Chinese Culture: Customs & Traditions of China

By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Live Science Contributor | January 20, 2015 10:03pm ET

A dragon dance celebrates the temple at Foshan, China.

Credit: windmoon / Shutterstock.com
China is an extremely large country, and the customs and traditions of its people vary by geography and ethnicity.
More than 1 billion people live in China, according to the Asia Society, representing 56 ethnic minority groups. The largest group is the Han
Chinese, with about 900 million people. Other groups include the Tibetans, the Mongols, the Manchus, the Naxi, and the Hezhen, which is
smallest group, with fewer than 2,000 people.
"Significantly, individuals within communities create their own culture," said Cristina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate
College in London. Culture includes religion, food, style, language, marriage, music, morals and many other things that make up how a group
acts and interacts. Here is a brief overview of some elements of the Chinese culture.

Statue of Confucius at Confucian Temple in Shanghai, China.

Credit: Philip LangeShutterstock

Religion
The Chinese Communist Party that rules the nation is officially atheist, though it is gradually becoming more tolerant of religions, according to
the Council on Foreign Relations. Currently, there are only five official religions. Any religion other than Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism
and Protestantism are illegal, even though the Chinese constitution states that people are allowed freedom of religion. The gradual tolerance
of religion has only started to progress in the past few decades.
About a quarter of the people practice Taoism and Confucianism and other traditional religions. There are also small numbers of Buddhists,
Muslims and Christians. Although numerous Protestant and Catholic ministries have been active in the country since the early 19th century,
they have made little progress in converting Chinese to these religions.
Language
There are seven major groups of dialects of the Chinese language, which each have their own variations, according to Mount Holyoke College.
Mandarin dialects are spoken by 71.5 percent of the population, followed by Wu (8.5 percent), Yue (also called Cantonese; 5 percent), Xiang
(4.8 percent), Min (4.1 percent), Hakka (3.7 percent) and Gan (2.4 percent).
Chinese dialects are very different, according to Jerry Norman, a former professor of linguistics at the University of Washington and author of
"Chinese (Cambridge Language Surveys)" (Cambridge University Press, 1988). "Chinese is rather more like a language family than a single
language made up of a number of regional forms," he wrote. "The Chinese dialectal complex is in many ways analogous to the Romance
language family in Europe. To take an extreme example, there is probably as much difference between the dialects of Peking [Beijing] and
Chaozhou as there is between Italian and French."
The official national language of China is Pŭtōnghuà, a type of Mandarin spoken in the capital Beijing, according to the Order of the President
of the People's Republic of China. Many Chinese are also fluent in English.
Food
Like other aspects of Chinese life, cuisine is heavily influenced by geography and ethnic diversity. Among the main styles of Chinese cooking are
Cantonese, which features stir-fried dishes, and Szechuan, which relies heavily on use of peanuts, sesame paste and ginger and is known for its
spiciness.
Rice is not only a major food source in China; it is also a major element that helped grow their society, according to "Pathways to Asian
Civilizations: Tracing the Origins and Spread of Rice and Rice Cultures," an 2011 article in the journal Rice by Dorian Q. Fuller. The Chinese word
for rice is fan, which also means "meal," and it is a staple of their diet, as are bean sprouts, cabbage and scallions. Because they do not
consume a lot of meat — occasionally pork or chicken — tofu is a main source of protein for the Chinese.
Chinese calligraphy. Chinese writing is based on symbols.
Credit: ariadna de raadtShutterstock

The Arts
Chinese art is greatly influenced by the country’s rich spiritual and mystical history. Many sculptures and paintings depict spiritual figures of
Buddhism, according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Many musical instruments are integral to Chinese culture, including the flute-like xun and the guqin, which is in the zither family.
Eastern-style martial arts were also developed in China, and it is the birthplace of kung fu. This fighting technique is based on animal
movements and was created in the mid-1600s, according to Black Belt Magazine.
Ancient Chinese were avid writers and philosophers — especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties — and that is reflected in the country’s
rich liturgical history.
Customs and celebrations
The largest festival — also called the Spring Festival — marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. It falls between mid-January and mid-
February and is a time to honor ancestors. During the 15-day celebration, the Chinese do something every day to welcome the new year, such
as eat rice congee and mustard greens to cleanse the body, according to the University of Victoria. The holiday is marked with fireworks and
parades featuring dancers dressed as dragons.
Many people make pilgrimages to Confucius' birthplace in Shandong Province on his birthday, Sept. 28. The birthday of Guanyin, the goddess
of mercy, is observed by visiting Taoist temples. It falls between late March and late April. Similar celebrations mark the birthday of Mazu, the
goddess of the sea (also known as Tianhou), in May or June. The Moon Festival is celebrated in September or October with fireworks, paper
lanterns and moon gazing.

Chinese Values, Customs and Beliefsby Lea Xu, Vice-President, Lotus Travel Inc.
Ancient viewpoint:
“With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown”
The Chinese take pride in their 5000 years of ancient history and long experience with creating important cornerstones for civilization. Just a
few of the listed inventions that originate from China include: paper- making, gunpowder, silk, magnetic compass, abacus, ink, wheelbarrow,
Chess, tea, paper money, seismograph, kites and umbrellas. By contrast, Chinese view the US as a relatively “new” country with little history
of only 200 years.
Confucianism is part of the ancient tradition upon which Chinese culture is derived. There are four basic virtues considered the cornerstones
of this philosophy and they focus on loyalty; respect for parents and elders; benevolence, and righteousness

Languages:
“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere”
Mandarin is the official language. In the many provinces where Mandarin is not spoken, people may speak one of four major dialects—
Cantonese, Shanghainese, Fukinesese or Hakka. There is only one official written language and many of the characters have evolved from
ancient pictographs. In the 1950’s the Chinese government simplified some 2,000 of the most commonly used characters in an effort to
promote literacy. They also created a standard Romanized alphabetical system called pinyin for translating Chinese characters. One can be
functionally literate with knowledge of about 1500 characters, although a well educated person would recognize 6000-8000 characters. In the
last 60 years or so, Chinese literacy rate has changed from about 20% of the population to more than 80% of the country.

Education:
“A book holds a house of gold”
There is probably no accomplishment considered more esteemed than a high level of education. Education is most highly esteemed in Chinese
society. This value can be traced to the Confucian concept that “he who excels in learning can be an official.” Students attend school six days
per week and often study late into the night. They consider this their duty to show honor to the parents and family.

Courtesy and Gift Giving:

“Courtesy Demands Reciprocity”
China has a history of etiquette that is reflected in it’s history and stories. One such example is: Once upon a time, a man went on a long tour
to visit his friend with a swan as a gift. But it escaped from the cage on the way and in his effort to catch it, he got hold of nothing but a
feather. Instead of returning home, he continued his journey with the swan feather. When his friend received this unexpected gift, he was
deeply moved by the story as well as the sincerity. And the saying 'the gift is nothing much, but ‘it's the thought that counts.' was spread far
and wide.
As is said above, Chinese consider gifts as an important part to show courtesy. It is appropriate to give gifts on occasions such as festivals,
birthday, wedding, or visiting a patient. If you are invited to a family party, small gifts like wine, tea, cigarettes, or candies are welcome. Also
fruit, pastries, and flowers are a safe choice.
As with most cultures, it is polite and often expected that you thank the giver of the gift. Thank you notes, a phone call afterwards, or any
other gesture of thanks is greatly appreciated in the Chinese culture as well.

What varies perhaps slightly is how the receiver reacts. Chinese tend to be humble about receiving a gift, repeatedly expressing how truly
unnecessary the gift was immediately followed by sincere thanks. For those not accustomed to this type of exchange, it may feel awkward to
have someone repeatedly inform you "you shouldn't have." It does make it difficult for some to interpret between a true, no you shouldn't
have and one of politeness. But it all really has to do with the tone it is delivered and the context.

Birthday Celebrations:

Depending on the family, birthdays can be celebrated in a variety of ways. Most Chinese these days celebrate the birthday as they are on the
Western calendar; but some, especially the older generation, still mark their birthdays based on the Chinese calendar. Thus, the actual day
changes from year to year. Some, even older traditions, celebrate everyone's birthday during Chinese New Year celebrations, which makes the
15-day celebration something important for everyone.

Newborn:
The first important event for the newly born baby is the one-month celebration. The child’s parents give gifts to the relatives and friends. The
traditional and essential gift is red eggs. Red dyed eggs are chosen because they symbolize the changing process of life and their rounds
shape is the symbol of a happy and harmonious life.
The red color means happiness in Chinese culture. Other foods such as cakes, chickens, ginger and hams are often given to the friends and
relatives as gifts also. Gifts are given in even numbers. During the festivities, relatives and friends will give the child red envelopes with the
money. In the evening, the child’s parents serve a rich feast at home or a restaurant to the guests attending the celebrations.
The Chinese count age starting from birth and consider how many Chinese New Year celebrations experiences as a marker of age. For
example, baby born December 1, 2004 will be 2 years old in January 2006 because they will have crossed from 2004 to 2005 and from 2005 to
2006.

Elderly:
The biggest birthday is the sixtieth year. That is the year where both the animal and the element symbol are exactly the same as the year you
were born. It is not uncommon at this celebration to give symbols of longevity and extended like, like miniature old trees showing the strength
built over the passage of time. After this special celebration, a birthday celebration is held every ten years. It is the grown children of the
elderly who celebrate their parents’ birthday to show deep respect and gratitude for them.
According to traditional customs, the parents are offered foods that have the symbolism of health and prosperity. On the birthday morning the
father or mother will eat a bowl of noodles. In China long noodles symbolize longevity. Eggs are also among the best choices of food taken to
others on this special occasion and symbolize harmony.

Colors and Numbers:

Red is considered a color of celebration and is considered lucky or fortunate. Pink and yellow typically mean prosperity. White, gray and black
are funeral colors.

The Chinese concept of lucky numbers is similar to that of other cultures. The key to good or bad numbers in Cantonese is based on sound. For
example, the number two (2) is fortunate, because it is similar to the sound (?) of “easy”; in Cantonese. Three (3) is associated with living. The
number four sounds like “death” in Chinese. Sometimes buildings will skip a fourth floor altogether. Six represents good luck and can also
reflect the six elements of nature,-- wind, mountains, rivers, lighting, moon and sun. Eight (8) is associated with “prosperity” and is desirable
for all occasions. Nine (9) is associated with “eternal”. Originally it could only be used by the imperial family. The Forbidden City was designed
with 9,999 rooms

Celebrations, Ceremonies & Dining

Banquets:
These are usually held in restaurants in private rooms, either for dinner or lunch. The head of the group typically enters the room first. At a
formal dinner the main host and guest are seated facing each other, with the host with his back to the door and the main guest with facing the
door. Usually guests are then seated in descending order of rank around the table. Guest should always wait to be guided to their places and
should not sit until the main host and guest have done so. Banquets usually have for main course which include: (leng pen) cold dishes, (re
chao) hot stir fries, (da cai) often a whole cooked fish which symbolizes abundance and (tang) soup. Serving of fruit signals the end of the
meal. In China fruit is symbolic. Oranges symbolize happiness; apples symbolize peace, pomegranates symbolize fertility; peaches symbolize
immortality.
Roast Peking Duck is a northern specialty and are often served with thin pancakes. In the Guangdong area, they specialize in “dim sum” which
means “little hearts”. They are usually delicate rich-dough pastries filled with meats vegetables and shellfish. When dining, Chinese people
often talk and eat at the same time, and think nothing of it. It is not rude at all and smoking is not considered taboo at the table. When going
out with Chinese friends, they will typically try to pay the bill. They may go so far as to pay the bill on the way to the restroom or have a small
fight about paying the bill. They consider this only polite to pay the bill when they have invited someone.

Chinese Values
In 1960’s, chairman Mao Tse-Tung seeked to end with religious and superstitious traces through The Cultural Revolution, criticizing deeply
rooted Confucian values. Though this might have tempered devotees, values from ancient traditions persist somehow in nowadays’ culture
and behavior of the chinese people.
The Chinese-Buddhist religion is greatly stained by Confucianism and Daoism. Both of these ancient currents with more than 2500 years of
influence share many of the same ideas about man, society, the ruler, heaven and the universe as they stem from a common prior tradition:
Shenism.
In terms of global values, we find Asia shares an ancient core philosophy based on ‘pantheism’ which is reflected also in the hindu vedas,
meaning there is an infinite energy (God) surrounding us and within us, and the focus is being able to find it. This is a much more
contemplative attitude than in the west and middle-east, where polytheism preaches about a God who judges our actions from the heavens
through an established code of conduct we should obey. So the main different values between Asian and Western ancient philosophies are
contemplation and inner exploration versus logical discourse that justify a morale involving guilt. A metaphysical basis (flows of energy) given
through gurus and oriental philosophers versus a rationalistic basis (mathematical, rigid structures) mainly developed by ancient greek
philosophers.
Shenism
Grassroots ethnic religious traditions of the Han Chinese. Meaning “worship of theshen”, ‘energies that generate things and make them
thrive’.
Common core concepts:
Tian (天), Heaven, the source of moral meaning, the utmost god and the universe itself
Qi (气), the breath or substance of the universe which can be strengthened within ourselves.
Jingzu (敬祖), the veneration of ancestors
Bao ying (报应), moral reciprocity
Two traditional concepts of fate and meaning: ming yun (命运), the personal destiny or burgeoning; and yuan fen(缘分), “fateful coincidence”
I CHING
(11th century before Christ) Divination manual that provides guidance for moral decision making.
FENG SHUI

Metaphysical system when manipulating the environment and space so as to bring good fortune and
enhance health, wealth, business and professional development. It is still crucial for architectural design in China, mostly indoor arrangements.
Regarding urban landscape, each city should also preserve its fengshui.
Shanghai’s feng shui was hopefully healed a few years ago thanks to a practitioner who calculated the location of the fengshui center point. He
found it was in the junction of several roads, and this would suppose a fatal problem for the city’s holistic health, so a copper cylinder that
allows the flow of energy from the earth to the heavens was built to restore this powerful site.
SUPERSTITIONS

Strongly remaining nowadays. For example, pursue of good luck through different rites, being red
the lucky color and 8 the lucky number. The avoidance of bad omens such as number 4 (which is a pronounced similar to ‘death’) and number
13, till the extent that airplane seats with these numbers won’t be taken by chinese and building floors are skipped.

Daoism
Philosopher: Lao-zi . Fifth century before christ. Focuses on personal and metaphysical preoccupations.
Pursues naturalness, simplicity and spontaneity. Active attitude towards the occult and metaphysical. Interweaves with superstitions, chinese
alchemy-neidan, chinese astrology, martial arts, Zen Buddhism, traditional chinese medicine, feng shui, qigong.
“WU-WEI”
Action through non-action. The universe works harmoniously according to its own ways, so when someone exerts their will against the world
they disrupt that harmony. One must place their will in harmony with the natural universe avoiding potential harmful disturbances, allowing to
achievement of goals effortlessly. Ancient Shamanic beliefs considered the king as being the axle between the sky, human beings, and the
Earth. There was the belief that the less the king does, the more gets done, as his figure was considered the “calm center” around which the
kingdom turns.
THREE TREASURES (BASIC VIRTUES)
Compassion, Moderation and Humility ‘not daring to act first under the heavens’ -This can relate to the chinese employee’s attitude of not
speaking up, not changing things so fast, and going the long way round, that surprises western businessmen.
Confucianism

Philosopher: Confucius 551–479 BC. (Became the ideology of state from 136 B.C till the early twentieth
century) Focus on the creation of a moral and political system that structured society during the Han dynasties, establishing hierarchies. It
emphasizes the importance of the family, the belief that human beings are teachable, improvable, and perfectible through personal and
communal cultivation of virtue and maintenance of ethics.
REN, YI
Ren is an obligation of altruism and humaneness for other individuals. Yi is the upholding of righteousness and the moral disposition to do
good. Confucianism holds one in contempt, either passively or actively, for failure to uphold the cardinal moral values of ren and yi. – Probably
a good explanation for why chinese do not like accepting gifts or tips in exchange of having helped you. It’s better to make a gift at some other
moment, showing in the same way an altruistic attitude.
LI
Li is a system of ritual norms and propriety that determines how a person should properly act in everyday life. Zhi is the ability to see what is
right and fair, or the converse, in the behaviors exhibited by others.
GUANXI
The central idea of connections and relationships within society, a dynamic of reciprocal obligation in personalized networks of influence. It
establishes a reliable inner circle that is treated well and an outer circle of strangers that aren’t taken much into consideration. Strangers
interconnected with members of the inner circle automatically become part of it. This applies to business: TRUST must be built before
negotiating (gifts, meals), customers may follow their salesperson to any organization he goes to. Guanxi is long-lasting but not inexhaustible
as once an obligatory debt is paid it may not work as well unless a strong relationship persists. Differs from western terms of utilitarian ethics,
which establish courteous and contractual networks when doing business.
MIANZI
The idea of ‘face’(one’s perception in the eyes of others), the combination of social status, propriety and prestige. You can give face to others
(praise) or make them loose face (humiliate). Once face is lost it may be impossible to recover, only maybe through public apologies. Face can
be extended to a company organization or nation. Hierarchies must be carried in mind when interacting. Avoid explicitness and accountability
through indirect approaches: ask for resignation instead of firing, refuse through excuses, no straightforward criticism. An example of a
possible misunderstood between West and China: If you give someone a gift more expensive than the one they gave you, you are making
them loose face as your expensive gift implies they haven’t been generous enough.
ZHONG JIAN REN
Intermediaries or guanxi to intercede in communications. In this indirect-approach system they are very helpful as a back channel for
negotiations. This way difficult messages can be communicated discursively.
LIJE
Preserving the superficial harmony through politeness and courtesy. It is crucial for preserving face. Controlling emotions without making
public and loud displays (shouting, laughter, anger), negative feelings shouldn’t be aired out so silence and deference are important but do not
equal agreement acceptance or acquiescence. Through this concept, obligation more than emotion should drive relationships.

Chinese Culture through Hofstede’s Cultural Profile:

.
–Large Power Distance (vs. western small power distance). Ancient divinization of kings, as well as the Confucian precept of obedience and
utmost respect towards elders and superiors, can explain the strong hierarchical system: the difference and reverence towards managers from
employees .
-Collectivistic Culture (vs. western Individualistic cultures) What was mentioned before along with the communal Confucian concept sets a
framework for acceptance of totalitarian/overprotective governance; people belong to groups that are supposed to look after them in
exchange of loyalty, a dependence on ‘the state’
-Masculinity. This stands for a society driven by competition, achievement and success, opposed to the feminine dimension whose dominant
values in society are caring for others and quality of life.
-Low Uncertainty Avoidance: The Chinese are comfortable with ambiguity as the Chinese language is full of ambiguous meanings that can be
difficult for Western people to follow. Chinese are adaptable and entrepreneurial.
-High Long Term Orientation (vs western less pragmatic, more attached to time-honoured traditions and norms) Chinese adherence to laws
and rules may be flexible to suit the actual situation and pragmatism is a fact of life, the way in which the government is adapting to be
competitive, creating a unique chinese model of socialism is an example of this.
-Restraint Society (vs. western induglence) Following the Li and Lije Confucian rules, people try to control theis desires and impulses. Societies
with a low score in this dimension have a tendency to cynicism and pessimism, not putting much emphasis on leisure time and controlling the
gratification of their desires.
Eating and drinking in China can be a mind-broadening and enjoyable cultural experience. However, there
are likely to be many surprises along the way. We would like to prepare you for, and even warn you of, the main
differences between eating and drinking in China and in the West. (Some of the things mentioned below you will
(fortunately) not experience if you don't eat with Chinese people and stick to the largest restaurants.)
Eating Practice in China
"Sit-Down Buffet" — Share the Same Dishes
In China eating is more of a communal activity. In contrast to the West, where everyone orders their own meal,
which arrives on a plate and is eaten individually, food is generally ordered dish-by-dish in China to be shared by
all present at the table. Each diner has their own small rice bowl, into which food from the plates and bowls in the
center of the table is placed using chopsticks, or perhaps serving spoons — a bit like a sit-down buffet perhaps.
Host Places Food in Your Bowl — Hospitality

Be prepared for your Chinese host placing food in your bowl, usually without even asking. The host will often put
chicken legs or other choice parts of the meal in the guest's bowl. Though Westerners may see this as interfering
with one's independence and personal space, it is a sign of hospitality in China.
Touching Tables is OK
Though in the West it is sometimes considered rude to put one's elbows on the dining table, this is quite
acceptable in China, particularly when eating noodles. You however may want to avoid this in some restaurants
where the table is only wiped with an old cloth and there may be some unseen residue from the previous patrons'
meals. Using your own antiseptic wipes may help to put your mind at ease in some situations.
Chopsticks, No Knives or Forks

Using chopsticks is quite hard for some foreigners.

It is common in China for everyone to use their own chopsticks for fetching food from the dishes in the center. If
you would prefer, for hygiene reasons, serving spoons and serving chopsticks can be provided for food in the
center of the table.
Don't be embarrassed by using chopsticks poorly or not using them at all. The main thing is that you enjoy the
food. Food is so important in Chinese culture, and the Chinese are such a practical people, that all around you will
most likely be fine with whatever method you use to eat. They will be very impressed though if you can use
chopsticks proficiently.
Read more about Chinese Chopsticks — Legends, How to Use Them, and Taboos.
Spitting Out the Bones on Side Plate
In China it is also common practice to spit things out on the table or the floor. In more upper-market restaurants
people usually refrain and use one of the methods below rather than spitting. Often food has small pieces of bone
or other inedible parts that need to be removed from the mouth. Using chopsticks, a hand or a tissue is a polite
way around the problem. You might want to ask for a side plate or an extra bowl for the bones, etc. Be warned if
seeing piles of things that came out of someone's mouth may put you off your food. You may want to order dishes
with no bones.
Restaurants — Noise and Smoking

Chinese restaurant
Be warned that in some popular local restaurants, especially in the evenings, the noise of uninhibited chatter and
drinking games can become very loud. Smoking is also permitted in most Chinese restaurants. A way round this,
in larger restaurants, is to request a side room for your meal, which will have its own door to insulate you from
the noise and smoke.
Eating noisily and with one's mouth open may be considered rude in the West. However, slurping, smacking the
lips and leaving the mouth open when eating can be viewed as demonstrating enjoyment of the food and a
friendly atmosphere in China.
Dessert — Not Common in Chinese Eating
Eating something sweet for dessert is not a Chinese custom. ("Western" restaurants often provide a dessert menu
however.) Sweet things can be found hidden among everything else on a Chinese menu. Fruit salads
[水果沙拉shuiguo shala /shway-gwor shah-lah/] and caramel covered apple (or other fruit) [拔丝苹果 basi pingguo
/bah-srr ping-gwor/] are Chinese sweet dishes that are popular with Westerners.
Chinese Style Western Food
There is a lot of "Western food" in China, however much of it is "fake" or low quality "Western food", e.g. gritty
insipid hot chocolate. Chocolate, bread and milk particularly, apart from the most expensive products, often leave
a lot to be desired. Keep your expectations low and look out for worldwide brands when buying. In restaurants
portions are usually smaller than in the West (sometimes half an American portion).
Drinking in China— Soft Drinks and Beer
Refrigerated soft drinks are widely available, but beware ice cubes made from tap water, as most tap water in
China is unpotable and should be at least boiled before drinking.
Beer (pijiu, pronounced pee-jyoh) is very popular in China, but it is all very similar (about 3–5% alcohol), with
none of the stronger or darker varieties brewed in the West. The other popular alcoholic drink is rice wine (baijiu,
pronounced bye-jyoh). Beware, this can be very strong (40%+ alcohol).
In China, drinking alcohol is still mainly a male custom. Male guests are routinely offered alcohol and cigarettes
at meal times (usually not breakfast). Just politely refuse if you don't want them. An empty glass is always
refilled, no matter about protests that the guest has had enough, as a mark of politeness or good will. Often a
refusal has to be given three times. See Chinese Guest and Host Customs. Maybe if you've had enough a good
thing would be to leave your glass full. Getting drunk is generally not seen as a problem in China and is often
encouraged.

VALUES AND BELIEFS

Japan Table of Contents
Contemporary Japan is a secular society. Creating harmonious relations with others through reciprocity and the fulfillment of social
obligations is more significant for most Japanese than an individual's relationship to a transcendent God. Harmony, order, and self-
development are three of the most important values that underlie Japanese social interaction. Basic ideas about self and the nature of
human society are drawn from several religious and philosophical traditions. Religious practice, too, emphasizes the maintenance of
harmonious relations with others (both spiritual beings and other humans) and the fulfillment of social obligations as a member of a family
and a community.
Values
Empathy and Human Relations
In Japanese mythology, the gods display human emotions, such as love and anger. In these stories, behavior that results in positive
relations with others is rewarded, and empathy, identifying oneself with another, is highly valued. By contrast, those actions that are
antisocial, or that harm others, are condemned. Hurtful behavior is punished in the myths by ostracizing the offender.
No society can exist that tolerates significant antisocial behavior in the long term, but Japan is among the societies that most strongly rely
on social rather than supernatural sanctions and emphasize the benefits of harmony. Japanese children learn from their earliest days that
human fulfillment comes from close association with others. Children learn early to recognize that they are part of an interdependent
society, beginning in the family and later extending to larger groups such as neighborhood, school, community, and workplace.
Dependence on others is a natural part of the human condition; it is viewed negatively only when the social obligations it creates are too
onerous to fulfill.
In interpersonal relationships, most Japanese tend to avoid open competition and confrontation. Working with others requires self-control,
but it carries the rewards of pride in contributing to the group, emotional security, and social identity. Wa, the notion of harmony within a
group, requires an attitude of cooperation and a recognition of social roles. If each individual in the group understands personal obligations
and empathizes with the situations of others, then the group as a whole benefits. Success can come only if all put forth their best individual
efforts. Decisions are often made only after consulting with everyone in the group. Consensus does not imply that there has been universal
agreement, but this style of consultative decision making involves each member of the group in an information exchange, reinforces
feelings of group identity, and makes implementation of the decision smoother. Cooperation within a group also is often focused on
competition between that group and a parallel one, whether the issue is one of educational success or market share. Symbols such as
uniforms, names, banners, and songs identify the group as distinct from others both to outsiders and to those within the group.
Participation in group activities, whether official or unofficial, is a symbolic statement that an individual wishes to be considered part of
the group. Thus, after-work bar hopping provides not only instrumental opportunities for the exchange of information and release of social
tensions but also opportunities to express nonverbally a desire for continued affiliation.
Working in a group in Japan requires the development of successful channels of communication, which reinforce group interdependence,
and the sense of difference from those who are not members of the group. Yet social interaction beyond that which occurs with individuals
with whom one lives and works is a necessity in contemporary society. If the exchange is brief and relatively insignificant, such as buying
a newspaper, anonymity will be maintained. But if the relationship is expected to continue over a long period, whether in business,
marriage, employment, or neighborhood, great care is likely to be invested in establishing and maintaining good relationships. Such
relationships are often begun by using the social networks of a relative, friend, or colleague who can provide an introduction to the desired
person or serve as nakodo (go-between). The nakodo most often refers to the person (or people) who negotiates marriage arrangements,
including checking each family's background, conveying questions and criticisms, and smoothing out difficulties. But this kind of personal
mediation is common in many aspects of Japanese life.
Group membership in Japan provides enjoyment and fulfillment, but it also causes tremendous tension. An ideology of group harmony
does not ensure harmony in fact. Japan is an extremely competitive society, yet competition within the group must be suppressed. Minor
issues are sometimes dealt with by appeals to higher authority, but they may well smolder unresolved for years. Major problems may be
denied, especially to outsiders, but may result in factions or in the fissioning of the group. It is often the individual, however, who bears
the burden of these interpersonal tensions. This burden is reflected in high rates of alcohol consumption and of minor, sometimes
psychosomatic, illnesses. Many Japanese cope with these stresses by retreating into the private self or by enjoying the escapism offered by
much of the popular culture.
The Public Sphere: Order and Status
It is difficult to imagine a Japanese vision of the social order without the influence of Confucianism because prior to the advent of Chinese
influence in the sixth century, Japan did not have a stratified society. Confucianism emphasizes harmony among heaven, nature, and
human society achieved through each person's accepting his or her social role and contributing to the social order by proper behavior. An
often quoted phrase from the Confucian essay "Da Xue" (The Great Learning) explains, "Their persons being cultivated, their families
were regulated. Their families being regulated, their states were rightly governed. Their states being rightly governed, the whole kingdom
was made tranquil and happy."
This view implies that hierarchy is natural. Relative status differences define nearly all social interaction. Age or seniority, gender,
educational attainment, and place of employment are common distinctions that guide interaction. Without some knowledge of the other's
background, age and gender may be an individual's only guidelines. A Japanese person may prefer not to interact with a stranger, to avoid
potential errors in etiquette. The business cards or calling cards so frequently exchanged in Japan are valuable tools of social interaction
because they provide enough information about another person to facilitate normal social exchange. Japan scholar Edwin O. Reischauer
noted that whereas Americans often act to minimize status differences, Japanese find it awkward, even unbecoming, when a person does
not behave in accordance with status expectations.
The Japanese language is one means of expressing status differences, and it contributes to the assumption that hierarchy is natural. Verb
endings regularly express relationships of superiority or inferiority. Japanese has a rich vocabulary of honorific and humble terms that
indicate a person's status or may be manipulated to express what the speaker desires the relationship to be. Men and women employ
somewhat different speech patterns, with women making greater use of polite forms. Certain words are identified with masculine speech
and others with feminine. For example, there are a number of ways to say the pronoun "I," depending on the formality of the occasion, the
gender of the speaker, and the relative status of the speaker and listener. As is appropriate in a culture that stresses the value of empathy,
one person cannot speak without considering the other.
The term hierarchy implies a ranking of roles and a rigid set of rules, and Japan has its share of bureaucracy. But the kind of hierarchical
sense that pervades the whole society is of a different sort, which anthropologist Robert J. Smith calls "diffuse order." For example, in
premodern times, local leaders were given a great deal of autonomy in exchange for assuming total responsibility for affairs in their
localities. In contemporary Japan also, responsibility is collective and authority diffuse. The person seeming to be in charge is, in reality,
bound into the web of group interdependence as tightly as those who appear to be his subordinates. Leadership thus calls not for a forceful
personality and sharp decision-making skills but for sensitivity to the feelings of others and skills in mediation. Even in the early 1990s,
leaders were expected to assume responsibility for a major problem occurring in or because of their groups by resigning their posts,
although they may have had no direct involvement in the situation.
Status in Japan is based on specific relationships between individuals, often relationships of social dependency between those of unequal
status. Giri (duty), the sense of obligation to those to whom one is indebted, requires deferential behavior and eventually repayment of the
favor, which in turn calls forth future favors. Relations of social dependence thus continue indefinitely, with their very inequality binding
individuals to each other. Rules of hierarchy are tempered by the relationship itself. This tempering is known as ninjo (human emotion or
compassion). The potential conflict between giri and ninjo has been a frequent theme in Japanese drama and literature. Although young
Japanese are less likely to phrase a personal dilemma in those terms, claiming that the concept of giri was old-fashioned, many continue to
feel stress in doing what they should when it was not what they want. Social order exists in part because all members of the society are
linked in relationships of social dependency, each involved in giving and receiving.
The Private Sphere: Goals and Self
Relative status may be seen as the basis of social organization, and affiliation with others may be considered desirable, but these
assumptions by no means negate a concept of self. An ideology of harmony with others does not automatically create a congruence of
individual with group or institutional goals.
Anthropologist Brian Moeran distinguishes Japanese attitudes toward individuality and individualism. Individuality, or the uniqueness of a
person, is not only tolerated but often is admired if the person is seen as sincere, as acting from the heart. A work of art conveys strength as
well as beauty from its "individuality." Individualism, however, is viewed negatively, for it is equated with selfishness, the opposite of the
empathy that is so highly valued. While many modern Japanese deny the relevance of the concept of seishin (selfless spiritual strength, as
in World War II soldiers), selfishness (especially "selfish mothers," because the behavior of mothers is commonly thought to affect the
mental and physical health of children) takes the blame for many social problems of modern society. These problems include ones
categorized as psychosomatic medical syndromes, such as kitchen syndrome (dadokoro skokogun), in which formerly meticulous
housewives suddenly adopt odd behaviors and complain of aches and pains, nonverbally expressing their frustration with or rejection of
the "good wifewise mother" role, or school-refusal syndrome (toko kyohi), in which children complain of somatic problems, such as
stomachaches, and thus miss school in an attempt to avoid academic or social failure.
Japan, like all other societies, has conflicts between individual and group. What is different from North American society is not that the
Japanese have no sense of self but rather that the self is defined through its interaction with others and not merely through the force of
individual personality.
According to Reischauer, "The cooperative, relativistic Japanese is not thought of as the bland product of a social conditioning that has
worn off all individualistic corners, but rather as the product of firm inner self-control that has made him master of his . . . anti-social
instincts . . . . Social conformity . . . is no sign of weakness but rather the proud, tempered product of inner strength." This mastery is
achieved by overcoming hardship, through self-discipline, and through personal striving for a perfection that one knows is not possible but
remains a worthy goal. In this view, both the self and society can be improved, and in fact are interrelated because the ideal of selfhood,
toward which many Japanese strive, is one in which consideration of others is paramount. Whereas Americans attempt to cultivate a self
that is unique, most Japanese place greater emphasis on cultivating "a self that can feel human in the company of others," according to
David W. Plath. Maturity means both continuing to care about what others are thinking and feeling confident in one's ability to judge and
act effectively, acknowledging social norms while remaining true to self.
30 Interesting Japanese Traditions
Japan has hundreds of widely observed traditions associated with ceremonies, rituals, holidays, celebrations, business and life in
general. Many are valued for making life more interesting. Others are associated with etiquette, politeness, religion or old
superstitions.
The following represent some of Japan's most popular traditions.
1. Bonenkai Parties
Bonenkai are Japanese office parties held in December. The term literally means "forget the year party." Most companies hold
at least one. In many cases they are held at the company, department and team levels. People also have bonenkai with friends.
All of these parties make it difficult to get reservations at popular izakaya in December.

2. Fukusasa Lucky Bamboo Branches

Several shrines in Japan hold a market to sell bamboo branches decorated with lucky items to local business people in January.
The biggest of these events, the Toka Ebisu Festival in Osaka attracts more than a million people. Armies ofMiko are hired to
decorate the branches known as Fukusasa.

3. Zabuton Throwing
Sumo stadiums typically offer tatami sections with zabuton pillow seats. It's customary to express your frustration with the
result of a sumo match bythrowing your zabuton pillow.

4. Yamayaki Mountain Burning

The Japanese language has a single word for burning down a mountain: yamayaki. A yamayaki is a festival that involves burning
the vegetation from a mountain before Spring. These can be visually stunning and are often combined with a fireworks show.
Various stories are used to explain how the tradition began including ancient land disputes and problems with wild boars.
5. Mamemaki Bean Throwing
Setsubun is a Japanese holiday celebrated on the eve before spring according to the Japanese lunar calendar. It's traditionally
believed that the spirit world comes close to our world at this time and that demons are likely to appear. OnSetsubun, parents
throughout Japan put on an oni mask and try to scare their kids. The kids in turn throw roasted soybeans to scare the demon
away.

6. Mochi Making
Mochi are rice cakes traditionally made by pounding a variety of rice known asmochigome with a large wooden mallet. The
result is a paste that's formed into shapes such as blocks. Mochi are an ingredient in a wide variety of simple foods and are
extremely popular. Much like bread, it's rare to meet someone who doesn't like mochi.
Factory produced mochi and mochi-making home appliances are widely available. However, many families enjoy making it the
traditional way for special occasions such as New Years.

7. Ehomaki Sushi Rolls

Ehomaki are a Setsubun tradition that involves eating an entire uncut roll of sushi while facing a lucky direction that changes
each year. This was once only practiced in Osaka but has spread nationwide in recent years due to the marketing efforts
of Japanese convenience stores. Eating ehomaki is an auspicious activity that's done in complete silence.

8. KFC On Christmas Eve

The Japanese are familiar with the western custom of eating a turkey dinner for Christmas. However, turkeys are difficult to find
in Japan and most ovens in Japanese apartments and homes are too small for a turkey. As a substitute, many people prepare a
roast chicken dinner instead. It's also remarkably popular to eat KFC on Christmas Eve. There are long queues at every KFC in the
country on this day. Naturally, KFC encourages this with intensive marketing and Christmas themed sets.

9. Sumo Salt
Sumo wrestlers purify the ring when they enter by tossing salt up in the air. Some wrestlers are particularly good at making a
show of this by tossing the salt dramatically towards the ceiling. This tradition is related to a ritual known as Harae that's used
to purify Shinto Shrines. Although it's often translated "purification", Harae is really an exorcism that's believed to drive out bad
spirits.

10. Towel On Head At Onsen

Onsen are one of Japan's favorite pastimes. According to local traditions onsen waters must remain pure and people completely
bathe before entering the water. People bring a small towel into the bath area for this purpose. The towel has been used to
wash and shouldn't enter the bath water. This is a predicament because there's often no place to put the towels. The traditional
solution is to put it on your head.

11. Bowing
Bowing is an important tradition in Japan that applies to a wide variety of situations from sports to weddings. They vary from
slight bows when greeting a friend to a rare deep kowtow for a profound apology.

12. Love Locks

Any spot in Japan that's considered romantic such as observation decks with a good view of a city are always busy with couples.
One old tradition amongst couples is to write a message on a lock and leave it at a romantic spot. Typically, the couple then
throws the key somewhere it can never be retrieved such as into the sea. Japan has dozens of love lock spots such as the Love
Bell of Enoshima Island. In most locations, the tradition is encouraged by the attraction. It's very unusual for couples in Japan to
leave behind a love lock without permission.

13. Floating Lanterns

The Japanese tradition of floating lanterns in rivers, known as Toro Nagashi is a ceremony that represents the journey of souls to
the afterlife. It's used to celebrate the Japanese Obon holiday, a time of year when it's believed that the spirits of loved ones
return to the world. Toro Nagashi ceremonies are also used to commemorate tragic events such as the Atomic Bombing of
Hiroshima.

14. Sitting Seiza

Seiza is a traditional way to sit on Japanese tatami floors. It's considered the appropriate way to sit at formal occasions such
as rituals at a Shinto Shrine. It's also widely used in Japanese martial arts where posture may be strictly corrected. The average
person finds seiza challenging to hold for long periods of time. Older people and anyone who isn't practiced at it find it
extremely difficult and are typically forgiven if they need to sit with their legs in front of them.

15. Dondo Yaki

Dondo Yaki is the tradition of burning lucky items such as Omikuji at Shinto Shrines in January. It's considered bad form to throw
luck items in the trash, instead they should be burned. Auspicious items sold by shrines are often decorated with the Japanese
zodiac symbol of the current year and it's thought to be bad luck to hold on to them after the year ends.

16. Hatsuhi Sunrise

Hatsuhi, literally "first sun", is the Japanese tradition of waking up to see the first sunrise of the year on New Year's Day. In
Japan, families have a big traditional breakfast on New Year's Day and usually wake up early anyway. The day is associated
with numerous rituals and pastimes.

17. Fundoshi at Festivals

Fundoshi are traditional Japanese loincloths that were historically worn as men's underwear and as outwear by laborers and
rickshaw drivers. Today they are commonly worn to festivals. They are also famously worn by sumowrestlers.

18. Summer Yukata

Yukata are inexpensive traditional cotton robes that are widely worn to summer matsuri in Japan. They are worn by both men
and women and help to give events a festive feel.

19. Irasshaimase!
Irasshaimase is the traditional way to welcome customers in Japan that's essentially an ultra-polite way to say "please come in."
It's said by staff in Japan when they first see a customer. Staff at busy locations such as department stores might say it
thousands of times a day, each time a customer passes. Atizakaya it's common for all the staff to yell "Irasshaimase!" in unison
whenever a customer enters. This can have quite a dramatic effect when done right. Most Japanese businesses take this
welcoming phase quite seriously. Staff who welcome customers with an apathetic tone may be disciplined. As a customer,
there's no need to reply to irasshaimase.

20. Rooster Rakes

Tori-no-ichi, literally "Rooster Rake", is the Japanese business custom of buying a bamboo rake decorated with lucky symbols at
the end of the year. Markets for Tori-no-ichi pop up all over Japan on the days of the rooster in November. It's common for
business people to negotiate a price for their rake. When a deal is stuck it's sealed with a traditional hand clapping ritual.

21. Reservations With Blue Mats

It's customary to reserve a spot for events in Japan such as festivals, fireworks and hanami with plastic mats, that often happen
to be blue. This convention is strictly respected and once a mat is placed, the spot is yours. There's no need to stay with the mat.
At large events, thousands of mats may be placed and it's common for people to label their mat with a name.
Mats are often placed hours in advance. In the case of company parties, junior salary men are selected to scout a spot early in
the afternoon.

22. Yuzu Baths On The Winter Solstice

Yuzu fruits are added to home baths and onsen around December 21st each year to mark the winter solstice. This tradition
originated more than 200 years ago but historians aren't sure how it started. Onsen resorts and ryokan use it as a promotional
event to attract customers.

23. Doll Floating

Hina Nagashi, or Doll Floating, is an increasingly rare ceremony in Japan that floats traditional Japanese dolls out to sea or down
a river. It was historically believed that bad luck could be transfered from children into the dolls and cast out to sea. Hina
Nagashi is still performed on Girl's Day in Japan at several shrines including Awashima Shrine in Wakayama.

24. Furisode Kimono For Young Single Women

Kimono are traditional Japanese formal wear that come in a variety of styles that each has symbolic meaning. For
example, Furisode are brightly colored kimono with extremely wide sleeves that hang down below the knees. These are fairly
difficult to wear and are traditionally only worn by young single women. Many women wear Furisode to their Coming of Age
Ceremony. When they turn about 25 years of age they may have the kimono altered to have normal sleeves.
25. Koinobori
Koinobori are carp-shaped wind socks that are used to celebrate Children's Day in Japan. They are related to an ancient Chinese
story about a carp who swims up river against the current to become a dragon. The vigorous movement of Koinobori in the wind
is thought to represent a healthy childhood. Millions of Koinobori are put up all over Japan around the time ofGolden
Week beginning in late April. They are traditionally placed by rivers and in front of the homes of families with children.

26. Hakama For Graduation

Hakama are a traditional Japanese garment that's tied over the legs of a kimono. They were historically men's clothing worn by
teachers, samurai and workmen. The first women to wear hakama were teachers and with time the hakama gained an academic
image. As a result, women usually wear hakama to their university graduation ceremonies. This has a similar academic feel as
the square academic caps worn to western graduations. Men either wear Hakamaor a western suit.

27. Fukubukuro
Fukubukuro, literally "lucky bag", is a Japanese shopping tradition of offering mystery bags of heavily discounted items at New
Years. In some cases, expensive prizes may be randomly inserted into the bags. However, Fukubukuro are a way to clear excess
inventory. You may end up with a Utsubukuro or "depressing bag" filled with unwanted items.

28. Kampai!
Kampai is the Japanese word for cheers before drinking. It can literally be translated "dry glass" and has the same meaning as
"bottoms up." Kampai istaken seriously in Japan and it's considered rude to start drinking before everyone has a drink for
cheers. It's also considered classy for everyone to order the same drink for the first round in the spirit of comradeship.
29. Senpai and Kohai
Senpai and Kohai, or Senior and Junior, is a relationship that's traditionally observed in Japanese schools, sports teams, martial
arts and companies. It assigns roles based purely on seniority and is strictly observed in many situations. Kohai, or juniors, may
be responsible for menial tasks such as cleaning in order to earn their place in the team. Senpai, or seniors, are leadership roles
in the group with responsibilities such as setting a good example.

30. Sento
In old Japan, houses didn't have baths and people visited communal bathhouses known as sento each evening. Although
most houses in Japan now have baths, people have continued the sento tradition and hundreds remain across the country. It's
considered a community activity and sento are a sure place to catch up on neighborhood gossip.
Filipino Customs and Traditions
by Cecil Abundo on January 13, 2015
Photo by Mommysaurus75 of flickr.com

Mano Po
Our culture is a big reflection of our great and complex history. It is influenced by most of the
people we have interacted with. A blend of the Malayo-Polynesian and Hispanic culture with the
influence from Chinese, Indians Arabs, and other Asian cultures really contribute to the customs
and traditions of the Filipinos.

Filipino culture is unique compared to other Asian countries, and beliefs apply every day in the
life of the Filipinos and reveal how rich and blessed the culture the people have.

Let’s review some of the popular Filipino traditions and find the similarities that bind Filipinos to
each other.

First on the list is Mano Po. When children or young people greet or say goodbye to their elders
they typically do so by taking the right hand of the elder with their right hand and touch the
back the elder's hand lightly on their forehead. It is a way of giving respect to the elders and I
believe that is also a way of receiving blessing to the elders.

Mano is a Spanish word for “hand” while Po is used in the end of the sentence when addressing
elders or superiors.

Next is that Filipinos are one of the most hospitable people you may find anywhere. Foreign
visitors in the country are treated with the utmost respect. This trait is usually seen during
fiestas and holidays where many Filipinos are giving their best to entertain their visitors well.

It is amazing to see that even the simplest home along the road opens their home to a stranger.
For Filipinos, to be able to serve others gives them honor of showing true friendship. Filipino
Hospitality is a trait you can't take away from them.

Having Close Family Ties is also one of their unique traits. It is one of the outstanding cultural
values that Filipinos have. The family takes care of each other and are taught to be loyal to
family and elders by simply obeying their authorities. This is one of the unique characteristics of
Filipinos. Having fondness for family reunions during secular and religious holidays such as
Christmas, New Year’s eve, All Saints’ Day, Holy Week, Fiestas, homecomings, birthdays,
weddings, graduations, baptisms, funerals etc. is evidence that Filipino people valued not only
our cultural tradition but the spirit of our family. As Filipinos, we are blessed to have been
brought up with strong family ties.

Bayanihan

Photo by B l a c k S w a n of flickr.com
Have you ever experienced the bayanihan in our country? It is the spirit of communal unity or
effort to achieve a particular objective. A famous example of this is the neighbors carrying a hut
or house to a new location. People nowadays use it to describe an outpouring of community
spirit-as people give their all to the common good, without expecting recognition or personal
gain.

Courtship

We Filipinos are very romantic when it comes to heart affairs. Serenading or Harana in Tagalog
is one of the most popular forms of courtship to show that a man is very serious with his
intentions to a woman. A serenade would require the young man to sing a love song in front of
the young lady's house. Normally, he is accompanied by his male friends who act as back-up
singers. The man himself or his friend played the instrument, usually a guitar, which provides the
background music to his song.
They would have to wait until the young lady opened a window to listen. It would be up to her if
she wanted to invite them in for some refreshment and to chat after the song. Even if they had
been asked to come in, the suitor would not expect that he could have the chance of a private
moment with his object of affection. It was highly likely that the parents would also be there to
entertain the man and his friends.

Religion

The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia-Pacific. Their habit of
going to church and often praying reflects that Filipinos have a deep faith and belief when it
comes to religion. They are very devoted to religions that sometimes many take the risk of their
lives just to touch the Black Nazarine (in Quiapo Manila). For many, it is just a choice between
their faith and fears.

Filipinos believe that having a strong devotion may lead to a better life and their guidance to
face everyday life.

Superstition

In the Philippines, superstitious beliefs have grown throughout the country. These beliefs have
come from the different sayings and beliefs of our ancestors that aim to prevent danger from
happening or to make a person refrain from doing something in particular.

These beliefs are part of our culture, for one derives their beliefs from the influences of what
their customs, traditions and culture have dictated to explain certain phenomena or to scare
people. Some are practiced primarily because Filipinos believe that there is nothing to lose if they
will comply with these beliefs.

Cuisine

The Philippines is considered the melting pot of Asia. The rich medley of Chinese, Malay,
Spanish, Mexican, American, and Indian cooking are noticed in Philippine cuisine. Eating out is
one of the favorite Filipino pasttimes. A typical Pinoy diet consists at most of six meals a day;
breakfast, snacks, lunch, snacks, dinner, and again a midnight snack before going to sleep. Rice
is a staple in the Filipino diet, and is usually eaten together with other dishes. Filipinos regularly
use spoons together with forks and knives. Some also eat with their hands, especially in informal
settings, and when eating seafood.
Other popular dishes brought from Spanish and Southeast Asian influences include afritada,
asado, chorizo, empanadas, mani (roasted peanuts), paksiw (fishor pork, cooked in vinegar and
water with some spices like garlic and pepper), pan de sal (bread rolls), pescado frito (fried or
grilled fish), sisig, torta(omelette), kare-kare (ox-tail stew), kilawen, pinakbet (vegetable stew),
pinapaitan, and sinigang (tamarind soup with a variety of pork, fish, or prawns). Some delicacies
eaten by some Filipinos may seem unappetizing to the Western palate include balut (boiled egg
with a fertilized duckling inside), longanisa (sweet sausage), and dinuguan (soup made from
pork blood).

Popular snacks and desserts such as chicharon (deep fried pork or chicken skin), halo-halo
(crushed ice with evaporated milk, flan, and sliced tropical fruit),puto (white rice cakes), bibingka
(rice cake with butter or margarine and salted eggs), ensaymada (sweet roll with grated cheese
on top), polvoron (powder candy), and tsokolate (chocolate) are usually eaten outside the three
main meals. Popular Philippine beverages include San Miguel Beer, Tanduay Rhum,coconut
arrack, and tuba.

Every province has its own specialty and tastes vary in each region. In Bicol, for example, foods
are generally spicier than elsewhere in the Philippines. Patis, suka, toyo, bagoong, and banana
catsup are the most common condiments found in Filipino homes and restaurants. Western fast
food chains such asMcDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, and Pizza Hut are a common sight in the country.

A roasted pig known as the Lechón, is one of the Philippines most popular dishes.

Marriage and Wedding Customs

Photo by mkryanortega of flickr.com

A sacred marriage
In the country, marriage is a sacred union of man and women after a period of courtship and
engagement. It is a sacrament between two people who love each others. For many Filipinos,
the eternal quality of dedication to God pervades a truly sacred marriage.

A sacred marriage is a covenant between two who love each other in God and with God, whose
joining becomes an expression of the desire of each to love and serve God together.

Death

Death in the Philippines is one of the most important occasions in family life. For many Filipinos,
a death of relatives is an opportunity to strengthen ties in the Family. To pay respect and honor
the relationship to the deceased, long lost relatives, friends, and even relatives working abroad
are reunited.

The Philippines is the home of some unique death rituals that are partly religious and mostly
superstitious. The mourning and the weeping are still present, but a happy and welcoming
atmosphere would usually envelop the place to help the deceased on his journey to the afterlife.

After the death of a person, a nine-day period of having a novena of prayers and Masses offered
up to the deceased is held, although the beginning of the "Siyam na araw" varies, but usually
ends the week after the death. Another period follows after death, the 40-day mourning period.
Family members indicate their state of bereavement by wearing a small, black rectangular plastic
pin on their left breast or breast pocket area. A ceremonial mass is held at the end of this 40-day
period. Common belief states that the soul goes to Heaven after these 40 days, following the
belief that Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven after the said period of days.

Society

The primary ancestors of Filipinos are Malays who came from the southeastern Asian country
which is now called Indonesia. The Philippines is a combined society, both singular and plural in
form. It is singular as one nation, but plural in that it is fragmented geographically and culturally.
The nation is divided between Christians, Muslims, and other religious-ethno-linguistic groups;
between urban and rural people; between upland and lowland people; and between the rich and
the poor. Although different in numerous ways, the Filipinos are very hospitable and give
appropriate respect to everybody regardless of race, culture and belief.

Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas in the Philippines is considered as one of the biggest holidays in the archipelago. We
earned the distinction of celebrating the world’s longest Christmas season with Christmas carols
heard as early as September and lasting until Epiphany, the feast of the Black Nazarene on
January 9 or the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú on the third Sunday of January.

In one’s article, Archbishop Cruz told in his Christmas message that "the essence of Christmas is
God made flesh, God who has come among us" in an act of love "that joins humankind to the
Living God through our Lord Jesus Christ".
For many Filipinos, the true essence of Christmas for is not gift giving but sharing this special
holy day with family.
Fiestas

Every town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its own; whatever time of the year it is,
there's sure to be a fiesta going on somewhere.

Fiestas in the Philippines are held to celebrate a patron saint. It is part and parcel of Filipino
culture through good times and bad times, it must go on. The biggest and most elaborate
festival of all is Christmas, a season celebrated with all the pomp and pageantry where the whole
country breaks out in celebrations that can begin long before December.

For individual Filipinos, fiestas can be a way of supplicating the heavens or to make amends for
past wrongs. It is a way to celebrate their blessings, commemorate their past and observe
solemn religious rituals. Celebrations may take the form of music, dancing, feasting, beauty
contests, balls, processions, sports challenges or a host of other events.

Spanish influence is evident in the elaborate masks, makeup, headdresses and costumes worn
by the revelers; outfits which often take months of preparation.

Living with Parents

Filipinos highly value the presence of family more than anything. Adult children living with their
parents are another Filipino traditional that make them exceptional. Unlike in the United States
where children leave the home after finishing high school or college, many Filipinos continue
living with parents until they get married.

Eating with a Fork and Spoon

One Filipinos identity is that they are eat using a fork and a spoon. The fork is place in the left
hand while the spoon is in the right hand. Fork is used to place or push the food into the spoon
which is held by the right hand.
Since rice is the main staple of the Filipinos at almost every meal, the fork and spoon method is
ideal. It is believe that the use of a spoon and a fork is perfect for the way Southeast Asians
prepare and cook their food. Unlike the Americans who like their meats and other food items in
big slabs and humongous chunks, Southeast Asians generally prepare their dishes in bite-sized
pieces -- chopped, minced or ground -- thus leaving no real need for a knife.

Eating with Hands (Kamayan)

In addition to the use of the fork and spoon, eating with your hands or kamayan is another
common Filipino tradition. For many Filipinos, kamayan gives full taste to the food instead of
using utensils. Gather a small portion of meat or fish and a bite-sized portion of rice on your
plate. Then use all your fingers to gather the food into a small mountain or mound. Pick up the
little mound and put it in your mouth using your thumb to gently push the food in.

Filipinos usually eat rice that has a slightly sticky consistency so making the little mounds is
easier than if you were to use a jasmine or basmati rice. Of course, this method of eating doesn't
work with soup/stew or noodles and other kinds of food but for your basic plate of rice,
meat/fish and vegetables it works quite well! Next time you make dinner try eating kamayan.

Balikbayan Boxes
Some Filipinos leave the Philippines to live and work abroad. A balikbayan box is a box of items
sent by the balikbayan to their family in the Philippines. The box can be sent or it can be brought
by the sender when they themselves return to the Philippines. Balikbayan boxes come in all
different sizes and dimensions from bulilit (small) to extra large. It can be filled with almost
anything but it is usually filled with items that cannot be found in the Philippines or items that
may be too expensive for the average person to buy in the Philippines. Common items found in
balikbayan boxes include: clothes, shoes, chocolate, nuts, vitamins, basketballs, coffee and tea,
magazines, shampoo/conditioner, soap, body lotion, etc.
The Philippines: Culture and Tradition
Filipino people are known as settlers in many parts of the world. They are like the chameleon who easily adapts to
different environments. They thrive to survive. Survival of the fittest is their banner.
The Republic of the Philippines was named to honor King Philip II of Spain in 1543. Filipinos are originally from the
southern part of Asia. People from countries like China, India, the United States and Spain married Filipinos resulting
in a great deal of stock blending. 79 indigenous ethnic groups compose the Filipino people. According to Wikipedia,
the last five hundred years of eventful history of the country added an impact to the cultural blend of the Asian and
Western population. The colonial reign of the Spaniards in 1570-1898 as well as the Americans in 1903-1946, resulted
in the expansion of Christian values, which gave an identity to every Filipino. And the interaction with other countries'
cultures, like the ones from China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, gave a specific Asian touch to the cultural heritage
of the Philippines.

Language
There are 175 estimated languages spoken in the Philippines. Almost all are classified as Malayo-Polynesian
languages. Among those languages, there are 13 indigenous languages with nearly 1 million speakers.
For more than three centuries Spanish was the official language under Spain's colonial rule. It was spoken by 60% of
the population as either a first, second or third language in the early 20th century. However, the use of Spanish
began to decline after the United States occupation in the early 1900's. In 1935 the Constitution of the Philippines
named English and Spanish the official languages. In 1939 the Tagalog language was named the national language.
The language was renamed "Pilipino" in 1959 and finally "Filipino" in 1973. The present Constitution names Filipino
and English as joint official languages.

Culture
The Philippines is a country that has varied cultural influences. Most of these influences are results of previous
colonization, deriving mainly from the culture of Spain and the United States. Despite all of these influences, the old
Asian culture of Filipinos has been retained and are clearly seen in their way of life, beliefs and customs. Wherever
you go, Filipino culture is very evident and has largely been appreciated and even applauded in many parts of the
world.

Music, Arts and Literature

Filipinos are very fond of music. They use various materials to create sound. They love performing dances (Tiniking
and Carinosa) and group singing during festive celebrations. Settlers from Spain introduced to them a variety of
musical instruments like the ukulele, trumpet, drums and violin. Most of their music is contemporary and they have
also learned to write their own songs based on real life events. People are also fond of folklore, which was influenced
by the early church and Spanish literature. Jose Rizal, the country's national hero, is famous for his literature and
novels inspired from the independence story of the country

Religion
The majority of Filipino people practice the Christian religion. Spain highly influenced the people to the extent that the
Philippines became one of the two predominantly Christian nations in the Asia Pacific, the other being East Timor.
According to Wikipedia, Christianity is the religion of about 80% of the Philippine population (mostly Catholics) while
Islam is the religion of 11%, and other religions and beliefs comprise the 9% of the rest of the population.

Celebrations
Christmas is one of the most loved celebration by Filipinos. Families and relatives gather on the 24th of December, to
celebrate food prepared for "Noche Buena," a Spanish term which means "midnight meal" to greet Christmas Day.
New Year is another celebration that gathers the Filipino families. Wearing dotted clothes and preparing round fruits
on the table, which symbolize prosperity, is one of the many customs of the Filipinos.

Sports
Filipinos are not only skilled when it comes to industry but also in sports. The national sport of the Philippines is called
arnis, a form of martial arts. Filipinos love watching American games like basketball, football and recently boxing
which made the Philippines more famous all over the world. Filipino sport star, Manny Pacquiao, has been put on a
pedestal due to his skill in boxing and more Filipinos have risen to stardom in the sports arena.

Family Structure
The basic social unit of the country is the family, which also includes the intermediate family members (aunts, uncles,
grandparents, cousins) and other outside relations (godparents and close friends). As such, many children have
several godparents and when parents are out of the country to work, children are mostly left to the grandparents to
watch over them. It is common for members of the same family to work for the same company, a practice which was
influenced by the first Chinese settlers in the Philippines. Filipino families live in different kinds of house structures
depending on their status or area. For families in rural areas, they live in a nipa hut which is made of bamboo and
roofed with leaves from palm trees or corrugated metal. Filipinos that are ranked as "middle class" live in houses
made of bricks and stones.

Meals
Filipinos are big eaters, even though it is not obviously seen in their petite bodies. The Philippines is known as Asia's
melting pot because of the uniqueness and variety of their food. Filipinos can't go a day without including rice in their
meals. They love plain rice matched with salted fish, chicken and meat. They serve rice first followed by the various
viands they have grown to eat and cook. Filipinos have a very regular eating schedule: morning, mid-morning, lunch,
afternoon (merienda) and dinner.
They enjoy a variety of sweet foods adopted from other countries which encouraged them to make their own desserts
like "mahablanca" a dessert made of coconut milk, corn, sugar, or "puto" and "palitaw" which are also made of
coconut milk. They also enjoy eating "halo-halo" for their afternoon snack which means "mixture," a popular dessert
that consists of layers of cornflakes, ice cream, small pieces of gelatin, milk and shaved ice.
During special occasions like a town's big event in celebration of their saint's feast, a favorite food called "lechon," a
suckling pig that has been roasted until the skin turns crusty is served. Some street foods are also common in the
country like the famous "balut," a boiled duck egg with an embryo, and fish and squid balls on a stick that are dipped
on spicy and sweet sauces.
Philippine culture – Filipino people are known as pioneers in many parts of the world. They are like the
chameleon who easily adapts to unlike environments. They thrive to survive. Survival of the fittest is their
banner.
Philippine culture -The Republic of the Philippines was entitled to honor King Philip II of Spain in 1543.
Filipinos are originally from the southern part of Asia. Persons from countries like China, India, the United
States and Spain married Filipinos resulting in a great deal of stock blending. 79 native ethnic groups
compose the Filipino people.
According to Wikipedia, the last five hundred ages of eventful history of the country added an impact to the cultural
blend of the Asian and Western population. The majestic reign of the Spaniards in 1570-1898 as well as the
Americans in 1903-1946, resulted in the expansion of Christian values, which gave a characteristics to every Filipino.
And the interaction with other countries' cultures, like the ones from Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and China contributed
a specific Asian touch to the cultural heritage of the Philippines.
Culture
The Philippines is a nation that has varied cultural influences. Most of these influences are results of previous
colonization, originating mainly from the culture of Spain and the United States. Despite all of these influences, the
ancient Asian culture of Filipinos has been retained and are clearly seen in their way of life, beliefs, and customs.
Wherever you go, Filipino culture is very obvious and has largely been appreciated and even applauded in many parts
of the world.

Religion
The majority of Filipino people use the Christian religion. Spain highly influenced the people to the extent that the
Philippines became one of the two mainly Christian nations in the Asia Pacific, the other being East Timor. As stated
by to Wikipedia, Christianity is the religion of about 80% of the Philippine population (mostly Catholics) however Islam
is the religion of 11%, and other religions and beliefs comprise the 9% of the rest of the population.

Sports
Filipinos are not only skillful when it comes to the industry but also in sports. The national sport of the Philippines is
so-called arnis, a form of martial arts. Filipinos love watching American games like basketball, football and recently
boxing which made the Philippines more well-known all over the world. Filipino sports star, Manny Pacquiao, has been
put on a pedestal owed to his skill in boxing and more Filipinos have risen to stardom in the sports arena.
Language
There are 175 estimated languages verbal in the Philippines. Almost all are classified as Malayo-Polynesian
languages. Among those languages, there are 13 native languages with nearly 1 million speakers.
For more than three centuries Spanish was the authorized language under Spain's colonial rule. It was spoken by
60% of the population as any a first, second or third language in the timely 20th century. However, the use of Spanish
began to decline later the United States occupation in the timely 1900's. In 1935 the Constitution of the Philippines
named English and Spanish the official dialects. In 1939 the Tagalog language was named the national language. The
language was retitled “Pilipino” in 1959 and finally “Filipino” in 1973. The current Constitution names Filipino and
English as joint official languages.
Music, Arts and Literature
Filipinos are very loving of music. They use various materials to create sound. They adoration performing dances
(Tiniking and Carinosa) and group vocal sing during festive celebrations. Settlers from Spain presented to them a
variety of musical instruments like the ukulele, trumpet, drums, and violin. Most of their music is contemporary and
they have also knowledgeable to write their own songs based on real life events. People are also fond of folklore,
which was change by the early church and Spanish literature. Jose Rizal, the country's national hero, is famous for
his literature and novels brilliant from the independence story of the country.

Family Structure
The basic social part of the country is the family, which also includes the intermediate family memberships (aunts,
uncles, grandparents, cousins) and other outside relations (godparents and close friends). As such, many children
have numerous godparents and when parents are out of the country to work, children are mostly left to the
grandparents to watch over them. It is communal for members of the same family to work for the same company, a
practice which was influenced by the first Chinese early settler in the Philippines. Filipino families live in different kinds
of house structures depending on their rank or area. For families in rural areas, they live in a nipa hut which is made of
bamboo and roofed by leaves from palm trees or corrugated metal. Filipinos that are ranked as “middle class” live in
houses made of bricks and stones.

Celebrations
Christmas is one of the most precious celebrations by Filipinos. Families and relatives gather on the 24th of
December, to celebrate food organized for “Noche Buena,” a Spanish term which means “midnight meal” to greet
Christmas Day. New Year is another celebration that meets the Filipino families. Wearing dotted clothes and preparing
round fruits on the table, which signify prosperity, is one of the many customs of the Filipinos.
Meals
Filipinos are huge eaters, even though it is not obviously seen in their petite bodies. The Philippines is known as
Asia's gentle pot because of the uniqueness and variety of their food. Filipinos can't go a day without including rice in
their meals. They love simple rice matched with salted fish, chicken, and meat. They serve rice first followed by the
several viands they have grown to eat and cook. Filipinos have a very regular eating schedule: morning, mid-morning,
lunch, midafternoon (merienda) and dinner.
They enjoy a variety of sweet foods adopted from other countries which stimulated them to make their own desserts
like “mahablanca” a dessert made of coconut milk, corn, sugar, or “puto” .They also enjoy eating “halo-halo” for their
afternoon snack which means “mixture,” a common dessert that consists of layers of cornflakes, ice cream, small
pieces of gelatin, milk and shaved ice.

During special occasions like a municipality's big event in celebration of their saint's feast, a favorite food so-called
“lechon,” a suckling pig that has been roasted until the skin turns crusty is served. Some street foods are also
common in the country like the well-known “balut,” a boiled duck egg with an embryo, and fish and squid balls on a
stick that is dipped on spicy and sweet sauces.