The End of a Era

Grooming and Presence. Cultural differences in personal behavior and appearance such as laughter, smile, voice quality, gait, poise, and style of dress, hair or cosmetics. Presence includes one’s posture and eye contact; in some cultures a person’s place in society dictates their acceptable presence.

Grooming styles also vary by culture. In some cultures, it is considered not only appropriate, but also important to cover flaws and accentuate positive features with clothing, grooming, dressing, and makeup. In other cultures, such behavior would be considered bold and inappropriate.

Life cycles. Criteria for the definition of stages, periods, or transitions in life; levels of autonomy at different stages. The age at which children are seen to be mature enough to handle adult responsibilities varies significantly across cultural groups. In many cultures, adolescents are seen as old enough to be responsible for themselves, and even for other members of the family.

Autonomy. Attitudes toward ownership of property, individual rights, etc.

This category shows the dichotomy between individualistic and collective cultures. Individualistic cultures support the individual; personal gains and achievement are worthy goals. Collective cultures support the group, whether that group is family, friends, social class, town, religion, or nation, etc. An individual works to advance the needs and goals of the collective culture; acting otherwise would be considered selfish.

Status of age. Accepted manners toward older persons, peers, younger persons. Some cultural groups will show a general respect for all members of that culture, regardless of age. Others treat respect in a more hierarchical fashion: younger members are given little respect, which has to be earned, whereas older members are greatly respected.

Education. Purpose of education, kinds of learning that are favored, methods of learning used in home and community. For some, the...