Reading Material 8　Customary or Social Conventions

In sociology a social rule refers to any social convention commonly adhered to in a society.These rules are not written in law or otherwise formalized.In social constructionism there is a great focus on social rules.It is argued that these rules are socially constructed，that these rules act upon every member of a society，but at the same time，are re-produced by the individuals.

Sociologists representing symbolic interactionism argue that social rules are created through the interaction between the members of a society.The focus on active interaction highlights the fluid，shifting character of social rules.These are specific to the social context，a context that varies through time and place.That means a social rule changes over time within the same society.What was acceptable in the past may no longer be the case.Similarly，rules differ across space:what is acceptable in one society may not be so in another.

Social rules reflect what behavior is acceptable or normal in any situation.Michel Foucault's concept of discourse is closely related to social rules as it offers a possible explanation how these rules are shaped and change.It is the social rules that tell people what is normal behavior for any specific category.Thus，social rules tell a woman how to behave in a womanly manner，and a man，how to be manly.Other such rules are as follows:

Strangers being introduced shake hands，as in Western societies，but

(1)bow toward each other，in North Korea or South Korea，Japan.

(2)make fold-handed bow in ancient China.

(3)do not bow at each other，in the Jewish tradition.

(4)in the US，eye contact，a nod of the head toward each other，and a smile，with no bowing;

(5)the palm of the hand faces sideways，neither upward nor downward，in a business handshake

(6)present business cards to each other，in business meetings

(7)click heels together，in past eras of Western history

A woman's curtsey.In the Mideast，a woman should never display the sole of the foot toward another，as this would be seen as a grave insult.

In many schools，though seats for students are not assigned they are still “claimed”by certain students，and sitting in someone else's seat is considered an insult．