Until now there have been two surefire and timeless methods of understanding and absorbing culture – eating their food and enjoying their music. For example, if someone struggled to be versed in Indian culture, eating delicious spiced foods and desserts, while enjoying the intricate rhythms and melodies of Hindustani or Carnatic music, they would get a baseline understanding from which the rest of their knowledge could sprout. Sure, this wouldn’t convey the political situation at that time, the full history, nor connect you to individuals, but it can certainly help you build a sense of appreciation that goes beyond words, from which you can learn more.
Another timeless consideration has come to the fore – media expression. A dramatic film from Hollywood is often quite different but just as engaging as the standard formats used in South Korea, for example. In other words, if you hope to explore the world at home, enjoying media from a range of sources can be fantastic, and will widen your cultural palate.
But what does this mean in practice? Let’s consider some tips regarding that, below:
Explore Different Genres & Art Forms
There are many excellent forms of content out there, from learning where to watch monster anime for those indulgent thrills, to enjoying some of the best documentaries to come out of Britain. Genres and art forms can help you plug into the cultural consciousness of a given area, such as the wonders and beautifully diverse performances of Bollywood, to the enjoyment of ever-popular Korean reality television shows. The whole world is at your fingertips.
Follow Diverse Content Creators
There are many incredible bloggers, YouTubers, and indie content creators online from all walks of life. If you’re hoping to see more of a country, learn about cultural practices, or perhaps enjoy context from people living in other countries, that can be ideal. For example, Americans moving to the United Kingdom and discussing their new experiences and culture shocks is a popular genre of YouTube content. Have fun, and be sure to listen to so many different voices. For example, learning about traditional Diwali celebrations from someone enjoying the festival that moment can be special, and may convince you to travel there next year!
Read Books from Various Authors & Backgrounds
While you may not be able to read certain books in their original languages, reading translations is often just as good, as translators work very hard to convey the original meaning of each piece. It might be that you indulge in fantasy such as how The Witcher was based on Polish lore and folktales, or you might read into cultural figures that held sway at one time, such as memoirs of influential political leaders or celebrities from that area. For example, reading an Anthony Bourdain book could help you better understand the thriving food scene in NYC during the 80s. The more you can widen your media palate, the more you have access to, and books are of course the ultimate form of communication.
With this advice, you’re certain to widen your media and cultural palate, and eventually diet, in the best way.
