We encounter and make use of the word culture several times a day and in very different contexts. We attend cultural programs, discuss cultural differences as well as agricultural practices, read about the danger of cults and cultivate good or bad habits. Reflecting its Latin origin in the word cultus, past participle of colere ‐ meaning to inhabit, cultivate, foster, worship or take care of ‐ the term culture holds numerous meanings throughout various disciplines such as sociology, cultural anthropology, biology and agriculture. According to dictionary.com, culture can be defined as "the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group." With that in mind, if we understand culture, then we can make assumptions about the meaning of other people's actions, behavior or thinking. Culture is a definition highly misunderstood and misused, thus the need for an explanation:
Culture refers to the following Ways of Life, including but not limited to:
1. Language : the oldest human institution and the most sophisticated medium of expression.
2. Arts & Sciences : the most advanced and refined forms of human expression.
3. Thought : the ways in which people perceive, interpret, and understand the world around them.
4. Spirituality : the value system transmitted through generations for the inner well-being of human beings, expressed through language and actions.
5. Social activity : the shared pursuits within a cultural community, demonstrated in a variety of festivities and life-celebrating events.
6. Interaction : the social aspects of human contact, including the give-and-take of socialization, negotiation, protocol, and conventions.
All of the above collectively define the meaning of Culture. Culture is often compared to an iceberg. Like the tip of an iceberg, visible aspects of culture such as behavior, eating habits, or clothing are easy to see. Under the surface, however, hides a huge and potentially fatal portion made up of beliefs, values, customs, experiences and assumptions. Knowledge of the deeper parts of the iceberg helps us understand the "why" behind the behavior. It enables us to make more informed evaluations of global counterparts and avoid misunderstandings that can waste time and damage relationships
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