly taboo, but same-sex PDA is totally taboo everywhere but gay communities.
This is a family thing. but my dad if he really needs to tinkle will park the jeep open the door get in the angle it forms face it and whip it out and let fly. I'm waaaaay to paranoid to evacuate in public though. More polite sectors would frown on public evacuation. PDA are perfectly fine, although schools will frown on them. Same-sex PDA are not really taboo. Ever since they got the right to marry they don't care who sees any more.
your are obese, you'll be stared at. Same thing goes if you are a man and dress like a woman (except in Los Angeles), are male and wear a thong while roller skating, etc. Cursing in public is generally frowned on everywhere except youth events where rebellion against adult tradition is "cool". Drunk driving is illegal and despised by most. We are also required to wear seatblets in most states, and helmets on motorcycles as well.
I see enough obese people and cross-dressers that I don't give it much mind. Cursing in public. No one cares, and if they really do they ask you to tone it down. Drunk driving is the same here. Given that all laws (anything set by a provincial or municipal government is a by-law or regulation) are federal here seat belts and helmets are mandatory across the nation.
It is also NOT taboo to show violence on TV, but I am not sure who would think otherwise elsewhere.
Not sure if the violence level shown in native productions is different.
AntiochusIII
07-31-2006, 05:36
Well...
"I don't care for the Godfather...it insists upon itself."
TABOO aka Don't you dare say that anywhere in America
:smug:
If you are rich you better be modest about it, driving a ferrari won't score you any admiration-points here. We have a saying, 'just act normal you are crazy enough by yourselve'. Showing of with your property is a nono here, in our hearts we are still all calvinists.
If you are rich you better be modest about it, driving a ferrari won't score you any admiration-points here. We have a saying, 'just act normal you are crazy enough by yourselve'. Showing of with your property is a nono here, in our hearts we are still all calvinists.
Just the same here (not the calvinistthing though). We call it "Jantelagen" and consider it a very swedish thing. Never flash with money or nice property. If you do good in school, never brag about it. Do not stick out from the crowd.
I have always thought of Dutch to be much like us. ~:cheers:
My persononal opinion is that there is taboo in Sweden to talk about the immigrant issue. I don't want to start a debate whether it's good or bad now, but if you criticise it there is a big risk people think of you as a rascist.
If you live on the countryside, it is many times not acceptable to be gay.
One last quite important thing. Always take your shoes of when entering someones house! I remember when we had lithuanians visited us back when we where young in school. A severe culture clash arised when confused/annoyed mothers tried to explane that they must take of their shoes. ~:)
My persononal opinion is that there is taboo in Sweden to talk about the immigrant issue. I don't want to start a debate whether it's good or bad now, but if you criticise it there is a big risk people think of you as a rascist.
pc-policestate of the world, that taboo is kinda broken here :laugh4:
There is one big difference between swedes and dutchies though, swedish companies seem to be much more formal and obsessed with hierarchy, while in dutch companies a director demanding to be called 'sir' or 'mister' would get funny looks and instantly lose respect. The director is just someone with a job, and so is the guy cleaning the offices.
Major Robert Dump
07-31-2006, 10:14
I know as many conservatives who smoke pot as liberals, and even more who see it as not taboo even though they don't smoke, like the entire editorial staff of the National Review. It's taboo for people who are religious, people who think in general that all mind altering substances are bad, and old people. But mostly its just old people.
I'd say narcotics is taboo, including showing narcotics in positive lights through media. It's pretty much a no-no.
Sexuality is taboo, particularly when it invlolves teenagers, despite the media showing it a lot and outfits that leave nothing to the imagination.
You won't find many parents and people of authority who think kids running around screwing is a good idea, its bad enough they have cars and credit cards. As for adults, sexuality is typically subtle at best, sort of the whole "for the grown ups things"
Sex crimes, sex with animals, homosexuality and exposing oneself in public are taboo (attractive women can expose themselves more than men and ungly women and get away wit it)
Eclectic is right, Obesity is somewhat taboo, although less taboo with age, unless we are talking s0-fat-you-cant-walk fat, people generally look down on thjat no matter what
I'd say bashing religion in general is taboo, unless its something silly like Scientology, then pretty much everyone does it. Bashing a different religions than your own is less taboo
Cursing is publis is taboo, but not amongst a large segment of society who knows where to keep it, like some people who curse together at work but know to stop when they go out to lunch. I'm worried about the tendency of some "cultures" to openly promote cursing in public, even around kids and people who by looking at them you can tell it offends, but it be dismiised as freedom of expression or "the culture," as if the culture never mingles or leaves its own area. I am, of course, referring to thugs, inbreds and juggalos and people who do things like blare vulgar music in the Target parking lot. a lot of parents alos expose their kids to this through mass media, such as letting the 2 year hang around while you watch Scarface, because "he doesn't understand." Trust me, "he's" smarter than you.
Cannibalism. Vandalism. Vigilantism in 99% of the cases.
So far I only really touched on the midwest here in general, not really subcultures
Oh I forgot child rape used to be a taboo as well, but thanks to the judges of the red machine it's that no more :furious3: :wall: :furious3: :wall: :no: :shame:
Geoffrey S
07-31-2006, 12:33
Ah, that was awkward.
Criticising muslims seems something of a taboo. While things have changed in Holland, most still get their heads bitten off if anything solid is said about the low level of intergration among that particular group of people (or any group, really). Or stabbed while cycling through Amsterdam, take your pick.
Geoffrey S
07-31-2006, 12:33
Deja vu.
Somebody Else
07-31-2006, 12:50
Intolerance...
I can't stand anyone who doesn't let other people think the way they want. They should be strung up!
There is one big difference between swedes and dutchies though, swedish companies seem to be much more formal and obsessed with hierarchy, while in dutch companies a director demanding to be called 'sir' or 'mister' would get funny looks and instantly lose respect. The director is just someone with a job, and so is the guy cleaning the offices.
If you change the word "swedes" to "germans" and the word "dutchies" to "swedes" you have the rumors around here. :laugh4: I have never heard anyone call a boss "Sire". I thought that was only in Germany or USA.
Don Corleone
07-31-2006, 14:23
Nobody in America calls their boss 'Sir'. You'd be laughed at as a petty dictator if you told your employees to call you Mr. so-and-so or sir. It's all a first name basis.
If you change the word "swedes" to "germans" and the word "dutchies" to "swedes" you have the rumors around here. :laugh4: I have never heard anyone call a boss "Sire". I thought that was only in Germany or USA.
Maybe I listen too much to my danish relatives ~:)
Nobody in America calls their boss 'Sir'. You'd be laughed at as a petty dictator if you told your employees to call you Mr. so-and-so or sir. It's all a first name basis.
Why do people call their bosses "sir" in american movies then? ~:confused:
Don Corleone
07-31-2006, 14:40
Why do people call their bosses "sir" in american movies then? ~:confused:
First, what year are those movies from? Second, Hollywood DOES NOT reflect contemporary American society. Examples:
-In the movies, everyone smokes. In reality, smoking is banned just about everywhere but in your own house, and that's banned in some places too (more to follow).
-In the movies, people always mouth off to the cops. In reality, if you did that, you'd get a nightstick or a flashlight in the jaw.
-In the movies, everyone drives sports cars and SUVs. In reality, everyone drives sedans (Accord, Camry, et. al.) and, of course, SUVs.
-In the movies, everyone lives and works in the city. In reality, unless you work in finance, government or insurance, odds are better than good you work in an industrial park out in the suburbs somewhere.
I can give plenty more examples. Please, do not watch an American movie or television and think you know very much about America or Americans. It's fantasy for us.
Somebody Else
07-31-2006, 14:44
A lot of the working Americans I meet out here call their bosses 'sir', and refuse to elaborate on what they do exactly... Embassy workers can be so... particular. The last lot were construction workers apparently, or so I'm told - they didn't tell me what they did...
*edit* I suppose, technically, they are civil servants - some could do with more of the civil bit of course.
do not watch an American movie or television and think you know very much about America or Americans. It's fantasy for us.
I know, I have seen baywaych ~;)
Don Corleone
07-31-2006, 14:51
Where is 'here'? I've never heard anyone refer to their boss as 'sir', and I've been in the workplace for 15 years. I'm just trying to get the image of an architect arriving at a construction site and telling all the roughnecks "Don't call me Steve. It's Mr. Peepers or sir to you", and I'm wondering how long it would be before he wound up in the cement mixer. :help:
Avicenna
07-31-2006, 15:13
Getting bad grades, really. No prizes for guessing roughly where I live.
First, what year are those movies from? Second, Hollywood DOES NOT reflect contemporary American society. Examples:
-In the movies, everyone smokes. In reality, smoking is banned just about everywhere but in your own house, and that's banned in some places too (more to follow).
That would never fly here.
-In the movies, people always mouth off to the cops. In reality, if you did that, you'd get a nightstick or a flashlight in the jaw.
Here they'd just charge you with something. A tongfa/flashlight to the jaw is a garented succeful complaint again the cops.
-In the movies, everyone drives sports cars and SUVs. In reality, everyone drives sedans (Accord, Camry, et. al.) and, of course, SUVs.
This can be explained that the people who make this stuff are putting in what they drive.
-In the movies, everyone lives and works in the city. In reality, unless you work in finance, government or insurance, odds are better than good you work in an industrial park out in the suburbs somewhere.
Maybe where you live. In my city large tracks of the city proper are residential houses. Smaller than a standard north american sub-urb split level. But affordable to a middle class person, but not working class they get the sub-urbs. Plus the industrial parks are either outside the sub-urbs or inside the city.
I can give plenty more examples. Please, do not watch an American movie or television and think you know very much about America or Americans. It's fantasy for us.
True. But it's based on some reality.
Don Corleone
07-31-2006, 16:26
How is it Lars that Halifax qualifies as an "American" city? I think one of the very few things that you and I would ever agree on is that the USA and Canada are more different then most Europeans would suspect.
I know guys who've mouthed off to cops and taken a beating for it. Yes, videotapes on cop cars help somewhat, but hells bells, they smack people around all the time. I'm a middle class professional and I am fearful for my safety around the police. This is one thing that I don't think black people understand... no, it's not just you. They treat a lot of folks rougher than they probably need to. I imagine many of them view it as a perk (and I have relatives in law enforcement that agree with me!)
As for urban demographics, perhaps I should have qualified my use of the term 'city'. In the movies, everybody lives or works in downtown New York, LA or Chicago. In reality, not all that many people do, and almost certainly the types of folks that are being pictured in the movie wouldn't be.
How is it Lars that Halifax qualifies as an "American" city? I think one of the very few things that you and I would ever agree on is that the USA and Canada are more different then most Europeans would suspect.
Semantics. America is a contient (one of two actually), one that the USA and Canada share. The US is a nation. You'll notice I always say north america, or north american, too.
I know guys who've mouthed off to cops and taken a beating for it. Yes, videotapes on cop cars help somewhat, but hells bells, they smack people around all the time. I'm a middle class professional and I am fearful for my safety around the police. This is one thing that I don't think black people understand... no, it's not just you. They treat a lot of folks rougher than they probably need to. I imagine many of them view it as a perk (and I have relatives in law enforcement that agree with me!)
Canadian cops prefer to use threats of legal action. Laying BS charges that would only result in a fine (only jail time if you couldn't pay), if the judge doesn't throw it out. They're like that cause they are reasonably sure that they have the guns and you don't. They have no need to establish the dominant power dynamics by busting your head.
As for urban demographics, perhaps I should have qualified my use of the term 'city'. In the movies, everybody lives or works in downtown New York, LA or Chicago. In reality, not all that many people do, and almost certainly the types of folks that are being pictured in the movie wouldn't be.
Probably would have been better.
Canadian cops prefer to use threats of legal action. Laying BS charges that would only result in a fine (only jail time if you couldn't pay), if the judge doesn't throw it out. They're like that cause they are reasonably sure that they have the guns and you don't. They have no need to establish the dominant power dynamics by busting your head.
My balls. Police brutality around here isn't uncommon. I don't even want to know what it's like for the whores in Vanier.
Sjakihata
07-31-2006, 20:01
paedophilia (sp?) is a taboo in denmark
First, what year are those movies from? Second, Hollywood DOES NOT reflect contemporary American society. Examples:
-In the movies, everyone smokes. In reality, smoking is banned just about everywhere but in your own house, and that's banned in some places too (more to follow).
-In the movies, people always mouth off to the cops. In reality, if you did that, you'd get a nightstick or a flashlight in the jaw.
-In the movies, everyone drives sports cars and SUVs. In reality, everyone drives sedans (Accord, Camry, et. al.) and, of course, SUVs.
-In the movies, everyone lives and works in the city. In reality, unless you work in finance, government or insurance, odds are better than good you work in an industrial park out in the suburbs somewhere.
I can give plenty more examples. Please, do not watch an American movie or television and think you know very much about America or Americans. It's fantasy for us.
Sorry, my bad. I have never been to America and I certainly do not think I know very much about you. Just assumed from movies and what people here in Sweden say.
Duke Malcolm
07-31-2006, 20:42
Coming out as a Tory and Royalist.
Don Corleone
07-31-2006, 20:46
Sorry, my bad. I have never been to America and I certainly do not think I know very much about you. Just assumed from movies and what people here in Sweden say.
Well, if it makes you feel any better, it comes as a shock to a lot of American youth that the world outside Mommy & Daddy's front door isn't as cool, hip and most importantly easy as the movies make it seem. All I'm trying to say is your average Hollywood film reflects the average American's daily life about as well "My Life as a Dog" represents life for your average Swede. At least the Big Potato was clearly meant to be fictional, no? ;-)
Louis VI the Fat
07-31-2006, 21:38
Edit: here are some more taboos for the US military to take advantage of! :laugh4:
Taboos, I would define them as anything that's so not done that they are beyond socially unacceptable. And taken for granted so much that they're most of the time not even criminally forbidden.
As taboos are so strong, and run so deep, I guess most are pretty standard fare (at least within the western world).
Some:
Dress codes. A president has a higher chance of political survival if he admitted to corruption than if he were to show up at the July 14th parade wearing nothing but a New Guinean penis sheath.
Sexual taboos: beastophilia(?), necrophilia. Homosexuality is not a taboo. It is not acceptable to many, but has definately left the realm of taboos.
Incestuous relationships. Strangely enough, consenting incestuos relationships between adults are more unacceptable than inconsenting ones involving minors. You can regain a social life after raping your daughter for years, but you can't have a social life if you're married to your mother.
Racism. Your academic career is over if you but suggest that maybe there is a difference in mental capabilities between human groups. The taboo concerns only the functioning of the brain. You can say with impunity that the average black runs the 100 meter faster than the average Korean, but you can't say that the average Korean is better at maths than the average black.
Divinus Arma
08-01-2006, 00:21
What's the purpose of acquiring this knowledge ?
Once US soldiers knew that it's forbidden for Muslims to eat pork, they forced it on their prisoners. Knowing that homosexuality is forbidden, they forced homosexual acts on their prisoners. Once they knew that desecration of the Koran is a crime to Muslims, they desecrated it, flushing it down the toilet. They knew that destruction of holy places, graves, mosques is a crime, they did that too. They knew that Muslim women are only to reveal themselves to their families yet they routinely walk into homes where women are have no choice but to show themselves to the occupation soldiers. Then again how can one expect anything to be respected in war, specially when the Muslims themselves have lost all sense of morality.
You are a soldier are you not ?
I'm wary of discussing any such thing that it may be used in a dishonorable way to further the aims to brutality of the criminally insane.
Woah. Easy. This isn't supposed to be political.
I just thought it would be interesting to learn about different cultural taboos, be you Asian, Russian, Dane, African, Moroccan, Venezuelan, Martian, or Klingon.
Please try and refrain from firebombing this innocent topic. I only posted it in the backroom because I knew there would be at least a slight potential for offense, so there was no need to share it with members-to-be.
Now let's go smoke a hookah and have a bit of tea. Peace here, my friend. Peace. :bow:
Major Robert Dump
08-01-2006, 09:36
First, what year are those movies from? Second, Hollywood DOES NOT reflect contemporary American society. Examples:
-In the movies, everyone smokes. In reality, smoking is banned just about everywhere but in your own house, and that's banned in some places too (more to follow).
-In the movies, people always mouth off to the cops. In reality, if you did that, you'd get a nightstick or a flashlight in the jaw.
-In the movies, everyone drives sports cars and SUVs. In reality, everyone drives sedans (Accord, Camry, et. al.) and, of course, SUVs.
-In the movies, everyone lives and works in the city. In reality, unless you work in finance, government or insurance, odds are better than good you work in an industrial park out in the suburbs somewhere.
I can give plenty more examples. Please, do not watch an American movie or television and think you know very much about America or Americans. It's fantasy for us.
YOU MEAN TEH MOVIES LIED!???????
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