Like a Vietnamese Shake, Cultures Are Blended

We often talk about "cultures" as if they are separate, self-contained units—like neatly labeled jars in a pantry. We might say, "Italian culture is this," and "Japanese culture is that," or "American culture is the other." This way of thinking is deeply ingrained in us, a holdover from a time when geographical and political boundaries were seen as hard and fast divisions. But in reality, cultures, much like our favorite foods, are not distinct. They are a rich, complex stew of ideas, traditions, and influences that have been simmering together for centuries.