Topic: When we travel to foreign countries, we tend to see the same things as we see in our home countries. What are the causes of this phenomenon and what are the solutions to it?
NB: I feel like I didn't answer the question appropriately, especially the solution part, can you please give some advice on my ideas? Thanks.
Nowadays, it is not uncommon that people who travel miles away with expectation of experiencing an exotic culture end up with disappointment because what they saw is very similar to what they have at home.
Personally, I think this cultural assimilation is largely due to the impact of globalisation. During the last 20 years the profit-driven multinational companies, such as KFC and Adidas, has successfully expanded their business at the expense of the diminishing identity of local culture. They have opened up branches worldwide, advocated their "mainstream culture", and persuaded millions of young people to follow the trend they created. As a consequence, it is very common sight that teenagers are wearing Nike T-shirts and Adidas footwears, playing Hi-pop music with ipods and having burgers.
As for the possible solutions to this problem, the concerted effort from governments and local community is urgently needed. First of all, in order to protect local culture, our governments should provide more incentives, such as reducing corporate tax, for the local industry which represents or promote local cultural identity. For example, in China, authorities put more tax on imported red tea then local green tea, which is considered as part of Chinese culture. Secondly, and more importantly, there should be programs held in local community to educate young people the importance of traditional value and customs. By doing this, the youngsters will learn to cherish our own history and culture, rather than follow the international trend blindly.
We are at an age when globalisation is speeding up at an amazing rate and we are enjoying all the opportunities and convenience brought by it. However, it is also the time that we should pay equal, if not more, attention to the adverse effect on our local culture and try our best to find a solution to this issue.
NB: I feel like I didn't answer the question appropriately, especially the solution part, can you please give some advice on my ideas? Thanks.
Nowadays, it is not uncommon that people who travel miles away with expectation of experiencing an exotic culture end up with disappointment because what they saw is very similar to what they have at home.
Personally, I think this cultural assimilation is largely due to the impact of globalisation. During the last 20 years the profit-driven multinational companies, such as KFC and Adidas, has successfully expanded their business at the expense of the diminishing identity of local culture. They have opened up branches worldwide, advocated their "mainstream culture", and persuaded millions of young people to follow the trend they created. As a consequence, it is very common sight that teenagers are wearing Nike T-shirts and Adidas footwears, playing Hi-pop music with ipods and having burgers.
As for the possible solutions to this problem, the concerted effort from governments and local community is urgently needed. First of all, in order to protect local culture, our governments should provide more incentives, such as reducing corporate tax, for the local industry which represents or promote local cultural identity. For example, in China, authorities put more tax on imported red tea then local green tea, which is considered as part of Chinese culture. Secondly, and more importantly, there should be programs held in local community to educate young people the importance of traditional value and customs. By doing this, the youngsters will learn to cherish our own history and culture, rather than follow the international trend blindly.
We are at an age when globalisation is speeding up at an amazing rate and we are enjoying all the opportunities and convenience brought by it. However, it is also the time that we should pay equal, if not more, attention to the adverse effect on our local culture and try our best to find a solution to this issue.
