The best movies about different cultures and nationalities

The best movies about different cultures and nationalities were created for two main reasons: to entertain and to educate. They can teach you about a culture that’s entirely new to you, or they can remind you of one that’s familiar. We are not talking about documentaries here—we mean feature films that tell stories about people from all over the world with varying styles of filmmaking. 

City of God

This 2002 film is set in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It’s based on a book by Paulo Lins, who grew up in these slums with his mother and sister after their father died. The movie tells the story of two young boys who grow up together in this rough environment—one wants to be a photographer, while the other winds up becoming involved with gangs and drugs. And you will quickly learn that it takes a lot of luck to survive the streets of Rio. Some people like to try their luck in a different way by using Código Bónus Betclic.

The film won Best Director at Cannes and Best Foreign Language Film at Academy Awards. We recommend watching it if you want to learn more about Brazilian culture!

I Am Cuba

The movie is a 1962 Soviet-Cuban co-production directed by Mikhail Kalatozov and based on the novel To See Cuba Before It’s Divided by Alejo Carpentier. It was filmed in Cuba, with Russian crew members.

The movie stars Marlon Brando as an American artist who comes to Cuba to paint the country, but as he gets acquainted with its people, he finds himself unable to do so because they seem to lack any distinguishing features at all. The film features music by Ernesto Lecuona and song lyrics written by Gabriel García Márquez.

Amelie

It is a French film about an introverted girl who tries to find her place in the world. The movie is filled with all sorts of French culture and humor, so it’s perfect for anyone who wants to feel like they’re learning about a new country while still being entertained by a fun movie.

Another influential movie in French language is the “Black Girl”. The story follows a Senegalese woman who moves to France and finds racism and prejudice. It won awards in Cannes and Venice.

Lost in Translation

The movie stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as two people who are traveling through Japan. It was filmed in Tokyo and Kyoto, with the characters staying at a famous hotel in Tokyo called Park Hyatt Tokyo. The movie also includes scenes from other parts of Japan such as Osaka and Mount Fuji, but it only focuses on those two cities because they’re the ones that had the best atmosphere for what they were trying to film (specifically Kyoto). The movie is based on director Sofia Coppola’s experience living in Japan when she was younger and she wanted to bring some of that culture into her films.

Watching foreign movies will help you understand the different cultures in our world better. I hope your life will be enriched by these movies, and we also recommend checking this extensive Oscars list with many nominees and winners for best foreign picture.

How to be culturally sensitive in the workplace

When I started my first job after college, I knew almost nothing about the company. In fact, I didn’t even know that day-to-day life was going to be different from what I had experienced in college. My first week on the job, however, taught me two things: how to make coffee and how not to be culturally insensitive at work. Here are some tips for being more culturally sensitive at work:

Introduce yourself

A great thing you can do is introduce yourself to your coworkers and try to remember everyone’s names when they introduce themselves to you.

When you do introduce yourself, be polite and brief and avoid nicknames and slang, which can be offensive.

Learn about the other person’s cultural background

Ask questions! Try to avoid asking leading questions that assume you already understand their culture. Instead, ask them how they identify themselves and what that means to them.

For example, just because a person’s last name ends in “Li” and thus has a foreign sound to it, doesn’t mean that all Asian Americans must be from China. It doesn’t hurt to share information about yourself either—it’s likely that your colleagues will reciprocate eventually if you open up first!

Look for commonalities between your two backgrounds as well as differences between both cultures generally speaking (rather than just focusing on one specific cultural aspect). This can help build rapport between coworkers who otherwise might not connect very easily with each other otherwise based solely on where they’re coming from culturally speaking (especially since these types of interactions tend not have much room within which they could naturally occur organically during daily life outside work).

Discuss differences

I feel like many people believe that being polite about another person’s culture means ignoring its existence. We are different and that should be okay. It should be more than okay – it should be celebrated. Feel free to discuss cultural differences with your coworkers. It could be a great learning experience for you!

Be aware of your own culture

Being culturally sensitive is not just about being aware of other people’s cultures, but also your own. You can start by using your own cultural background as a point of reference and asking yourself if it makes sense in the context of what you are doing or saying. 

Fostering a culturally sensitive work environment can help everyone be at their best. That’s because cultural sensitivity is good for business, employees, customers, and the community. It’s also good for the world and our planet as a whole.

Conclusion

I hope you take these tips to heart and use them in your workplace. The more we understand each other’s cultures, the better our work environment will be!

What is Culture Appropriation?

In a world as modern as today’s, we tend to see popular things online or on broadcast media, and we start to imitate them. We rarely stop to think that what we are doing might actually be offensive to others, and not in a very modern social media kind of way, where everything from breathing to choosing a different color is offensive.

In this case, culture or cultural appropriation is a topic that is much more serious than people behind keyboards being offended at the sky being not blue enough at that point in time.

Here is what you should know about cultural appropriation, a topic that gets most people thinking.

What Are We Dealing With?

Cultural appropriation is using other people’s cultural beliefs and rituals, not to mention nuances and details, without acknowledgment. Using other people’s culture in an inappropriate way is more akin to colonialism than it is to an exchange, mostly because the party that is copied does not participate in the said “exchange”. 

Cultural appropriation has taken place multiple times throughout history so let us take a closer look at some examples from history which should explain the problem in detail.

The Swastika

The Swastika or the hooked cross is a symbol mostly associated with Nazi Germany, as this was the symbol that Adolf Hitler pushed during his campaign in the 1930s and 1940s. The swastika is actually a traditional symbol that has a much richer history and belongs to the Hindus, Jainism and Buddhists.  

Through appropriation, the swastika is believed by many to be a symbol of nazism and is thus often misrepresented. As can be expected, this doesn’t sit well with the people who know the actual meaning of the symbol and in whose life and culture that symbol plays an important role.

Appropriation in Sports

Sports can be problematic when it comes to cultural appropriation, and this is largely expressed in the United States. Why there? Well, because the sports teams in most of the popular sports, baseball, football, ice hockey and basketball, have various names which refer to native-American culture. 

However, this has taken a turn for the better in recent history, with most native American tribes opting to support the sports teams that take after them, providing them with actual cultural history, like historical figures who are then used as mascots and symbols.

There are many teams which represent minorities and immigrants that came to the United States, the Boston Celtics, the Minnesota Vikings and the Fighting Irish.

Cultural appropriation is an easy way to disrespect an entire people’s culture unknowingly, by using and misrepresenting parts of their culture and history. Consider what you are wearing and what you are using in your everyday life and see whether that is tied to any people’s culture. 

5 Interesting and unique customs from specific cultures

Our world is filled with various nations and even more cultures. Every culture has something unique that you will find in no other place in the world. Our team of experts decided to share some interesting customs they came upon in cultures all over the world. Let’s take a look!

Arrive late to show respect – Chile

Latin America’s residents are known for being somewhat late. Although this may seem as disrespectful by some western countries, most of the South Americans see it as completely natural.

Chile is the best example of how arriving late is actually a sign of respect. If someone invites you over for dinner at 9:00 and you show up on time, this is a clear sign that you don’t respect the host and that you only want to eat as soon as possible. Being late 15 minutes, or even half an hour, is a great thing to do.

Don’t place a full glass after a chin-chin – Russia

Russians have a lot of customs when it comes to drinking. One of them is to avoid putting a full glass down once you salute with your friends. That is only allowed when you go bottoms up!

Also, never toast with an empty glass. It is not only a sign of disrespect, but you will also have to drink an entire bottle afterwards. Anyone who is not a native Russian would probably hit the floor after a couple of shots. Drink carefully!

Place the full glass after cheering – Argentina

The customs in Argentina are opposite when you drink with your friends. Once you cheer, you absolutely MUST put the glass down and then drink it bottoms up. If you don’t place the glass down on the table, you might get cursed never to get laid in your life.

What an exciting event would be to see a Russian and an Argentinian drinking together!

Don’t leave before your boss – Japan

Japanese are not really that much into drinking customs. They are known for some of the habits (which are now customs) that are always work-related. One of them is simply a code that proposes nobody should leave their work before the boss. Legally, they are allowed to do that, but many workers see it as a sign of disrespect. This results in many of them staying for more than 18 hours daily.   

Kiss three times on the cheek – Serbia

Kissing is very important when greeting someone you know, and Europeans know that very well. They might appear awkward to the Chinese and Japanese who are not used to physical contact when greeting, but it’s completely normal in Europe – especially in the Balkans.

Serbians have a “holy trinity” belief which means that all of their customs include doing something three times repeatedly.

When you meet someone you are close to in Serbia, you should kiss them three times on the cheek (it is more of a cheek-to-cheek kiss). This type of greeting is also considered formal, and you can see people kissing during various celebrations such as a graduation, for example.

Conclusion

These were just some of the many interesting customs you can find around the world. Make sure to read this website for more similar articles, as we are going to cover other cultures and some unique customs.

Is ethnicity in sports and sports participation important?

Ethnicity is something that many people are proud of. When you belong to a specific group of people that has a common national and cultural tradition, that is indeed something that you should feel proud of.

On the other hand, sport has always been something that connected people and lately, sports betting has had a similar effect since people bet together or learn how to bet with the help of how-to.bet. In addition, many sports promote fight against racism, but it is something different than ethnicity in the popular sense.

For the purpose of this article, we will talk about ethnicity and race as synonyms, as they are similar (people who are of a different race are often of a different ethnicity as well).

Sports Discrimination

Coaches are often the first people to assume that some players cannot achieve success due to their ethnicity. For example, we cannot imagine someone who is an ethnic Yoruba (a people group from Ivory Coast) to be good at skiing.

This is plainly wrong, as it is obvious that the residents of Ivory Coast are not really familiar with winter and snowy weather at all. It seems somehow natural for them not to be interested in winter sports.

However, the climate does not have to be the only factor. Some cultures developed a taste for sports which come from other cultures. For example, the people from India are absolutely in love with cricket, while it may not be popular in Latin America at all.

The Power of Football

Football is one sport that brings closer all ethnicities and countries. Although it is not popular equally across the world, there is the least prejudice about ethnicity in football. When you take a look at the popular football clubs in Europe (which is the epicenter of football), you can find people from all over the world.

Yes, it is natural that some countries (mainly European and South American) are the most dominant, but it is just a matter of time when other countries accept football as much. For example, China is doing great work with promoting football, and their league has become really strong. In a couple of years, we will see a lot of Chinese players in Europe!

Conclusion

Apart from football, some other sports are making progress as well. Track & Field games are full of people that come from various ethnicities, and Athletics is another sport that transcends ethnicity.

The correct standpoint is that dividing people based on their ethnicity should not be present in any sport, and official organizations of those sports should work hard to overcome these boundaries.

Therefore, if you want to become a professional athlete, the correct attitude is to disregard all the talk about ethnicity and enjoy the games. The best team should win, and that is all that matters in sports, apart from having a good time.

7 most technologically advanced countries in the world

Some countries are reshaping the world as we know it with technology. That can be seen in the way the online world becomes an important part of our everyday lives – from online casinos with best slot sites no deposit to AI assistants that can solve simple problems in a second. The residents of these countries have an opportunity to witness the latest technological breakthroughs which are immediately applied with the purpose of improving the living conditions and society in general. Let’s take a look at what the most technologically advanced countries have that makes them so unique. Read on!

Japan

Apart from various entertainment-related technological progress, the Japanese actually have some of the best scientists in the world. If we set aside robotics, optics, engineering, and electronics, Nuclear Reactors are probably their greatest achievement. They are working hard to completely rely on these reactors as a country and become less dependent on other expendable sources of energy.

The United States of America

The US is the leader in many fields, but their thing is the IT. Apart from Facebook, Google, and other popular online platforms, the guys at the Silicon Valley are doing fantastic work by creating new and powerful hardware and software that help not only individuals but also big companies and organizations, including the military and NASA.

South Korea

When we say South Korea, two things spring to mind – phones and cars. No matter how strong these industries are, South Koreans have the most significant success in robotics. In fact, it would come as no surprise if South Korea becomes one of those societies that we get to see in futuristic movies. They compete with Japan in many scientific discoveries, and the winner has not been declared yet.

Israel

Israel had to learn how to defend from the surrounding countries. That’s why one of the most dominant and advanced industries concerning technology is defence. They are known for an extraordinary UAV, which is an abbreviation for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle that also has real-time surveillance as its inevitable part. With products such as this one, Israel is sure about their defence and security.

Germany

Germany is the leader of the EU in many fields, but most of the times we think about their fantastic automotive industry. The best cars are from Deutschland, and everybody agrees on that. Only Japan might be competitive enough when it comes to car quality.

However, the Germans are also very successful in nanotechnology, which is the fact that not many people know. They are doing great work with space travel as well.

Russia

Although space program was at its best back in the times of the USSR, modern-day Russia is more oriented towards the military technology. Their developments in this industry are unprecedented, and the latest ICMB (intercontinental ballistic missiles) missiles are currently the best defence system that our world has to offer. Their minimum range is 5,500 km.

China

Although China is a new player regarding technology, they are advancing rapidly and are likely to become the leader soon. China is doing great work with engineering, mainly focusing on infrastructure. High-speed trains and supercomputers are just some of the areas they are currently exploring. Also, they are very interested in genetics and devote a lot of time and money in researching this field.

Conclusion

Let’s talk about the future for a moment. We are not sure which country will win the technology race, but it is certain that the progress is imminent. There are advantages and disadvantages of the development.

The advantages include better life, longer life-span, eradication of poverty and hunger.

However, all of the countries listed above are using their knowledge to develop destructive things such as nuclear weapons which may destroy humanity as we know it. It’s up to us to make a change for the better!

 

How is body perceived in different cultures

Body image is not only the way we see our bodies in the mirror, but it is also a mental image of ourselves, stating clearly how we feel about our bodies. The psychological feature of it is maybe even more important as it is structured around how comfortable we are in our own skin and, together with the actual physical appearance, shapes us as human beings to a great degree.

The key factors that shape the standards of how we perceive our bodies are fashion designers, mass media, and also culturally-shaped concepts of how one’s body needs to be like.

These concepts have influenced both women and men alike, but have also differed greatly across countries and continents. However, with the help of movies and celebrities that have always been taken as an example of perfection, specific ideals have been formed, and not many can live up to them.

We shall now try to draw some parallels between how is body image judged and viewed in different cultural settings.

Body image in Asian cultures

The majority of men and women in China and Japan consider thinness and lean, lanky bodies as a model of how the ideal body needs to be like. They take the matters quite seriously and are willing to go the distance to achieve that ideal. What goes in their favour is their Asian cuisine, filled with healthy nutrients and low fat. Also, the skin tone should be as pale as possible as that has always been considered as a sign of aristocracy in their cultures.

Body image in the American culture

As controversial and evasive as the question of the ideal body is in America, some standards have been directly set thanks to the mass media originating from America. Most Americans will take a fit and muscular body as the norm, concerning what a perfect body needs to be like. It is a proper paradox given the fact that the statistical data show around 35% of Americans is overweight, and 33% are obese. Even though there are distinctions in respect to how African-Americans and Caucasians see ‘perfect’ body, statistic data clearly show that the ideal of fit, healthy, and thin body is the goal for all.

Body image in European cultures

Most Europeans would agree with the notion of having a thin and fit body is the perfect shape, for both men and women. In comparison to other continents and cultures, they seem to be able to live up to those expectations thanks to the active lifestyle and a lot of exercises. Europeans would always prefer to ride a bicycle or walk, and that is bound to yield results.

6 countries that have different gambling styles and habits

Gambling is one of the most popular pastimes in the world. Its essence is in the fact that one can have a material reward apart from the spiritual one. Every culture created its gambling games, but only a couple of them lived long enough to expand all over the globe. We will cover a couple of cultures that already have extensive gambling system and big venues. Let’s take a look.

The USA

The Puritans who came to the New World did not approve of gambling, but something changed along the way, and the US became crazy about gambling, especially for card games such as poker. However, they also enjoy other casino games as well – roulette, craps, and slots, especially if they can find a bonus code online.

However, not many states in this country approve of gambling. Some southern ones actually have strict laws that forbid any type of gambling activities.

The UK

Although there are casinos in the UK, they are absolutely in love with sports betting which is also the case with a lot of other countries in the EU. But this type of activity is not the only one that people take pride in. The United Kingdom is the only country which is obsessed over playing various lotteries and bingo games. Finally, they are avid fans of betting on horse races which take place almost every day at dozens of horse tracks across the UK.

Japan

Japan does not allow for casino games (although a bill was passed recently that allows the building of three Integrated Resorts). However, they have a unique gambling game called pachinko parlours which looks a lot like a pinball. The game was created back in the 1920s, and there are millions of Japanese players nowadays.

Spain

The residents of Spain are crazy about El Gordo, which is a lottery that has become a part of their tradition and culture. It was founded 203 years ago, and it is still prevalent. The lottery happens just once a year, and millions of Spaniards hope to win a prize that is approximately four million euros worth.

China

Although the Chinese people have a long history of gambling, their government frowns upon it. However, one place made a difference in the past fifteen years – Macau. Macau is a city that currently has 24 casinos and the highest revenue from gambling in the world. The Chinese love to go there and play various traditional casino games.

Norway

All of the Scandinavian countries are doing fantastic work in promoting gambling. They have state-controlled video terminals, and it is practically impossible to get addicted, but a lot of people play casino games on a daily basis. Norway, in particular, is an epicentre of poker stars as there are many poker players from this country that earned millions from online and live poker tournaments.

Conclusion

There are just some of the cultures that enjoy gambling. To answer the topic question – yes, gambling differs a lot, but there is are a couple of casino games that are present in almost all countries in the world.

Tips on how to appreciate foreign cultures

Thanks to modern technology, relatively cheap travelling arrangements, and the internet, we are now able to get acquainted with many different cultures and nations. This presents itself as a beautiful opportunity to find out more about the world and the people in it. Sometimes, one might feel a little bit overwhelmed, having been exposed to many different customs and ceremonies, so it is crucial you get prepared to process it and learn as much as possible.

Here are some tips on how to do it and what to expect.

Get to know your own culture first

In order to fully appreciate a different culture and the set of beliefs it entails, one should get familiar with his or her own culture first. Delve deeper into all intricacies and peculiarities of your background and be prepared to share them with others. Knowledge is one thing that multiplies with sharing and in that cultural exchange, you will learn not only about others, but yourself as well. Also, it is essential that during that exchange, you remain open to suggestions and questions that may come up and that may not be all too pleasant. Avoid the stance that displays any supposed dominance of one culture over the other, as all cultures are valuable and equally important.

Learn as much as possible

It is highly recommended that you do your ‘homework’ before you set out to travel and meet different nations and cultures. Look for authentic resources and try to remember the important days and what sort of customs are related to particular celebrations. By doing so, you won’t be caught off guard if you happen to be there during those festivities. Also, look for similarities between your own culture and the culture you want to get familiar with, since finding some common ground is the best starting point. Feel at liberty to ask questions and don’t be afraid to show you know only a little and that you are willing to learn. This will prove invaluable in all future interactions and will put you in a position to truly grasp one’s way of life.

Avoid stereotypes at all cost

Although we won’t argue with the fact that there can be some truth behind the generalisations made regarding certain nations around the world, that is not something you should bring up when talking to foreigners, and especially if you are to learn more about their culture. Examples that include the beliefs that Mexicans are lazy or that all Americans are fat are merely wrong and can lead to a heated debate that may result in a more severe conflict. It takes an enlightened person to feel comfortable enough to speak about character flaws without getting offended and thinking he or she is being ridiculed. Be respectful of others and treat them the way you want them to treat you, and you will soon understand that we all have a lot of things in common.

National sports across different countries

Sporting venues are modern-day gladiators’ arenas, where men and women captivate the audiences with their excellent skills and abilities. The competitive spirit among players and the surge of emotions and adrenaline is what makes sport so enticing to many. Sports fans are just as enthusiastic, following their favorite teams no matter where they go, reading up the stats to make sure they can predict the outcome of each game so they could make good use of their Betfair promo code 2019! The popularity of certain sports has woven them into the very fabric of national identity in many countries across the globe.

There are many different kinds of games out there. There are individual sports where each player plays for himself, like tennis, or table tennis, and there are sports such as football, or basketball that are considered team sports, where players comprise a team and play together. We are going to explore some of these sports and try to portray their significance for certain nations around the world.

Football in England

Ever since the modern day football originated in England in the mid 19th century, it has been the most important sport to date. The first modern rules were drawn at Cambridge in 1848, and England’s Football Association was formed in 1863 when the first football competition started and is played even today in the form of what we know as the FA Cup. The Premier League is the top league in England and attracts thousands of spectators that are die-hard supporters of their local teams. The culture of supporting your local team is highly significant in England and gives football an additional edge over other sports.

American football (NFL) in the USA

American Football is a sport that evolved from combining football or soccer as it is called in the USA and rugby. This action-packed sport is the number one sport in the USA, with an average attendance of almost 70 thousand spectators per game. The American Football league is called the NFL, and 32 teams compete for a place in the final game, called the Super Bowl, where the winner becomes crowned champion of the league. Due to its tremendous popularity, American football is quite lucrative for sponsors and players alike. Substantial endorsement deals are signed with top sport equipment manufacturers, and this makes American Football a real moneymaker.

Ice hockey in Canada

Ice hockey is considered Canada’s favourite pastime activity, played by people of all ages. It is no wonder that hockey is popular in Canada since the weather conditions there are perfect for this beautiful winter sport, played on an ice pitch, with the help of hockey sticks and a ball called a puck. The players skate on ice and try to score as many goals as possible. It is so intricately connected to all Canadians that is considered an indelible part of Canadian national identity.

Table Tennis in China

By far the most popular sport in China is table tennis. Even though it originated in England, it has been widely accepted as the go-to sport in China. More than 60% percent of all competitions have been won by Chinese players since the early 60’s. It takes excellent agility and precision to play table tennis, and the Chinese know this exceptionally well. They founded schools that specifically train players under strict rules, where players train up to seven hours a day and where children start at a very young age, which ensures excellent success and is a source of tremendous national pride.