人创造文化 文化也在塑造人

人创造了文化，文化也在塑造着人。为什么同在地球村，异域文化的差异如此之大？而文化的多样性造就了各国国人的群体差异：中国人置家庭于首位，美国人却标榜安全第一，印度人重视教育……

So many factors within family and environment make up what we consider culture. And of course, it's not really fair to generalize an entire country, but experiences of growing up in the same environment do create similar values. We asked people to define the characteristics of their respective societies.

What cultural factors define someone from China? First and foremost, the supportive Chinese family unit is one of the strongest pillars of society and always comes first, explains Stefanie Fu from Zhejiang Province.

"When I have children, my parents will also help me to raise up my children, so I think the family ties are most important, and responsibility is also important. Usually most Chinese parents will afford the money to the children when they even have a family or have children. Family ties will continue from my parents to the grandson or granddaughter. And if you are the person who is rich and powerful, you will also think about how to help my children to get a job or to find a good person."

Lucia Gutierrez says that no matter what, in Mexico, the family is always more important than anything. She's noticed that Mexican society seems more rooted to family than others she's seen.

"The thing that defines a Mexican family would be the unity it has. I see that all my friends from other countries; I have a friend from Germany who's kind of distant from his family. I mean, he loves them, but they have their own different way of expressing it. For example, in Mexico, every Sunday we get together with my own family and have a BBQ."

Adva Bohbot in Israel explains that anywhere she goes, there is a comfortable connection with other Israelis. Israel's cultural environment is unique because the religion creates a commonality that does tie the people together, even if they aren't so religious personally.

"We live in a country that is very intense and the news all the time. What is normal to me is not normal to a lot of other people. I saw it a lot when I was traveling when I finished my studies. In Israel, there are a lot of people from a lot of different countries. It's a place that Jewish live in but there is a lot of culture, it's becoming one, main culture. I think the environment that we live in. Israel is a really tough place to grow up in and it really connects you with one another."

In Slovakia, there is a big importance of family and people and being outwardly expressive of that appreciation. This expressiveness is very defining of Slovakian culture, says Veronika Kopacikova from Bakes lava.

"I think we have this everlasting love for your family and friends. Once you are close to someone, there is nothing they can do for you to stop loving them and we always feel this because we are also very affectionate people. So, I think sometimes I am a little bit scary to Chinese people or even some of my friends from Western Europe because I always want to hug everyone and kiss them and tell them how much they mean to me and they are always a little bit frightened. You know the cultures that are not used to this. If you love someone, you always show them, tell them, and make sure they know."

America is a melting pot of people and integration but also has history of racial intolerance. But these elements have made a very diverse society that is very open to people of many backgrounds, says Eddy Lewis from New York City.

"Growing up in America, you appreciate the cultural differences a lot more than other people I meet. You really have more respect for it; you place a lot of value on it that I don't really see in other people I've met. And you're also a little more sensitive as to what's politically correct. And you don't want to offend anyone because there are so many people from different walks of life and religions and cultures. So you kind of have to, I don't want to say walk on eggshells but tread lightly."

Chahin Chahin is from Beirut, Lebanon, and says image and success is extremely important to Lebanese culture, but there are other defining characteristics, he says.

"Obviously, there's the language thing. Like switching between English, French and Arabic a lot, it's a very Lebanese thing. I guess in the way my parents raised me up, to love life, have fun now. Enjoy life, it's a very Lebanese thing, everyone who travels have fun, party, get it all out of your system, portray this image of class still. Because eventually, it's going to end."

Samba Patnaik Siva is from Bhilai, India and says there are many things that define his culture and make it distinct. India's long history of beliefs and family values make it special, he says.

"In terms of our culture is very much value oriented, religious, which would definitely differentiate us from other parts of the world. That's what our life is guided by; it's a little superstitious. It's very important for you to be successful in terms of monetary amounts you make, that define you as a person. Your actual worth gets sidelined. But good things, family values, dedication, ambition. These things are there of course, every child in India wants to be someone big."

So we see, wherever we look, the important things in life are still life, family and success, no matter where you go and how it's expressed.

For CRI, I'm Andrea Hunt.