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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Rituals, rites1, religions, and customs vary considerably2 from culture to culture and from country to country. But, should one adopt the local custom when subject to an alien culture? The seemingly simple question is virtually rather vexing3 in that the answer to which depends.
Cultures are generally classified into two categories: folk culture and public culture. The former refers to a culture that emphasizes the personal relationships in settling affaires. In such a culture laws are eclipsed by custom and moral in the maintenance of social order. People pay even meticulous4 attention to the custom. Any break of the custom is considered as unacceptable as regicidal behavior or commitment of some felony. Thus when a visitor is in such a culture, it would be better for him or her to “Do As Romans Do When in Rome.” In a certain sense, to adopt the local custom is a way for an alien to survive.
“Public culture” is coined to refer an ethnic5 group whose social order is maintained by legal instruments, although custom is emphasized. But custom in such a culture seldom remains6 the same for a relatively7 long time. Under such circumstance, it is usually unnecessary for a visitor to calculatedly follow the natives’ custom. Even the new comer preserves all his or her own custom or culture, it is safe for the visitor to do whatever he or she wants to do provided it is legal.
Put it simply, in a public culture it is unnecessary to adopt the local new custom. But in a folk culture, to follow the local custom is a must.
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1 rites | |
仪式,典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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2 considerably | |
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上 | |
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3 vexing | |
adj.使人烦恼的,使人恼火的v.使烦恼( vex的现在分词 );使苦恼;使生气;详细讨论 | |
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4 meticulous | |
adj.极其仔细的,一丝不苟的 | |
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5 ethnic | |
adj.人种的,种族的,异教徒的 | |
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6 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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7 relatively | |
adv.比较...地,相对地 | |
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