Free Essay Providing the Analysis of a Cultural Group

Being culturally competent is a crucial skill not only in one's social circle but also in the professional context. The focus of this paper is to examine the Indian culture. It will investigate their beliefs and practices as well as their perspective towards health and medical practices.

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Background and Cultural Origin

According to Zimmermann (2017), the Indian culture is considered to be one of the oldest in the world. People from India, which is located to the South of Asia predominantly, practice the culture. It is believed that the civilization of in India began approximately 4,500 years ago. The culture is commonly described as "Sa Prathama Sanskrati Vishvavara" which implies that it is the first and supreme culture in the world. Zimmermann (2017) further states that there are approximately 1.2 billion people in the world who subscribe to the Indian culture.

Languages Spoken

Hindu is considered to be the official language of the Indian culture. There are more than 23 languages spoken in the Indian culture. However, the most popular languages spoken in the culture include Marathi, Bengali, Urdu, and Telugu (Zimmermann, 2017).

Important Aspects of the Group's Culture

The most important aspects of the Indian culture is religion and values. People who subscribe to the Indian culture believe in the Existence of Supreme Reality, which is manifested through, immanent and transcendent. Hindus also believe that the ultimate objective of living is to attain freedom from birth up to death and consequently one's union with God. However, for one to be united with God, he or she must have true knowledge, devotion, and righteous deeds. Hindus also believe that when there is a deterioration of virtue, God incarnates himself on earth with the aim of upholding the righteous. Lastly, Hindus believe in the Law of Karma which states that a person's actions and deeds bring results that are either good or bad (All World Gayatri Pariwar. n.d.).

How their Culture Affects their Behavior

The Indian culture places immense importance on relationships and respectfully addressing a person using his or her title. It is for this reason that conversational styles in the culture are structured. For instance, one is required to address another individual using his or her title followed by their surname. The first name can only be used when given consent.

Social Interaction Rules

In the Indian culture, tiles are important. Hence, people should be addressed formally using their titles such as Dr. Cpt. Eng. Mr. Mrs. which is then followed by their surname. It is advisable that one should address another person using their first name only when they have been given consent. It is important to note that the Hindu culture places immense importance on relationships. Also when meeting someone for the first time, it is better to be introduced by a third party instead of introducing oneself. Greetings by the shaking of hands are the standard form of greeting in the culture. However, one should note that men and women rarely shake hands since it is not encouraged in their religion (Etiquette, Customs, Culture & Business Guide. n.d.).

Health Processes

The Indian culture is highly unwilling to accept the diagnosis of emotional conditions or mental retardation that is severe. The reason is that acceptance has a negative implication on the chances members of the family getting married. Hence, potential suitors shy away from marrying from a family with a member who has mental problems for they believe that it is hereditary (Yagnik, 2014).

Taboos and Restrictions of this Culture

According to Yagnik (2014), in the Indian culture, it is a taboo for women to go to the kitchen while they are menstruating. They are also not allowed to sleep in the same bed as their husbands during the period since they are thought to be unclean and impure. Also, during their menstruation, women are restricted from herding cattle since it is believed that if they touch a goat or a cow, the domestic animal will become infertile. Also, menstruating women in the culture are restricted from washing clothes or cutlery (Yagnik, 2014).

Interesting Ideas

I find it interesting that etiquette in the Indian culture is a combination of both British and Asian practices. Therefore, to some extent, the customs of the Indian culture is similar to that if westerners. I also find it interesting that people of the Indian culture tend to eat with their hands and rarely with spoons. Also, when eating with the hands, one should eat with the right hand and not the left hand since it is considered to be unclean (Etiquette, Customs, Culture & Business Guide. n.d.).

Conclusion

The Indian culture is considered to be one of the oldest. The primary language spoken by people in the culture is Hindu and their most important aspects are religion and values. The culture has social interaction rules such as addressing others with their title and first name. The culture considers women menstruation a taboo and forbids them from conducting most of their roles during the period.

References

All World Gayatri Pariwar. (n.d.). Important aspects of Indian culture. Retrieved from http://www.awgp.org/spiritual_wisdom/indian_culture/indian_scriptures/important_aspects_of_indian_culture

Etiquette, Customs, Culture & Business Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2018, from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/guides/guide-to-india-etiquette-customs-culture-business/

Yagnik, A. S. (2014). Reframing menstruation in India: Metamorphosis of the menstrual taboo with the changing media coverage. Health care for Women International, 35(6), 617-633.

Zimmermann, K. A. (2017). Indian Culture: traditions and customs of India. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/28634-Indian-culture.html