Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
As far as circumcision goes - well, yes, it's a long standing cultural tradition - I understood that one reason it is performed is for hygiene - as far as I am aware it is not done for OUTWARD appearance (unlike ear piercing). I have also heard that sometimes uncircumcised boys/men can have problems with that part of their anatomy and that circumcision can prevent this. So I suppose I can see some reasoning behind circumcision whereas the piercing seems to be purely ornamental.
Circumcision among Jews is not just a cultural practice, like eating bagels. Jews believe it to be a sign of the covenant between the Jews and G-d. In Genesis 17:10-11 G-d said:
"Such shall be the covenant between Me and you and your offspring to follow which you shall keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you"
This is not merely cultural practice to Jews. We believe it is fulfilling the commandments of G-d.
Please explain common to me or what it means where you are from. I am not trying to start anything just trying to understand the common you are talking about. For me common has two meanings, one being it is something that everyone does, ie common practices, or common people being those that are not wealthy.
I know you have asked what causes the cultures to do it and not really received an answer other than "it is our culture." For us it was just something that was done when the babies were little and alot of times there was one person in the family usually a grandmother or great grandmother that did all the piercings for the female babies born, so it was in essence a tradition. This is my ex husbands tradition and we followed it, but if I had another girl with my husband that I am married to now I would have had it done early. If you ask my daughter she doesn't remember it being done, she loves having her ears pierced and I didn't have to worry about having to be on her constantly to take care of a new piercing as a pre teen or teenager.
In the UK, "common" (other than as in: "it is common practice" or "it is common to get snow in the winter" or "kangaroos are very common in Australia") - in the social context, the word "common" has less to do with wealth and more to do with social class - for example, it might be considered "common" to swear or cuss in public, to lack social graces for example. Or to be "uncouth". It is defined as:
"Low class, vulgar or coarse"
I don't think I have ever heard the word "common" used in its social context here in the US - more so in the UK.
In the UK, "common" (other than as in: "it is common practice" or "it is common to get snow in the winter" or "kangaroos are very common in Australia") - in the social context, the word "common" has less to do with wealth and more to do with social class - for example, it might be considered "common" to swear or cuss in public, to lack social graces for example. Or to be "uncouth". It is defined as:
"Low class, vulgar or coarse"
I don't think I have ever heard the word "common" used in its social context here in the US - more so in the UK.
That's pretty much how I define "common" in terms of one's behavior. I've definitely heard that word used here in the States in that text.
In the UK, "common" (other than as in: "it is common practice" or "it is common to get snow in the winter" or "kangaroos are very common in Australia") - in the social context, the word "common" has less to do with wealth and more to do with social class - for example, it might be considered "common" to swear or cuss in public, to lack social graces for example. Or to be "uncouth". It is defined as:
"Low class, vulgar or coarse"
I don't think I have ever heard the word "common" used in its social context here in the US - more so in the UK.
Thanks for the clarification, just to add the people who I know who have had their daughter's ears pierced due to cultural or traditional reasons, would never consider themselves or the action of piercing their childs ears as low class, vulgar or coarse. It is just something that is widely accepted and to some degree expected of the culture. If one's childs ears are not pierced there are usually questions as to why not.
Funny how different places have very different things. I for one have never given any thought to having my daughter's ears pierced and would have never dreamed there would be a faction of the public who thought of it as common or trashy.
Nothing to add as far as ear-piercing goes, but I'm pretty happy at how educational and civil this thread had turned out to be. Just another example that a thread in Parenting does not necessarily have to be a bash fest. This thread was a cultural eye-opener for me. Kudos to all the posters who contributed. [wishing I had a clapping smiley]
Thanks for the clarification, just to add the people who I know who have had their daughter's ears pierced due to cultural or traditional reasons, would never consider themselves or the action of piercing their childs ears as low class, vulgar or coarse. It is just something that is widely accepted and to some degree expected of the culture. If one's childs ears are not pierced there are usually questions as to why not.
Funny how different places have very different things. I for one have never given any thought to having my daughter's ears pierced and would have never dreamed there would be a faction of the public who thought of it as common or trashy.
Slightly off at a tangent, but apparently, blowing one's nose in public in Japan is considered the height of bad manners (using a cotton handkerchief which you then stuff in your pocket is even worse) - and tattoos are banned in most public bathhouses - and bathing suits in public bathhouses are to be avoided!!!!!!!!!
Slightly off at a tangent, but apparently, blowing one's nose in public in Japan is considered the height of bad manners (using a cotton handkerchief which you then stuff in your pocket is even worse) - and tattoos are banned in most public bathhouses - and bathing suits in public bathhouses are to be avoided!!!!!!!!!
I remember hearing a story about in one country that it is considered a compliment to the cook if one burps after eating a meal they cooked, while probably just about anywhere else it is considered bad manners.
It makes you want to be careful when traveling so as not to do something to offend the people of the country you are in.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
