Culture Exploration Questions
Gaining a deep understanding of the inner workings of a different culture has always proven to be a difficult task. Over the years, we have compiled a number of key questions that can be used to do this – however there are always more questions that can be asked when trying to get insights into cultures. With the goal of continuous improvement in mind, we want to expand this list to create a comprehensive question bank and need your help to do that.
We’ve highlighted 30 high-level categories that explore different aspects of culture – kindly browse through them and as you think of questions that would be fitting, please submit them here on top left corner. You can add several questions per category – kindly separate them by a semicolon (;) when adding.
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Can friendships be developed freely or are the community rules?
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Was dating allowed and if so, where there any community (unwritten) rules guiding you?
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Which gestures are offensive?
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How important are the eyes in communication?
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Are there important decisions where the whole community gets involved and what is process to make that happen?
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Which conflicts are handled in the open and which conflicts have to be handled behind closed doors?
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How is restoration done if there was a conflict between two family members?
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How is restoration done if there was a conflict between two families?
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What is the role of education?
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In which way is education linked to status?
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What do parents hope for when it comes to the educational pursuits of their children?
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Are there special rituals when you become an man or when you become a woman?
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At what age are you considered a respectable member of the community?
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Is generational respect part of the language you spoke as a child?
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What is the role of elderly men or women?
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Are there specific jobs that are only done by one gender or the other?
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When it comes to inheritance, are gender differences taken into account?
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In which way is it significant to be the oldest or youngest in the family?
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Are girls and boys perceived differently?
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Is spanking allowed? If no, why is it unacceptable/forbidden? If yes, how is it viewed and used?
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Do close personal friends become "part of the family?"
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What does "pointing" at someone represent in your culture?
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Are personal decisions made by the individual? Are family and communicated involved in personal decision-making?
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Is conflict handled directly or indirectly?
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Is higher education after secondary school an expectation from parents?
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At what age does a child become an adult?
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Do you stand when someone older than you enters the room? Do you offer him/her your seat?
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Do women have specific societal expectations in your culture (i.e. they cook, clean, raise children, etc.)?
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At what age should children start their formal education and why?
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What is the function of food?
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Who is involved in making food?
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Is there a connection between what you eat and your health?
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What is the perception of money?
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Are people in music, film and art respected members of the community?
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Is there a standardized ways of expressing through art, and what type of freedom in expression is frowned upon?
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Is sport important and what is applauded? Is sport seen different for different genders?
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Which ways of relaxation are encouraged in society?
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Do we control nature, live in harmony with it or are we subject to it?
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When does 'being different' become a problem in the community?
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How are different sexual orientations perceived?
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Can people with disabilities (mental or physical) be publicly part of society?
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Is change good or bad?
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Are there specific religious activities that are part of community life?
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Have some religious activities become part of the culture but the religious practices have mostly disappeared?
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How are religious leaders perceived in comparison to other leaders in the culture? What is the role of religious leaders in people's day to day lives?
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Is the spiritual world treated as disconnected from daily life or seen as an integral part?
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Is your faith integrated into day-to-day life or something private and how does it show?
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How were different religions viewed and treated?
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What behaviors are considered trust building?
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What behaviors are considered trust breaking?
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What does it mean to be a good team member?
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How do you show loyalty to your team and how far would you go?
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Is leadership a privilege for a few and if so, what are the pre-requisites?
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How do you become a leader?
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What is expected of subordinates and how far can leaders go in asking favors from subordinates?
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What is considered an achievement in the community you grew up?
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How are accomplishments rewarded?
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What are the most common ways to get a jobs?
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If you know your colleagues well, would you meet outside of work and what does this look like?
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What are examples of breaking social values?
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What is a social value you appreciated when you grew up?
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Do white lies exist, give an example of when it is acceptable?
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How are Ethics & morals taught, who is involved in the process?
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Is there a difference in expectations when it comes to sacrifice and the gender expectations
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Which actions would be considered specially generous?
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Is generosity practiced anonymously or publicly?
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Is time plentiful or is time precious?
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Do you need to schedule time to meet family or close friends?
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If someone chases his/her religion, what would be the consequence?
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How does one show to be trustworthy?
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If someone saves the live of a neighbor (e.g. by avoiding a deadly traffic incident), how would this person be rewarded?
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If one sells twice as much as any colleague, how are you rewarded?
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If you need a favor of a coworker in a different department, are you able to ask for this favor directly, or do you have to ask his/her boss?
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What are some of the most repulsive actions one can commit?
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How does society that a member who is a good person but behaves different from what is common in society?
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When is it acceptable to choose family over doing what is right?
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when is it acceptable to break the law?
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When meeting an important person what delay is acceptable?
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Are friendships between people of the opposite gender common and socially acceptable?
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Which gestures are obscene/taboo in your culture?
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Which gesture signals approval?
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How would you tell a staff member that he/she is fired?
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how would you tell a family member he/she shamed the family?
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How does society view conflict. Should it be displayed and battled in the open? Or should it be suppressed? Should it be resolved away from the public eye?
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Are admitting wrong and apologies important in conflict resolution?
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What is the expected level of education for boys and for girls?
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What freedom do students have to question or disagree with their teachers?
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How does the family/community prepare boys for marriage?
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How does the family/community prepare girls for marriage?
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How are children allowed to behave in family gatherings?
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Where do people live who can not take care of themselves? (older people, handicapped people)
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Are women allowed to work out of the house?
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How do men/husbands help with domestic chores?
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Is it acceptable for a women to be the boss/manager of a man?
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What is the main reason for disciplining kids? Disrespect, disobedience or defiance?
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Which children will be taught how to cook and clean?
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Did your mother emphasize eating nutritiously when you were a child?
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What items (watches, handbags, clothes, shoes, homes, cars, etc) represent wealth in your culture?
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How often does your family vacation together?
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Does music and religion intersect in your culture?
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Is exercise a priority for the elder members of your community?
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Is rest and recreation a priority for your family and community?
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How are nature and spirituality connected in your religious practice?
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What are distinct attributes of community members that are considered "different?"
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What aspects of life should NEVER change?
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Is prayer or communing with a higher power a daily activity for you?
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How are your religious leaders treated by the community?
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Do you believe in an after-life?
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Is religion a core part of your identity?
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How do you build trust with your marriage partner?
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When you are part of a team, do you bring up conflict directly or indirectly?
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Who are the primary role models in your community?
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How does your family celebrate your accomplishments?
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Do your work friendships become personal friendships?
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Is hospitality an expectation in your home?
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Do you have a strict moral code?
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Is caring for and giving to the poor required in your daily life?
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Would you be offended is someone came an hour late to a dinner invitation?
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Why is food culturally important?
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What does food symbolize?
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What is wonderful about trying food from other cultures?
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What are some symbols of wealth and status in different cultures worldwide? How is money an important part of culture? How does culture influence savings?
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Do you value having free time to relax, or would you prefer more time to work? How does culture influence leisure/sport?
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How does music/film/art bring different cultures together?
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What role does music play in cultural identity?
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Why is music so important in culture? How does music bring different cultures and ages together? Is your country known for their creativity in the arts?
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How does culture influence sport?
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What do you do for fun?
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Does culture affect change in a positive or negative manner?
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Does change affect culture?
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What are the cultural purposes of ritual?
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How do rituals affect society?
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What are 3 important roles for religious leaders?
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Do you believe in ghosts?
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How well do people of different faiths/religions interact?
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Why is religion so important in culture?
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How does religion influence our culture and society?
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Is it important to keep your word, once you have committed to something?
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What 3 qualities would you need for a strong/successful team?
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Does more achievement/accomplishment mean that you have a higher social standing?
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Are your relationships at work strictly business-related, or would you interact in a personal capacity outside od business hours?
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Are ethics common to all cultures?
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Why is ethics important in culture?
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Is morality culturally based or individually based?
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What does the word 'sacrifice' mean to you?
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Is charity and generosity an expectation/normal?
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Would it be considered rude to be late to a meeting or event?
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Do you have a large group of friends, or do you prefer a smaller circle?
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How are friendships influenced by culture and gender?
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Does your culture have specific gestures, that wouldn't be understood anywhere else in the world/globe?
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Do you share your thoughts with other people when you make decisions, or do you prefer to do it alone?
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If there is an issue, do you work to solve it, or do you ignore it? : How do cultural differences cause conflict?
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How can cultural conflict be avoided?
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Do you view having an education important, in terms of status? How is education handled in your culture?
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Do your teenagers have to complete a rite of passage to be considered adults?
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In your culture, do multiple generations live in the same house/nearby?
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How do young people in your/our culture behave differently from older people?
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In your culture, is the man/father considered the head of the household?
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Is it normally the mother who is the primary caretaker/caregiver of the children in your family?
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Why is culture important for kids?
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Which foods are forbidden/taboo to eat?
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Which foods are considered to have healing powers?
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How does one view people who fall into poverty? Is it their own fault, an act of God's wrath, a sign of shame?
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Who should help someone who fall into poverty?
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Which religious festivals/rituals are national holidays?
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How much influence do religious leaders have in politics?
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What is the importance of the supernatural in society?
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What is/are the important religions in society?
