Animation Courses in Delhi

Different Cultures of Purab aur Paschim – A Tale of two cultures

Different cultures between East and West

Different Cultures – India versus West

A culture is the reflection of the people belonging to a particular community or group.It tells a story about their lifestyle, their daily habits which include the food they eat, the clothes they wear, their beliefs, language, customs, traditions etc.Culture gives us deep insight into the life of a particular place and it gives a unique identity to the people associated with it.On the basis of culture can be divided into two parts i.e Eastern and Western culture.This concept of different cultures, East and West is used to study the difference in mindset between people of different parts of the world.

Asia including the Middle East represents the Eastern culture whereas the Western culture has its roots in Europe and America.The two cultures are in complete contrast with each other.From their way of living to their way of thinking, everything goes the opposite path.When any two opposite forces collide there is bound to be comparisons between them and East Vs West is a common topic of debate all over the world.Since our country, India represents the Eastern culture we will find out how our Indian culture is different from the Western part of the world.Though these are two entirely different cultures, they still in one way or the other intersect each other.

INDIAN CULTURE

Indian culture is one of the oldest cultures in the world and it spans across the sub-continent.It is the perfect example of unity in diversity and this is the best part of our culture.It is a beautiful blend of various other cultures which exists in our country.Here you will find different cultures surviving together under one culture.Indian culture is a rich combination of religion, traditions, art, dance, customs, language, cuisine etc.Indian culture is highly influenced and shaped by its history and religion which ranges from various periods such as Indus valley civilization, Muslim rule, Vedic age, European rule etc.The major religions which form a part of Indian culture are Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, and Jainism.It lays a lot of emphasis on society.Everything an individual does, he/she has to make sure that it is acceptable according to the norms of society.It is a very humble culture which is its hallmark.Everyone is welcome here.

WESTERN CULTURE

This culture is mostly found in Europe and America and those countries which have witnessed European immigration.The source of Western culture is derived from knowledge and logic.The birthplace of this culture is believed to be Ancient Greece from where it spread to various parts of the world.The  Renaissance marked its rebirth and with the  Christianisation of Europe, it continues to grow it’s roots during the Middle Ages.It focuses on individual happiness and growth and does not care much about the society.It is an advanced culture whose ethics and values encourage a development and an advanced world.It’s core principals are capitalism, rights, individualism, science, and technology.Major religions include Christianity and Judaism.

Let us take a look at some of the basic differences between these two different cultures.

DRESSING

Just by looking at dressing sense one can differentiate between the two cultures.

INDIAN

Indian culture offers a lot of variety in dressing owing to the presence of a lot of different traditions in the country.Each tradition has it’s own unique dressing style which makes it different from others.In India, one can easily identify by looking at the dressing style which community he/she belongs to.

Tradional Indian men wears dhoti kurta, kurta payjama, lungi, Sherwani, angarkha, bandhgala, jama, pagri, pheran, khadis etc.

Mostly women wear sarees, salwar kameez, lehenga choli, churidar, Anarkali suit, langa, Pattu Pavada, Mekhela Sador etc.

However, with the impact of Western culture growing with every single day these traditional dresses except a few are slowly fading away and a majority of people in India (especially younger generation) have embraced the western outfits.

Normally we wear white clothes on sad occasions such as funeral and black for parties.

Different cultures of dresses

Dressing styles

WESTERN

There is no traditional dress in Western culture.People wear what they like and what they are comfortable with.Men mostly wear jeans, T-shirts, jackets casually and for occasions they prefer suits.

Women wear gowns, skirts, jeans, shorts, tunics etc.They have no problem if their clothes are too revealing or not neither does the society.

In Western culture, people prefer white clothes for happy occasions such as marriage and black for sad ones such as a funeral.

MARRIAGE

INDIAN

Marriages are a very important aspect of Indian culture as they not only tie two people together but also two families.It is a very sacred thing in India.Indian culture encourages arranged marriages where parents along with the consent of the relatives find the suitable partner for their children according to their caste and social status.Consent of the children is often ignored and they have no choice expect to obey their parents’ command.

different cultures-indian-western-marriage

Marriages are made in Heaven

WESTERN

Love marriages are part of popular culture.People need not need to take permission from anybody to get married.If the couple is in love and wants to marry then no one can stop them from doing so.

FAMILY

INDIAN CULTURE

The family is an integral part of Indian culture.We Indians have a lot of relatives and we love to spend time with them.We love and respect our relatives especially elders so much that even a thought of losing them gives us goosebumps.We keep on looking for excuses for getting together as we strongly believe that “ASLI MAZA TO SAB K SAATH AATA HAI”. Joint family is a common scenario of our culture where relatives live under the same roof and often share the same business.We never leave our parents no matter how independent we become and that is one of the most beautiful aspects of being an Indian.

Whether big or small,we all need a family

Whether big or small,we all need a family

WESTERN CULTURE

They prefer nuclear or small family.Once children become financially independent, they leave their parents’ home.Unlike Indians, they rarely visit their relatives except on special occasions.Sending their parents to old age homes is common where they spent rest of their life in loneliness.This is seriously not good.

DIGNITY OF WORK

INDIAN CULTURE

We Indians are egoistic people.We want high profile jobs that match our status.There are many jobs that we consider below our dignities such as sweeping or being a waiter and those people who do such jobs are considered inferior.People here get respect according to their jobs.

WESTERN CULTURE

People do not discriminate on the basis of jobs.They see all jobs as equal and respect everyone equally.All they care about is how to improve your economic condition.They want to get independent as soon as possible.People start working at an early age doing part-time jobs to support themselves.You will see many foreigners doing tasks which the Indians see as inferior.

STATUS OF WOMEN

INDIAN CULTURE

In spite of taking many necessary steps towards the empowerment of women, in many parts of India women are in a sorry state.Indian culture discriminates between man and woman.Men are considered superior to women in every aspect.Still, many parents prefer to have a boy child instead of a girl and often girls are killed even before they are born.There are more restrictions imposed on women as compared to men.Women according to Indian culture are meant to do household works only.

Women must be respected

Women must be respected

WESTERN CULTURE

Women enjoy far more luxury in the Western culture.They enjoy the same freedom as men and has the right to do whatever they want with their life.They are allowed to move out of their house and chase their dreams.They can even decide whom they want to marry and when they want to have children.Society and family put no pressure on them.

LIVE IN RELATIONSHIPS

INDIAN CULTURE

WHAT?????? NOOOOOO!!!!! This ain’t our culture.This is so shameless.What will people say???? Have you lost it????

Such are the reactions one can expect if he/she even thinks of moving in a living relationship.It is equal to a great sin in Indian culture.

WESTERN CULTURE

Living relationships are cool in Western culture.Two people can live as a couple even without marriage and be physical with each other.If two people are comfortable with each other they can be together and when they feel their time as a couple is over then they can easily move on without any complications.

RELIGION

INDIAN CULTURE

India is one place where you can find a variety of religions living in harmony under one culture.Religion is taken far more seriously here.Main religions are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

God made human being and human being made religion

God made human being and human being made religion

WESTERN CULTURE

Major religions are Christianity and Judaism.

INDIVIDUALITY vs SOCIETY

INDIAN CULTURE

Indian culture is more concerned about society rather than an individual.We often do things that are acceptable for the society.It does not matter whether we like it or not.Even if it is an important issue like marriage or just keeping a hair style for yourself, you have to make sure that the society accepts your decision.

WESTERN CULTURE

Individual happiness is the key to Western culture.If you like it then just do it.They do not care about what the society will say.In fact, the society never interferes in an individual’s life.MY LIFE, MY RULES is their motto.

FOOD

INDIAN CULTURE

Every Indian loves food.There’s  popular saying that we Indians don’t eat to live but we live to eat.We just can’t resist mouth-watering delicious food items which are available in plenty all across the nation.We are not health conscious people but taste loving ones.There are a lot of cuisine cultures in the country and each one has got its own speciality.Our food generally consists of a lot of spices and oil and we love it that way.Dosa, chole bhature, biryani, etc are some of a large number of food items available in the nation.

Cultures of food

Mouth watering temptations yummmmmmmmmmm

WESTERN CULTURE

They are health conscious people.Therefore they prefer to keep it less spicy and with low fats.Meat is the common ingredient of most of their dishes.Fast food culture such as pizza, burgers, tacos, nachos etc. is more popular there.

THINKING

INDIAN CULTURE

Traditional Indian thinking is very restricted and is confined to their own beliefs.It does not go beyond the set of rules and regulations that the society has set.It hesitates to break these rules and sometimes this can lead to suffocation.Don’t do this, don’t do that is a common phrase of our culture.People are reluctant to share their feelings with others.Topics such as sex are a taboo in Indian society and no one dares to talk about it openly.Not even parents talk to their children about it.

WESTERN CULTURE

They are open minded individuals.They are open to change and embrace it with open arms if it is for the better.They don’t believe in setting specific rules and live the rest of your life chained to them.Their logic is simple, if you like it then just do it.Parents freely talk to their children about topics such as sex and sex education is common there.Parents are cool with the idea of their children having girlfriends and boyfriends.

CONCLUSION

It is a never ending debate which culture is better than the other.Both different cultures have their own pros and cons.Both cultures have started to understand each other and are overlapping each other’s world.For example we now Indians are more open-minded than their predecessors and have accepted various reforms from the Western culture and Western culture acknowledges Indian culture and has embraced yoga as a very important part of their lifestyle.The impact of globalization is such that it has brought these two different cultures a lot closer to each other.

 

Udti Khabar is a Online News and Multi Writing Magazine and Providing news and updates of world about Politics, Latest Sports, Bollywood, Business, Fashion Technology and Reviews.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *