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Nona the brit Posted 20 years ago
Culture
Taboo topics of conversation
0 What are the topics of conversation that make people in your culture uncomfortable? What topics do you discuss that might be difficult in other cultures? 02 br
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00 For the UK, I'd have to say religion and money are taboo subjects - you can skirt around them but not get too seriously involved in discussing them as they are seen as very private matters. Yesterday I met someone from another culture who kept pushing and pushing me to tell him how much I earn - and couldn't understand why I was so reluctant to do so. I know that in his culture it's a perfectly valid topic of conversation so I tried just politely fobbing him off but he wouldn't take no for an answer. In the end I exploded "I'm English and we don't talk about money.There is no way I'm telling you that. It's very rude to ask me that" because he just didn't want to take no for an answer. I felt so uncomfortable and really didn't want to even be asked that, let alone tell him, and then I felt uncomfortable as I'm sure he thought I was very rude! 02 br
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00 I've known people for years without knowing what their religion is, or if in fact they have any religious beliefs at all. 02 br
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00 On the other hand I think that in the UK we are fairly free and easy discussing bodily functions and sex (we generally have quite 'dirty minds') and those subjects may well be taboo in other cultures. 0-
02 br
00 For the UK, I'd have to say religion and money are taboo subjects - you can skirt around them but not get too seriously involved in discussing them as they are seen as very private matters. Yesterday I met someone from another culture who kept pushing and pushing me to tell him how much I earn - and couldn't understand why I was so reluctant to do so. I know that in his culture it's a perfectly valid topic of conversation so I tried just politely fobbing him off but he wouldn't take no for an answer. In the end I exploded "I'm English and we don't talk about money.There is no way I'm telling you that. It's very rude to ask me that" because he just didn't want to take no for an answer. I felt so uncomfortable and really didn't want to even be asked that, let alone tell him, and then I felt uncomfortable as I'm sure he thought I was very rude! 02 br
02 br
00 I've known people for years without knowing what their religion is, or if in fact they have any religious beliefs at all. 02 br
02 br
00 On the other hand I think that in the UK we are fairly free and easy discussing bodily functions and sex (we generally have quite 'dirty minds') and those subjects may well be taboo in other cultures. 0-
Top answer
0 Hi Nona! 05 0 02 br 02 br 00 In Italy we don't like to talk about ***,instead. It's a very private matter for us,indeed when you say the word "***",or everything is concerned with,you are whispering.
- 0 Hi Nona!
- 05 0 02 br 02 br 00 In Italy we don't like to talk about ***,instead.
- It's a very private matter for us,indeed when you say the word "***",or everything is concerned with,you are whispering.
- 02 br 02 br 00 Best regards!
- 05 1 010id 211id 5
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44 Answers
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0 Hi Nona! 05 0 02 br
02 br
00 In Italy we don't like to talk about ***,instead. As a matter of fact *** is often associate with sin,and is a taboo in itself,because of Catholic religion's heritage,I think.It's a very private matter for us,indeed when you say the word "***",or everything is concerned with,you are whispering. (However,it depends in which region you are!) 02 br
02 br
00 In Italy we don't like to talk about ***,instead. As a matter of fact *** is often associate with sin,and is a taboo in itself,because of Catholic religion's heritage,I think.It's a very private matter for us,indeed when you say the word "***",or everything is concerned with,you are whispering. (However,it depends in which region you are!) 02 br
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0 Greetings Nona and Nyla, 02 br
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00 We all have our little quirks. In general, it is our choice what we decide to accept as apropriate topics for discusion. I think, in the US, we have become much more tolerant in the past 10 years or so. Much of our reluctance to accept certain things comes from the religious "Right", but I think their efforts are often misguided. I am
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00 We all have our little quirks. In general, it is our choice what we decide to accept as apropriate topics for discusion. I think, in the US, we have become much more tolerant in the past 10 years or so. Much of our reluctance to accept certain things comes from the religious "Right", but I think their efforts are often misguided. I am
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0 In Turkey, generally *** and money issues are considered as taboos.. 0-
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Anonymous, I think that what makes proselytizers so obnoxious, is that being so dogmatic, really they are only preaching to the choir, and alienate themselves from everybody else, despite the pretense of loving outreach. Rarely do they show interest in the perspective of those they accost. And this seems somewhat hypocritical, not to mention simply antisocial and certainly not very persuasive.
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nona the britFor the UK, I'd have to say religion and money are taboo subjects - you can skirt around them but not get too seriously involved in discussing them as they are seen as very private matters.It's pretty much the same in Finland, at least as far as my generation is concerned. The young may act somewhat differently, though. I'm not sure. I never thou
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In Ukraine a lot of people don't like to talk about politics, in particular young people. We aren't indifferent to our government, but the discussion about parties and election campaigngs annoyes the majority of the people. Also it is tactless to ask whom are you going to vote for, it might be awkward to both of you.
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Ah, the flower of democracy, free discourse and healthy controversy!
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Hi,
. . it is tactless to ask whom are you going to vote for, it might be awkward to both of you.
In the culture I live in, I can think of lots of situations where this seems like good advice.
. . it is tactless to ask whom are you going to vote for, it might be awkward to both of you.
In the culture I live in, I can think of lots of situations where this seems like good advice.
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In Poland it is very rude to ask woman how ols she is.
With regard to ***, we are rather promiscuous in this sphere of life (at least my generation is). We have no problem with talking about it if asked.
With regard to ***, we are rather promiscuous in this sphere of life (at least my generation is). We have no problem with talking about it if asked.
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In Thailand if this question ask before now 3-4 years maybe my answer is about *** but in this time I think it should be the politic topic because of politic problem in my country set people have been to 2 side and very differencs in opinion .. we don't talk about this in office , public place or maybe in family too if other in family be in opposite side . so if someone ask about this
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