Answer to Question #231868 in Psychology for Enhle

Question

• Looking at the above, we would like you to look at two different aspects of politenesssuch as ukuhlonipha kwabafazi(respect for women) or ukuhlonipha abaphansi(respect for the ancestors) and/or ukuhlonipha amasiko (respecting cultural practice)that you have come across that is different and/or similar to your culture and/or belief.

Answer 1

We do not know the origin of the term politeness, but a scholar by the name Reiter (2000:2) reports that it was established during the Middle Ages by feudal knights, who described themselves as people of courtesy and certain values, which distinguished them from others. This etiquette was then followed by courtly knights and was introduced publicly and privately throughout the class structure. It was at that time that codes and behavior of politeness were established, with the aim of maintaining peace among social groups.

Therefore, politeness and respect to some extent goes hand in hand and this makes it difficult to separate the two. The two different aspects of politeness that I have come across which are similar to my culture and belief are theukuhlonipha abaphansi (respect for the ancestors) and ukuhlonipha amasiko (respecting cultural practice).

My culture show respect for ancestors through naming their children after them, consulting the ancestors in times of disasters and giving them foods and also offering sacrifices them in places called shrines. All this was done to show respect for ancestors.

Secondly, my culture shows politeness by respecting cultural practices. This includes honoring the traditional houses, showing respect to places of worship which are the shrines and visiting of communal medicine men whenever they are sick.