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The family clearly regarded it as important and meaningful, as reflected in the careful attention to detail expressed in the layout of the table, but not as an extraordinary, anticipated event like Passover or Christmas for Christians. The family's good dishes and napkins were used, and everyone was dressed to denote the fact that this was a formal occasion. However, the very 'best' china was not used, as it would be for a High Holy Day in Judaism. On one hand, this sense of formality combined with informality made me feel more at ease. On the other hand, I was aware that I was intruding into a private family ritual, albeit one connected to a larger cultural tradition.
My preconceived notions about the observation of the Jewish Shabbos were that it was or should be a profoundly religious experience, and one that was very different from my own observance of a meal. This was partially because of my vague knowledge of the very strict rules attached to keeping the Sabbath. For example, growing up, I knew very observant Jewish friends could not come over to my house to play on Friday nights or Saturday mornings, because of religious obligations and because their parents could not drive a car during those times. Attending the Sabbath created a sense of normalcy of the experience for me and contextualized my previous encounters with Orthodox Judaism. Before, I was only aware of what Jews could not do on the Sabbath...
Additionally, outside of the religious rituals, I was treated as I always was at my friend's house -- in a very comfortable and welcoming manner that did not feel alienating. The fact that it was known I was attending the meal for a class, and some of the blessings (like the Shalom Aleikhem) were explained to me at the time or beforehand made me feel more accepted than I might otherwise, or had I attended a synagogue-based ritual. Even the children tried to explain why certain things were done, in a certain order, at a specific time.
In terms of this impact upon my 'self,' it did not make me feel alienated, only prompted my reflection upon how religion affects the rhythms of some people's daily lives. On one hand, Orthodox Jew's lives are very much affected by the requirements of their religion, from praying in the morning, to holiday observances, to the weekly ritual of the Sabbath. However, on the other hand, these practices becomes so normalized, it does not seem constraining, as it might to an outsider, as it is no different from other weekly 'unwinding' rituals and family obligations.
Social Psychology Differ When Applied in Different Cultural Context Social Psychology within a humanistic critique Being social is a harmless and innate characteristic of the human nature. People who like to socialize like to share their own personal space with people around them. They encourage and even initiate interactions like conversation and friendship. The reality TV shows have become a rage due to the fact that our society as a whole has
Intercultural Communication When people from different cultural backgrounds interact with each other, they face various problems in effectively communicating their messages and expressing their thoughts, expectations, and beliefs (Paulston, Kiesling, & Rangel, 2012). These problems lead to serious intercultural communication issues in multicultural societies. Researchers have found that difference in languages is not the sole reason of intercultural communication problems; people fail to effectively communicate due to different cultural dimensions that
Counseling Minority groups, because of different cultural value systems, often do not seek out psychological counseling in the United States. Counselors are perceived as either lacking in authority or representing a dominant culture that cannot possibly understand the needs of the minority community. Therefore, many individuals fail to receive the proper health care services they require. For example, within the Asian community, reaching out for counseling is perceived as a sign
The other issue is the poverty that makes the population not access medical healthcare. The most common diseases are asthma and diabetes. This is because the place is damp and highly populated hence no free circulation of air. However, the community health center and the health department of New York are working together to help curb this issue by educating the people, and advocating for preventive measures (Shelley et
Cultural Observation of Dress Why do all humans engage in the act of dressing the body? Consider how dress relates to both the physical and the social needs of the wearer. Everyone dresses according to social factors and to make themselves more physically appealing to other. This helps them to be seen as hip and enhance their appearance. These variables ensure that the social and individual needs of the person are met.
Cultural Counselor Being a counselor can sometimes be a really tough job. Counseling can only be effective and beneficial when the counselor places himself or herself in the shoes of his or her client. If he or she is unable to do so, he or she will never become an effective counselor. Placing oneself in the circumstances of someone else is not easy, let alone placing oneself in the shoes of