brilliant article! I loved some of your examples where claiming cultural appropriation seems ridiculous.

the places I have seen the term "cultural appropriation" used (correctly) are a bit more narrow, and I think that distinction is worth making.

when people adopt something from a culture they otherwise show lack of respect for or knowledge about, for the sole means of making a profit, that is cultural appropriation.

for example, native american traditional crafts sold by a rich white artist with no ties to any tribe/custom. or dressing up in blackface at a mixed race party without understanding the historical significance of what this means to african americans.

to me adopting the mindset or adapting to a culture you are trying to live among is showing your willingness to learn and is a complement to the culture. holding oneself aloof and expecting that culture to adapt to you is a bit assinine. yet we all suffer from it.

I remember eating out in Greece and getting very upset with the waiters who would take ages to bring food (like 30 minutes). I saw this as lax service and rudeness, because in American culture it is, where in their culture, they are giving the diners a chance to converse and enjoy wine.

Understanding differences like that are crucial. But I agree, most of culture is appropriated, down to the very words we write.

Origin of culture
1400–50; late Middle English: tilling, place tilled (< Anglo-French) < Latin cultūra. See cult, -ure