Crossing Cultures

I have a hard time looking at aspects of other cultures without trying to compare them to our own culture. Looking into telenovelas, it has been very difficult for me to learn about them without trying to compare them to the popular TV shows here in the U.S. I look at the production, the acting, the costumes, and can't help but see our shows as superior in all aspects. But with what common denominator am I comparing? There are so many factors that make comparing such things difficult. What is normal and popular is completely different here than in the Hispanic world and the Asian world, etc. I don't know how to successfully put my thoughts on this into words, but I do know that I need to start looking at telenovelas as a separate entity. I'm sure when telenovela fans watch our popular TV shows, they think they are shallow and uninteresting. Everything is relative, and I need to keep that in mind.