Cross Cultural Psychology

Indian culture revolves around integrity of the family unit. As such, most Indian holidays celebrate these relationships or involve bringing the family together. One such holiday is Raksha Bandhan, which is more commonly referred to as “rakhi.” Rakhi is the celebration of brotherly and sisterly love. Over the years, it has evolved to encompass brotherly and sisterly love- not only between siblings but also- between cousins, friends, and colleagues.

Rakhi is traditionally celebrated in August and is accompanied by certain rituals. Essentially, brothers promise to protect their sisters from any woes; in exchange sisters pray for their brother’s well-being and long life. Sisters prepare a platter to offer to the gods who bless it. Amongst the many items on the planter, there is a thread which sisters tie around their brother’s right wrist after it has been blessed. This thread symbolizes the sister’s love. Brothers and sisters then feed each other sweets that were also blessed by the gods. The ritual ends with brothers presenting their sisters with gifts as a sign of gratitude for praying for them.

The best part about celebrating Rakhi is that everyone gets to feel special! Although, being a girl, I would argue that brothers get the better deal since they are practically guaranteed a longer life 😉

Every kid likes cash, right? Especially fresh, crisp bills that don’t make you wonder how many people have touched them. In Korea, kids are provided with an opportunity to get quick cash during Seollal, the Korean New Year. Seollal is a huge holiday (Korea’s busiest holiday for traveling) taking place over the course of three days, referred to as the day of, the day before, and the day after. On the day of, family members wear their traditional clothing for Seollal called seolbim, and they perform rituals to honor their ancestors. Another tradition takes place that involves the children paying respect to their elders. Children dress in their traditional hanbok and enter a room in which their elders have been gathered. Then the children perform a “deep bow” (different and more difficult than a bow you may be imagining) that’s called a sebae. The bows are different for boys and girls, and girls have the option between two different bows (one is easier than the other). While you bow, you’re also supposed to say the traditional phrase that roughly translates to “I wish you many blessings in the New Year” and then the elder gives you sebaeddon (sebae money) in a pretty, decorative traditional pouch. But there’s a catch: you can receive more or less cash depending on the quality of your bow. Knowing this, many kids practice their bows a lot right before Seollal to prepare. Girls will practice the harder of their two bows so they can get the most money. So, depending on your motivation and level of effort, you could potentially walk away with a sack full of crisp bills (the elders go to the bank and specifically get crispy bills for this tradition). I never participated in this tradition growing up, but my mother made sure to tell me all about it, so I’ve always wondered actually how much cash I missed out on while I harbored resentment towards my mom (just kidding!). On a serious note, Seollal and sebae isn’t just about the money; this tradition is an exciting and fun way to socialize children about the value of respecting their elders, while also teaching them a nonverbal behavior that communicates respect and appreciation.

        My name is Michael Rivera, and this picture represents my culture. I am from Staten Island, New York, and I am Italian and Puerto Rican. I do not focus on one, but instead these two integrate into one multi-culture. As an Italian, I celebrate Christmas Eve with The Vigil. During this time, Italians usually participate in a feast of seven different fish. As typical as the Italian stereotypes, I often eat pasta, lasagna, and pizza. Italian cookies are also delicious. As a Puerto Rican, I often participate in the Puerto Rican Day parade that occurs annually on the second Sunday of June. The parade honors the Puerto Rican heritage as it resides in the United States mainland. When I cook, I often include a side of rice gandules. This Puerto Rican dish consists of rice and pigeon peas. If a fruit were to represent Puerto Rican culture, mangos would definitely serve as a representation. They are sweet and tasty! Lastly, the centered photo is a picture of my brothers, my nephew, and I. This photo symbolizes how cultures can be so different, but they can integrate as one!

While living in the Philippines, I met a girl who became my best friend. Her name was Regina and she was Mexican. Due to us being so close, Regina invited me to her Quinceañera. She told me that a Quinceañera was a celebration of a girl entering womanhood. On the night of her Quinceañera, I was amazed at what I witnessed. There were a variety of Mexican cuisines and the house was decorated ballroom style. All of the guests had to dress up and Regina looked like a beautiful princess. It was an amazing time and I’m glad I experienced it.

In the beginning, I thought it was weird. I had an ethnocentric view, meaning I was viewing the world from my own culture and perspective . I believed a girl did not turn into a woman until she was 18 years old because that is how I was taught in my African-American culture. In my culture, a girl becomes a woman when she is able to take care of herself. In other words, she has her own place, her own car, and is able to survive without the help of her parents. This usually does not occur before age 18. Therefore, I grew up thinking that, until age 18, you were still considered a girl and not a woman. However, I learned to accept that all cultures vary when it comes to the moment a girl becomes a woman. Regina taught me something I never knew and I am glad she did.

All cultures have different kinds of music played at weddings and parties, but as a Desi (person from South Asia), I feel as if Punjabi music and dancing is a part of everyone’s lives whether they are Punjabi or not. Punjab was originally a state in the middle of India before the Partition. After the Partition, the Punjabi people in Punjab that were Muslim, crossed over the border and went over to Pakistan, while the Punjabi people in Punjab that were Sikhs, crossed over into India. This is why there are Punjabi Muslims as well as Punjabi Sikhs, and also why there is a state called Punjab in the country of Pakistan, as well as the country of India (it was split down the middle). The Punjabis in India that came over to Pakistan after the Partition carried over their culture and traditions and made it one of the biggest cultures celebrated in Pakistan. Punjabi music and dancing are a big part of every wedding and party and are always incorporated in; someway or the other. People take time before hand to rehearse and be able to perform. Even Bollywood movies create songs with Punjabi verses in them because historically, Punjabi-speaking film makers have influenced Bollywood songs. As a modern day Punjabi myself, I can say first hand that we are known to be loud, carefree people who show off and party. Our music brings a sense of freedom and is very upbeat with a fast rhythm that can make anyone want to get up and dance. Its initial task is to put you in a happy and joyful mood. So tell me, have you listened to your dose of Punjabi music today?

In some Eastern and Western European cultures St. Nicolas, the original Santa Clause, does not roam the night alone. He has his partner Krampus giving out punishment to those who have behaved badly during the year. Krampus most likely originated from Austria derived from pagan beliefs. He was later adapted to Christian beliefs symbolizing the devil himself. As I’m from Hungary Europe I grow up with this figure fearing his coming. Interestingly, neither St. Nicolas nor Krampus came on Christmas. These two figures came on the 6^th of December during the night, either leaving you a small present or if you were bad, Krampus leaving you with a small broomstick.

When Christmas came we were taught to believe that Jesus was responsible for the gifts as we celebrated his birth.  We received all the gifts on the night of the 24^th of December after the family dinner.

Coming to America I was surprised that presents were exchanged on the next morning instead the previous night. Since being a dad, I’m especially glad that I kept this one tradition so I don’t have to wake up early on the 25^th.

I was born here in Atlanta, and lived most of my life in the backwoods of North Georgia, among the rednecks and deer hunters, the likes of which you might find on “Here comes Honey Boo Boo”.

I rejected the hillbilly culture I was raised in because I hated the machismo and stupidity of my peers, I rejected my parent’s culture because they were such devout christians that I didn’t get to play games or watch modern cartoons (that’s how satan gets you), the generalized American culture disgusts me, and I rejected the culture of Atlanta when I moved here because I felt like a man with my priviledge didn’t belong to a place where murals of civil rights leaders are plastered like monuments to heroes, or to a city called “hotlanta” for its parties when I don’t want to participate in them.

My personal culture is something new, and perhaps unique. I don’t have any traditions (I truly dislike holidays, family gatherings, and religious events), I don’t go out except to buy food or supplies, and occasionally to do something like a date. I don’t have a religion, and I’m not in any minority groups. I don’t play video games or watch television, and I don’t care about anything except that I have rent paid and food to eat. I just go to work and school, and hang out with my roommates while pretending to understand the memes, politics, sports, and tv shows they incessantly talk about.

What I can say about this personal culture is that it is carefree. I happily accept any situation, no matter how strange or hard it might make my life. I care not for materialism, nor asceticism. Above all, I seek knowledge and understanding, and apply what I learn to my personal culture whenever I see something that I believe will make me a better person.

Thanks for reading,

Caleb Lloyd