Well, I personally feel it far more important for one to understand the
concept of culture and customs. The basic idea that something that I do in my
culture could be considered completely grotesque or stupid by another culture.
I think there is some term for this but I cannot recall it right now. At any
rate, the point I was trying to make is that it is important to be aware that
different cultures exists and that what my culture does is not any more
"right" than what yours does. But to actually have full knowledge of all the
different cultures of the world, well that is left to the Phd people.

Which is an interesting point we arrive at. If the taliban culture pretty
much bans women from many positions and activities (only using taliban as an
example) then are we (we being the western countries and/or the rest of the
world) even right in saying they are "bad"? I feel at some level there has to
be an acceptable minimum standard. I don't think we should endorse a culture
that still practices human sacrifice for example.