Origins of Taboo and Incest Taboo Examples
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Questions and Answers

Where did the word 'taboo' originate from?

  • A British explorer's diary
  • A Polynesian cultural tradition
  • A Tongan tribe's mealtime incident (correct)
  • A Hawaiian island's forbidden area

In the USA, having an intimate relationship with a family member is seen as a social taboo because of:

  • Legal penalties
  • Cultural traditions
  • Religious beliefs
  • Genetic flaws (correct)

In which country is an incestuous relationship legal, but marriage is not?

  • USA
  • New Jersey (correct)
  • Australia
  • UK

What does pointing at someone with the index finger signify in the USA?

<p>Rudeness (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does holding up the forefinger and index finger with the palm turned inward signify in the UK?

<p>Offense (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a thumb-up gesture signify in Israel and the Middle East?

<p>Offense (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is eating loudly and making sounds while eating a sign of in China?

<p>Appreciation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following animals is eaten in South Korea, China, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Indonesia?

<p>Dog (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a universal taboo?

<p>Insulting someone's mother or father (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which country is cursing with a parent's name seen as the worst thing you could say?

<p>Russia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Origins of Taboo

  • The word "taboo" originates from a 1777 mealtime incident where British explorer James Cook invited a Tongan tribe to eat with him, but they refused, stating it was forbidden (taboo).

Incest Taboo

  • In the USA, having an intimate relationship with a family member is seen as a social taboo, deemed unethical and risky for genetic flaws.
  • One famous example is John Phillips, the Mamas & the Papas band leader, who had an intimate relationship with his daughter Mackenzie.
  • In New Jersey, an incestuous relationship is legal, but marriage is not.
  • In the UK, incest is illegal, but Charles Darwin married his first cousin and had 10 children, with three dying young.

Gestures and Body Language

  • In the USA, pointing at someone with the index finger is seen as rude, likely due to the influence of Hollywood films.
  • In Asia, holding up the forefinger and index finger with the palm turned inward is seen as a sign of cuteness.
  • In the UK, this gesture is equivalent to giving the middle finger.
  • In Israel and the Middle East, a thumb-up gesture is offensive.
  • In Asia, pointing at the soles of one's feet at someone is seen as extreme rudeness.

Food and Eating Etiquette

  • In China, eating loudly and making sounds while eating is a sign of appreciation for the food.
  • In some Asian cultures, writing in red ink is seen as a curse, as it was reserved for messages applying to the deceased.
  • In Asia, be careful when eating, as certain foods and ways of eating are considered taboo.
  • Dog meat is eaten in South Korea, China, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Indonesia.
  • Horse meat is eaten in France, and chicken embryos are eaten in Thailand.
  • In some cultures, eating certain animals is considered taboo.

Cultural Taboos

  • Insulting someone's mother or father is a universal taboo.
  • In some cultures, even mentioning parents in a negative light can get you into trouble or even killed.
  • In Russia, cursing with a parent's name is seen as the worst thing you could say.
  • In some Hindu families, wives are not permitted to call their husbands by their name.
  • In some western cultures, children are not allowed to be on first-name terms with their parents.

Other Taboos

  • Public defecation is generally taboo in developed nations, but it's still a problem in some countries like India due to a lack of toilets.
  • Public farting is generally taboo, but in some cultures, like the Inuit, it's a sign of appreciation for a meal.
  • In some tribes, farting is even used as a greeting.

Origins of Taboo

  • The word "taboo" originates from a 1777 mealtime incident where British explorer James Cook invited a Tongan tribe to eat with him, but they refused, stating it was forbidden.

Incest Taboo

  • Having an intimate relationship with a family member is seen as a social taboo in the USA, deemed unethical and risky for genetic flaws.
  • John Phillips, the Mamas & the Papas band leader, had an intimate relationship with his daughter Mackenzie.
  • In New Jersey, an incestuous relationship is legal, but marriage is not.
  • In the UK, incest is illegal, but Charles Darwin married his first cousin and had 10 children, with three dying young.

Gestures and Body Language

  • Pointing at someone with the index finger is seen as rude in the USA, likely due to the influence of Hollywood films.
  • In Asia, holding up the forefinger and index finger with the palm turned inward is seen as a sign of cuteness.
  • In the UK, this gesture is equivalent to giving the middle finger.
  • In Israel and the Middle East, a thumb-up gesture is offensive.
  • In Asia, pointing at the soles of one's feet at someone is seen as extreme rudeness.

Food and Eating Etiquette

  • Eating loudly and making sounds while eating is a sign of appreciation for the food in China.
  • In some Asian cultures, writing in red ink is seen as a curse, as it was reserved for messages applying to the deceased.
  • Dog meat is eaten in South Korea, China, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Indonesia.
  • Horse meat is eaten in France.
  • Chicken embryos are eaten in Thailand.
  • In some cultures, eating certain animals is considered taboo.

Cultural Taboos

  • Insulting someone's mother or father is a universal taboo.
  • In some cultures, even mentioning parents in a negative light can get you into trouble or even killed.
  • In Russia, cursing with a parent's name is seen as the worst thing you could say.
  • In some Hindu families, wives are not permitted to call their husbands by their name.
  • In some western cultures, children are not allowed to be on first-name terms with their parents.

Other Taboos

  • Public defecation is generally taboo in developed nations, but it's still a problem in some countries like India due to a lack of toilets.
  • Public farting is generally taboo, but in some cultures, like the Inuit, it's a sign of appreciation for a meal.
  • In some tribes, farting is even used as a greeting.

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Explore the origins of the concept of taboo, from a 1777 incident with James Cook to modern-day social taboos, including incestuous relationships and their risks.

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