cus·tom (kstm)

n.

1. A practice followed by people of a particular group or region.

2. A habitual practice of a person: my custom of reading a little before sleep.

3. Law A common tradition or usage so long established that it has the force or validity of law.

4.

a. Habitual patronage, as of a store.

b. Habitual customers; patrons.

5. customs

a. Duties or taxes imposed on imported and, less commonly, exported goods.

b. (used with a sing. verb) The governmental agency authorized to collect these duties.

c. (used with a sing. verb) The procedure for inspecting goods and baggage entering a country.

6. Tribute, service, or rent paid by a feudal tenant to a lord.

adj.

1. Made to order.

2. Specializing in the making or selling of made-to-order goods: a custom tailor.

• customs of a country
• customs in a country
• customs for a country

• it is custom to............
• in the custom of...........

custom made

a custom made uniform for a customs officer


what about an empathy suit for a customs officer..??




Some experts (psychologists, psychiatrists, and other scientists) believe that not all humans have an ability to feel empathy or perceive the emotions of others

em·pa·thy (ĕm'pə-thē)
n. Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives

i have been thinking about 'arrival' ( emigration) into a country both past and present and not understanding the 'customs' of the country.. i have been thinking of making something the customs officer could wear which would help in understanding the travellers position.. something she/ he would wear to help understand what it is like to arrive without knowledge of the culture and 'customs'..

Empathy

'Some Post-Modern historians such as Keith Jenkins in recent years have debated whether or not it is possible to empathise with people from the past. Jenkins argues that empathy only enjoys such a privileged position in the present because it corresponds harmoniously with the dominant Liberal discourse of modern society and can be connected to John Stuart Mill's concept of reciprocal freedom. Jenkins argues the past is a foreign country and as we do not have access to the epistemological conditions of bygone ages we are unable to empathise''.

migrants in the past
'the influx of people created problems for customs officers .. they had to deal with language and cultural problems when migrants spoke no english and did not understand that certain goods , particularily foodstuffs could not be brought into australia'
text panel .roundhouse prison. freemantle