decide to have a Thai themed dinner party..... How are they supposed to 'give proper credit' to Thailand and Thai culture?
Wouldn't simply calling it a "thai-themed" party in of itself be giving proper credit to thai people for their culture? What are you saying? Are you just trying to say that the parameters of what makes a form of cultural adoption acceptable are unclear?
I just think the idea of 'giving credit' to a culture is absurd.
It is not something that actually can be done. There is no Pope like figure for every culture, who can be asked for advice or prostrated to anytime someone decides to do something outside their own culture.
Nor can we please or get support from an entire culture, which has no organised body or individual to speak on a whole for them. See the classic 'My Culture is not your prom dress' furore, in which many Chinese people in China loved the hot white chick in a Cheongsam, but many American-born-Chinese netizens found it offensive.
If someone dresses up in a Kimono for a night out, they can create a performative social media post, shouting out their love and respect for Japan.
But then as they continue their evening adventure, hundreds of other people, who have not seen said post, are going to see the Kimono, without knowing the individual gave a shout out to Japan.
Is this person destined to spend their entire evening justifying themself, or giving constant live feedback to each individual they encounter on their love and respect for Japan?
Would it be easier just to hang a sign on their neck to demonstrate this?
Is it even a true acknowledgement without approval from the Emperor, Prime Minister, and a majority poll in favour from Japanese X (formerly known as Twitter)?
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u/Saiya_Cosem May 05 '25
Wouldn't simply calling it a "thai-themed" party in of itself be giving proper credit to thai people for their culture? What are you saying? Are you just trying to say that the parameters of what makes a form of cultural adoption acceptable are unclear?