In this book, we take a broad and inclusive view of culture, defining it as an established, coherent set of beliefs, attitudes, values, and practices shared by a large group of people (Keesing, 1974). Culture includes many types of influences, such as your nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and age. But what really makes a culture a “culture” is that it’s widely shared. This happens because cultures are learned, communicated, layered, and lived.

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Culture Is Learned. You learn your cultural beliefs, attitudes, and values from many sources, including your parents, teachers, religious leaders, peers, and the mass media (Gudykunst & Kim, 2003). This process begins at birth, through customs such as choosing a newborn’s name, taking part in religious ceremonies, and selecting godparents or other special guardians. As you mature, you learn deeper aspects of your culture, including the history behind certain traditions—for example, why unleavened bread is eaten during the Jewish Passover or why certain days of the year are more important than others. You also learn how to participate in rituals—everything from blowing out the candles on a birthday cake to carving pumpkins on Halloween. In most societies, teaching children to understand, respect, and practice their culture is considered an essential part of child rearing.

Culture Is Communicated. Each culture has its own practices regarding how to communicate (Whorf, 1952). Imagine you’re part of a group project and the other members decide to do the assignment in a particular way. If you grew up in Singapore, where your culture would emphasize group harmony over personal preferences, you’d be expected to support the group’s decision, even if you thought another approach would be better. Withholding your dissenting opinion would be considered competent communication. American culture, however, stresses the importance of individual expression. So if you grew up in the United States, you’d probably feel that it’s perfectly acceptable—and perhaps even your duty—to voice your concerns about the group’s decision.

Culture Is Layered. Many people belong to more than one culture simultaneously. This means they experience multiple layers of culture, as various traditions, heritages, and practices are recognized and held to be important. Steve’s Uncle Rick, for example, is originally from Canada but is now an American citizen. Rick is passionate about being an American: he played hockey for a U.S. collegiate team, is deeply patriotic, sings the national anthem at ball games, and celebrates the Fourth of July. But every four years, when the Winter Olympics roll around, his Canadian cultural allegiance emerges from beneath the American layer, and he cheers on the Canadians over and above everyone else—especially when it comes to hockey!

Culture Is Lived. Culture affects everything about how you live your life. It influences the neighborhoods you live in; the means of transportation you use; the way you think, dress, talk, and even eat. Its impact runs so deep that it is often taken for granted. At the same time, culture is often a great source of personal pride. Many people consciously live in ways that celebrate their cultural heritage—through such behaviors as wearing a Muslim hijab, placing a Mexican flag decal on their car, or greeting others with the Thai gesture of the wai (hands joined in prayer, heads bowed).

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