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Slightly off topic, but what are some traditions that connect us to our ancestors in modern western society? I honestly can’t think of any as a Kiwi living in A

by girvo 7y ago

Slightly off topic, but what are some traditions that connect us to our ancestors in modern western society? I honestly can’t think of any as a Kiwi living in Australia with a Scottish ancestry and that makes me a bit sad now that I think about it

lurquer 7y ago
Well, there's the long-standing tradition of Anglos exploring and settling the ends of the earth... as a Scot/Kiwi/Australian, in regard to this particular tradition, perhaps you can't see the forest for the trees! ;)
el_dev_hell 7y ago
1. Smashing a schooner glass at the pub and collectively yelling "Taxi" as a visceral response (this must have taken generations to embed). 2. Keeping mental tabs on which mate always ducks out before they buy the round and making up for it at a BBQ by grabbing a beer out of their Esky. Possibly leading to a fist fight at around 11:30PM and then making up at around 12:01AM. 3. "Sorry mate" as the default response when you're unable to grab the door for a stranger because you're a few CMs too far away.
ncmncm 7y ago
Leatherworkers still use certain tools, today, that are precisely identical to those used 50,000 years ago. They were perfect for the job then, and still are. Not working animal skins? You could if you wanted to.
CydeWeys 7y ago
Go hunting with a self bow or spear, and cook your kill over a fire. That'll connect you with your ancestors going waaaay back.
- smegger001 7y ago
  I kinda want to go spear hunting but it is illegal where I live. The only animal I can legally spear is a fish in my State an I would rather fish with a flyrod than spear.
AareyBaba 7y ago
I'm certain gender reveal parties and baby showers are not in any culture's ancient traditions.
- dragonwriter 7y ago
  > I'm certain gender reveal parties and baby showers are not in any culture's ancient traditions. Well, you’re half right. Baby showers in various forms definitely are in many cultures ancient traditions. Gender reveal parties (at least pre-natal ones; there's some post-natal traditions that have some similarity), quite obviously, not.
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
lacker 7y ago
Christianity is a big one, although that might not apply to you. A lot of Western culture that goes back hundreds of years has its roots in either religion or the Enlightenment. Holidays, the scientific method, the individualist concept of humanism, capitalism. Last names. The seven-day week. Learning European history in elementary school. The food you eat every day. Just a bunch of random stuff, really. Think of every way your culture differs from China or Cameroon.

by girvo 7y ago

lurquer 7y ago

Well, there's the long-standing tradition of Anglos exploring and settling the ends of the earth... as a Scot/Kiwi/Australian, in regard to this particular tradition, perhaps you can't see the forest for the trees! ;)

el_dev_hell 7y ago

1. Smashing a schooner glass at the pub and collectively yelling "Taxi" as a visceral response (this must have taken generations to embed). 2. Keeping mental tabs on which mate always ducks out before they buy the round and making up for it at a BBQ by grabbing a beer out of their Esky. Possibly leading to a fist fight at around 11:30PM and then making up at around 12:01AM. 3. "Sorry mate" as the default response when you're unable to grab the door for a stranger because you're a few CMs too far away.

ncmncm 7y ago

Leatherworkers still use certain tools, today, that are precisely identical to those used 50,000 years ago. They were perfect for the job then, and still are. Not working animal skins? You could if you wanted to.

CydeWeys 7y ago

Go hunting with a self bow or spear, and cook your kill over a fire. That'll connect you with your ancestors going waaaay back.

smegger001 7y ago
I kinda want to go spear hunting but it is illegal where I live. The only animal I can legally spear is a fish in my State an I would rather fish with a flyrod than spear.

AareyBaba 7y ago

I'm certain gender reveal parties and baby showers are not in any culture's ancient traditions.

dragonwriter 7y ago
> I'm certain gender reveal parties and baby showers are not in any culture's ancient traditions. Well, you’re half right. Baby showers in various forms definitely are in many cultures ancient traditions. Gender reveal parties (at least pre-natal ones; there's some post-natal traditions that have some similarity), quite obviously, not.

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

lacker 7y ago

Christianity is a big one, although that might not apply to you. A lot of Western culture that goes back hundreds of years has its roots in either religion or the Enlightenment. Holidays, the scientific method, the individualist concept of humanism, capitalism. Last names. The seven-day week. Learning European history in elementary school. The food you eat every day. Just a bunch of random stuff, really. Think of every way your culture differs from China or Cameroon.