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Rochsub2009 -> RE: Fetishes and cultural influences (2/14/2010 10:08:05 AM)
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People tend to assimilate to the environment that they are in. Not 100%, but for the most part, people gravitate towards the norm. That said, the norm tends to differ depending on where you are.
i have traveled pretty extensively, and it is clear that the norms vary in different countries. The Japanese, for example have a very sexually open culture. There is an extensive Japanese porn industry. Porn is even a prominent subset of their anime (hentai). i have met extensively with Japanese businessmen, and their views of fidelity are very different from ours in the U.S. It was very common for me to be offered the "comforts" of a prostitute from a Japanese businessman that i had just completed a business deal with. i've experienced similar "gifts" in Hong Kong and Korea. So my assumption has always been that their sexual norms and views on prostitution and fidelity are very different from our own.
While i have done business in Germany many times, i have no experience with the sexual aspects of their culture, so i can't speak to that.
The culture in the U.S. has it's origins in very puritanical, Judeo-Christian values. We tend to be a bit uptight when it comes to things related to sex. Most Americans are amazed when they travel to Europe and see how different the commercials and TV shows are. Nudity is not as frowned upon as it is in the US. Moreover, sexuality is very open. Many commercials that can be viewed by anyone (even children) in Europe, could NEVER be aired in the U.S.
Even things like our perceptions of alcohol are different. The U.S. has a history of prohibition. Children are not allowed to drink until they reach legal "drinking age". But in Europe, children grow up drinking wine with their meals. Alcohol is not viewed as a big deal like it is here in the U.S. Once again, the cultural differences make the "norms" very different.
Views on smoking are also different. U.S. views on smoking and smokers have become almost antagonistic. But in Europe, smoking is a much more accepted thing. Smokers are everywhere, and they are not frowned upon like they are here.
These are just a few broad observations that i've made during my travels. There are lots of more specific and subtle cultural differences that i've observed (like the very strong, but hidden, sex culture in many Muslim countries). Hope that helps.
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