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Some people believe that a person's culture is defined by their country of origin, while others believe that has only a minor influence. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that a person's culture is defined by their country of origin, while others believe that has only a minor influence. xBjN

If we define culture as shared beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviours, it stands to reason then that a person's country of origin impacts their culture. The question is to what degree. Is nationality the defining influence or is it just one of many factors in play? Personally speaking, I would say both arguments have validity, but I would lean towards the latter. It is easy to understand the ‘defining influence’ argument. If someone is born and raised in a place, they will be heavily influenced by it. Psychologists refer to this as the ‘nurture argument’ - you are a product of your environment. For example, if your country's cuisine uses certain ingredients, your palate gets accustomed to those ingredients, but may struggle with other less familiar flavours. If your country has a traditional style of music, say, reggae or rock, all citizens will be exposed to it and, as a result, are more likely to enjoy it. On the other side of the argument we need to consider the effects of globalisation. Most people have daily access and exposure to other cultures. The evidence is all around us- restaurants, films and foreign businesses are ubiquitous. One of the benefits of globalisation is that it offers us a selection of cultural possibilities to choose from. It is unlikely that you will find any citizen of a certain country who does not have likes or preferences that come from outside of their country of origin. In addition, more and more people work, study or travel extensively away from their home country. Inevitably, these people will be subject to new influences. My own view is that while we are influenced by our nationality, in this globalised world, one's country of origin is only one aspect of our collective culture. We all adopt elements from other cultures on a daily basis, unconsciously or according to our preferences and experiences. To my mind, this is what makes the world such an interesting place.

If we define You use this word too often, consider replacing it withfashionartabilitysciencepracticeexperience
culture
 as shared beliefs, values, attitudes and Possible spelling mistake. 'behaviours' is British English.behaviors
behaviours
, it stands to reason then that a person's You use this word too often, consider replacing it withrusticbucolichomeyagrarianprovincial
country
 of origin impacts their You use this word too often, consider replacing it withfashionartabilitysciencepracticeexperience
culture
. The question is to what degree. Is nationality the defining influence or is it This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:merely
just
 one of This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:a plethora ofa number ofnumerous
many
 factors in play? Personally
 speaking, I would say both You use this word too often, consider replacing it withsquabbleclashexchangebrawldisagreementcontroversy
arguments
 have validity, This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:on the contrary
but
 I would lean towards the latter.

It is easy to understand the ‘defining influence’ You use this word too often, consider replacing it withsquabbleclashexchangebrawldisagreementcontroversy
argument
. If someone is born
 and raised in a place, they will be heavily
 influenced by it. Psychologists refer to this as the ‘nurture You use this word too often, consider replacing it withsquabbleclashexchangebrawldisagreementcontroversy
argument’
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.—
-
 you are a product of your environment. For example
, if your country's cuisine This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :exploits
uses
 certain ingredients, your palate This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :acquires
gets
 accustomed to those ingredients, This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:on the contrary
but
 may struggle with You use this word too often, consider replacing it withnewalternativemore
other
 less familiar Possible spelling mistake. 'flavours' is British English.flavors
flavours
. If your You use this word too often, consider replacing it withrusticbucolichomeyagrarianprovincial
country
 has a traditional style of music, say, reggae or rock, all citizens will be exposed
 to it and, as a result
, are more likely to enjoy it.

On the You use this word too often, consider replacing it withnewalternativemore
other
 side of the You use this word too often, consider replacing it withsquabbleclashexchangebrawldisagreementcontroversy
argument
 we need to consider the effects of Possible spelling mistake. 'globalisation' is British English.globalization
globalisation
. Most This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :individualsnationsociety
people
 have daily access and exposure to You use this word too often, consider replacing it withnewalternativemore
other
You use this word too often, consider replacing it withfashionartabilitysciencepracticeexperience
cultures
. The evidence is all around us- restaurants, films and foreign businesses are ubiquitous. One of the benefits of Possible spelling mistake. 'globalisation' is British English.globalization
globalisation
 is that it offers us a selection of cultural possibilities to choose from. It is unlikely that you will find any citizen of a certain You use this word too often, consider replacing it withrusticbucolichomeyagrarianprovincial
country
 who does not have likes or preferences that This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :approacharrive
come
 from This phrase is redundant. Consider using "outside".outside
outside of
 their You use this word too often, consider replacing it withrusticbucolichomeyagrarianprovincial
country
 of origin. In addition
, more and more This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :individualsnationsociety
people
 work, study or travel extensively
 away from their home You use this word too often, consider replacing it withrusticbucolichomeyagrarianprovincial
country
. Inevitably
, these This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :individualsnationsociety
people
 will be subject to new influences.

My This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :possess
own
 view is that while we are influenced
 by our nationality, in this Possible spelling mistake. 'globalised' is British English.globalized
globalised
 world, one's You use this word too often, consider replacing it withrusticbucolichomeyagrarianprovincial
country
 of origin is This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :exclusively
only
 one aspect of our collective You use this word too often, consider replacing it withfashionartabilitysciencepracticeexperience
culture
. We all adopt elements from You use this word too often, consider replacing it withnewalternativemore
other
You use this word too often, consider replacing it withfashionartabilitysciencepracticeexperience
cultures
 on a daily basis, unconsciously
 or according to our preferences and experiences. To my mind, this is what This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :createsconstructsmanufacturesproduces
makes
 the world such an interesting place. 