Muay Thai

Muay Thai Muay Thai is well known as one of the most dangerous sports around the world. Coming from Thailand it has its roots from many ancient forms of Asian martial arts also similar to the style of kick boxing and strike force. Muay as local people call it has an old history full of great fighters. Due to the terrible economy in Thailand it never got too much attention. Instead, it has remained a national sport and part of the folklore. Muay Thai has similar rules to every non-weapon fight sport, but knees and  elbows are allowed.It is practiced in a ring. The brutality of the fights makes the sport sometimes have a critical end where fighters go out on a stretcher. Nowadays, Thailand is considered the capital of this sport, and famous fighters have moved there for long periods of time in order to perfect the techniquee. Thailand considers muay thai part of the folklore and the impact it has in society is big. Muay Thai has an old history has been known since 1700 when the Burme se troops surrounded a big group of Thais where kick boxers were and took them to Burma.The king of Burma, King Mangra, wanted to make a festival for Buddha’s religion where he included a lot of entertainment. At the end as a closing event king wanted to see who was the best between the Burmesses fighters and the Thai kick boxers. Nai Khanomtom was selected to fight against the best Burmesses fighters. At the end of the first fight, the Burmese fighter collapsed, so the king asked Khanomtom to fight the best nine fighters from Burma, beating all of them one after the other with no stopping. Muay Thai. †Ã‚  Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Nov. 2012. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. . Thai Boxing is a very respectful and strict sport. The sport is linked to the Buddhist religion and the respect the fighters feel for their professors and superiors is shown by a kind of dance known as nak nmuay. This dance occurs just before the fight and it also has a sense of gratitude to their pro fessors, and what they have taught them. Since a very young age Thai ighters are playing around rings, and even though they do not know how to fight they play child games, and later on they get to know all the gear just by playing although they do not know what it is for. Nak muay, as Thai fighters are known for start training since childhood and as they grow  fights are set one after the other. Some families, dedicated to this spot, live inside the fight campus outside the city. The father, usually after being a champion, trains his child to fight and the money the child gains from winning is used to get food and pay for family things.The techniques they learned are combined with their own style, and that allows the fighters to create variations of the same kicks and punches. The ascension of king Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the throne in 1868 ushered in a Golden Age not only for muay but the whole country. â€Å"Muay Thai. †Ã‚  Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Nov. 2012. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. . Muay progressed greatly during the reign of Rama V as a direct result of the king’s personal interest in the art. The country was at peace and muay functioned as a mean of physical exercise, and recreation. â€Å"What Is Muay Thai. †Ã‚  WCK Muay Thai RSS. N. p. , n. d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. . ) . Nowadays there are remarkable fighters well known around the world as Yodsanklai who fights for Fairtex, the biggest company of muay Thai equipment. Buakaw Pranuk a promising fighter who held the title of K1 (Japanese tournament where the winner is named the best stand up fighter in the world) two times. Knee strikes are possibly the most deadly movements a Muay Thai practitioner has.Knees are often used in the clinch, where a boxer grabs the head of the other boxer and pulls his body down while the knee is thrown upward. A good knee strike delivered in the head can exert enough force to lift a car. Knees may also be thrown to the body, or in a flying knee s trike, where the boxer jumps and throws the knee at his opponent face. A flying knee strike, when landed, will almost certainly end a fight by knockout. (â€Å"Thread: Muay Thai Essay for School. †Ã‚  Muay Thai Essay for School. N. p. , n. d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. . ) In conclusion, this martial art is the perfect combination of every part of the body that could be used as a weapon. At the same time, it is also part of the history of Thailand. Muay Thai gyms can be found all around the world, full of fighters that believe that there is no limit between them and the sky. This martial art is finding its own path in many fighting professional leagues, as UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), K1, Strike force and others. I believe Muay Thai helps people not only to exercise, but to grow spiritually and mentally.

Aristotle’s Virtuous response to Plato’s Theory of Forms

Two men, facing a wall, where they delight themselves watching shadows of figures that flit in and around their sight; they are happy and content, yet they do not notice chains in their arms and legs. They have been prisoners of their own room since childhood. A door stand open as sounds of people chattering and making noise go along with the shadowy puppets brought about by a large fire. The two men continue to be amused, until such time the one of them breaks away from the chain. His curiosity takes him around the room, exploring things he had never seen, touched and felt before. And then, he ventures outside. He is immediately blinded by the sun, but he regains focus and sees lakes, valleys, mountains and tree; the very things he had seen through the shadow puppets illuminated by light. He feels obliged to return to the room and tell his experiences with his partner. But his partner refuses. He is content. He is ignorant, yet happy. On the other hand. The two chained individuals have no sense of goal or purpose. They rely on their sensual perception of the world and immediately base it as source of their own knowledge. Unknown to them, the outside world of the ideal exists, and they have no sense of duty to overcome their ignorance and to further inquire into the ideal world. This, in a nutshell, is the basic premise of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave which is a part of his dialogues in The Republic. Plato argues in one his tenets on the Theory of Forms that the outside world remains unknowable; that man is compelled to view the ideal or the eidos when he is fed with already subtle images of the real. Man’s contentment is bordered with ignorance that enables him to sit placidly and watch the ‘images’ or shadows that do not ultimately give a perception of the outside world. In contrast, Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics provide a clear and definite understanding on the nature of man itself, where man’s ultimate purpose is directed toward the attainment of the good or eudaimonia, which is a state of happiness and greater understanding. The existence of virtue necessitates the individual to conceive of a state which provides personal and wilful understanding of the self in order to ‘know. This state of knowing, in Aristotelian terms, is focused on the idea of happiness. In response to the question, the paper will first discuss the notions brought about by Plato on the subject of Scepticism through an enumeration and explanation of his Theory of Forms, specifically on the Allegory of The Cave that brings about the sceptical challenge posed by Plat o whether the individual has the capability of attaining true knowledge. Consequently, Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics will attempt to deliver arguments that may answer the challenges posed on scepticism through a monistic approach on the Theory of Forms contrary to the dualistic conception of the world of Forms and Ideas. In addition, Aristotle’s virtue-based ethical system will also provide explanation toward the individuation of man in making his own choice and achieving true knowledge or happiness. Plato and the Cave As narrated in the aforementioned passages, one of Plato’s main philosophies is on the theory of Forms and Ideas. The Allegory of the Cave sums up one of his numerous epistemological assertions on universals; that is, the complete reliance of a universal tangent in the universe that remains unchanged, thus the existence of the ideal world or the eidos. As narrated in the passage, the work itself is an allegory, meaning that the objects and characters of the story act as symbols that represent one of Plato’s philosophies. The two men in the story (originally described as prisoners) are in a cave since childhood. This implies that man is born ignorant of true knowledge and the world around him. This also reflects Plato’s stewardship with his former mentor, Socrates, wherein the first method of gaining true knowledge is through a clear reaffirmation of own self-ignorance in order to know; I know nothing and therefore I must question to know. In relation to the allegory, the men are also chained to their places; that is, ignorance prevents them of exploring the outside world, to know the ideal. Yet they remained imprisoned to their own ignorance. Second, the images cast by a large fire in the back of the cave symbolize the form; the unreal objects of reality that merely provides a distorted perception of what is real. These images are reflected by the fire and cast into shadows onto the walls in which the two men happily watch. This symbolization means that the individual only perceive his world as a mere representation of the ideal. For example, to view a plain object, like a chair or an apple, is not to view it as it is; meaning that these objects are mere representations of the ideal world, thus they are only forms of the ideal. Next, there are also ambient noises of shouts and screams that the two prisoners immediately attribute it with the images they are seeing. This implies that sensual experience cannot entirely determine what is real. In order to know, one must question and therefore this precept establishes the foremost principles of rationalism, which is knowledge based on question rather than experience. Further, these men, fed with sounds and images, remain ignorantly happy, and therefore establishes continuity with regards contentment. The chains represent ignorance as it hinders both men of establishing real knowledge. Plato then presents a scenario where one of the men breaks free from his bondage. It takes time though, to walk in and about his place because it is the first time to do such. Man then explores things that he had not seen before – the real of objects of the representations he used to see in the cave. Outside the cave, he is blinded by the sun, yet regains his focus to see things as they are. He is then compelled to tell his fellow of his experiences. However, his companion is hopelessly happy and content with his ignorance that he refuses to free himself from his bondage. The implications of the following symbolisms represent the hopeless refusal of the chained man from knowing ‘what is real. Instead, he focuses his attention toward the petty illusions of the form; he had hopelessly chained himself with ignorance that provides him with happiness and contentment that he refuses to venture into a whole new different realm. On the other hand, the free man extricates himself from the illusions brought about the form and ventures hesitatingly toward the id eal. Plato notes the level of unease and difficulty in facing such since man has long been ignorant of the ideal world. Yet through difficulty, the attainment of true knowledge should be the sole reason of overcoming such obstacles. The symbolism of the sun, which blinds the free man as soon he leaves the cave, represents the intellectual illumination brought about by the ideal. This can also be related to a theistic interpretation of Plato’s view on God. The blinding illumination represents ‘greatness’ of the Thus, Plato’s scepticism is unidentified through the notion of man in search of the ideal. Taking from the philosophies of Socrates, Plato’s Theory of Forms argues for a search using rational thought and the mode of questioning in supposition with the sensual experience in attaining knowledge. This thought lies with the notion of sceptical assimilation of knowledge whether it can be attained or not. For Plato, the notion of the Good or the Ideal remains speculative since man’s ignorance prevents him from seeking such. A life in the Golden Mean On the other hand, Aristotle argues ethics is the search for the chief end and final goal in life. Ethical knowledge is not precise compared to mathematics and sciences, but it is a practical discipline in a way that in order to be good or virtuous is not to quantify it as a study but to actually become good or virtuous. Aristotle conceptualized that the highest good is happiness – the universal end of human life. Contrary to Plato's self-existing good, happiness should be practical rather than abstract or ideal. The Highest Good must be desirable in itself and not for some other good. Happiness is found in the experience of life and work that is unique to humans or the rational soul. The function of human beings is then to do what is inherently human, because to be good is to individuate oneself through the use of reason or logos. To achieve happiness, according to Aristotle, is line with the fulfilment of the natural purpose of the human soul. In addition, Aristotle states that an ethical virtue is a condition between what is in excess or deficient. However, Aristotle did not espouse moral relativism as he assigned certain emotions (hate, envy, jealousy) and certain actions (theft, murder) as intrinsically wrong in spite of different circumstances. In his work, the Nichomachean Ethics, the process to achieve happiness is to find a mean or middle ground between the two polar opposite of a particularly subject. For example, modesty is a middle ground between two emotions. Too much modesty leads to bashfulness and the lack leads to shamelessness. The foundation of the mean between the opposites of behavior is the Golden Mean. Aristotle’s ethics is goal-oriented; that every being has a definite purpose or end. In line with Plato’s thought, both philosophies center itself on the individual and choice. The difference lies with Aristotle’s ethical system wherein his virtues give the character its purpose, as opposed to Plato’s aim of achieving knowledge. As mentioned from book one of the Ethics, â€Å"every art and inquiry, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason the good has been rightly declared to be that at which all things aim† (Pojman 2007, p. 375). Thus, Aristotle’s primary aim is for the attainment of the good, which all behaviour and action is directed to such. Plato argues for an assertion of knowledge as implied in the allegory, but Aristotle contradicts this argument that the ideal or the ‘good’ is not otherworldly and unattainable but can be achieved through the direction of happiness in an individual’s life. Aristotle defines virtue as excellence, not only in the material, bodily part of man but also of the soul: â€Å"for the good we are seeking was human good and the happiness human happiness. By human excellence we mean not that of the body but that of the soul; and happiness also we call an activity of the soul† (Pojman 2007, p. 382). For Aristotle, the concept of the good is not metaphysical, but rather attainable; a state of excellence motivated by virtue of the soul. This contrasts sharply with Plato’s notion of a self-existing good or the universals (the ideal, eidos). The human mind, according to Aristotle, naturally aligns its thinking toward abstraction and the conception of the form and ideal does not necessitate a separation of these two ‘worlds. ’ Rather, he argues that the attainment of the ideal is equated with the good or happiness and that it can be practically achieved through a life practiced with virtue. On the concept of virtue, Aristotle defines these as excellence on the part of the human soul. However, these virtues may either be in excess or defect that ultimately harms both the body and soul. Let us consider this, that it is in the nature of such things to be destroyed by defect and excess, as we see in the case of strength and health; both excessive and defective exercise destroys the strength and similarly drink or food which is above or below a certain amount destroys the health† (Pojman 2007, p. 384). The same occurrence happens with virtue; a virtuous act cannot be considered if it is in defect or in exces s. For example, fear is a polar opposite of rashness while courage is the mediated virtue. Both defect and excess are considered vice and therefore follows a certain amount of pain. Vice only exists in the bodily understanding of the mind while virtue (courage, temperance, justice) is nobler and man’s duty is to attain such. Moral excellence or virtue is then a mediation between virtue and vice and it through such that man achieves happiness. The Golden Mean, on the other hand, is a mediated state which enables the individual to achieve eudaimonia through virtue, which is a moderate state that separates excess and deficiency. As explained in the aforementioned passages, this balance relies on the understanding of excess or defect. The proper virtues, according to Aristotle, are courage, temperance, truthfulness, among others. These are the mediated forms of vice (courage as a middle ground between foolhardiness and fear). Scepticism Response In relation to the sceptical problems posited by Plato in his Theory of Forms, the arguments is the nature in which knowledge is acquired, which according to Platonic philosophy, is man’s goal – to break free from ignorance and to attain true knowledge. Plato slightly deviates from Socrates’ methods through the conception of the world of the ideal and forms. His challenge of scepticism lies primarily with the senses as explained in the allegory. The sensual experiences of individual cannot entirely guarantee a clear perception of what is real or not. Thus, the sensory images that man experiences everyday represent an ideal form on some outside world. The problem lies with the method of achieving such; that is, actually conceiving of perfect idea of a represented object. For Aristotle on the other hand, he answers this challenge through the conception of his own ideal end of man – achieving happiness. For Aristotle, the dualistic conception of the realm of the form and ideal, though abstract, does not necessarily mean that it is apart. Rather, he argues that both worlds are unified into one stratified substance and the ideal (eudaimonia, happiness) exist in the sensory world that the individual lives around. Thus, he categorizes the different factors of the world that the individual lives around through the conception of virtue and vice. Aristotle’s ethical system solely rely on the individual to conceptualize or to practice virtue in order to achieve happiness. Contrary to Plato’s theory, the assimilation of virtue is entirely attainable through a more practical practice rather than a metaphysical understanding. However, both philosophers share the same ‘struggle’ in achieving the desired state of human consciousness: â€Å"That moral excellence is a mean, then, and in what sense it is so, and that it is a mean between two vices, the one involving excess and deficiency. Hence, it is no easy task to be good. For in everything it is not easy task to find the middle† (Pojman 2007, p. 388). The same amount of effort, as characterized in the allegory, needs to be equally powerful or in this case, needs to have complete understanding on what it is to be in the ‘middle ground. ’ As Aristotle’s goal-centered ethical system, it contrasts with the implication brought by Plato’s allegory wherein there is only an imagined state of ‘escape’ from ignorance rather than a self-proclaimed attempt of defining one’s life. In the allegory, it is clearly presented from the symbolisms that the reader must ‘imagine’ the man escaping from the chains of ignorance in order to view the world of the eidos. Based from this premise, it can be assumed that this freedom of ignorance is through an understanding of the unreal; that one must question in order to know what real knowledge is. Plato’s problem on scepticism lies on the idea whether the ignorant man has the capability to question or understand the unreal objects of impression and further realizes the ideal that which represents it. Aristotle addresses this through the Nichomachean Ethics wherein the individual character and disposition of man is necessary in directing his own life to an objective state of happiness. Contrary to the dualistic notion of the form and ideal, both worlds, according to Aristotle, exists as one and are the world of forms is represented with the vice. Vice is considered a material, worldly state, something that opposes happiness through its polar opposites. Excess of happiness is indulgence and pleasure while the lack of it is melancholy. Both states however, follow a certain amount of pain since it neither provides balance, always an excess or lack. Through the practice of virtue and mediation, the individual experiences eudaimonia through a careful re-examination of action and the application of virtue. The virtuous life does not have pain, defect or excess, since it is mediated in the middle that is carefully suited to one’s individual needs. Aristotle’s idea of happiness is similar to that of Plato’s ideal world. However, Plato’s conception of the ideal remains unachievable, since the individuals response to their own ignorant states already provide them a sense of satisfaction and happiness. For Aristotle, this mediocre sense of happiness is not the final end or purpose of man. Rather, the application of the Nichomachean Ethics provide another greater purpose or end. The theory of forms merely presents a sceptical approach to man’s choice to break free from ignorance. Aristotle answers this problem through a character-oriented approach – that which gives purpose to the individual to totally break away from sensory experience and to question the world around him. A mediated knowledge Therefore, we conclude that Aristotle’s arguments opposing Plato’s Theory of Forms practically answers the sceptical problem of knowledge in Plato’s allegory. The question whether man has the capability to break free from ignorance is answered through an evaluation of personal character and moral beliefs in attaining a redirected good – happiness. Through the valuation of an end object, the individual is then given purpose. This purpose, applied with Plato’s ideologies, gives the ignorant man a sense of responsibility to know and redirect action toward a much nobler purpose. The individual is then not forever condemned with his own ignorance as he has a purpose to fulfil. Thus, the imagined state of freedom from bondage is gone from a wilful acknowledgement of purpose. In Aristotle’s notion, this purpose is directed toward happiness which individuates the being through purpose. These notions can also be based on the succeeding theories on rationalism and existentialism where Aristotle’s ethical systems give importance on the individual to question his own existence and surroundings in order to know, contrary to a sensual perception of the world. It is important for an individual to know a middle-ground between excess and deficient moral attitudes and characters in order to fully realize the illusions brought about by materialistic objects. Wilful ignorance poses a problem on the understanding of true knowledge since there is no courage to face new objects or truths. Both philosophers mention a certain level of difficulty in attaining virtue or intellectual illumination. It is then necessitated in the individual to fulfil such roles and break away from the ignorant perception of illusionary objects and to find a greater purpose in life. These finite states of worldly objects always posses a cycle of unending pain and only through a mediated understanding of happiness is when man can break away from such trivial cycle and achieve a complete state of understanding.

Brave New World vs. Gattaca

Brave New World vs.. Cataract BY Killing We all expect the near future to have advance technology and flying cars. Well, genetic engineering Is Indeed advance technology but there are negative effects that come along with it. In both â€Å"Brave New World† by Allots Huxley (1932) and Cataract (1997) is based on how genetic engineering is taken over the world. Everyone was created by science instead of being born and having both parents' genes. Intelligence an personality are very minor In these societies, but the Important thing that matters is where you belong in life.However, the film Cataract is in the future but has a dated style to it. From the clothing and hairstyles to the cars and buildings, it all reminds you of the style in the ass's or ass's. The director intended it to be that way just to view how our style could go back to how It used to be In the past. The setting of the movie sets the mood to be somewhat serious and thriller like. The mood of professional busine ss would be a good example of this film. The theme of the novel is generally saying are we all headed to where our genetic code defines what we do and owe we live.Although the film does not have a futuristic feel to It, the plot still shows you that the future is not that distance. The mall character, Vincent Freeman, wanted to fulfill his dreams and travel into space. The initial problem that occurred was that his gene was not genetic superior to accomplish his goal. Vincent had a heart problem that prevented him from doing big Jobs. He came up with an idea to become a valid person. He decided to use someone else's Identity and DNA to be able to travel in the stars. Vincent uses an athlete, Jerome Marrow, who was paraplegic from a car crash.Freeman changed his looks, style, and even had surgery to become the same height as Jerome. He made sure that people would discover whom he really Is. Later on In the movie, Vincent brother tries to find the murderer of an Important person but w as really trying to find Vincent. They didn't know they were brother because a while back when they were younger, Vincent brother was lost at sea and he haven't seen him ever since. They reunite and realize on how different they were from each other. In a way, this film has a genre of mystery and thriller that is served.On the other hand, the book â€Å"Brave New World† also does not really have that futuristic feel, but you can tell it is based on the future when you read it. The book is older, so when it was written, it did not have the modern day style that we use. The year is actually in 802540, which is way past the year future. The mood of this book Is satirical and bitter. At some points. It was funny but had a serious meaning to It as well. As you read the book, you could notice that there would be more than one thing owing at once where the point of view turns from first person to third person omniscient.The theme of this book Isn't anything compared to Cataract, but it's saying that the community Is sterilized and we are headed for the end if the community we live in continue. In addition to, the movie Cataract is similar to â€Å"Brave New World†. Humans predict other humans lifestyle by making tests and observations to determine where they are placed. This world seeks stability in each society but it most likely doesn't work on everyone. Having a family Is not allowed to be applied In he future.Therefore, the people are separated on what defines them Like being a Delta or an upsilon. In which why the character Bernard is not happy with the order 1 OFF such as having a family. Bernard tries to find the meaning of life but everyone thinks he is crazy from exploring his curiosity. I believe that the both the writers of the film and the book intended on including such an intense view of the future. These views of the future are actually believable and actually could be where we are all headed at to the near future.All though we all imagin e the future being a new and high tech setting, in Cataract we can actually see the style of the ass's and unlike â€Å"Brave New World† we can only read what it could be and visualize it. All in all, both of the Cataract and â€Å"Brave New World† are engaging and interesting. I would recommend reading â€Å"Brave New World† first and then watching Cataract because you can get an older point of view of the future and a more modern point of view. Genetic engineering could be our future if technology becomes bigger than it already is.

Introduction to International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Introduction to International Business - Essay Example Dells’ competitive environment, target market in other countries and communication strategy are also detailed in this paper. Dell Inc: Business and Market Overview Dell Inc designs, develops, manufacturers and markets computers, computer accessories and software products for both the customers of US and other countries. Dell Inc has long been marketing its computer products primarily based on a very strong marketing strategy of ‘going direct’ to its customers. In 2008, Dell was able to be placed as second in the worldwide PC market just behind Hewlett-Packard company. Dell has been gaining considerable growth in its market share during 2008 and 2009, with an increase of 1.2% growth which was the highest growth in the market (Gartner, 2009). The market share and related statistics of the major market players in 2010 show that Dell grew by 11.5 percent which is relatively less as compared to HP’s growth rate of 19.8 percent and Acer’s growth rate of 13 .5 % (Magee, 2010). ... In accomplishing this target, Dell will be meeting the customer expectations of highest quality, leading technology, competitive prices, accountability, flexible customization and financial stability (Farfan, 2011). Product Strategy Dell has been prospering on innovation and product differentiation as well. in 2003, Dell has been offering Latitude laptops, that were designed and developed to help business, government and institutional customers fulfill their computer-needs, and Inspiron laptops that were developed for users seeking the latest technology and high performance in more stylish and affordable packages (Ignatiuk, 2009, p. 20). Later, Dell added a number of different computer lines, they are Vostro, Precision, Alienware etc, to facilitate customers use different computers for their varying requirements. Distribution Strategy Dell is very known for ‘direct marketing’ as it has directly been selling its computer and accessories to the customers. Customers choose their items and order through either mail, or phone calls and the company send items to customers through its own delivery services or third party delivering facilities. As Bozarth (2005, p. 22) stressed, Dell’s direct-marketing strategy has been primarily based on a build-to-order manufacturing system. It means that Dell manufacturers computers only when they have actual customer orders and demands and this has been a reason why Dell succeeded within few years despite rigorous competition in computer marketing. Thomas (2002, p. 163) stated that Michael Dell has long been pursuing ‘going direct’ to customers approach, being aligned with virtual integration strategy. The company was using web-technology to blur

Six Functions of Nonverbal Communication (Human Relations) Essay

Six Functions of Nonverbal Communication (Human Relations) - Essay Example Repeating refers to the action of constantly repeating a word in a manner that duplicates another’s utterance. In non verbal communication, the act of repeating statements non verbally involves the use of gestures and actions along with certain words. This has proven to be more effective in memory as people are able to recall these comments more easily (Adler & Rodman, 2012). Substitution refers to the action of replacing verbal with non verbal communication. However, this at times may be very hard to interpret. Examples of substitution include replacing words with actions such as a sigh or eye rolling as a sign of disapproval. This is usually prominent when an individual feels the situation is inappropriate for him or her to express himself verbally (Knapp, 2012). Complementing is another common trait of non verbal communication. This involves complimenting words with certain actions (Knapp, 2012). An example involves a boss vigorously pointing his finger at an employee showing his dissatisfaction and gives an impression that the employee has done something wrong. These gestures are often not formally acceptable and some individuals may be offended by them. However, they are more common and acceptable in domestic settings as a mother can show similar gestures when scolding her child. Accenting is a mode of non verbal communication which is utilized in emphasizing a certain part of verbal speech (Knapp, 2012). This possesses a similar trait to bold letters in a certain part of a sentence. This is similar to complementing however focuses on one aspect of a sentence. An example is pointing at an individual whilst saying his name which can be a sign of criticism or praise depending on the dialogue and atmosphere (Adler & Rodman, 2012). Non verbal communication also plays a role in regulating the flow of speech in a function known as regulating. This action involves cue such as intonation at the end of a sentence signaling another individual to

Expected Learning Outcomes in a Legal Class Research Proposal

Expected Learning Outcomes in a Legal Class - Research Proposal Example This therefore includes the introduction and development of necessary skills. These skills include research and analysis in determining relevant laws to be applied to case examples having practical application and significance in business. Another skill that would be developed as a necessary consequence is legal reasoning. When law is in issue, what is moral becomes an issue also. Hence the study should include not only law but the ethical standards or regulations related to business. More specifically this includes both legal and ethical regulations as pertaining to the entire global business organization. This in a few words is the Legal Environment of A Business. All these skills and knowledge expected to be learned in a legal class should lay the foundations for specialized classes that delve deeper into the Legal Environment of Business and Business Ethics. Both subjects cover such a large scope that they should be treated separately in specialized classes. As a foundation for t hese subjects, this general introduction should expose the student to the legal environment of business including the three branches of government, administrative agencies, the actual laws on business and its courses of action in times of conflicts. Problems at the corporate level involving contracts and employment issues must also be presented.

Do the reading and answer the 7 question below Coursework

Do the reading and answer the 7 question below - Coursework Example The older Chinese in our families opposed the discussion and asserted that women are fixing problems that do not exist. Definitely, this increased the ire of the more hot-headed members of my ingroup. She managed to control her anger, but I could see that she was enraged with her red face and nearly-tearful eyes. In this example, two groups competed over the power to influence the youth, wherein power is a limited resource that cannot be easily shared, as in the Realistic Conflict Theory. The outgroup wants females to remain submissive and perform largely domestic roles, while the ingroup desires gender equality, including equal roles and responsibilities in their home and work lives. 2. b. Indicate the vitalities of these two groups (high/medium, low, etc.) by comparing their relative positions on the main vitality factors separately -- as well as their overall relative vitalities. Importantly, how did you arrive at these sets of judgments? Since we are now in the United States of America, the outgroup mentioned in #1 has medium vitality compared to when they are in the rural areas of China. In China, many people continue to have gendered ideas about women’s and men’s functions and social status, especially when their culture and religion teach gendered values. Here in the U.S., we have high vitality in terms of mass media, education, government services, industry, religion, culture, and politics, especially when it comes to the discussion of gender issues. However, if I will analyze the same aspects that give our ingroup the vitality, they are not completely promoting gender equality. Mass media, for instance, sends mixed messages regarding traditional and non-traditional female roles and functions. Education continues to teach that some jobs are more appropriate for males than females because of the continuation of burden for females to take care of their families, so they rarely have

Discussion Board Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Discussion Board - Essay Example They not only bring with them terror for the common citizens but also introduce a huge dust of alcohol, abuse of drugs and many other forbidden things in the society. The future generation should be made to stay away from this peril as much as possible. Studies show that these young people are those who are at frenzy with their home and family or else the ones who do not have any one to look after them in their childhood and teenage years. They have an inferiority complex attached with their souls, which they very dearly want to get rid of. The crimes give them pleasure for certain time duration and heal their wounds but actually these never leave a lasting impression on their personality, rather they become more evil and bad. These youth sometimes, are the young black and brown fatherless ones who live within the inner streets of our cities who do not have any mentors, ministers or monitors to look after their needs and wishes. They are the ones who feel left out and think of themselves as nothing more than an ordinary piece of crap for the whole society and human era. Poverty and lack of education in their lives make them the most vulnerable amongst all human populations of any country or for that matter, the world. The organizations, not really the ones that are famous and well known, are also involved in organizing crimes, which are exploiting the younger generation of today. These create networks between their different branches and then go about performing their so-called duties to the society in a negative fashion. Mafias, gangs, triads and many more are just a few to be named as the well-set organizations in today’s world who are organizing crimes, hiring people for the same and then committing the evil through these people, mostly involving the youth. These organizations are also quite diligent in spreading the use of drugs and alcohols in the young blood. They operate in a secret capacity and can’t be easily tracked down by law

The value of HRM to business organization Literature review

The value of HRM to business organization - Literature review Example One of the systems through which businesses always survive when the economy is on the descent is training its workforce. This paper, seeks to evaluate the consequences brought about by training the workforce (Sams 2009, 497). It seeks to analyze if investing in training makes the various businesses make a large profit out of the prevailing economic situations. During economic turbulence, employee training comes at the back seat by several businesses. This is with the aim of reducing the expenses (King 2007, 38). However, some organizations normally continue employing training even under tougher times. Some of the ways through which businesses can go about training during tough times include, reducing the duration, which the training course was to take, and practicing internal training. Technology also comes in handy during such situations as some organizations encourage e learning (Watanabe 2010, 56). If the research carried out in the United Kingdom during the 2008-2009 economic slu mps is anything to go by, then training might just be the perfect antidote for such times. The research found out that those businesses that focused on training managed to get back on their feet soon after the downfall. This is because training prepared the employees and the organization at large to be well prepared for the slump and they found a way of maneuvering through it (Jacobs 2003, 59). Similarly, the general classification of training as a tactic for endurance helped the organizations get back to their feet. Supplementary to that, training had an overall impact of reducing costs. This is because training boosts the attitude of the employees and due to the assurance, they carried out their duties as required and in the process avoiding damages. Studies showed that adequate training enabled the organizations survive in case such downfalls took place in the future (Adegoke 2013, 25). By this, it means that the employees shall become much proficient in whatever they do. This ph enomenon is of great significance mainly because the employees will be able to venture into new methodologies and technologies (Lawson 2002, 96). The new methodologies by all standards shall enable the businesses to register extraordinary profits. Training of employees plays a major role towards increasing the morale of employees. The fact that the employer invests in the employees and the reason that the employer will be after their well-being, makes the staff-members give their best for the company (Wisconsin 2009, 119). Moreover, research has established that training of employees during tough times does make them not to worry about job security. Similarly, the employees become more satisfied and they feel much appreciated and valued by the employers. The overall effect of this will be to increase overall productivity of the business due to increase in the level of commitment (Hawthorne 2007, 92). Research has also established that training employees during economic turbulence he lps in broadening their career network in that, they shall meet other professionals who will inspire their success in their respective fields (Russell 2007, 46). One can achieve this through organization of seminars and attending of various conferences. In addition, the conferences act as information sources because they provide up to date information in the specific field that the employers are pursuing (Buckley 2009, 85). In a similar situation, frequent training enables the

Bullying Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Bullying - Essay Example To begin with, the fresher becomes the ideal â€Å"raw-material† for bullying. The reason being the freshmen are in minority and the senior students are in majority. The latter have gone through the experience of bullying and are waiting for their opportunity to take revenge. Taunts, intimidation, threats and violence are different forms of bullying and it is growing in all the directions like the octopus. The hopeful sign is that there has been increased awareness about the measures to checkmate bullying with those concerned with this issue, parents, teachers and guardians of the society. Making of a bully Vile bullying is tantamount to criminal behavior. In the educational institutions it is practiced by the bullies as if it is part of their curriculum. Some of the reasons for bullying are frustration, absence of role model, abuse and neglect at home, undue influence of peers and conduct disorder etc. The seed for the trait of bullying is sown at home. Children have impressi onable minds, and when parents do not spare enough time for them to meet their genuine needs, they rebel internally and when suppressed over a long period, it results in aggression. A youth fights to establish his own identity failing which he associates with like-minded friends and plans violent acts to give vent to his suppressed desires and goals. The materialistic civilization and the internet revolution have contributed their share to making the youth take to the path of negativities and violence. A youth comes to believe that bullying is the best and immediate solution for all his problems. Acceptable behavior for young adults and solution to bullying, its different perspectives A bully, when called to account, will go to the typical denial mode immediately. This is the common reaction. The bully thinks that offence is the best form of defense. Bullies are excellent manipulators and are experts in passing on the responsibility. In schools and colleges, to tackle bullying has t o be the important part of the school discipline. Students should have a clear understanding at the time of admission that aggression, bullying and violence are not acceptable. A written communication needs to be sent to the guardians and parents mentioning their responsibility on this count and with clear indications about the anti-bullying policy of the institution. The tolerance limit for this negative tendency should be zero and the one who still rebels must find accommodation in reformatory schools, if not outright rustication. The punishment meted out needs to be stern warning to other intending bullies that not only their educational career, but their future is in jeopardy if they violate rules. At the same time all possible counseling methods need to be employed to tame a bully and guidance provided to him as to how to deal with aggression. The bully should be told firmly about the benefits of interaction in a responsible and respectable manner with fellow students, juniors and the teaching faculty. Physical punishment is inappropriate as it will not deliver permanent solution to heal the injured psyche of the affected individual. The final solution to tackle bullying is the collective responsibility of the senior students, teachers, parents and the moral guardians of the society like preachers and spiritual masters. Meekness is not a virtue in all circumstances. Even the most disciplined student need to stand up to the bullies to check them from further adventures. The wise saying goes, â€Å"Meet good with good and evil with justice.† Most of the bullies are internally cowards. David Derbyshire writes about two interesting findings by the researchers, â€Å"Children who returned hostility with hostility appeared to be the most mature, the researchers found. Boys who stood

Twentieth Century Drama Essay Example for Free

Twentieth Century Drama Essay The inspector is interrogating the Birlings and Gerald Croft. He is trying to get the truth out of them without letting on that he already knows everything. I think that some of the characters have changed for instance Sheila; she knows that the inspector already knows that Mrs Birling turned Eva away when she came for help. Sheilas realisation of what the inspector is doing is quite clear when Mrs Birling is denying the fact that Eric is the father of Evas unborn baby, and Sheila says stop it mother, stop it, as Sheila already knows that the inspector knows this. Some of the most dramatic moments in the play are Sheilas obvious understanding of Mrs Birling ignorance that it was Erics baby. Sheila was horrified the Evas unborn baby was dead. Whereas Mrs Birling doesnt really care. Another dramatic point in the play is when Eric returns and the curtain falls, this causes great tension within the audience again. I believe that J. B Priestleys purpose in writing the play may be because of social injustice, he obviously had a strong belief in treating people equally and to be careful of how you treat them and he is trying to get this across to the audience. He expresses his feelings in this scene through the characters especially with Mrs Birling. It is obvious that Mrs Birling is not ashamed of what she has done, but the inspector is trying to make her aware of this. I also believe that J. B Priestley uses the inspector as a mouthpiece, the inspector is trying to communicate the same message as J. B Priestley is to the audience. I think that at that at the end of Act 2 when the curtain falls the audience would feel anxious about what is going to happen next. Priestley must be successful if the audience experiences this tension. This scene is a crucial part of the play because before now we didnt know that Eric was the father of Evas unborn baby and that Mrs Birling knew Eva Smith, but near the end this is all revealed. At the end of the play the inspector makes a speech that finally changed Eric and Sheila, it altered their perspective in ways such as, to treat people with respect and treat them fairly. This could be reflected in the audience, as the Birling family were of a high class and the majority of the play who came to see this play was also of the same standard so they could relate to the plays events. The audience may think that they have done something terrible in the past like the Birlings had done and might think more carefully next time. I think that J. B Priestley has been completely successful with this play as a piece of theatre because of the above reasons.

Crime Increase Essay Example for Free

Crime Increase Essay It is true that many countries have been experiencing the growth of crime rate. In response many countries are building new prisons, but they are just increase the number of inmates instead of solving this problem. Perhaps, we need to look back at the roots of this issue and facing the possible causes. The TV and computer games are considered to be one of the reasons of crime level and violence increase. see more:essay on crimes Violent actions, murders in virtual worlds or on TV screen are changing our vision of morale. I believe, that it is unrealistic to blame only the media. It is believed that the main cause of crime activity is social inequality. A child from rich family should makes much less efforts to get education and well paid job than children from poor families, because his parents are able to pay for his education. In addition, many children from unsecured families are forced to work from the very young age to support their families. What is more, many teenagers can be addicted to drugs, what in its turn can put the end to their education and further development. Solving above-mentioned problems are not easy. We need to reduce a gap between the layers of society by providing more chances for poor people to become wealthier. But not only the government should be involved in this, business structures should also take a part, creating jobs and improving education process. In relation to the drug spreading problem, I believe the government should start from itself and fight against the drug corruption. I believe that the crime level will continue to rise unless, particularly in cities, we find and apply an effective way to solve these issues. Perhaps, we should start from involving business to education of students and building theirs careers. Business will get more qualified workers, the government will get more taxpayers and everybody win.

Argos Diesel Europe

Argos Diesel Europe The Case of the Floundering Expatriate 1a. Analysis of the case situation (what and why) 1b. Specific Cross Cultural Issues Argos Diesel Europe is experiencing cross-cultural challenges among various divisions of the company (Argos Diesel Europe, its European suppliers, local company employees and the new member an American expatriate). The company places high priority on achieving results, and it is conscious that in order to achieve their financial targets they must become an integrated team. However, the teams cultural diversity and lack of understanding for each others differences, demonstrates an intense friction and cohesiveness among members. Depending on the group members nationalities, each one has a different degree of expectation, motivation, participation and commitment. The main factors affecting the company from becoming an efficient cross cultural integrated team include: Lack of Open Communication among each other: ‘I tell you, Frank, theyre just going to have to join the rest of us in the postindustrial age, learn to do things the Argos way. * No direct confrontation to discuss the real issues and what can be done to improve problems (ex: Donaldson lack of cultural awareness and the effect on the company, group perception of him) (back talk) * Between Frank Waterhouse and Bert Donaldson (lack of communication as to what is expected from Bert, how he can better adjust to the culture, ways of solving friction between Bert and the team) * Between Frank Waterhouse and Bill Loan lack of understanding about each others necessities and overall company performance. Bill does not want to be bothered in solving the particular issues that the Zà ¼rich office is having. * Between Bert Donaldson and his department team * Between Bert Donaldson and the companys suppliers (as he delivered his speech, everyone in the audience was already familiar with his team-building plan) * Donaldson and Frau Schweri (manager) if proper communication was established at the beginning Frau Schweri could have assisted in setting up the meetings and familiarize Donaldson with the social/organisational etiquette * Arrival of trainers in Zà ¼rich Two year contract being offered to the trainers, â€Å"after Frau Schweri adviced him not to† 2. Lack of team collaboration * Lack of having an ‘open mind work approach * Individual vs collective attitude Examples: Franks self-centered attitude toward his own career plans in the US versus an overall attempt to ensure everyone in the team properly adjusts to changes in culture to ensure quality performance. Frank being one of the drivers for the European team program Emphasis should be on overall team performance and collaboration * Lack of response from managers to Donaldson multiple choice survey. ‘ * Group culture (not 1 way of doing things is better than another) everyone should cooperate and find a middle ground * Lack of synergy (no pattern of interaction that involves everyone) (Berger, 165, ch 165) * No formal support to Bert to ensure he becomes aware of the organization culture in Zà ¼rich / no support to Berts family (external and internal pressures) He is unintentionally offending colleagues No one confronts about the real problems (Waterhouse or Bert) * Team exclusion Bert is not part of Franks â€Å"inner circle† * Relationship conflict â€Å"interpersonal incompatibilities, including tension, animosity, and annoyance† (Chuang et al. 28) Between Bert and the European managers Between Bert and Jacob Hassler, VP of HR at Schwyz Turbines I told him I was interested in his ideas, so he pushed his chair back and said , ‘Please let me know what you expect. I reminded him that were on the same team, have only two more years for major change, gave him a week to get back to me with a few ideas, and you know what he said? He said, ‘Ja,ja. (Adler, p. 29) Between Bert an Ursula Lindt (regarding Berts reference to Bettina Schweri as a ‘secretary†, instead of referring to her with her appropriate title * All of them are back talking negatively about each other 3. Lack of understanding for cultural differences / cultural awareness * Lack of tolerance for individual differences (when things do not go as expected, European managers and administrative team I in Zà ¼rich becomes frustrated and complaint. Instead, they should be upfront and finding a solution/means to tell Bert what is expected of him, instead of seeing him fail. After all, the importance is to learn to overcome each others differences to ensure the company succeeds. * Stereotypes: ‘the American, ‘the Germans vs ‘the Portuguese * Difference in perception of time (punctuality, meeting duration, the ‘right time to be part of an international assignment) * Use of titles and names * Ways of addressing others (secretary versus manager) * Dress code (American trainers wearing Mickey Mouse sweaters) * Understanding of hierarchical organisations * Team involvement / management styles â€Å"management by walking† managers unresponsiveness to Donaldsons multiple-choice survey * Use of humor * Presentation style and amount of information covered (â€Å"bombardment of information†, not providing â€Å"enough background information†) * Networking (allow breaks in between presentations to allow people to interact) 4. Staff morale * Networking and socializing is a central part of Argos Zà ¼rich office culture * Differences in culture, work habits, and management styles are affecting the staff morale in the office 5. Culturally different leadership/working styles (Berger 162, cha 11) * â€Å"Management by walking† (Berts attempt to involve the entire department to obtain â€Å"ideas, plans, or solutions†) * Working habits (ex: working during lunch time and until midnight) * Presentation style, material covered, and duration (meetings running too short, or not allowing for enough breaks to network)  · Decision making (individual vs collective) 6. Difference in the levels of fluency of the common language * Everyone in the office, except from Bert is fluent in Swiss German * Berts lack of attempt to speak Swiss German is viewed negatively by the team As a leader it is expected to have basic command of the language Cross cultural issues and managerial issues The Case of the Floundering Expatriate Meeting 2 Thursday, October 22, 2009 2a. Action plan which Bert could present to his team on ways forward to address some of these issues Given that one of the main cultural issues faced by Bert and his team is lack of communication, before any of the following actions are implemented, Bert needs to establish a group meeting between key members (Frank, Frank Schweri, main suppliers). The meeting, which will be lead by an external facilitator, will allow everyone to share their concerns, open communication channels, relieve frustrations, share their opinions, and reach a consensus regarding the actions that everyone needs to take. Thus, allowing the team to improve their work relationship, morale, and work atmosphere. More importantly, during this first meeting, the group will complete and discuss Belbins team roles self-assessment. Subsequent to this meeting, Bert will also suggest weekly staff briefs to discuss current issues, in an open manner. In addition, he will present the following set of seminars and training sessions to address the teams main cultural issues. These sessions will be placed on a year trial period (which correlates with Berts evaluation period). 1. Intercultural communication seminar This seminar will allow the group to acquire the skills and techniques needed for a successful communication process by: * Establishing open/direct lines of communication * Learning how to communicate effectively with a culturally diverse workforce * Recognizing the importance of active listening * Learning the significance of verbal and non-verbal communication (tone of voice, proxemics, body position and gestures, facial expression, and eye contact) (Thomas 2008). 2. Cross-cultural/diversity awareness training (Thomas 2008) This training session will allow the team to improve interpersonal interaction among each other by: * Raising ‘level of awareness and sensitivity to diversity issues (Francesco et al. 2005). How to manage diversity (short and long term focus) Usefulness of cultural values differences among different ethnic groups Establishing ‘cultural advisory groups (Francesco et al. 2005). * Learning how to interact with different cultures Create awareness of diverse cultural and individual working, communication, behavioral, and presentation styles * Learning to ‘manage diversity effectively to ‘develop a competitive advantage (Francesco et al. 2005). * Learning about social customs, business etiquette and protocols in different countries (ex: Switzerland, United States, Great Britain) 3. Improving staff moral seminar ‘we all matter This session will allow Berts team to: * Establish ways of improving motivation and overall teams engagement * Learn the correlation between motivation and productivity * Creating a dynamic, positive and friendly workplace environment  · Establishing ‘values which play importance on satisfaction, morale, and loyalty (Berger, 1996, p. 22) 4. Interactive events encouraging diversity and team spirit To encourage interaction among team members, improve communication, cultural differences understanding, staff morale, and overall dynamics of the team and the environment they operate under, the following events could be suggested to take place:  · Friday staff breakfast meetings These sessions will allow all team members to obtain updates and have clear visibility of everyones activities, project, and companys current status These meetings will encourage open communication changes, team building exercises, and staff moral improvement  · Quarterly team challenge events (including: city challenges, bowling, boat trips, etc) These events will allow team members to interact in a non-working environment Positive moral, interaction, communication, and team synergy will be the main emphasis * Informal family-staff picnics 5. Conflict resolution seminar (Thomas 2008) Through role play, group discussions, and the use of case studies, the group will be able to:  · Learn the ‘background to conflict and the contribution they can make to either calming or escalating a confrontation (The conflict 2009) * Learn various approaches to dealing with different cultures and difficult colleagues * Learn how to structure and control a conversation (The conflict 2009) * Learn how to manage unpredictability (The conflict 2009) * Learn how to make concessions and reach agreements (Thomas 2008) * Learn how to employ the use of assertive communication 6. Constant feedback and evaluation of progress and training/seminar sessions (will create interactive synergy) While all of the above training and seminar sessions are imperative in dealing with individual cultural issues and group differences, as a continuous and recurring activity, the group must have established feedback and evaluation procedures. The feedback/evaluation process will allow the group to: * ‘Review the learning within the team learn from mistakes and share success (Berger 1996, p.175) * Evaluate the set goals, progress, areas requiring further intervention, and the overall effectiveness of the training and seminar sessions * Provide individual and group feedback to ensure everyone obtains an equal and fair opportunity to develop with the group and contribute to solve their cross-cultural issues. While the above training sessions and seminars will be suggested by Bert, careful consideration must be given to the implementation, cost, frequency, time constraints, evaluation and overall benefit of such sessions. Nevertheless, if implemented effectively, this action plan will ‘create a set of rules for the team, and help them develop ‘a shared team vision (Francesco et al., 2005, p.205). These activities will allow the team to discover ways of embracing their diversity, and use it as a ‘sustainable competitive advantage that will ultimately lead to superior performance and effective working relations (Von Berger et al., 2005, p. 2). The Case of the Floundering Expatriate Meeting 3 Monday, October 26, 2009 3. Action plan for Bert on the steps he needs to take in his own cross-international development to ensure he interacts effectively in this and future interactive work groups. In order for Bert to develop as an effective international leader, he needs to consider his current condition and future prospects. Given that he was not provided with any cultural training prior to his move to Switzerland, and due to the current turmoil, misunderstanding, and demands of his current role, the most effective and less time constraining activities during the present time will be the following. (These activities will be given a trial period of six months followed by an evaluation). 1. Cultural awareness training * This training will allow Bert to learn ‘major aspects of the host country culture, including customs, traditions, everyday behaviors (Francesco et al., 19998) * By developing his cultural awareness, Berts way of thinking will expand, and global mindset will broaden Bert will build up an understanding on how to create an environment of equal opportunities, while being flexible and sensitive to others differences He will be more receptive in learning about the needs and wants of others, while sharing openly common goals and values 2. Become involved in coaching and feedback sessions Bert should discuss with Frank the possibility of obtaining an internal coach (possibly Frank himself). The goal for Frank, Bert, and the entire company is to reach successful results. Hence, it s to the advantage of Bert and Frank that bonds are established so that they can discuss openly their feelings, expectations, and more importantly a change of action. During these coaching sessions Bert can: * Access his complete a free online ‘Cultural Orientation Framework (COF) (www.philrosinski.com) in order to identify his ‘existing orientations and to examine other alternatives (Rosinski et al., 2008, p. 258). The COF can be used with his coach to: evaluate cultures, find out new ways to create solutions, ‘envision a desired culture, and learn to use diversity as a source of action and cooperation (Gilbert et al., 2008, p. 88). * Use the GROW Model of Coaching to: Set up SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) goals for the short and long term Obtain a reality check to analyse his current situation Explore his options and alternative courses of action ‘Wrap-up, decide what he needs to do, his will to do, and by when (Gilbert, 2009, p.8) * Use the ‘Global Coaching Process to access his ‘desires, strengths, weaknesses, present situation and preferences in an attempt to evaluate the expectations of his group members (Rosinski et al. 270) 3. Interaction with team members A key to a leaders success is having the correct networking ability to connect and interact with others. Hence, while long working days, ineffective communication, and lack of cooperation has been present in his team. As a director, Bert should try be more charismatic, share a few lunch breaks with his team, or even try to interact outside of work. This will allow him the possibility to see his colleagues and team members in a richer cultural and analytical context. In future assignments it is crucial that Bert is culturally better prepared prior to actually relocating to a new country. In order to do this, Bert should suggest to the company that not only him, but all individuals and their families who will be embarking on an international assignment undergo the following programme: 1. Country Briefings 2. Reading assignments Focusing on the culture of the specific country or region How to interact and do business with different cultures Provide access to similar electronic sources to accompanying family members 3. Informal chats with employees who have acquired experience in a particular country 4. Basic language courses to employees and their families Twice a week for a minimum period of 5 weeks 5. In country training an development New expatriates should be assigned a mentor/coach with the particular country relevant experience. The coach/ mentor will not only assist the expatriate in his development and acculturation to the new corporate environment. He/she will also assist the expatriate and his/her family to get accustomed to the new country, help them find schools, jobs for their partners, etc. 6. Repatriation Within a month of Once return to their home country, after completing their international assignment, expatriates should be required to review their Personal Development Plans, success/failure of their assignment, and lessons learnt with their provided HR business partner and coach/mentor. (Eangle, p. 294) Berts current situation demonstrates to the company, that the culture of the organization must be adjusted in order to foster successful cross-cultural assignments where It needs to promulgate coaching, mentoring, and adapt to potential new ideas and ways of doing for their employees and their families prior to departure. While cost and resources might prove to be a challenge for the company, the overall success of expatriate assignments, lie on the success of the cultural awareness pre-departure programme. â€Å" An effective international manager needs to develop skills for understanding an managing diversity. Since different cultures have various approaches to diversity, it is important to understand these approaches and the potential impact they could have on the manager† (Francesco et al., 2005, pp 209). Working Together and Cross Cultural Issues Culture is central to what we see, how we make sense of what we see, and how we express ourselves, and there are various varieties that lie within. For example, Different Communication Styles where as a group we had diverse ways of doing that varied widely between us. One aspect of communication style is language usage. Across cultures, some words and phrases are used in different ways. For example, even in countries that share the English language, the meaning of yes varies from maybe, Ill consider it to definitely so, with many shades in between. Therefore we found that it took some time to agree with each other about certain points but always came to a conclusion or harmony in the end. Secondly we had different approaches to Completing Tasks From culture to culture; there are different ways that people move toward completing roles or projects. Some reasons include different access to resources; different judgments of the rewards associated with task completion, different notions of time, and varied ideas about how relationship-building and task-oriented work should go together, but found that everyone worked well together to find appropriate data that was relevant to the actual task and respected asked criteria. Finally we had a complete group where everyone had a particular role to complete, and worked well within the context to find an applicable solution to the case for answering adequately. References 1 Berger, M. (1996) Cross-Cultural Team Building: guidelines for more effective communication and negotiation. London, McGraw-Hill, Chapter 2, 11, pp. 22, 175. Francesco, A.M. and Gold, B.A. (2005) International Organizational Behavior, Upper Saddler River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc., Chapter 10, pp. 204-206. The Conflict Training Company (2009) Conflict Management Training. The Conflict Training Company Ltd [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.conflict-training.co.uk/conflict_management_training.php?gclid=CPiegujYw50CFUtp4wodBnx8sQ [Accessed 17 October 2009]. Thomas, D.C. (2008) Cross-Cultural Management Essential Concepts, 2nd Edition, Los Angeles: SAGE Publications Ltd, pp: 131-137, 187. Von Bergen C.W., Parnell J.A. (2005) ‘Workforce Diversity and Organisational Performance, Equal Opportunities International, Vol.24, No 3/4, p. 2. References 2 Francesco, A.M. and Gold, B.A. (1998) International Organizational Behavior, Upper Saddler River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc., p. 175. Gilbert, K. and Rosinski, P (2008) ‘Accessing cultural orientations: the online Cultural Orientations Framework Assessment as a tool for coaching. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice. Vol. 1, No. 1, March 2008, p. 88 Gilbert, K. (2009) ‘Week 4: Coaching and Mentoring Across Cultures. International Management Competencies. Slides 8, 9. Rosinski, P. and Abbott, G (2006) Evidence Based Coaching Handbook; Putting best practices to work for your clients. MyLibrary [Online]. Available at: http://opac.brookes.ac.uk/www-bin/ejnls?CN=S0016895OX (Accessed: 23 October 2009).

Fallacy Essay -- Fallacy Fallacies Social Issues Essays

Fallacy three logical fallacies that are used in this paper are Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc, Far-Fetched Hypothesis, and False Dilemma. What is a fallacy? A fallacy is viewed as an error in reasoning. To be more exact, a fallacy is an "argument" in which the premises given for the conclusion do not provide the needed degree of support. A logical fallacy is an error in logical argument which is independent of the truth of the premises. When there is a fallacy in an argument it is said to be invalid. The presence of a logical fallacy in an argument does not necessarily imply anything about the argument's premises or its conclusion. Both may actually be true, but the argument is still invalid because the conclusion does not follow. Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc is Latin means "after this therefore because of this". What this means is that a fallacy is committed when it is concluded that one event causes another simply because the proposed cause occurred before the proposed effect. There was an article in The Washington Times about a Florida woman who developed a brain tumor behind the ear where she had customarily placed her cell phone, her husband blamed radiation from the phone and sued its manufacturer. After his 1993 appearance on CNN's "Larry King Show," other similar lawsuits followed. None succeeded however, and within several months, the controversy was forgotten.† This kind of health scare is an example of the Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc (believing that because two eve...

What women want Essay -- essays research papers

The film What Women Want is directed by Nancy Myers. In this film, the issue of the catalyst initiating change is looked at and the affects of this change. This film shows how the protagonist, Nick Marshall, a middle aged advertising agent develops his perception of women and creates strong relationship with his daughter. Nick loves the world he initially lived in. He did not treat women with much respect, yet had no trouble finding dates and was content in living this way. The change initiated is accidental when Nick is electrocuted in the bathtub, allowing him to hear women’s thoughts. This scene is important as it shows the catalyst responsible for Nick’s transition into a new phase. Slow motion is a filming technique used as the audience can become fully aware of the significance of the scene. As the hair dryer falls into the water, it falls slowly. Rapid camera angles are used with non-diegetic music (mood music) in order to create a humorous tone for the scene. At first, Nick opposes this change as he tries to get rid of this new gift of his by electrocuting himself again. This does not work. This opposition to change is parallel to Old Bill in The Simple Gift, as his change is also not expected or welcome. As the film goes on, Nick’s perspectives change, both towards women and this gift he has. As shown in a particular scene where Nick is sitting around laughing, enjoying women’s company. This film technique of gesture show Nick enjoying the women’s company, but al...

A Comparison of George Orwells Totalitarian World of 1984 and America

Orwell's Totalitarian World of 1984 is America in 2004 Orwell's allegorical critique of Stalinism in 1984 is often used in capitalist nations as a poignant literary attack on Communism and other collectivist economic and political systems. The argument often follows the lines of "This is socialism, and as you can see, it doesn't work and just leads to oppression. We're in a nice capitalist democracy, therefore we are better off." But is that conclusion the truth? Orwell didn't just intend 1984 as an attack on communism or socialism; instead it is both an attack and a rather prophetic warning against any authoritarian structure, including the authoritarian structure of capitalist democracies. Often we do not equate "democracy" with totalitarianism, but thanks to the manipulation of language, we can have both "democracy" and a corrupt and oppressive regime simultaneously. How? Through the wonders of Orwell's newspeak and doublethink. This is not newspeak exactly as Orwell portrayed it (a open attempt at centralized modification of language), but more in the form of what Orwell warned about in his essay Language and Politics. The subtle debasing of words has allowed the powerful in democratic nations to successfully install a system which is blatantly counter-democratic in its behavior and yet is masked by twisted language. "Democracy" means, to many Americans, a system in which they choose their own leaders, voice their opinions to representatives in government, and human rights and freedoms are respected by the state. But in practice, "democracy," when applied abroad by the United States, means subjugating native peoples to the will of American corporations, and in the process, the destruction... ...s ideas of Newspeak and doublethink. Those who think America is far from the totalitarian world of 1984 are actually dead wrong. It is 1984 today in many respects; the only difference is that the leaders have done a much better job of covering up their wrongdoing. It could be said that Orwell was the prophet and Chomsky is the messiah of our current "democratic" state. Works Cited Chomsky, Noam. Profit Over People: Neoliberalism and Global Order. New York: Seven Stories Press, 1999. Chomsky, Noam. The Chomsky Trilogy (The Prosperous Few And the Restless Many (1994), Secrets, Lies and Democracy (1994), and What Uncle Sam Really Wants (1992) ). Tucson, AZ: Odonian Press/Seven Stories Press, 1999. (available in e-text from the Noam Chomsky Archive: http://www.zmag.org/chomsky/index.cfm) Orwell, George. 1984. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1949.

Report on Case Study: Walmart Japan Essay

Question 1: How would you characterize Wal-Mart’s approach to global management? The trademark of Wal-Mart’s global management approach focuses on 3 main strategies: low price, best value, large selection of goods & high quality service. Being the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart will enter the international market by providing a wide variety of products at a lower price than its domestic competitors. In addition, one of the common strategies of Wal-Mart is to partner or acquire a local supermarket retailer who has already had a good knowledge of the market in order to save time & money. Wal-Mart is also famous for its great use of distributor network. They pay a lot of attention to choosing a good location when expanding their business, a strategy which has been proven successful in its original US market. Question 2: Do you agree with Wal-Mart’s entry strategy in Japan? What are some of the inherent risks? Do you think that a faster market entry would be more effective? In my opinion, Wal-Mart’s entry strategy in Japan (slow-and-steady) is quite appropriate with Japanese retail environment and economic situation. However, there are many challenges need to be overcome in this potential market: 1. Socio-cultural Differences: In Japan, consumers often equate bad quality with low price. Changing consumer perceptions is not easy or cheap. In addition, Japanese customers demand a quick entry and exit from the stores which makes cutting costs by eliminating staffs from the retail process unadvisable. 2. Fierce Competition: It is unavoidable that there are many strong domestic rivals in a highly potential retail market like Japan. 3. Distribution System: Traditionally, Japan’s multilayered distribution networks have notoriously made selling merchandise more expensive for retailers. Wal-Mart’s desire to remove middle man and wholesalers from this network is quite challenging. These above obstacles bring about unfavorable risks to Wal-Mart and it requires time to deliberate and make the right decision in grasping the cultural quirks. The bit-by-bit approach has proved its rightness in entering a wholly new market in case of Wal-Mart. Thereupon, a faster market entry wouldn’t be more effective but might be a path to another failure of Wal-Mart. Question 3: In your opinion, what is the single most important  thing Wal-Mart can do to ensure success in Japan? Explain. In our opinion, the single most important thing Wal-Mart can do to ensure success in Japan is to streamlining its supply chain, or to skip the middleman in other word, then it should be able to pass lower costs along to the custo mer. Therefore, Wal-Mart would have a huge advantage over its local competitors in its ability to price low. Moreover, the Japanese market appears to be ready for value chains. Wal-Mart is confident it can make significant inroads in Japan under its low-price model, but the challenge will lie in its ability to convince Japanese consumers that its everyday low prices don’t translate into poor product quality. Fortunately, Japanese customers are becoming more value conscious, there arises a huge opportunities for discount retailers to capitalize on changing cultural conditions. Entry strategy of Wal-mart in Japan: slow and steady. It had learned from past mistakes and knew that getting to market faster didn’t necessarily equate to being better. For example, in Germany, where retail regulations and swift price competition are both fierce, Wal-Mart reacted before it inventory systems were in place, and the result was substantial operating losses. Driving the strategy is the installation of Wal-Mart’s Retail Link operation, a JIT inventory replenishment system shared between retailer and supplier, effectively eliminating the wholesaler and speeding up payables and receivables collections. Wal-Mart believed Seiyu was the partner best suited for its entry strategy because by working through a local partner, Wal-Mart believed it could better wade through Japan’s long and costly network of suppliers, which has long frustrated many other foreign investor. Since only the biggest Japanese retailers have the leverage with manufactures, partnering with an existing market leader should prove invaluable when attempting to negotiate direct deals. Moreover, Wal-Mart avoids having to build stores and can take advantage of Seiyu’s well-recognized brand. Question 4: Do you think Wal-Mart is doing enough cross-cultural training with its Seiyu employees? What are the greatest challenges Wal-Mart faces in relating to its Japanese employees? In our opinion, in such a different market like Japan compare to the US’s, Wal-Mart is doing enough cross cultural training with its Seiyu employees, but will take time to make employees to adapt changes. First, to reinforce the importance of selling correctly, Wal-Mart has put store managers through weeklong training sessions and has  flown hundreds of Seiyu workers to company headquarter in Arkansas. This hopefully can be successful in training Wal-Mart Japan’s employees to learn global management and selling style which meet the world standard according to Seiyu’s CEO said. Nevertheless, according to the case, Wal-Mart arranged just a few cultural training classes to teach the employees to be more outspoken, upbeat and goal-oriented while encouraging employees continually praising co-workers. Apparently, Wal-Mart somehow is not applying a right strategy. Japan is a country where people highly appreciate humbleness. Therefore, appraising co-workers is considered as an inappropriate action which cannot be easily accepted by large number of employees. As a consequence, this might cause difficulties especially for trainee to adapt a new perception within a short term. The greatest challenges Wal-Mart is facing regardless of its Japanese employees should be the culture differences, they have to find out how to deal with the resistance to change of workers. The second problem is maintaining the budget for retraining staff, sending them to foreign environment to learn new management methods to increase sales of Japan Wal-Mart Stores, which may take long time. Question 5: How can Wal-Mart respond to some of the negative impressions of its employment practices in the United States so that these perspectives do not follow it as it expands internationally? With the problem of sex-discrimination lawsuit in 2001, Wal-Mart has fought to class action decision as recently as early 2007. However, its attempts have been unsuccessful. Besides, in order to counter the negative publicity of the discrimination lawsuit, Wal-Mart also opened a diversity office in November 2003, enhancing their claim that: â€Å"Wal-Mart is a wonderful place for women and minorities to work and isolated complaints do not change this fact† Despite the complaint of lowing workers’ standard of living that lead to the negative impact on Wal-Mart’s image, the company has little trouble keeping its shoppers with low prices or attracting workers with the promise of a career in a fast-growing company. Nevertheless, Wal-Mart offers a very promising promoting op portunity to each of its staff. At Wal-Mart, anyone, without a high school degree start as a cart pusher in the parking lot can end up being a store manager, district manager or a regional vice-president. Those reactions ensure a future for Wal-Mart as the biggest private retail employer in the world.

Payroll Accounting Cycle Essay

The Payroll Accounting Cycle or Payroll Cycle is basically a process for recording time and attendance and converting that data into payroll calculations and payroll disbursements (Robertson, 2003). This cycle covers all activities related to payroll from hiring and firing to pay distribution. The payroll cycle has four basic stages; recruitment, which covers the identification of vacant positions, advertising for the vacancies, and selection of a candidate for hire, time and attendance, which is a record of all the work hours of the employees, salary distribution, which involves the depositing of paychecks into the employees account, and unfunded liability, which determines the unfunded annual leave and separation pay (Payroll Cycle, 2005). The most important internal control process in the Payroll Accounting Cycle is the division of duties (Bierstaker, 1997). Under this control process, the main tasks should be handled by different people.  This means that processes such as the hiring and firing of personnel and the management of labor relations, the supervision approval of work time, the preparation and timekeeping of payroll, the payroll check preparation and related payroll reports as well as the payroll distribution and actual custody of checks and its subsequent distribution to employees, should all be handled by five separate auditors to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the Payroll Cycle (Robertson, 2003). Another specific internal control in the Payroll Cycle is by implementing authorization requirements. This basically acts as a checks and balance feature in the Payroll Accounting Cycle (Bierstaker, 1997). In this control process, the pay base data, which is the data on which pay is based including factors such as hours, piece rate volume, and incentives, and personnel hiring and firing decisions, should all be initially approved by a supervisor or an independent department (Robertson, 2003). Providing that all these controls are implemented properly, there should be no relative weaknesses in the Payroll Cycle. There are probabilities however that the internal control systems will fail to detect material misstatements. The methods that can be used to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the Payroll Accounting Cycle of a business involve careful auditing, risk assessment and control risk assessment (Bierstaker, 1997). In conducting control risk assessments it should always be remembered that if the control risk is assessed very low, substantive audit procedures can be limited in cost-saving ways. If it is assessed very high, substantive procedures will need to be designed to lower the risk of failing to detect material misstatement in the account balances (Robertson, 2003). There is no perfect Payroll Accounting Cycle and control measures should always be implemented and audited periodically.

Discuss how Baz Luhrman reaches his audience Essay

In this essay I am going to discuss how Baz Luhrman reaches his audience and establishes mood in his film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. To do this I am going to discuss the difference between the screenplay and Shakespeare’s original text, the genre of the film, the mise-en-scene, lighting, camera shots and soundtrack. Baz Luhrman wanted to reach a teenage audience this is portrayed through clothing, the fast pace action, and the soundtrack. Luhrman may have wanted to reach a teenage audience because there is no other recent film adaptation of Shakespeares’ plays catering for a teenage audience. Baz Luhrman reaches his audience and establishes mood in the opening credits and first scene of his film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by his use of modernisation of the original text. The genre is communicated to the audience immediately in the opening credits in the screenplay. The prologue from the play is used in the form of a news report. We then hear a voice over that sounds as if he is writing what he is saying. The main points of his speech are shown in the form of newspaper headlines or flashed up on screen. When we hear the voice over stating the prologue his last fatal line is, â€Å"A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life. † This is the last sentence flashed on screen before the audience see the characters picture and their name in a freeze frame. Luhrman could have done this to show the audience who the possible main suspects were for the cause of Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. There are shots of the film shown in quick succession which builds to a climax. In these shots are images of shooting, fast cars and police. These all show conflict, action and death i. e. tragedy. As the film progresses, it shows the audience that there are going to be deaths. Also the operatic music we hear becomes faster and faster. This goes well with the sequence of quick film images helping to create the feeling of tragedy. In the news report there is a picture of a broken wedding ring, this also helps to portray the message of tragedy and heartbreak. In the screenplay Shakespeares’ original text has been adapted to suit the modern audience. This is seen clearly in the first scene at the petrol station. The screenplay shows a Montague biting his thumb at the Capulets, whereas in Shakespeares’ original text, it is a Capulet that bites his thumb at the Montague’s. The roles may have been reversed because the Montague’s seem childish and the Capulets are more serious. The biting of the thumb is an immature thing to do, therefore suiting the Montague’s. In Shakespeares’ text the Capulets are at fault for starting the fight. In this screenplay both the Montague’s and the Capulets are to blame for the fight. Baz Luhrman has adapted the original text in this way because he wanted to show that both families had involvement in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, and it was not more the Capulets fault then the Montague’s. They were both at fault. To get this message across, Luhrman started at the beginning showing continuity. Also certain lines from Shakespeares’ text have been left out of the screenplay. For example, in the original text a Capulet states, â€Å"Let us take the law of our sides, let them begin. † However this is not included in Baz Luhrmans’ screenplay. This maybe because he wanted to make their actions and statements spontaneous. If he had included that line it would have shown that they have thought about their actions, which could then lead to the Montague’s being the cause of the fight. The film is set in Southern California. The first scene is set in a petrol station; this is so there can be a fire at the end of the scene. The cars both families drive have the first three letters of their family name as the license plate, which would make the audience believe they are wealthy. The Capulets’ car is dark signifying evil, whereas the Montagues’ car is bright revealing their childlike, playful personalities. The Capulet’s guns have their family logo on it and the word ‘sword’ (because it was the term used for gun at that time) as do the Montague’s. The Montague’s are portrayed in quite a ‘laddish’ manner and come across as harmless. They wear bright coloured clothing, have dyed hair, bald heads, fair complexions, clean shaven skin and behave scandalously. They seem more like boys, rather then men and come across as quite laid back and relaxed. These characteristics show their personality. The Capulet’s have a Latino look about them; they have a darker complexion, dark facial hair, and are stylishly dressed. Stereotypical archetypes (dark meaning villainous). They have slick gelled back hair which suggests to the audience that they take pride in their appearance and like to display their wealth. With the Montague’s, they do not seem to care what people think and so do not dress to impress. The Capulet’s also have silver heeled boots and one in particular has a silver cap over his top teeth saying ‘sin’. This shows the Capulet’s hypocrisy because they wear Catholic waistcoats. A better example of the Capulet’s hypocrisy is Tybalt who has a picture of God on his waistcoat and says he hates the word ‘peace’. Because the Capulet’s are conscious of their reputation, they are keen not to be insulted. Tybalt is smoking a cigarette in the petrol station showing rebellious behaviour and a danger to others. Unlike the Montague’s who appear harmless. During the gunfight, the Montague’s continuously fire off target and the Capulet’s shoot accurately and have a stylish handling of their guns, (Tybalt in particular). This along with appearance and behaviour, show the audience aspects of the character and a contrast of personality. There are a variety of camera shots in the opening credits of the film. There is lots of zoom in and out, when words flash up on screen and fast panning. There are high and low angle shots in a rapid sequence which creates visual excitement; it is very dramatic and almost confusing. Luhrman chose to use these types of camera shots because it escalates to a climax and adds to the mood being created. The first scene is top lit, has a quick fiery pace, uses slow motion when Tybalt drops a match and his cigarette. This creates suspense. There are lots of close ups used and one of most significant is the close up of the eyes (Benvolio and Tybalt, highlighting their evil intent) before the gunfight. This shoes intensity. Fast moving cameras make it hard to keep up with the action. This affect has been produced via the editing and helped with the formation of mood. Also a comical effect is created when a woman in a car is hitting a Montague in the head with her handbag. This is to try and relax the atmosphere because the scene is so tense. Luhrman has used a steady camera shot to involve the audience into the movie. This also adds tension as it makes the audience feel as if they are part of the gunfight. The operatic music in the opening credits reaches a climax. In the first scene, the Montague boys have their own introductory music called ‘The Boys’. It is an up beat retro sound revealing their adolescent characters. This caters for the teenage audience Luhrman is trying to reach because it is a modern style of music revealing their adolescent characters. The Capulet’s have a Western type music mirroring a cow boy style to represent their villainous characters. The soundtracks introducing the two families give the audience a sense of their personalities. The sound effects of the screenplay are Western; this creates a Country and Western style atmosphere and tells the audience there is going to be a gunfight. Also the pan pipes (symbolising the whistling of wind) and the creaking of a rusty sign, indicate a gunfight in the making and create a comical effect to relax the intense atmosphere. When the Montague’s and Capulet’s meet there is complete silence suggesting the starting of a gunfight. During the gunfight there is a blend between opera and a western style of music, showing equality at that point. In this essay I have explained how Baz Luhrman has reached his audience and established mood in the opening credits and first scene in his film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by his modernisation of Shakespeares’ original text. I have done this by discussing the genre, the difference between the screenplay and the text, the mise-en-scene, lighting and camera shots and the soundtrack. Baz Luhrman has made clear changes in his screenplay and has produced a successful modernised film of Romeo and Juliet.

Holiday Depression

Tara Heubel Eng 101 Section 1130 Essay 2 Final draft Tis the Season For most people the holiday season is a very happy time. It is a time for laughter and rejoicing. It is during the holiday season that we begin to see and hear from loved ones that may not always be in touch. Friends and family from everywhere begin to make contact during this time of year in hopes to send merry wishes for the year and year to come. However not all people are overcome with the â€Å"holiday spirit,† but are rather plagued with the feeling of sadness and loneliness. This small group of people struggle through the holiday season. There are many different variables that may lead to this frustration during this time of year. No matter what the reason may be for feeling so down, the fact remains that for these individuals the holidays cause serious depression. With all the celebrating that takes place during the holidays host and hostesses may just be the most underrated people working hard to make the holiday celebration a great success! Unless you are the yearly host of a holiday get together, you really have no idea about the burden and stress that can be placed on the person who is coordinating the celebration. There are people to invite, food to purchase and prepare, decorations to hang, presents to wrap, and an atmosphere to set. The host of the party is usually preparing for the main event several months ahead of time, that is if he or she is smart, to be sure that nothing is forgotten. After all, there won’t be another party like this one till next year. If the party goes well it will be talked about all year long and people will be excited to return for future celebrations! This is ideally what every host is hoping to achieve. The perfect celebration! Every year the media portrays holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years as even bigger and bigger events. They run an unlimited amount of advertisements portraying perfect celebrations with the perfect decorations and the perfect meal. Every home is filled with laughing faces and happy hearts. It is as if you have stepped right into a Norman Rockwell painting! People are compelled to be wearing the perfect outfit. They hope to give and to receive the perfect gift. They anticipate eating the perfect holiday feast with all the wonderful side dishes and rows of lavish desserts, pies, and cookies! It should not go unmentioned that all this striving for perfection is the perfect recipe for holiday depression and stress. With all this emphasis placed on the perfect celebration; God forbid you make a mistake! Lets just think about it for a second, have you ever been to the grocery store or any shopping environment for that matter during the holidays? It is nothing short of mass chaos! There are gangs of last minute shoppers and frustrated consumers tearing through what is left of seasonal or holiday items. To be such a supposed jolly time of year, there are many, many angry people shopping. With everyone feeling the stress of this time of year it seems to bring out a darker side of us in the form of what I like to call â€Å"shopping rage. † People are frantically searching for last minute gift ideas or perhaps they just realized they had forgotten something detrimental for their feast or decor. Another popular reason for spending hours of wasted stress filled time is due to finding the right attire to model during the get together. This outfit rarely gets worn ever again after the four or five hours you’ve had it on it ends up in the back of the closet never to be seen again. This is of course after you have spent three hours finding it, trying on several combinations of red, green, black, and gold. Making sure to match and pull together every last article of clothing from the jewelry to the shoes and everything in between. About One hundred and fifty dollars later you have the perfect outfit that you will never wear again! Wanting things to work out perfectly, becomes an obsession for the individual who is burdened with the responsibility of executing the most memorable celebration. Only in a perfect world does everything always work out as planned. In this world however, there are just too many opportunities for something not to work out as planned so mistakes and accidents should be expected. Not everyone is able to accept this truth though. Some people end up spending so much time worrying about doing everything so right that they end up missing out on the â€Å"good stuff† like the time spent with loved ones. These people spend the whole holiday depressed and stressed out about meeting out materialistic cultures ideal standards for the holiday celebrations. With all the celebrating and gift giving, and decorating and throwing parties and preparing grand meals, and everything else that is associated with the holidays does anyone ever stop to ponder the incre`dible amount of money that is dumped by the millions every year into generating the â€Å"holiday season? I am sure it comes as no surprise that most people save all year long just to be prepared for this time of year. Everywhere you look during this time of year there are advertisements, one after another, urging people to spend, spend, SPEND! These ads always seem to suggest that if you don’t have an over the top lavish party that is even bigger and better than the last, then you have failed as a human to do what was expected of you during the holidays. There is truly something lost in all this misinterpreted meaning of the holidays. I mean when did celebrating time with the ones you love become such â€Å"BIG BUSINESS? † For far too many people the holiday season brings about serious depression caused by the inability for these people to afford the ridiculous things that they feel must be purchased in order to have a â€Å"proper† celebration especially if they have children. Parents always want their kids to have the best of the best and they want to buy them whatever gift it is that they have wanted and asked for all year long! However, people who don’t have enough money to get these things are struck with a great deal of depression. These same people may not have enough money to purchase everything society says we need for an extravagant meal or over the top decorations and parties. For all of these things have nothing at all to do with the true meaning of the holidays, still somehow far too much importance has been placed on materialistic things. No matter what the reason may be for a person felling the strain of holiday blues weighing them down, the fact remains that the holiday season can cause a great deal of sadness and depression for many different people.