Why Community Shapes A Culture

What Brings You There

Have you ever been in a situation wherein you were moved to do something merely because everybody around you did? Or you did something not realizing clearly why you were driven to do so? Well, we are called to belong and act. The manner by how we are moved is the question. Let me go through it further as I go along.

Community: Conformity vs Independence

As we all know, we belong to various communities – whether be it a group of interacting people living in the same town, of believers, or with commonalities for that matter. The million dollar question is ‘how are we called to belong? The law of conformity is one dynamic. It is our tendency to act in accordance to the prevailing standards or norms, or simply put, compliance.

Having to conform may be pleasurable or the complete opposite. However, sometimes, it only takes some getting-used-to. The other factor would be plain independence. Here, a person acts regardless of the social behavior, in accordance to his/her personal preference. Whichever way, we are grouped according to what is mutual between the individuals involved.

Then Came Culture 

Culture is the pattern of beliefs and behavior. There is an individualist and a collectivist culture. Apparently, as the terms imply, a collectivist culture is the more influential type, I guess. Having said that, the more people doing the same things together, the more that the law of conformity takes place. Therefore, a certain community can greatly create a unique culture in accordance to their interests and purpose. Allow me to speak of my share of ‘communities and culture’.

My Side of Town 

Personally, I’ve belonged to different communities, if I may say. First was my childhood neighborhood where I met my playmates. All we did then was go to school in the morning then play the entire afternoon or until our parents said so. The next community I belonged too was my college girlfriends. How? Because after class hours, we would go straight to the nearest shopping centre and guess what, we’d shop! And the latest of them all, are my workmates.

Yes, I’ve matured through the years, too. With my TSG community, I’ve learned that our clients are our company’s top priority and everything else follows. It definitely shaped me to be like the rest, to exude the community’s culture of providing only the best customer service one could ever experience.

Hence, the various communities established which are comprised of people having mutual interests and purposes, consequently shape a distinct culture amongst them. So take some time to look around your communities and check out what culture(s) shape you.




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