Is it possible to judge another culture? Why or why not?

I believe everyone has personal preferences and prejudices. Cultural diversity is what makes humanity not so boring. It would be very sad if we were all alike. I think it is important to make difficult situation into an opportunity to learn how to provide culturally sensitive care. Of course, you may have opinions about a particular group of people, but that should be left aside if you are providing a service for the culturally different person. First off, if you do not speak someone’s language, you should find a good interpreter.
Different cultures have different beliefs. For instances, Muslim women are extremely modest, and Muslim families expect respect for that modesty and often ask for a female to always be present during a physicians examination. The Muslim faith considers the left hand unclean, so a pregnant patient would only wish to have your right hand touch her abdomen. The Islam faith fasts from sunrise to sunset during their holy month of Ramadan. Culturally sensitive care would have the health care provider prescribe a drug that could be taken only twice a day, once before dawn and once after sunset. Islam does allow exceptions to the fasting rules for the elderly or lactating women, but someone unfamiliar with the religion and culture might not know that. Also, knowledge of acceptable foods would be vital to providing culturally sensitive care. For instance, chicken and raisins are “cold” foods in the Puerto Rican community in New York. A woman who has just delivered a baby is encouraged to avoid “cold” foods in favor of “hot” foods, like corn meal or garlic.
Many healthcare workers may just throw their hands up in defeat when confronted with a patient who might seem noncompliant or difficult to understand. Prejudice is certainly a factor. This occurs when one person doesn’t understand another person’s heritage and generalizes about an entire culture. Communication and education is vital for respecting cultural diversity. There are language differences, verbal and nonverbal behaviors difficulties, and silence. Education to incorporate an awareness of cultural differences is a step in the right direction. People need to bring things up about different cultural matters so that others will be aware of our differences.