Culturally Speaking

We couldn’t conclude a season on Asian culture without talking about a topic near and dear to our heart - food! Food is the cornerstone of Asian social interactions, everything centers around it and there isn’t an occasion from birth to death that food is not an integral part of the celebration or customs. Tune in to hear how we eat food, how Asian meals differ and the importance of freshness and variety. In previous seasons we’ve spoken about British food culture (S5 E4) and food remedies in Asian culture (S1 E9). 

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Reverence to elders in Asian culture has been ingrained in us since birth. We discuss the social and economic strains of an ageing population in conflict with the elderly’s expectations of their latter years.  Back in Season 1 we explored death in different cultures (S1 E14) and reincarnation in the Hindu faith (S1 E15). Tune in to hear whether we think death is final and our view on the afterlife.

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A topic that was traditionally taboo within Asian culture, not openly discussed much less on display, this week we are discussing relationships, love and sex. Does life imitate art when it comes to the portrayal of relationships in media or are the conservative attitudes a smokescreen for what happens behind closed doors? We discuss the impact of gender roles, the role of love in marriage and societal expectations. With the explosion of mainstream AI in 2023 we couldn’t end with touching on virtual relationships. 

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Work to live or live to work? This week we discuss how we have navigated our professional lives as Asians. Longtime listeners of the podcast will know we initially met as colleagues at work and thus the idea for Culturally Speaking was born. Following on from last week we discuss the importance of job and financial stability and the desired professions in Asian culture. Tune in to hear about the difference in working culture in Hong Kong and London from work-life balance to professional hierarchy. If we had a penny for everytime someone assumed our parents were doctors/lawyers/[insert Asian appropriate profession]...

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We discuss navigating the hormone-fuelled adolescent years and becoming an adult within our respective Asian cultures this week. From personal space at home to attitudes to sexuality, tune in to hear our experiences about coming of age in Hong Kong and London. It’s no secret that money and financial standing are a big part of Asian culture so how does this translate to financial literacy and awareness.

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We’re taking it right back to the beginning for the first episode of Season 6 - growing up Asian. Were our school days on the playground footloose and carefree or full of extracurricular achievements to make Asian Tiger mums proud? Tune in to hear us recount how our formative childhood years shaped us, how the expectations of Asian parents have many similarities despite growing up in different cultures and countries. Family hierarchies and gender favoritism aren’t unique to Asians so let us know if this episode resonates with your upbringing.

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To conclude this season we invite a guest and good friend to join us for Part 2 of Season 5’s finale on British culture. Jadem is Columbian man living and working in London who shares his experiences of moving and living in the UK. From Colombia's (in)famous exports to British hospitality Jadem shares the culture shock he experienced. Of course there had to an ode to the fabulous Sofia Vergara! Tune in to here Jadem’s take on what being British means to him.

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This week we invite a guest and good friend to join us for Part 1 of Season 5’s finale on British culture. Adewale is a Nigerian man living and working in London who shares his experiences of living in the UK over the last decade. From British showering habits, to washing machines in the kitchen this episode had us in hysterics from start to finish! Tune in to hear Adewale’s take on what being British means to him and how his life today compares to his upbringing in Nigeria.

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This week we are picking up where we left off last week with Part 2 of British holidays and traditions. First up is Burns Night where haggis, bagpipes and bards rule and we continue the Scottish theme with Hogmany (check out Part 1 last week, Episode 8 to hear other New Year's traditions.) The British monarchy is an institution that has stood the test of time so it only seems fitting there is day dedicated to the man who tried to end it - Guy Fawkes. Did you know that Trooping the Colour celebrates the monarch's 'public' birthday? British society has evolved over time and Notting Hill Carnival is an iconic event in the London calendar celebrating the Caribbean community.

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This week we're recording across time zones, from Hong Kong to London we are talking about British holidays and traditions. Starting with Lent in the run-up to Easter (check out Season 1, Episode 2 to hear how they celebrate around the world, Carnival in Rio anyone?) There are some iconic British summer traditions; Wimbledon with strawberries and cream, fish and chips at the seaside and Pimms while punting.
Remembrance Day is a poignant moment in the British calendar, marked by the monarch lying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. To end the year some lesser known New Year's traditions in the home nations involve fire. Shockingly Neha doesn't know all the words to Auld Lang Syn!

Get in touch with us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!