THE TABOOS OF USA

What do taboos teach us about culture?

Taboo is a common cultural phenomenon. It condenses the original psychology, desires and fantasy of human beings, and reflects the level of material and spiritual content of society, pointing to the spiritual culture of the nation and the times. Different cultures have different taboos. It is usually closely related to the belief of a country or a race, which mostly refer to the taboo psychology and behavior for God or unclean and dangerous things. Violating taboo will bring misfortune. Therefore, understanding the taboos can help us understand something like the inner beliefs, customs, history, language in a culture.

For instance, in the United States, people are forbidden to call black people “Negro”. This word especially refers to the black who were sold from Africa to the United States as slaves, having a distinctive color of racial discrimination, which is a sensitive topic in the United States.

For another example, people in western countries generally hate number “thirteen”, which comes from Christian legend. It is said that Jesus had a dinner with his disciples before he was killed. The 13th person attending the dinner was Judas, a disciple of Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus and made him suffer. The last dinner was attended by thirteen people, and the date of dinner coincided with the 13th, so Christian countries believed that “thirteen” brought suffering and misfortune to Jesus.

What are some taboos in USA? Where do they come from?

There are three taboos we list in USA.

● Religion discussions in public places

Religion can be a taboo topic in America. The USA is generally known as a melting pot of people all over the world. This wide variety people bring with them not only belongings but their religion. What’s more, religion is seen as a personal matter in USA and everyone is free to follow whatever religion they wish to follow. However, the American society does not approve of religious discussions taking place in public.

This is because talking about religions in public would easily cause argument for there are too many different religions in USA. Americans may feel uncomfortable when hearing other people discussing their religious beliefs. Therefore, avoid discussing religion in public places, especially in front of strangers.

● Asking women if they are married

Actually, it is impolite and rude to ask a woman if she is married in USA. However, if she is willing to share this information with you, you may ask a few polite questions about her husband and children.

● Discuss race in casual conversation

Negative remarks concerning someone’s race can be seen as a taboo topic in USA. What’s more, it is still commonly frowned on to mention race in casual conversation.

That’s because, race has always been a sensitive topic in USA. When people mention the word “race”, some negative words like “discrimination”, “segregation” always come along with. Although race is a social construct fabricated many years ago, it still has a real-life implications and influences in today’s American society.

What do taboos teach us about USA?

● Taking about religious and races problems can be a really rude thing if one makes it in public. This helps us understand a lot that there do exist a difference among the U.S. and other countries which meanly caused by unique American history—America is a young country experienced invasions and govern. So as there has been different people gathered all across the world, it is a necessity to be really careful when we talk about religions problems. Public is somewhere that can usually causes quarrels because each man has his or her own thought about one particular thing. What’s more, when we travel to or live in America, no matter how Americans ask for freedom in talking, we should carefully speak in front of the public. Remember these taboos can help us avoid offensive and awkward things.

●When you want to talk to a woman, it may be rude to ask whether she is married or not, however, things may be different if you are in a very familiar relationship with her. Think about this taboo, it can also be called a “taboo” in other countries. So we can know that women is a group of people who are more sensitive not only in America but also in other countries around the world, which shows that American taboos can also be accepted and acknowledged in other countries.