Introduction
Since childhood, I have always had the desire to learn more about a different culture. In our house, we used to have encyclopedias with sets of pictures, including cultural information. I believe that other cultures are interesting; thus, the need to learn about them. I also believe that learning about other cultures is ideal in fostering comprehension. Most of the issues we have in the world emanate from misunderstandings. Learning about other cultures is also ideal in ensuring that we realize the presence of other approaches to do something. In this assignment, I set out to learn about Indian culture, and the best way to do this was through my friend Aashi. I have known her for two years now. I believe that she is better placed to help me acquire the desired knowledge I want on the Indian culture. One of the reasons for choosing this culture is because of the tendency of India to come out as a land rich in cultural heritage. Like in my society, culture plays a critical role in influencing the daily lives of the members as evident in their food, traditions, way of life, and clothing, among other attributes of their lives. I believe that through this, I will have the chance to have an ideal understanding of the basic concepts associated with the Indian culture. The purpose of this cultural interview is to enhance my knowledge of Indian culture.
Me: Good evening, Aashi. I want to thank you for taking the time to participate in this cultural interview. During this session, I will ask questions, which I believe you will help me gain answers. If that is okay with you, I would like to begin now.
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Aashi: Welcome. I am glad to become part of this. I believe that I will be of great assistance to you as you learn more about my culture. I am ready to take your shot.
Me: Great. What is your definition of culture?
Aashi: I believe that culture is a representation of a distinct or unique way of life to a community. Culture is the language, religion, music, food, traditions, customs, dance, beliefs, and many more that determine the way of life of a community. If I used one phrase to define culture, I would say it is a ‘way of life.’ Culture represents the way a community does its things. Culture incorporates the pattern of the beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors shared by a community to depict the values, attitudes, and customs among other things.
Me: What a great way to start. Moving on, Hinduism is the backbone of your culture based on what I have had the chance to learn. As an insider, what does it mean to be a Hindu?
Aashi: Great question. As perceived by my people, Hinduism is more than just a religion. It is a way of life. Unlike other global religions such as Christianity or Islam, Hinduism does not highlight the dos and don’ts for the members. Being a Hindu offers the chance to live life as an individual pleases. There is freedom for the Hindus to express their thoughts. It is not obligatory to agree to the philosophy unless one experiences substantial, convincing that it is the right one. People have the chance to discover the philosophy by themselves. Based on this, Hinduism is a personal religion. It is possible for a Hindu to worship at home. In spite of this freedom, to be a Hindu entails execution of the Dharma associated with the moral rights, religious expectations, and individual responsibilities, as well as behaviors enabling the ideal social order because they are the right and virtuous conducts. Being a Hindu indicates acceptance of the Dharma; thus, the chance to respect the sustainability of harmony and order of the world.
Me: Fascinating. I always believe that in different cultures, names having meanings. In India, what is in a name? What does your name mean?
Aashi: [Chuckling]… In my culture, a name has a meaning. It is very symbolic. For parents, choosing a name for their children is challenging. There are various names, and they are rich, beautiful, and stylish in their symbolic meaning. In my case, I have a unique name. Not many people in Indian have such a name. My name, in the Indian culture, represents a smile. I asked my parents why I have such a name, but all I got was the joy and smile I bring to my family. In living to my name, I smile a lot. I like it when I make faces bright. There you have it. The secret is gone.
Me: Wow! That is wonderful. How do you define a family?
Aashi: Like in other cultures, the family is an integral part of Indian society. It is the basic unit of society. The survival of Indian society depends on the family. From a sociological structure, the traditional Indian family incorporates three or four living generations. In this context, a family incorporates parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, nephews, and nieces. These people, as a family, live together in a similar household, thus, the chance to use the same kitchen while spending from the common purse in which all are contributors. Family is one of the main socialization agents in my society. It is important.
Me: Onto a different, but related matter. Does your culture offer a specific definition of the roles of men and women in the family? If so, what are these roles?
Aashi: Yes. In the traditional Indian context, there is the institutional and cultural reinforcement of the gender norms. The family offers the initial platform for the children to learn more about these gender roles. In the Indian culture, maleness symbolizes authority and power. On the other hand, femaleness is a reflection of subservience and inferiority. As people grow up in society, boys learn more about exercising their authorities of girls. On the other hand, girls use the chance to learn on the essence of submission. Traditionally, there were very few options for the women outside marriage; thus, the expectation of the girls to marry. In spite of the existence of some women adhering to the strict traditional expectations in their households and accepting their roles, more and more women in the Indian culture have had the chance to develop into a class of hard-working and career-oriented women. The women continue to fight for their rights through education, thus, the transformation of their roles to become economic participants in the growth and development of the society in the contemporary context.
Me: What type of non-verbal communication might create confusion in your culture?
Aashi: I think a few might generate confusion. Nonetheless, there is this one of waving the hand side-to-side, which might mean saying hello to another person. In my culture, it means ‘no’ or ‘go’ away to another person. So, think twice before waving hello.
Me: I loved that. Any other?
Aashi: In India, we always say if you are late, you are on time. Unbelievably, when I arrive exactly on time at an event, it is rude. I always take the opportunity to be late fashionably. Additionally, I always have the urge to carry a small gift, especially when the invite is for a meal.
Me: What are the most important holidays in your culture?
Aashi: One of the important holidays in my culture is Indian Independence Day. Annually, we celebrate Independence Day on August 15 as a mark of the end of the colonization of India by the British. There is also Diwali, which is a religious holiday. The importance of these holidays is evident in the cultural diversity of the nation. The religious festivals and holidays are of equal importance, thus, the enormous significance of diversity of culture.
Me: Do you remember excluding others because of culture or gender?
Aashi: Yes. On different occasions, I have had the chance to experience a sense of belonging while excluding others because of their culture. Most of my friends are Indians because of the social attributes we share as Indians. We have a specific way of life or doing things because of culture.
Me: Put differently; do you feel excluded because of culture in some situations?
Aashi: In some conditions and situations, I always feel an outsider. Maybe because I do not understand a language or interpret communication cues effectively and efficiently, these misunderstandings emanate from a lack of ideal knowledge of the culture.
Me: Once again, thank you for this enjoyable and knowledgeable experience. I look forward to doing this again in the future.
Aashi: The pleasure was all mine. I am glad to have been of great assistance to you on this experience.
Conclusion
I have had the chance to enlighten my understanding of the Indian culture through this interview. From the interview, I gained substantial knowledge of the role of family, culture, and religion in determining the way of life. I also learned about the issues to do with nonverbal communication and cues. These cues have diverse meanings in different cultures; thus, the importance of knowing them in this context. I enjoyed the exercise, and I will love to do it again in the future.
