Did You Just Sneeze in Japanese?

Say what? It’s interesting to learn, as this Quartz article tells us, that cultures even tell us how to sneeze.

From the moment we are born, and even before, our communities are showing us the rules. They show us what it takes to belong and be safe as we all live together. We learn our language, our heroes, our musical environment. We learn how to greet – and how to dress. How to share. What sound to make when we sneeze – and how to respond when someone sneezes.

Because belonging is such an essential aspect of our humanity, our brains are on constant alert to pick up clues. Most often with no thinking involved. 

Just imagine all the other ways we automatically conform, assuming our actions are driven by nature – not cultures. 

Cultures can be so bossy.