Essays: follow new customs or keep your own

TOPIC 108: When people move to another country, some of them decide to follow the customs of the new country. Others prefer to keep their own customs. Compare these two choices. Which one do you prefer? Support your answer with specific details.

Essay 1

Nowadays it is quite common for people to immigrate to their countries. When they move, some of them decide to follow the customs of the new country while others prefer to keep their own. If I were forced to agree with one of the two positions, my choice would be the former.

To illustrate my point, let us first take a look on why some people dislike the idea of following the customs of the new country. For one thing, these people are so accustomed to their own culture, religion and customs, and it is very hard for them to accept the new cultures. For instance, people from a Islamic country may find a lot of customs in western countries offensive.

Although I agree that some customs are hard to change, I insist that the advantages of adapting to a new culture are apparently seen. In the first place, by following the customs of the new country, you can learn about the country and understand the people more easily and become a real member of the country. People who stick to their way of life may sometimes feel lonely and isolated. To share the same custom means that having more things in common, and it can pull people together. Furthermore, you have to adapt to some customs of the new country, if they are written into the law. As a result, it is much more sensible to do as the Roman do.

In conclusion, I believe that the advantages of following the customs of the new country is obvious because you can easily learn about the country and be a real member of it. What is more, you can live more easily in a foreign country.

(Essay ID: 366 )

Essay 2

Some people adapt quickly to the customs of a new country while others keep their own customs. How do they decide? It's a difficult choice, and the decision is not always conscious. Many practical and social factors influence people.

Very often it depends on age. Older people have spent a lifetime doing things a certain way. Their social customs are part of who they are as people. It's very hard for them to start doing things differently. The younger generation finds it easier to leave behind the culture of their native country and adapt to the customs of their new country. They're not as set in their ways as adults are. Children also feel the pressure to fit in from the other kids in school.

A major part of adapting to the customs of a new country is learning that country's language. Children learn the language in school, and use it all day while going to class and playing with other children. But many times adults coming to a new country don't have time for formal language classes. Their first priority is getting a job. Sometimes they work with people from their own country, and they don't-have to use the new language. Or they may find a job that doesn't require much speaking at all. This means even if they're trying to learn the language, they don't have a lot of opportunities to practice it.

Another way of adapting to the customs of a new country has to do with how family members interact. Different countries have different ideas about how family members should relate to each other. Sometimes the adults will oppose changing what was normal in their native country. This can be a difficult adjustment to make, especially if their children are visiting new friends at home and seeing how different things are in the new country.

I believe that people who want to make their home in a new country need to find a balance. They should keep the best of their native culture and adopt the good things they find in their new country.

(Essay ID: 200 )