# Please help me write a paper (long) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 28, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303 "2003-09-28T15:30:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/1 "2003-09-28T15:30:00Z")
I am in a Master’s in School Guidance and Counseling program, and presently am enrolled in a Social and Cultural Foundations class. A requirement for the class is to interview people of a different culture than I am (I am very WASPish), and look at their culture. There are twelve different aspects of culture to be investigated. My request is this: If I list the 12 aspects of culture, would you be willing to tell me your answers according to your culture? You could put your answers on the board if you wish and are comfortable with that, or you can email me. If you’re unsure about a particular aspect, it’s OK if you skip it. I thank everyone who participates in advance. The 12 aspects of culture (and ethnicity) are: 1. History 2. Social Status factors 3. Social Group Interaction Patterns (within and between groups) 4. Value Orientations 5. Language and Communication (verbal and nonverbal) 6. Family Structure (nuclear, extended, blended family format) 7. Healing Beliefs and Practices 8. Religion 9. Art and Expressive Forms 10. Diet/Foods 11. Recreation 12. Clothing Once again, thank you for your participation ---
**Author:** ![whistlepig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/73ab20/32.png) [@whistlepig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whistlepig)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/2 "2003-09-28T15:40:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HomeOfTheBraves \* > \*\* > The 12 aspects of culture (and ethnicity) are: > > 1. History > 2. Social Status factors > 3. Social Group Interaction Patterns (within and between groups) > 4. Value Orientations > 5. Language and Communication (verbal and nonverbal) > 6. Family Structure (nuclear, extended, blended family format) > 7. Healing Beliefs and Practices > 8. Religion > 9. Art and Expressive Forms > 10. Diet/Foods > 11. Recreation > 12. Clothing > \*\* Could you phrase that in the form of a question? ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/3 "2003-09-28T17:48:40Z")
[Alex Trebeck] Oh, I’m sorry, you didn’t put “what is” at the beginning of your statement. [/Alex Trebeck] ---
**Author:** ![Sinshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sinshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinshine)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/4 "2003-09-28T18:55:23Z")
I would love to participate, **HotB** but I, too, qualify as WASP. I am very interested in this paper, however. How do you feel about sharing some of your results with us, once you have them polished? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/5 "2003-09-28T19:49:04Z")
1. Diet/Foods: Knockwurst, Bratwurst, Blutwurst, Schweinehaxen, Wienerschnitzel, Klösse, Spinat mit Spiegel Ei, Halbes Hähnchen, Apfel Strudel, Quarktaschen, Torte, Mondkuchen, Herring, Bier, Leberwurst, Brötchen mit Seelax, Limburger Käse, Bier, Kartoffelbrei, Griesbrei, Bier, Prosciutto, Hackfleisch mit Zwiebeln. Bier, Rothenburger Schneeballen, Sekt, Mettwurst und Bier. As you noticed, I skipped all the rest! 😃 Good luck with your paper and I will take a look at some of the rest later on tonight when I have more time. Q ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/6 "2003-09-28T20:13:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Quasimodem \* > \*\*Good luck with your paper and I will take a look at some of the rest later on tonight when I have more time. \*\* Sorry, zat schudt heff rrrread _Gut Luck wiz your Pepah und I vill heff a look at zome of ze rrrrrest letah zoonight venn I heff **moah TEIM!!!** _ Also I heff mis-schpelled _Knackvurst_ in my anzer to you. Zat iss a _failure_ on my parrrrt, und vill **not** be toh-lerrrated! I also neckleckted to mentchun _Glühwein_! Himmel! Someone get **Frau Blücher** for I heff ben a bed boy! 😉 Quasi der Modem ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/7 "2003-09-28T20:26:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Quasimodem \* > \*\*10. Diet/Foods: Knockwurst, Bratwurst, Blutwurst, Schweinehaxen, Wienerschnitzel, Klösse, Spinat mit Spiegel Ei, Halbes Hähnchen, Apfel Strudel, Quarktaschen, Torte, Mondkuchen, Herring, Bier, Leberwurst, Brötchen mit Seelax, Limburger Käse, Bier, Kartoffelbrei, Griesbrei, Bier, Prosciutto, Hackfleisch mit Zwiebeln. Bier, Rothenburger Schneeballen, Sekt, Mettwurst und Bier. \*\* Hey! Keep the Pit language in the Pit! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/8 "2003-09-28T20:27:12Z")
Ah, I just re-read all that blather up there, and I wanna make sure that you know **HoTB** , that I was just having a bit of fun. I noticed your post count wasn’t very high and you probably don’t know what an idiot I can be from time to time, so I felt like I needed to explain that I meant no harm. I really will give your culture points another look tonight. 😃 BTW, did you used to live in Atlanta or do you live near the Braves training camp? Q ---
**Author:** ![Freiheit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e8c25b/32.png) [@Freiheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freiheit)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/9 "2003-09-28T20:27:26Z")
Quasi, du hast Bier vergessen. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/10 "2003-09-28T21:15:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Freiheit \* > \*\*Quasi, du hast Bier vergessen. \*\* **Verdammt!** Also gut… **BIER!** 😃 Q ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/11 "2003-09-29T01:16:49Z")
Okay, here’s a few items from your list. You may have already guessed I’m German. Actually German-American with dual citizenship. 1. History - we go back to the early Germanic Tribes (500-100BC), and we had our noses in just about everything including the downfall of Rome until the Franks formed the first German State in around the fifth century. Germans pop up just about everywhere else, although we didn’t hang around long in countries such as Spain and Italy because the natives there took over their own lands. This is just foundation stuff, okay? 2. Language - well, German with varied dialects depending on where you live. Some so heavy even I can’t understand 'em, and I’m from Bavaria! 3. Family Structure - very solid. In the past it was very difficult to get a divorce in Germany. From what I remember the father worked while Mom stayed home and tended to the house and the Kinder, but that like everything else, is changing with the economy which like everywhere else, really sucks right now. 4. Religion - mostly Protestant, with Roman Catholics in 2nd place. 5. Food - Depends on where you are. Many foods are peculiar to a particular region. One of my favorites _Schweinehaxen_ (pig knuckle) I have only been able to find in the Franconian area of Germany (like Rothenburg, where I am from). 6. Recreation - what else? **Fussball! Fussball! Fussball!** , although American sports such as Basketball and American football are now played thghere as well. For personal recreation, the whole family is apt to go on an extended bike ride, and paths on German streets are clearly marked for bicycles, so don’t walk in them! 😃 7. Clothing - varies with where you live. Many still wear the tradional Lederhosen and Dirndl dresses, but you can also find what we wear here in the States as well. Okay. Now I hope that helped you, but I have to add a disclaimer so as not to **bruns’ off** the native German dopers, okay? Pretty much all of what I have written is the way **I** remember German culture (I’m 53 and have been in the US for 42 years) and is open to interpretation. I don’t wanna be hit with a bunch of _linken-stein_ requests, 'cause there won’t be any! 😃 I may drop back in later. Q ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2003, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/12 "2003-09-29T01:55:42Z")
Uh, maybe I shoulda written _Cite-en-stein_, up there! 😉 Q ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2003, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/13 "2003-09-29T02:05:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Quasimodem \* > \*\*BTW, did you used to live in Atlanta or do you live near the Braves training camp? > > Q \*\* Actually, neither. I’ve been a Braves fan since the 80s, so I figured it was a good name. I know my post count is low, that’s 'cause I’m usually too busy to post. I just look around. ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2003, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/14 "2003-09-29T23:00:03Z")
I’m much obliged for your responses, however, I’m German-American as well. My Great Grandparents came over right before the turn of the century (19th-20th). Danke, though! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/15 "2003-09-30T00:03:43Z")
And you couldn’t be bothered to say **HALT!** as I was typing meine Fingern zu dem bones, right? 😉 No problem. Good luck with your paper. Q ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/16 "2003-09-30T00:13:37Z")
Sorry! Your replies were just so amusing, I couldn’t help but be dazzled by your charm 😉 Thanks for wishing me luck. I do have another person who has responded by email, and I’m waiting for her to email me back. I’ll keep y’all updated… ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-write-a-paper-long/204303/17 "2003-09-30T23:09:55Z")
I’m still waiting for the one person who emailed me to reply. If you were that person, please do so. The paper is due Saturday.:eek: