Pte Essay on “Imagine that you have to move to another country. Do you think I it is better to keep your own customs, or to adopt the country’s new customs?”

Imagine that you have to move to another country. Do you think I it is better to keep your own customs, or to adopt the country’s new customs? Compare these two options. Use specific examples and reasons to explain your answer.

It is an accepted fact that people in different geographical areas have different customs. Hence the question arises whether one should give up one’s own customs when move to another area

A majority of people believe that one should try to follow the local customs and behavior. The first reason they put forward is that the rapport becomes easier and faster. This makes the hosts feel that the guests respect the ethos of their culture and hence interaction becomes smoother. Also, this is only fair, because the new corner is living in someone else’s home. So to speak and to follow the local rules is their moral obligation. In certain parts of Asia, for example, it is considered polite to avoid sitting with one’s feet pointed toward another person. It may be considered uncouth to look directly at the person to whom one is talking.

However there are exceptions. To illustrate, the issue takes on a new direction when religion is involved. It is considered unreasonable to compel a person to ignore or alter the exercise of a religion in order to comply with local customs. To take a hypothetical example. if a man’s particular religion forbids him eating meat, it is cruel to compel him to consume meat merely because his hosts do so.

In total, it seems that people are expected to follow the local customs and ways of life when they visit a new place or at least not to disrespect it as far as it does not violate their personal rights.