“Different is Different.

Not Bad, Just Different!”

Lifestyles That Are Taboo In The

US, But Are Okay In Other

Countries

http://www.buzzfeed.com/natgeo/lifestyles-

that-are-taboo-in-the-us-but-are-okay-5n1c

Cambodian Teen Sex Huts

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/taboo/videos/cambodian-love-huts/

What do you think taboo means?

a social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing.

What are some things that are “taboo” in the U.S.? Things that we don’t find appropriate to do, or speak about?

Being A Polygamist

Most of us frown upon the idea of polygamy, but it’s considered an

acceptable lifestyle in many other places around the world. For

instance in Africa, children are considered to be symbolic of

wealth, so polygamy is an appealing lifestyle because of how quickly it allows families to grow.

Being Or Using A Prostitute

Prostitution has some terrible connotations in America, but in

places like Germany, it’s just like any other respectable profession.

For instance, if you are unemployed for a year and refuse to take an

available job (like being a prostitute), the government

reserves the right to slash your unemployment benefits.

Using And Possessing Illegal Drugs

People in this country spend their whole lives in jail for messing

around with and distributing illegal substances. But we don’t see that happening in Portugal because in 2001, it became the first European country to completely decriminalize

the possession of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and

methamphetamine. The government now recommends therapy to addicts instead of

sentencing them to incarceration.

Being Sexually Attracted To Children

Pedophiles are the scum of society here, but in Greece, being sexually attracted to children is recognized as an ailment. Earlier this year, The

Labor Ministry added pedophilia and kleptomania to the list of

state-wide disabilities, and now gives people who “suffer” from

such disorders more government assistance than people who have

received organ transplants

Having An Arranged Marriage

Western civilizations believe individuals have a right to choose for themselves who they marry. But there are other places in the world (most notably in

India) that support the idea of parents choosing a partner for their child.

Americans in particular are against the idea of arranged marriages, but studies show that people in arranged marriages

had more love for each other after 30 years of marriage than people who

married who they wanted.

Drinking While Pregnant

American women generally avoid alcohol once they learn they’re pregnant

because they know how dangerous it can be for their babies. But as recently as

2008, 52% of French women admitted to having at least one drink during their

pregnancies. Experts who analyzed the study concluded this was because there wasn’t enough information about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in France, and that

some French women believe that regularly drinking small amounts of

alcohol wouldn’t affect their babies in any way.

Driving Drunk

Most countries have laws in place to punish anyone who

drives drunk. But in Barbados, there are no laws against

driving under the influence. What they do have, however,

are laws against driving without “care” and “attention.”

Cheating On A Spouse

Infidelity is a big no-no in the USA (most of the time), but it’s no

biggie in Russia. In 1998, a study showed that Russian men and

women were the most willing to engage in and approve of

extramarital affairs. Additionally, women in relationships seem to “expect” to be cheated on. In an anonymous interview with Slate

Magazine, a woman said infidelity has become a “way of life,” and

that it’s both accepted and expected.

Group Activity: Ranking Taboos

Match List of Discussion Topics to Level of Taboo

Discuss: What is different from the U.S.?

U.S. & India

traveltaboo.org gives do’s and don’ts when traveling to different countries

Read the U.S. do’s and don’ts. Anything surprise you?

Read India’s. Discuss the differences. Would you do any of these things if you did not know it was taboo in their culture?

If Time: Game with Groups