9 Taboos in America You Must Avoid Today

Mixi April 24, 2023 | 21:10

Taboos have deep roots in morality and often have religious or cultural connotations as well. Let's find out about some American taboos!

Contents
1.Forget tipping 2.Abortion 3.Drinking during pregnancy 4.Incestual Relationships 5.Comments About Race 6.Prostitution 7.Polygamy 8.Food taboos 9.Taboo gestures Conclusion

Even though a lot of these behaviors are slowly gaining public support and therefore becoming acceptable, the list of practices that are considered taboo in the United States is particularly long.

It is safe to assume that in the long run, the only taboo that will still exist in the United States of America and the rest of the world is to regard something as being taboo. This is because taboos do not come into existence overnight and they do not disappear quickly either.

1.Forget tipping

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Tipping culture. Photo: JSTOR

Not tipping is one of the biggest taboos in the US. Giving money tips to bartenders, hairdressers, taxi and rideshare drivers, servers, and anyone else who helps you out is customary. Although it's not required, most Americans leave a gratuity of at least 20% of their total bill.

2.Abortion

Abortion and the positions of the two political parties, the Democrats and Republicans, on it are among the most hotly debated issues during the US election campaign. Abortion may be becoming more accepted, but in America, discussing an abortion with a woman is still frowned upon.

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3.Drinking during pregnancy

Avoid drinking during pregnancy. Photo: Little Things

While women in other nations, like France, do not view consuming a small amount of alcohol while pregnant as a big deal, American women do. They avoid alcohol and view it as a major taboo because they are aware of the negative effects that alcohol has on an unborn baby.

4.Incestual Relationships

Incest is generally not a topic for casual conversation because it is defined as intimate relations between two people who are closely related to each other. It is considered to be morally wrong and taboo not just in America but everywhere else in the world. Offspring born to closely related parents are more likely to have genetic abnormalities, so as human societies developed, those who frowned on incest tended to survive better than those who allowed it, eventually leading to a general taboo against incest. This biological fact underlies the feelings about incest.

5.Comments About Race

Avoid commenting about race. Photo: PNGWing

In the United States, making disparaging comments about someone's race is often regarded as taboo. Even though these expressions may be commonplace, it is still frowned upon to use them in everyday speech.

6.Prostitution

In most nations around the world, including America, prostitution is one of the main contributors to the shadow economy. However, prostitution is neither valued nor supported by American society. It is also well known that the American government has detained "sex-workers" for engaging in forbidden activities.

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7.Polygamy

It is possible that polygamy is legal in Islamic countries, but the practice is extremely frowned upon in the United States. The idea of cohabitating with more than one person at the same time is not one that is respected or accepted by society.

8.Food taboos

Food taboos. Photo: Wandering in Helene

Food is one of the best ways to discover a new culture. The food we eat often reflects our culture and traditions and is associated with special family rituals and memories. Generally speaking, taboos are subject to change over time, can vary based on the social context, or can vary from one household to another. Food taboos can also be a result of long-standing religious traditions or the passage of time.

Many foods regarded as strange are classified as exotic rather than taboo due to the diversity of the American population, but there are some exceptions:

More than a quarter of the world's population consumes bugs every day, but Americans have been slow to embrace insects as delicacies. In western culture, bugs are frequently perceived as filthy, dangerous, and to be avoided. However, Americans regularly eat food that contains small amounts of insects. They simply aren't aware of it.

Cats and dogs: In the United States, cats and dogs are considered members of the family. Americans would view eating their furry best friends for dinner as inhumane. The welfare of animals is actually protected by a number of laws in the US. Eating cats and dogs is illegal in some countries.

In nations like China, Mexico, and Russia, eating horse meat may not be unusual, but in the United States, it is prohibited. While killing a horse for human consumption is not prohibited, it is. Similar to how Americans have a special affection for dogs and cats, they have also passed laws to ensure that horses are treated with care.

Eyes - In an American grocery store or on your plate at a restaurant, you won't find many eyes on any of the fresh meat products. James Serpell, the director of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society, asserts that "eyes represent faces, and it's through the face that we learn to represent and empathize with others." Americans prefer that their food not turn to face them before being consumed.

In addition to eating foods that are unusual to them, Americans also have certain eating habits.

• Americans typically don't eat from communal plates. Each person will put a serving of the food on their own plate even though it may be served in a large platter or bowl.

• Although most Americans eat with forks, knives, and spoons, some foods, such as sandwiches, burgers, french fries, and pizza, may not require the use of utensils. If you're unsure of how to eat something, look around to see what other people are doing.

• At the table, it is considered rude to slurp, burp, eat with your mouth open, chew loudly, or blow your nose.

9.Taboo gestures

Gestures taboos. Photo: Business 2 community

Different cultures have different acceptable gestures, so what might be considered polite in your country may not be in the United States. The following list of typical American gestures will help you avoid any uncomfortable misunderstandings.

It's acceptable to point with your finger at an object, but it's impolite to point at someone. Raising your middle finger in a gesture is also frowned upon because it conveys disrespect. You can make a fist with your palm facing you and signal someone to get closer by doing so. Open and close your index finger by sticking it out.

Shaking your head from right to left denotes "no," while shaking it up and down denotes "yes," and shrugging your shoulders denotes "I don't know." When meeting someone for the first time in a professional setting, a handshake is appropriate. For casual acquaintances, touching someone's hand or face might be viewed as being too intimate.

Conclusion

Even though a lot of these behaviors are slowly gaining public support and therefore becoming acceptable, the list of practices that are considered to be taboo in American society is particularly long.