culture
Get the authentic cultural experience on your next foreign jaunt. Wander like a local; here, there, and everywhere.
How Western Culture Has Affected Japan
From Coke bottles on Shinto shrines to the Japanese almost completely abolishing the usage of squat toilets—yes, squat toilets—Japan has been heavily influenced by western culture, from their media, food, and even how they dress. The influence that western countries such as The United States, Great Britain, Canada, and much more have had on Japan is evident by just taking a leisurely stroll around Tokyo, in which you will witness a variety of sights such as McDonald's, Ikeas, Taco Bells, and even Kentucky Fried Chicken (The Japanese even order large buckets from “KFC” on Christmas for their meal). And yes, the Japanese even celebrate Christmas. As by this, it is very clear that Western Media and Culture have made it hard to distinguish Japan from one hundred years ago, during the Edo period to now.
By Benjamin Pla8 years ago in Wander
The Big Picture: City Life
Highrises. That’s all there is to it. Downtown San Diego is quite the place; so many different personalities it’s hard to find somewhere to start. How about the girl in the pink jacket? She doesn’t look like she lives here. What about that jogger over there? He’s moving way too fast! The group of guys that just came out of the restaurant? Too intimidating. How about we try the lady walking her dog? Perfect.
By Sophie Cloonan8 years ago in Wander
As a Woman, I Take Pride in My Historical Patchwork Quilt
"It’s no-thing, not no-uhn. Abbie, how do you say it?” My relaxed spring day has been interrupted, not by the chirping of birds or the mowing of grass, but by a debate that has plagued my multi-dialectal house for almost a decade. I respond to my step-father with the reply I always give when I am asked, as if one day the answer will change: I say ‘no-uhn’. Despite my honesty, I am met with a look I can only describe as the parental ‘I’m not angry, just disappointed’ glare. “But that’s wrong! There’s a ‘T.’” My mum returns fire as I play the part of an umpire in an impassioned verbal tennis match. “It’s wrong to you, but that’s the way we say it, so it’s right!”
By A. Andrews8 years ago in Wander
California Slang Everyone Should Know
California, a.k.a. the Golden State, is known for a lot of cool things like its beaches, its weather, theme parks, landmarks, food, etc. But what about the slang? Believe it or not, California has a lot of slang words that define the culture. Whether you're in northern or southern California, here are some words to help not look like an outsider whenever you visit.
By Steve Covin8 years ago in Wander
Multinational Christmas
I celebrate three Christmases. Christmas is dedicated every other year to the US, where I was born. It is almost as if entering a winter wonderland at Christmas time, as neighborhoods are illuminated with clusters of twinkling lights and Walmart Santas are seated on every other rooftop (any excuse for commercialism in America). However, my Christmas is not spent in a magnificently embellished house such as these. My grandmother refuses to take down the elephant paintings and Zulu warrior shields hung proudly on her walls representing her South African heritage, and the extent of her decorating is a Christmas tumbleweed (seriously) rather than a tree. So instead of spending Christmas with snowmen, I spend it on safari.
By KM Stories8 years ago in Wander
A Third Culture
A third culture individual is someone who was raised outside or spent a considerable amount of their formative years in a culture different from their parents; in other words, me. Being born in Bangladesh in 1998, my name was true to my rich Bengali heritage, Nandita. It meant loved by all, which my mother deemed fitting for a baby girl who arrived earlier than she was supposed to. Before I knew it, I could think for myself and had successfully internalized, like most children, my own name, along with the numerous embarrassing nicknames. I never gave a second thought to the deep connection I established already to the unique sound of familiar voices articulating the centuries old arrangement of three handy vowels and four consonants.
By Nandita Modhubonti8 years ago in Wander
The Authentic Saint Patty’s Day Experience
When they say that the streets turn green over Saint Patrick’s Day, they aren’t kidding. Dublin transforms for the weekend into an exciting realm of Irish culture as travelers from all corners of the world come together to celebrate. Complete with Guinness, pub food, and rugby, Saint Patrick’s Day is definitely one to remember.
By Ashly Helfrich8 years ago in Wander
I'll Be Damned
This is a true story as told from my own personal perspective of growing up on an island on the eastern coast of Canada. There were many good times interlaced with many bad times as well, but all the while showing how resilient people in my family and in my community are. I hope I am able to convey to you the specialness of this place; the good, the bad, and the ugly. This is a story about living in an isolated home and community, living with parents that are hearing impaired, and also a story about challenges and resliliency, strong family bonds, and love in all its forms. Maybe you will catch a glimpse and wonder about Isle Madame and perhaps visit and see for yourself just how glorious and wonderful and bizarre Isle Madame is! And maybe, just maybe, you will feel with your eyes, feel with the depths of your soul, how challenging and yet how beautiful this island has been and continues to be to this day.
By Bonny Martell8 years ago in Wander
Wearing a Hijab in London
The train was red and blue; the seats were made of some kind of orange faux leather, and it was sticky to the touch. After discovering the sticky bit, I chose to stand. It was Wednesday midafternoon and a rare English heatwave had struck up, so the train smelled heavily of foreign spices, cumin and turmeric, and of body odor. This train was different than all the trains I had been on in London thus far. Long gone was the sleek look of the underground, the air conditioned cars, the intercom that had worked. This was one of the above ground trains to the outskirts of the city. This was the train to Little Bangladesh.
By Megan Cruey8 years ago in Wander
Standard American Greetings
The usual way Americans say hello to each other is to ask “How are you?” with the answer being, “Fine, thanks.” To outsiders, this is strange since depending on where you come from, the greeting goes deeper than that, as in, to Thais, as reflected in the book Distant Mirrors: America as a Foreign Culture by Phillip R. Devita and James D. Armstrong, it means “Have you eaten?” (p. 69). In the United States, your personal life and your income are something to avoid talking about — but in other countries, not so much. Curiosity is extended to provide further means of discussion.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Wander
India's Wonder
Not at all what I expected of India and her people. Jaw dropping architecture; warm, friendly people and poverty that is overshadowed by the citizens of this realm. Their happiness to invite you into their humble homes is overwhelming. Families just do what they have to so as to survive a life of extreme poverty and desolation. The opposite of the elite rich in the country.
By Cheryl Singh Seepersad8 years ago in Wander
Rolling The Dice On Vietnam
February, 2017 Phu Quoc, Vietnam Earlier in 2017 I had a three week vacation coming up. I was getting off a ship in Singapore and had to be in Sydney for my next assignment. I was pondering where in Asia to spend my long vacation. Unable to make a decision I took to a strategy I had read about in a book a long time ago. I rolled the dice on it! First I asked my colleagues on the ship to suggest 6 countries in the area and we appointed a number to each country. The dice fell on Vietnam and my decision was made.
By Anna Balog8 years ago in Wander
