A society can be defined as a collective group of people living together for a long period of

time and consider themselves distinct from others in terms of language, organizational
behaviour, cultural identity and norms. These characteristics of a society could be slightly
understood through analysis in its major cities. On the contrary, the study of its major cities
could not be representative of the a whole nation as the quality of life of people residing in
major cities does not actually reflect with the people residing in suburb or rural area, who are
actually depending on agricultural activities to sustain.
First of all, an individual is still able to study and compare the food culture of a local society
with the others since food consumption is a vital components of group identity in most of the
Asia region. Integrated food outlets and franchise including local and exotic cuisine is
pervasive in major cities. For example, variety choice of cuisines such as Chinese, Indian,
Malay and Peranakan food have reflected the multi-cultural diversity composed of different
ethnics group. During the eve of Chinese New Year, most of the Chinese restaurant will offer
reunion dinner package as it signify the love and respect which bind the family together as a
unit.
In contrast to the view of the statement, there might be some shift and even disappear of the
characteristic of certain group of society in the city due to cultural assimilation or integration.
The effect of globalization has resulted people to travel across the world within a relatively
short time when there was once a time when most people does not even venture a couple of
miles from their communities. Major cities attract patrons from not only within nation but
also neighbouring countries due to employment opportunity, advanced medication, excellent
education and other important factors. People who are holding different religious views,
cultural background and political background gathered and lived under same city and
consequently, creating a wonderful mosaic images as a nation. Some of the minority group of
population may take up the characteristics of a dominant culture by giving up ones own,
which is known as the assimilation. Taking the Asian Americans today as an example,
majority of them are unable to speak and write in their native tongue as English has been the
dominant international language that is practiced daily for all group of people.
On the other hand, the small cities or rural area will give some of the characteristic that have
been lost in the large cities. Major cities are central business district and economic activities,
which are composed of big concrete building, shopping malls, commercial building. The art
of developing these infrastructure are solely based on the cost benefit analysis and seldom
associated with the traditional architecture and culture. For example, it is very difficult for
one to spot an ancient Chinese temple and Muslim mosque in Singapore in order to examine
how their religious practice is done.
In conclusion, the information that can be revealed through study in major cities is so much
limited. It is becoming more difficult for one to study about an entire society by solely
examining the societys one or some major cities. Both cities and rural areas should be taken
into consideration for a more general view of the entire society.