What is the primary distinction between taboos and social norms?

Taboos and social norms are both important rules that help guide behavior in society, but they are different in how strict they are and what they cover. Taboos are strong prohibitions against certain actions or behaviors that are considered unacceptable or forbidden, often due to cultural or moral reasons. For example, in many cultures, eating certain animals like dogs or pigs is seen as taboo, and people feel very uncomfortable if someone does it. On the other hand, social norms are more like general expectations about how to behave in everyday situations, such as saying "please" and "thank you. " While breaking a social norm might lead to mild disapproval, breaking a taboo can cause serious consequences, like being shunned by the community.