Most people are more gullible than they can realistically admit. We rarely question cultural practices. I think the main two questions people need to ask is "when did that become a thing?" AND "why did that become a thing?"
For instance, the Great Depression spawned many of the cultural practices we have today. It was one of the worst and best times in American history, but not for the reason you may think. Many were poor, but also, many were finding creative and unethical methods to build wealth.
A corporation by the name of De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd invented the so-called tradition of buying your fiance an engagement ring. That's right, this practice is less than 100 years old. In reality, the value of diamonds is a culturally injected misconception by the De Beers to profit from love. Engagement rings didn't exist prior to 1930. The De Beers launched a massive advertising campaign emasculating men by implying if they didn't get their fiance a ring, they weren't man enough. They also fabricated the 2-month salary rule: an engagement ring should cost about 2-month's salary. Now we eat that shit up.
You might be inclined to say it's not about what it is, it's about what it represents. This practice among others are so deeply ingrained into the culture, just like tipping is, which is also bullshit, that we make excuses to justify why we do it, even when we know the truth about how harmful such practices are. That's why the formula for getting you to believe anything which is not true = culture + fear.
CULTURE + FEAR = BLIND ACCEPTANCE OF BULLSHIT
We're more gullible than we can realistically admit. That's not a problem, per se. Why should we have to question if someone has malintent? We shouldn't even have to rip on naive people. They don't deserve a world filled with deception, yet we make it so and then give them shit for just expecting what they should: honesty.
American consumer culture has come to a point that we justify dishonesty and don't even understand which parts of our culture are consumer-based anymore. I'll tell you a secret that isn't even a secret. Like I may have said early, secrets are not so secret. They're so stupidly simply anyone can figure them out, which is why people with secrets withhold their information from you. If they can figure it out, anyone can; but, I'll tell you this not-so secret.
You can get a real 1-carat diamond from aliexpress for less than $50. That's right, and it's a real diamond. You know how much those are purchased through American channels or business fronts operating jewelry shops? Anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. Fuck that.
Before you feed into tradition or cultural practices, ask "when did it become a thing" AND "why did it become a thing?"
As for tipping, we don't tip the people who we should, like teachers and tutors who helps us get ahead in life. Why are we tipping waiters and waitresses? They bring the food. They don't farm it. Maybe you might be saying right now, yeah! Why don't we tip teachers and tutors?!
The real question we should ask is why are we tipping anyone at all? Because in the 1930s when restaurants weren't doing well, they told their waiters and waitresses to catfish customers for money. Now we all do it, and it continues to encourage restaurants to not pay their employees better wages. I bet you'll still do it though. Not me. Just don't be that person who complains when someone in your dinner party doesn't tip next time.
Ask, "when did this become a thing?" AND "why did it become a thing?"
It's not just about asking questions, even. It's also about asking better questions. Let's all start asking better questions, everyone!
For more information, I recommend you check our College Humor's Adam Conover. He has a show called Adam Ruins Everything on Tru TV as well. Start there for entertainment-friendly spicy, juicy information.
Lastly, please do your best not to justify corrupt cultural practices. It's disappointing otherwise. What it represents is just an excuse that you think makes you feel better so you don't have to think about it. Think about it. Use that brain. You've got one, I hope.
