ASIA
ASIAN
The collective and varied customs and traditions of art, architecture, music, literature, lifestyle,
philosophy, politics, and religion that have been followed and upheld by the different ethnic groups of the
Asian continent from prehistory are included in the concept of Asian culture.
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• Asian food is regional, traditional, and native. Because of the herbs and spices used in the
preparations, it has a rich flavor and taste. Asian cuisine offers a variety of cosmopolitan meals
from Southeast Asia, Europe, America, and other parts of the world.
• Through their eating habits, people might relate to their cultural or ethnic group. Food is
frequently used by people to maintain their cultural identity. Individuals from various cultural
backgrounds consume various meals. Families' dietary preferences and dislikes are influenced by
the places they call home and by where their ancestors came from.
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• Ritual is frequently defined as a symbolic representation of real social relationships, status, or a
person's place in society. Ritual is also defined as referring to the core values of a community as
well as a transcendent, numinous (spiritual) reality. People give the world around them meaning.
Symbols help us understand and communicate this reality. Religious ceremonies use symbols to
link the known, physical world with the unknown, spiritual, unseen realm.
• In Asian civilizations, a mandala serves as a spiritual and ceremonial symbol. It can be
interpreted in two different ways: internally as a manual for numerous activities common to
many Asian traditions, including meditation, or externally as a picture of the cosmos.
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• Many different religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Islam, Sikhism,
Shamanism, and Shint) have had a significant impact on Asian history and culture. In addition to
providing spiritual guidance, these traditions also establish moral and ethical norms for people in
Asian nations to follow in their daily lives.
• The study of Asian religious practices, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism, both
within Asia and among its diasporas, falls under this topic. The purpose and manifestation of
cultural expression demonstrate the link between culture and religion. Religion is a basic way
that people experience and comprehend the world if culture describes how people experience
and comprehend the world.
4 - THE DIFFERENT CUSTOMS IN ASIA
• Even while you might be accustomed to shaking hands, in Asia, it's not necessarily the ideal
greeting gesture. The "wai" is the primary greeting used in Thailand. When you say hello or
goodbye, you make a prayer gesture with your hands and nod or bend slightly with your head.
When you enter and leave the room, you should pay special respect to the senior citizens there.
• Bowing is a greeting and a sign of respect that can be employed in Japan and South Korea. A
bow is made by bending at the waist while maintaining a straight back and a downward gaze.
The depth and length of the bow are just two of several etiquette considerations that go into it.
An informal bow is completely acceptable for travelers since a deep bow is typically only used in
official contexts.
• Bowing might also be seen in China. Yet it's typically only used for really formal occasions like
funerals or religious rituals. Instead of a greeting, a short head nod is more frequently employed
to indicate gratitude. And if you do shake hands in greeting in Asia, be careful not to shake too
firmly. Keep in mind that this is interpreted as an act of hostility or rudeness, so be considerate!
• Sharing meals is another custom that is prevalent in Asia. The majority of Asian homes enjoy
cooking a variety of dishes to share among everyone at a large table. When dining out, it's
customary to order a few main courses to share rather than ordering each item separately. This
is a terrific way to try everything!
