#CultureDumbness: What are the silliest cultural norms around the world? 🌍
When it comes to cultural practices, every society has its own traditions and customs that might seem strange or inexplicable to outsiders. From quirky rituals to bizarre superstitions, the world is full of unique cultural behaviors that can leave many scratching their heads. In this article, we’ll explore some of the dumbest things different cultures do, and why they continue to be upheld.
##The Dumbest Cultural Practices Around the World
###1. #Footbinding in Ancient China
– Footbinding was a practice that involved tightly binding the feet of young girls in order to keep them small and dainty. This tradition was seen as a symbol of beauty and femininity, despite the excruciating pain it caused. It now stands as a cringe-worthy reminder of the extreme measures some cultures have historically taken to uphold beauty standards.
###2. #Witch Burning in Europe
– During the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, thousands of individuals – mostly women – were accused of practicing witchcraft and subsequently burned at the stake. This barbaric practice was based on superstition and fear, and is now widely regarded as a dark stain on European history.
###3. #Plastic Surgery Obsession in South Korea
– South Korea has one of the highest rates of plastic surgery in the world, with many individuals undergoing extreme procedures to conform to beauty standards. The pressure to look a certain way has led to a culture of obsession with physical appearance, which some argue detracts from true beauty and individuality.
###4. #Public Spitting in China
– Spitting in public is a common and accepted behavior in many parts of China, despite being considered rude or unhygienic in other cultures. This practice is deeply ingrained in Chinese society, with some believing that it helps cleanse the body of impurities.
###5. #Cow Worship in India
– In India, cows are revered as sacred animals and are afforded a level of protection and respect that can seem extreme to outsiders. Despite the prevalence of poverty and malnutrition in the country, cows are often given priority over human welfare in some rural areas.
##Why Do These Practices Persist?
###1. Tradition and Cultural Identity
– Many of these practices are deeply rooted in tradition and are seen as integral to a culture’s identity. Breaking away from these customs can be seen as a betrayal of one’s heritage, making it difficult to eradicate them entirely.
###2. Superstition and Fear
– Some practices are upheld due to deeply ingrained superstitions and a fear of going against what is perceived as “normal” or “right.” Beliefs in the supernatural and the consequences of breaking cultural norms can be a powerful force in maintaining these practices.
###3. Pressure to Conform
– Social pressure and the desire to fit in can also contribute to the continuation of these customs. Those who go against the grain risk social ostracization and isolation, making it difficult for change to take hold.
##Challenging Cultural Dumbness
###1. Education and Awareness
– By raising awareness about the harmful or nonsensical nature of certain cultural practices, gradual shifts in perception can be achieved. Initiatives that focus on education and understanding can help dispel superstitions and break down traditional barriers.
###2. Promotion of Critical Thinking
– Encouraging critical thinking and challenging deeply held beliefs is essential in addressing cultural dumbness. By fostering open dialogue and debate, individuals may begin to question the rationale behind certain practices.
###3. Collaboration and Empowerment
– It’s important to work with local communities and leaders to find solutions that are sensitive to cultural traditions while also promoting positive change. Empowering individuals to challenge harmful practices within their own communities can be a catalyst for positive transformation.
In conclusion, while the world is full of diverse and fascinating cultural practices, some aspects can be difficult to comprehend from an outsider’s perspective. By examining the reasons why these customs persist, as well as exploring ways to challenge them, we can work towards a more understanding and open-minded global society. Ultimately, it’s through education, dialogue, and empowerment that we can address and overcome the dumbest cultural practices that exist around the world.
Privatize public utilities
cheat in relationships and brag about it, especially the whole ‘side piece’ bs – meaning any gender here
Memorialize and celebrate past dictators and literal mass murderers
Argue over the origin of Pavlova
Being sore losers when we lose the Rugby. Or at any other sport.
Weddings cost an arm and a leg just to impress people you barely know.
Obsess over any western celebrity with even a h i n t of local blood.
Also obsess over and worship (usually white or east asian) foreigners who are barely or semi-fluent in our language.
Get married because of FOMO & peer pressure.
“I haven’t taken a vacation in 3 years!”
Rub a chicken egg on people to “cure” them.
In the orthodox community, men and women are made to sit apart. Fyi; I’m not orthodox , but I am Jewish
Try to force every young person to respect every old person even if they’re literal criminals
We have show kitchens (marble benches, the best appliances money can buy, hardwood cabinets etc) – but actually cook in the little butlers pantry that is off the main kitchen.
Anything and everything that proves that you are, “dominant”, including but not limited to; breaking laws, disrespecting others, taking advantage of others, being disagreeable in general, violating others rights but demanding yours are respected, and trying to make people feel useless because they don’t care about or value your ideas of work and/or productivity.
Taking photos of the deceased at funerals, including posing with them
Edit: some people even decide social media is a good place for these photos. So weird.
There is this thing in Iranian culture which is called Tarof. The definition goes something like this: Tarof is the act of offering something in a manner sufficient to demonstrate sincerity, but is simply a facade to appear more genuine than one actually is. It can be shown by conduct, an offer, or by any means in which there appears to be an intent to tender to another.
You see it pretty much everywhere and it’s just annoying to deal with.
In my country, theres a group of native people where women gain ranks in the comunity based on how many children they bring to the world, so they live in poverty but have like 7 or 8 babies, then they try to sell the kids because their land is also very close to another country border.
They also tend to be heavy drinkers, is a shit show tbh.
As an American… Gender reveal parties.
Like, it’s a boy/girl. Yea. I get inviting some friends over and maybe a special cake. But things have gotten utterly INSANE! I’m worried someone will launch an actual nuke at some point for one of these damned parties!
Not necessarily my culture, but my step-family is all Cuban. They refuse to arrive on time. You have to lie to them and say the event you are planning starts 2 hours early than it actually does. Two specific cases:
1) My step-brother’s wedding. Was posted to start at 2pm, but actually started at 4pm.
2) We had dinner reservations for 6:30 at a restaurant. My brother and I showed up at 6. We wait… Wait some more… Nobody else in the family has shown up. We call my stepmother who made the reservation in the first place and by this time we are both starving. Turns out they have yet to get dressed and leave the house. That was the breaking point and told them I would have to make alternate arrangements and that we had waited for 90 minutes and refused to wait a second more if they weren’t even ready to leave the house.
Our alcohol culture is insane and often toxic.
Try to prevent people from learning english and call our province a “country”
Australia, so it’s a pretty long list.
On a national level, digging up our natural environment to shill our resources overseas.
On an individual level, I know a lot of people who have drunk themselves to death or in the process of it.
Easter traditions that include beating women and/or pouring ice cold water over each other (Easter is still very cold here). Yeah and glorification of Russia.
Kill your kids in the name of honour. Can be for things as ridiculous as finding out your daughter texted someone. Or has a tiktok account.
EDIT – and avoid any meaningful punishment from the law.
Caste system
Ethnically Chinese. We burn billions (in Hell dollars) of underworld banknotes to our deceased relatives. Now I’m no necroeconomist, but I can imagine King Yama having major headaches over inflation in the underworld.
Two party system, first past the post elections, and lobbying.