Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
East and West
The cultures of the world constantly clash, they constantly intermingle, and they constantly find a way to sustain their existence in spite of each other.
When it comes tot he Far East and typical western culture, there are many cultural aspects that one could indicate are similar, if not identical.
The western values of greed and the bible's "Golden Rule," have both found their ways to the ends of the earth, with a few exceptions.
Of the social mores that have not been identically transferred to the Far East is business practices. This statement is not intended to offend the Far East, or indict the West, it is nothing more or less than an observation.
Business in the Far East is conducted on an "as-needed" basis. They work later and longer hours. their day begins later than in western culture, and ends when work is concluded, not when the clock strikes 5, or 6 etc.
From my personal exp it seems as if personal space, and personal time are of no consequence when it comes to the sake of business (for the Far East). Bottom dollar or top dollar is the goal, and shall be the aspect at the determines when business is considered concluded. If a greater profit margin can be attained through late hour negotiations, why should their be any objections?
The problems that can arise from such a perspective to business is that it clashes with western business practices. In the West your rise with the sun, bust your ass through the day, and the result at sundown is what will have to remain until the light shines again in the morning. It kind of follows the perspective that the business day is just that, the day. With the arrival of the evening, comes the necessary departure from the office, and the mental departure from the work that transpires within it.
Of course critical situations necessitate extensive measures. However, what exactly defines critical? The East seems to be much more willing to go the extra mile in any given situation. Perhaps Americans just do not work hard enough. Perhaps the Far East just works too hard.
When it comes tot he Far East and typical western culture, there are many cultural aspects that one could indicate are similar, if not identical.
The western values of greed and the bible's "Golden Rule," have both found their ways to the ends of the earth, with a few exceptions.
Of the social mores that have not been identically transferred to the Far East is business practices. This statement is not intended to offend the Far East, or indict the West, it is nothing more or less than an observation.
Business in the Far East is conducted on an "as-needed" basis. They work later and longer hours. their day begins later than in western culture, and ends when work is concluded, not when the clock strikes 5, or 6 etc.
From my personal exp it seems as if personal space, and personal time are of no consequence when it comes to the sake of business (for the Far East). Bottom dollar or top dollar is the goal, and shall be the aspect at the determines when business is considered concluded. If a greater profit margin can be attained through late hour negotiations, why should their be any objections?
The problems that can arise from such a perspective to business is that it clashes with western business practices. In the West your rise with the sun, bust your ass through the day, and the result at sundown is what will have to remain until the light shines again in the morning. It kind of follows the perspective that the business day is just that, the day. With the arrival of the evening, comes the necessary departure from the office, and the mental departure from the work that transpires within it.
Of course critical situations necessitate extensive measures. However, what exactly defines critical? The East seems to be much more willing to go the extra mile in any given situation. Perhaps Americans just do not work hard enough. Perhaps the Far East just works too hard.
Monday, March 23, 2009
We have all at one time or another probably heard, or had the phrase "a case of the Mondays" explained to us. The phrase has become synonymous with the now cult classic film "Office Space."
In my line of work, I frequently have phone conversations with the people. Instead of getting right down to business immediately after each has confirmed the other's identity, we creat small talk. Now, the small talk is very relevant and important to the relationships I must maintain with these people. the main context of each talk may not leave the fate of our business relationship in the balance, but nonetheless, it remains necessary.
the common opening line used at the beginning of the week is similar, if not precisely, "so how's it going?" I find myself almost always saying, "well...it's Monday." The intended message of course is that: it is Monday, Mondays can only be so good, and my day is just...blah.
However, in all truth, I seldom have had any event occur, to the point which would make my day any better or worse than any other day of the week. It is as if I feel compelled to say my day is not going well. Granged Monday, as a day of the week, always leaves you aware that it is the first day of the work week, with four more to follow before the weekend.
Where does this compuslion for sour grapes come from. It feels as thoug hI do not want to appear too content, or even happy to be alive, working and healthy. On the other days of the week I frequently respond to inquiries of being with "Can't complain so far." Yet, even that goruping of words is still a glass half-empty evaluation. Why do we seem to be more inclined to cite the negative , or not acknowldege the potentially positive day we are in the midst of? It is as though we don't want to be happy.
Perhaps it is because the worse we convince ourselfvesd the working week is ultimately the better we will perceive the weekend to be. And for the those of us who live for the weekend (which is the overwhelming majority), by diluding ourselves to the greatness that is and can be Monday through Friday, we are able to sruvive the week and embrace the weekend.
In my line of work, I frequently have phone conversations with the people. Instead of getting right down to business immediately after each has confirmed the other's identity, we creat small talk. Now, the small talk is very relevant and important to the relationships I must maintain with these people. the main context of each talk may not leave the fate of our business relationship in the balance, but nonetheless, it remains necessary.
the common opening line used at the beginning of the week is similar, if not precisely, "so how's it going?" I find myself almost always saying, "well...it's Monday." The intended message of course is that: it is Monday, Mondays can only be so good, and my day is just...blah.
However, in all truth, I seldom have had any event occur, to the point which would make my day any better or worse than any other day of the week. It is as if I feel compelled to say my day is not going well. Granged Monday, as a day of the week, always leaves you aware that it is the first day of the work week, with four more to follow before the weekend.
Where does this compuslion for sour grapes come from. It feels as thoug hI do not want to appear too content, or even happy to be alive, working and healthy. On the other days of the week I frequently respond to inquiries of being with "Can't complain so far." Yet, even that goruping of words is still a glass half-empty evaluation. Why do we seem to be more inclined to cite the negative , or not acknowldege the potentially positive day we are in the midst of? It is as though we don't want to be happy.
Perhaps it is because the worse we convince ourselfvesd the working week is ultimately the better we will perceive the weekend to be. And for the those of us who live for the weekend (which is the overwhelming majority), by diluding ourselves to the greatness that is and can be Monday through Friday, we are able to sruvive the week and embrace the weekend.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Coffee Shop Warriors
Coffee shop work seems like it might be for the attention (I write this while sitting amidst those whom I'm indicting).
People come to a coffee shop with lots of windows and therefore lots of watchers. But, there are two types of attention they may be craving: The looks of others, and/or the distraction of others.
They may be looking for a place to be passively social. They can be adeep in thought, or work, and honestly fixated with their tasks. But, there remains a glimmer of hope, that people will give them attention, if only for ever-so-brief a moment.
On the contrary, perhaps these same "coffee shop warriors" may prefer the venue for working because of the freedom and distraction that proceeds outside of the gigantic windows that surround them.
The world outside of their corner java shop is the perfect subtle distraction. It allows them spurts of entertainment when a sporadic break silently abruptly announces itself to their brain. They can look up, and out, and find an object that allows them to temporarily wipe the slate clean, and be amused, entertained, bewildered or merely intrigued by some sort of occurrence that is transpiring beyond the glass.
For whatever the reason, these people still better get the work they brought with them completed as intended, or else it is all a huge moot point.
People come to a coffee shop with lots of windows and therefore lots of watchers. But, there are two types of attention they may be craving: The looks of others, and/or the distraction of others.
They may be looking for a place to be passively social. They can be adeep in thought, or work, and honestly fixated with their tasks. But, there remains a glimmer of hope, that people will give them attention, if only for ever-so-brief a moment.
On the contrary, perhaps these same "coffee shop warriors" may prefer the venue for working because of the freedom and distraction that proceeds outside of the gigantic windows that surround them.
The world outside of their corner java shop is the perfect subtle distraction. It allows them spurts of entertainment when a sporadic break silently abruptly announces itself to their brain. They can look up, and out, and find an object that allows them to temporarily wipe the slate clean, and be amused, entertained, bewildered or merely intrigued by some sort of occurrence that is transpiring beyond the glass.
For whatever the reason, these people still better get the work they brought with them completed as intended, or else it is all a huge moot point.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Keep your lemons fresh.
Well...it has been exactly one month "since we last spoke" (thank you RJD2 for that line). What a month it has been. Growth, learning, happiness and definitely fear. In the past month I have begun to settle into my new job, I have had a parent in the hospital for a potentially serious condition, I have moved into a new place, and have seen the country's population scramble as citizens attempt to secure their employment. That is a mouthful at least (that's what she said).
The job is going well. I would be withholding the truth if I neglected to state that the position has not left me stressed and much more drawn to drink when I get home. It has given me the motivation to burn off stress and tension in the gym, so I am very proud of the way I'm looking. However, I am tired all the time, so I have an appreciation for weekends like that which I have never known. Even working 40 hour weeks at an oil plant driving a forklift and doing repeated heavy lifting was not as exhausting. Mental exhaustion exceeds any physical exhaustion (you are more than welcome to pick a bone with me regarding this).
So, the parent thing. Yes, I had a bit of a scare with my mother. She was in the hospital for a few days. Apparently she may have had a string of mini-strokes. They gave her some numbness. Fortunately a few days later they let her return home and all was well.
The unfortunate aspect of this event was the fact that I was actually out of state at the time I received the news of her hospitalization. A brief call from my brother saying "dad called, mom is numb on her side, they are going in the hospital."
How is one supposed to process such a bit of news. Truthfully, I regularly think to myself how I would react or cope with the loss of a close family member. The thought of losing either one of my parents leaves me emotionally troubled. I can not imagine myself without the support system that is my parents. They are the reference books to my life. I try to take what life gives me in stride. However, I turn to my father and mother for suggestion as to how I should fight back when rolling with the punches that are part of being.
Some may say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Some now are saying "paint that shit gold," after a now semi-popular hip-hop album. My take, when life gives you lemons, hoard them. Study them. Find out what they've been through so your life doesn't become lemonade. Find a way to keep your lemons fresh.
The job is going well. I would be withholding the truth if I neglected to state that the position has not left me stressed and much more drawn to drink when I get home. It has given me the motivation to burn off stress and tension in the gym, so I am very proud of the way I'm looking. However, I am tired all the time, so I have an appreciation for weekends like that which I have never known. Even working 40 hour weeks at an oil plant driving a forklift and doing repeated heavy lifting was not as exhausting. Mental exhaustion exceeds any physical exhaustion (you are more than welcome to pick a bone with me regarding this).
So, the parent thing. Yes, I had a bit of a scare with my mother. She was in the hospital for a few days. Apparently she may have had a string of mini-strokes. They gave her some numbness. Fortunately a few days later they let her return home and all was well.
The unfortunate aspect of this event was the fact that I was actually out of state at the time I received the news of her hospitalization. A brief call from my brother saying "dad called, mom is numb on her side, they are going in the hospital."
How is one supposed to process such a bit of news. Truthfully, I regularly think to myself how I would react or cope with the loss of a close family member. The thought of losing either one of my parents leaves me emotionally troubled. I can not imagine myself without the support system that is my parents. They are the reference books to my life. I try to take what life gives me in stride. However, I turn to my father and mother for suggestion as to how I should fight back when rolling with the punches that are part of being.
Some may say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Some now are saying "paint that shit gold," after a now semi-popular hip-hop album. My take, when life gives you lemons, hoard them. Study them. Find out what they've been through so your life doesn't become lemonade. Find a way to keep your lemons fresh.
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