Some features of Canadian culture

The culture of Canada, as a product of a North American developed nation, shares some common cultural roots with the United States. While the two countries share some aspects of a common cultural heri­tage, there is also a separately identifiable Canadian culture. Some dis­tinctions of this culture are the greater integration of native or aboriginal influences, the retention of traditions descended from those of French settlers, and a notable infusion of Celtic elements.

Occasionally, the distinctions of these elements in Canada is dis­puted as a separate culture. One matter of contention in the effort to study Canadian culture rests in the fact of Canada's bilingualism; there is little reason to question the distinct identities of the English-speaking and French — speaking peoples of Canada.

Most French Canadians live in Quebec, though there are other con­centrations of French-speakers throughout Canada with varying degrees of ties to Quebec. History made Quebec a place where cultures meet, where people from all over the world experience America, but from a little distance and through a different eye. Often described as a cross­roads between Europe and America, Quebec is a home to people that are connected to the strong cultural currents of the USA, France and the UK all at the same time.

Canadian culture has also been greatly influenced by more recent immigration of people from all over the world. Many Canadians value multiculturalism, indeed some see Canadian culture as being inherently multicultural.

Culture of Australia

The original culture of Australia can only be surmised: cultural patterns among the remote descendants of the first Australians cannot be as­sumed to be unchanged after 53,000 (or more) years of human habita­tion of the continent. Much more is known about the richly diverse cul­tures of modern Aboriginal Australians, or at least of those few who survived the impact of European colonisation. Although the effect of the arrival of Europeans on Aboriginal culture was profound and catas­trophic, the reverse is not the case: broadly speaking, mainstream Aus­tralian culture has been imported from the United States and Europe (in particular, the United Kingdom).

Much of Australia's culture is derived from European and American roots, but distinctive Australian features have evolved from the envi­ronment and Aboriginal culture. The vigour and originality of the arts in Australia - films, opera, music, painting, theatre, dance, and crafts - are achieving international recognition.

Australians traditionally have a very strong 'underdog attitude', that is they will support those who appear to have the lesser hand, so long as

Australia is not involved. This underdog attitude is most evident with sport, as sport is also a large part of Australian culture. Should an Aus­tralian be asked to choose between two unknown sides, chances are they would choose the least likely to win.

And there is another side of this underdog attitude in Australians. This is the culture of 'cutting down the tall poppy', which reveals itself in many aspects of Australians' outlooks. As a result, Australians are extremely critical of their political leaders and high-flyers, while being always sympathetic to those who are being done wrong and in strife.

Culture of New Zealand

The culture of New Zealand is a fusion of Maori culture and that of the de­scendants of the early British colonists and later settlers, many of whom were of working class origin.

While British culture predominates within the country, Maori culture is increasingly being identified with New Zealand, due to haka displays by New Zealand sporting teams, and to tens of thousands of visitors who each year experience and film or photograph Maori culture events held at places such as Rotorua.

British and Irish culture in New Zealand has been significantly influ­enced by Maori and other Polynesians. Scottish influences are strong, mainly in the southernmost parts of the South Island. In general, early immigrants from other parts of Europe and Asia, and World War II refugees (particularly the Dutch) were readily assimilated.

Small enclaves of these early immigrant cultures remain as islands in a sea of British colonial culture. Unlike Australia, New Zealand has not experienced size­able immigration from Mediterranean countries in Southern Europe, but in recent years there has been a considerable influx of migrants from Asia, which now makes up a significant proportion of the population, particularly in Auckland.

After the Second World War, significant immigration from the Pacific Islands began. The wide variety of Pacific Island cultures has combined in New Zealand, mostly in South Auckland, to form a distinctive subculture that is separate from Maori culture.

For a variety of reasons many Maoiri and Pacific people have been so­cially disadvantaged, forming an underclass in some areas. Cultural consid­erations for both Maori and Pacific people now have a significant influence on educational, medical and social organisations, particularly in areas with high concentrations of these population groups.

Cultural diversity

Cultural diversity is the variety of human societies or cultures in a spe­cific regions, or in the world as a whole. Obvious cultural differences exist between peoples, such as language, dress and traditions. Here are some examples.

Talking.Discussion on family is unwelcome between some cul­tures. For example, it is unacceptable to Saudi. But Americans or Europeans rather often speak about various aspects of family life. Many nationalities do not like discussing politics and religion.

Business.In some countries, such as the USA, Latin American coun­tries, Britain, France, Italy businessmen like joking. It helps to relieve ten­sion. In others countries, such as Germany, China, Japan, Arab countries, joking is usually regarded as flippant or unprofessional.

In cultures where alcohol is taboo, no alcoholic drinks are served at business recep­tions. However, it is quite usual to have a glass of wine or a beer with lunch in Europe, but it is very bad form to drink too much. In Italy, a nation of wine drink­ers, it is very unusual to drink outside meal times.

Japanese tea ceremony

Sweden it is quite usual to have a beer with colleagues after work.

In many countries, coffee and business seem closely linked. Coffee seems to be what cements relationships, everywhere from Saudi Arabia to Argentina, via North America and Norway. Though in China and Japan, tea is more popular than coffee.

Holidays and leisure.Different cultures have different perceptions of leisure. A drink with friends and associates in a bar is popular in many countries. But it can be anathema to some cultures where alcohol is taboo. Likewise, regular physical exercise is not everyone's idea. Lei­sure activities and holidays in particular may be totally different for dif­ferent people.

Besides obvious cultural differences, there are significant variations in the way societies organise themselves, in their shared conception of morality, and in the ways they enteract with their environment.

There is a general consensus among mainstream anthropologists that humans first emerged in Africa about two million years ago. Since then we have spread throughout the world, successfully adapting to widely differing conditions and to periodic cataclysmic changes in local and global climate. Many separate societies that emerged around the globe differed markedly from each other, and many of these differences persist to this day.