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'The folk are peculiar in many ways,' said Erwig. 'They preen themselves upon the gentility of their habits, yet they refuse to whitewash their hair, and they are slack in their religious observances. For instance, they make obeisance to Divine Wiulio with the right hand, not on the buttock, but on the abdomen, which we here consider a slipshod practice.' in 'The Bagful of Dreams' from Cugel's Saga

Jack Vance#26

CultureHabitsReligionRitual

About this quote

What does it mean?
Customs and beliefs vary widely between cultures.
In plain terms
Different groups have strange habits and rituals.
What can you take from it?
Respect cultural differences in behavior.

Where it applies

  • cross-cultural communication
  • anthropology
  • tourism

Putting it to work

  • tolerance
  • research
  • observation

Questions to consider

  • Why do we judge others' customs?
  • What is normal to you?

Another view

Some customs may conflict with modern values.

More from Jack Vance

  1. 'So then: onward to Lumarth, and let meticulous discretion be the slogan!' - Shimilko, in 'The Seventeen Virgins' from Cugel's Saga

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. 'What is all this commotion? Gookin, why do you lie among the cheeses?' Twango from Cugel's Saga

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. 'At Gundar we conceive 'innocence' as a positive quality, not merely an insipid absence of guilt,' stated the Nolde. - the Nolde Huruska, in 'The Seventeen Vir…

    Permalink to quote #24

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