Culturual significance 

Considering the reading material provided in this study unit, I regard my ethnic group within my Afrikaans culture. There are traditions and norms that build the foundations of ones culture.

In a controversial perspective, there are two major significant roles at hand, our religious beliefs and our heritage. The most meaningful truth lies within belief, from a small age people from my culture make sure that our faith is the foundation of our being, this includes going to church every Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings with a view church communal function in between. Growing up this had a very important influence on me because it is where I build my character, morals and worth.  This expands through our entire lives, collaborating in celebration, weddings, funerals and family functions.

Traveling back to our heritage is maybe a favourite topic that arises at almost every conversation with ones grandparents or great-grandparents, about how our ancestors fought and what they went through, from war stories to artifactual objects, there is pride in it all. There are still some cases where the tunnel vision of opinions never left their consciousness, so there might be an insensitive phrase or expression said out loud but keeping in mind that in their time it was their norm…which I am not justifying. Language also has a partial role in heritage, Afrikaans is a very unique language…yes there are the roots of the language such as Dutch but it is not identical. Besides the official language, Afrikaans slang is also worth mentioning, there are certain sayings that are used to communicate in an inner-cultural manner.

Every ethnic group has a specific structure of significance and delight, connected to who they are from generation to generation. There is an importance with having knowledge about such things, for having awareness creates a lasting effect on the culture.

Gift giving within the inner circle.

Knowing people closest to you corresponds with knowing where the value of giving gifts lies. Considering there are different levels of a personal relationship, a way to categorise these levels is by fitting them into the three layers of my inner circle.

The first layer refers to people who you trust in confidently, knowing exactly what gift they will give you and what gift they should expect in return. Someone who trusts your judgement and you theirs, so that when it comes to the exchanging of gifts, there is a mutual understanding and standard placed on the value of the gift. These people placed in the closest layer of inner circle, mostly consists of my family and friends. The second layer allude to a balance of middle point, there is an expectance of equal value, in other words if someone gifts me with a certain level of personal attachment, then it is automatically designed that I regift in the same level of sentimentality. The people allocated in this layer intend to be more acquaintances than close friends, there is a relationship built on familiarity and association, for instance class mates, distant family, church leadership, those I shared hobby interests with such as gym and the people that live in the same building as me. Even if there is unfamiliarity in both recipients, there is still an ethical obligingness to conform in gift giving…usually instituted on birthdays or other celebrations or occasions. Then the third layer of the inner circle contains obliviousness to a person and their interests. It can also refer to a detached experience such as a stranger opening a door for you or someone providing directions to the lost when it is asked. I consider the particular people that fall under this level to be people such as the regular barista that sells me coffee, there is a politeness but also no invitation to gift them anything more than a tip.

Each one of these layers are connected in a matter of speaking, linking the level of intimacy with the person. I have a unique relationship with every person in my life, wether we just cross paths or if we grew up under the same roof. When it comes to gift giving with the people closest to me, I measure the expense and sentimentality of the gift with what they desire, deserve and dislike. Whereas with people I do not know personally, I estimate their gift with controversial consistencies such as a chocolate or a candle, but the safest option is an appropriately themed card. Both stating that there was thought put into the gift, just different opinions of what that said thought is. In the end it is the thought that counts.