Culture / Custom / Tradition

Custom: 

A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time. A custom is a behavior adhered to by a group of people on a regular basis. Example shaking hands when greeting people, serving afternoon tea, or sending cards as a "Thank you". These are things done on a regular basis in an agreed upon manner.

Tradition:

The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way. A tradition is a behavior adhered to a group of people on specific occasions that occur regularly. Examples include Holidays, wedding decorum, and rights of passage with age. These are things one on specific defined occasions in an agreed upon manner.

Difference between Culture and Tradition

The basic difference between the two being timing. A secondary but related difference is how long it takes to establish a custom vs a tradition. We can create a new custom right now. If you and I agree to a new secret handshake the second time we do it, it becomes a custom between us. A tradition however, must be repeated over a long period of time to be considered such.

Culture:

Almost every human behavior, from shopping to marriage to expressions of feelings, is learned. Behavior based on learned customs is not necessarily a bad thing - being familiar with unwritten rules helps people feel secure and confident that their behaviors will not be challenged or disrupted. However even the simplest actions - such as commuting to work, ordering food from a restaurant, and greeting someone on the street - evidence a great deal of cultural propriety.

Material culture refers to the objects or belongings of a group of people (such as automobiles, stores, and the physical structures where people worship). Non-material culture, in contrast, consists of the ideas, attitudes, and beliefs of a society. Material and non-material aspects of culture are linked, and physical objects often symbolize cultural ideas. A metro pass is a material object, but it represents a form of non-material culture (namely capitalism, and the acceptance of paying for transportation). Clothing, hairstyles, and jewelry are part of material culture, but the appropriateness of wearing certain clothing for specific events reflects non-material culture. A school building belongs to material culture, but the teaching methods and educational standards are part of education's non-material culture.