Exploring Culture: Its Types, Characteristics, and Role in Society
What is culture? Culture isn’t just about festivals or food, though those are definitely part of it. It’s this whole complex set of social norms and behaviours that shape how people live, interact, and see the world around them. Think of it as an invisible guidebook passed from one generation to the next—without people even really thinking about it. It covers everything from language and dress codes to deeply held beliefs about right and wrong, marriage customs, even religion. That’s why culture is often called symbolic communication because it helps us separate "us" from "them" in a subtle but powerful way. When you really look at it, culture molds social relationships and challenges the status quo—it shapes our daily routines as much as our big decisions. You know, it’s not always obvious at first glance, but it’s constantly influencing us, whether we like it or not. Types of Culture There are several different types of culture—each with its own flavor and signi...