Copying/Following different cultures that are not your own.

I'm not entirely sure if this controversial or not, if it's not then I do apologize and please free to tell me. Anyways, so I'm watching Mulan right now and every time I do I can't help but admire the shrine they have for their ancestors.

In my home I also have a shrine for my ancestors. My deceased Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Great Grandparents, etc. I was raised to believe my ancestors were up in the heavens looking out for me and the rest of the family and should be remembered always. It's not as extravagant as the one in the movie but it is there.

Once when a friend of mine came over he saw the shrine and asked me what that was. I explained, also telling him that my parents are natives of their village (now a town) back in Mexico where ancestors are very important in families. He told me that he'd only heard of that in Chinese or Asian families and said that my family was only following them.

Is this true? I've never had anyone tell me that my family or culture was copying another because many times different cultures have extreme similarities but are not 100% the same. It was a bit offensive but I brushed it off and we continued doing what we were going to do, which was hang out with all our other friends who were over already.

What do you all think? Do you agree with him? What are your thoughts on the topic? Is this something to do with culture or actual personal beliefs?