Funny Stuff is all around

Archive for the ‘culture’ Category

At present, a number of possibilities are opened if you’re able to speak a language other than your mother tongue. It’s natural to commit errors at first but this is all part of learning.

Learning Spanish will be fast particularly if it is made easy. Thus, why learn? Learn Spanish now and unlock these windows of opportunities and fun!

Spanish as a Global Language

History tells us that Spain once ruled the second-largest empire for over 400 years. Therefore, it is expected from such notable ruler to leave traces of at least its language to its colonies.

A simple trivia that you probably didn’t know about is the fact that Spanish is the second most-spoken language today. As a result, adding this language into your repertoire qualifies you to comfortably communicate with 320 million people in the world. Many countries in Latin America and Europe utilize Spanish as one of their major languages. These pieces of information demonstrate that thousands of opportunities are opened if you know how to speak spanish.

Emerging Economic and Political Powerhouse

Economists believe that Latin America shall be the next European Union. With the continent’s vast natural resources and untapped human resources, you can never underestimate Latin America to the fringes of development. If and when you are inspired to learn to speak spanish, you are doing yourself a favor.

Powerhouses such as the United Nations, European Union, Union of South American Nations, Organization of American States and the Organization of Ibero-American States make use of Spanish as an official language. Thus, those who know how to communicate using the language may benefit from the business and employment opportunities that are generated by these organizations.

Richness in Culture

Shakira, Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, Pedro Aldomovar, Picasso, El Greco, Salvador Dali, Benicio del Toro, flamenco, paella, Bakalao, and bullfighting, are some of the other cultural influences.

Singing and dancing to the music of these artists in their original language will generate a different kind of high as compared to doing the same in the English language. It is more exciting to read the books of Gabriel Garcia Marquez in Spanish and to appreciate Pedro Aldomovar’s films without the subtitles.

Indeed, something gets lost in translation!

In conclusion, when you do learn speak spanish, travel and employment opportunities, medical and creative opportunities, as well as opportunities to have fun and adventure are opened to you. Besides, would it not be to your benefit to learn more about the world around you rather than just being isolated in your own limited world called the United States (or wherever)?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwouPhv1zYE

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Background checks conducted by the many different internet sites have been helping companies make safer hiring decisions for over a decade. Free searches for public records and criminal reports are done by using free tools on the Internet. Some of the Background checks done for free are definitely not always the best so make sure you look around before you pay them any money. Background checks also help confirm dates of attendance and degrees or certifications earned, and background checks can also provide specific information about prior employment.

Employers should consider the position in question when determining which types of searches to include, and should always use the same searches for every applicant being considered for one position. Employees have a right to privacy in certain areas, a right they can enforce by suing you. Therefore, it’s important to know what’s permitted when following up on potential employee’s background and work history. Performing a Physician Background Check on potential hires helps reduce turnover, cut costs, ensure quality customer relations, guard against loss prevention, and maintain a safe working environment. Employers looking for quick and easy employment screening should find most everything they need at any one of the many websites.

Employers nowadays make no qualms about giving an individual a personal FBI background check. These checks are implemented by human resources in order obtain a potential employees past criminal, financial, professional and educational history. Employers who conduct such checks recognize that they are hiring not only workers, but individuals who need to be able to interact with others in the workplace. Employees can be satisfied with some elements of the job while simultaneously dissatisfied with others. Moreover, job satisfaction is a life satisfaction.

Employers have found that these investigations help to decrease theft in the workplace and negligent hiring law suits along with often lowering the cost of some forms of insurance. Smaller businesses, which often do not conduct background checks, are the ones that would benefit from them the most because many offenders are attracted to these environments. Employment employee screening and pre-employment background checks have become one of the best ways for employers to avoid exposure. Pre-employment screening services can protect your company or agency from liability damages and a negligent hiring suit. Employers who actively screen their candidates before hiring also face less liability in the event of a workplace accident or crime. Pre-employment screening is a primary way of eliminating or minimizing negligent hiring liability.

Cross-Cultural Communication: Grin and Jump In!

Multiculturalism is a reality in North America and for those of us who do business globally. The US has more legal immigrants yearly than all the other countries in the world combined. Also there are vast cultural differences among “native” North Americans living in the US and Canada for several generations, as you know if you’ve done business with a New Yorker (better be quick!) or with a Texan (better stand at a 90degree angle to your male companion).

Culture is not ethnic or racial. It is learned and of course each culture is different. Treat everyone like a unique individual, as you would like to be treated, don’t get hung up on stereotypes. Develop your emotional intelligence so you can be more intuitive about how to communicate with, negotiate with, and provide services and products for people from cultural backgrounds other than your own.

1. I repeat, do not expect everyone in a culture to be the same!

2. In South Texas, if you’re talking to a male, they will often stand at a 90 degree angle to you.

If you move to reorient, a “dance” will begin. This is a markedly non-intimate position, and often the eyes are cast down to the floor or out across the floor. South Texans generally say “Pleased to know you,” while Mid Westerners say, “Pleased to meet you” or “Pleased to make your acquaintance.” In social settings in South Texas, it is not customary to shake hands with women.

3. Be aware that most of the world does not greet by shaking hands.

4. People from Asian cultures bow in greeting, but the bows are different.

People from Cambodia and Laos bow with both hands together in front of the chest, as if praying. In Japan, the depth of the bow signifies the level of respect for the other party. Many Koreans prefer bowing and if they shake hands, the right hand is supported at the wrist by the left hand to show respect. Thais bow with palms together about chest-high with their fingers outstretched. And, there are exceptions. The Taiwanese usually nod the head in recognition rather than bow.

5. Some cultures naturally greet by hugging.

Native Hawaiians hug each other, exchanging breaths. The custom is called “ha.” Ancient Hawaiians, incidentally, actually bumped heads together. Mexicans use the abrazo. Greeks and Italians often hug with or without shaking hands first.

6. Some cultures kiss!

If your Cuban male client kisses you on the cheek, you know you’ve made the short list. Immigrant men from the Middle East often shake hands with a slight nod or bow and then exchange kisses on both cheeks. Men from the Middle East usually don’t shake hands with women, nor do they introduce the woman with them. Do not attempt to shake hands with a Middle Eastern woman unless - and here’s where the EQ comes in - she extends her hand to you. Men in Eastern Europe, Portugal, Spain and Italy will often kiss male friends on the cheek.

7. Pakistanis (largely Muslims) greet with salaam, which is the equivalent of our “hello.”

The salaam is done by bowing with the palm of the right hand on the forehead. Salaam means “peace” or “Peace be with you.”

8. Postures also have meaning.

With Middle Eastern client you may be most comfortable sitting back in your chair and crossing your legs. Well, don’t! In the Middle East, one of the most insulting things you can do is sit with your legs crossed so the bottoms of the feet are pointed in the other person’s direction. The foot is the dirtiest part of the body and the sole of the shoe is the dirtiest of the low. To show someone the bottom of your foot or shoe means you’re looking for a fight!

9. Even handshaking cultures do it differently.

Many Britian’s prefer a brief but firm handshake. The French prefer a light grip while sharing a single gentle shake that’s quickly withdrawn. Germans will give a very firm handshake - just one “pump” then quick withdrawal. More than one shake with Germans or French is considered aggressive. Italians will shake hands and then hug friends or kiss them on both cheeks.

10. Bear in mind the other person may be trying to accommodate your culture, so don’t assume they will use their traditional greeting.

For example, if you start first, for instance bowing, and then see a hand extended for a shake, and switch to that, the other person will then have switched to a bow and this becomes awkward. For many cultures such “awkwardness” will kill the relationship early on, which means the deal is off.

11. Greetings are critical first moves in relationships.

Begin with a polite word or two, such as “Mr. and Mrs. Takida, it’s so nice to meet you at last,” and then hesitate for a moment to see what they want to do and are comfortable with. Then mirror their gesture, be it bow, hand shake, abrazo (hug) or nothing! Use your intuition! When in doubt, err on the side of conservatism.

I look forward to the day when we abandon our collective need for safety through homogeneity and reclaim our natural curiosity about what is not like us - there is no need to study that. We then will no longer need to “manage” diversity, and will have no need other than to engage it and open ourselves to receive its gifts.

Are there any multi-cultural issues involved in online dating for teen? Well, some info is really useful to know.

Streetwear Fashion Styles For Today
Streetwear Fashion Styles have been around for about 10 years and seem to be thriving. They evolve, mutate, even morph; from the gaudy shades and bling bling accessories of the hip hop genre to a subtle Streetwear Fashion trend of today. Back in the 1980’s, the trends were originally influenced by Latino American communities, with bright, bold in-your-face “funky” apparel. Nowadays, the young from all over the world are breaking in to Streetwear Fashion Styles, to break away from the mainstream fashions. The variations and eclectic nature of Streetwear Fashion is that it can still blend into the academic and professional world.

Definition of Urban Streetwear Styles There is no absolute hard and fast definition of Urban Streetwear Styles, but some of the strikingly obvious traits mix overall comfort with a dash of pizzazz.
A smarter professional look has also become an accepted form of Streetwear Fashion, with a blend of brighter colours and tailored pieces.

Take the Hoodie for example! Hoodies, or hooded sweatshirts as they used to be known, were first developed for labourers but were soon picked up by the sports market. Seen by some as a means to hide away or protect the identity, they are also practical and trendy, emblazoned with a smart slogan or catchy design which appeals to surfers and skateboarders or your average outdoors sporty type people.

It seems to be only in Britain that the Hoodie has received such bad press for its associations with crime, especially in the “bad boy” gang culture.

In most universities the Hoodie is available with an embroidered University Logo or Emblem, for the students to show their loyalty and pride to their Hall, Club or Society.

It is unfortunate that the poor old hoodie is on the receiving end of such negativity. It seems all Hoodie wearers are at risk of being tarred with the same brush as the gangs and criminals. Even some shopping centres banned people from wearing hoodies on the premises although still continued to sell them!

Materialism. There seem to be a couple of conflicting schools of thought, concerning the flashy jewellery. Some see it as an essential part of Streetwear Fashion, whilst others reject too much in favour of anti-materialism.

It seems nowadays what the urban wearing population wants is well fitting, comfortable good quality clothing, at an affordable price.

Celebrities
A number of celebrities have started to “cash in” in the world of Streetwear Fashion, and have brought out their own fashion ranges.
Kimora Lee Simmons came out with the Baby Phat brand that is popular in many specialty boutiques and department stores right now.
Russel Simmons introduced Phat Farm,
Diddy offers Sean John and Damon Dash and Jay-Z offer Rocawear.

So it seems a lot of youngsters can be mesmerised by the names behind the labels, even though the price tags are heavier than the togs they are attached to!

In summary, Urban Fashion is not just about fads and crazes. It is about a culture and way of life.

by Liam Cyfrin

Witchcraft and spells - they go together like toast and honey, don’t they? Witchcraft spells form the backbone of a witch’s arsenal, but witchcraft spells alone are actually completely worthless.

These days, if you were to toddle into your local bookshop, close your eyes and fling a dart, there’s a reasonably good chance you’d hit a spell book. There’s an even better chance that you’d be forcibly ejected from the shop shortly thereafter, so I’m not advocating this practice. It does, though, make the point that this literary genre has never been more popular.

Witchcraft spells burst forth from this cornucopia of printed waffle on beginner witchcraft - witchcraft spells to find “true love”, witchcraft spells to hog-tie that wayward ex and drag them back, witchcraft spells to make us sexier, smarter, stronger, healthier and, of course, witchcraft spells to make us wealthy beyond our wildest dreams.

The biggest Witchy complaint against spell books is that the spells within in them don’t (or possibly can’t) work. The spell book, it’s argued, looks comparable to a recipe book, but whereas Delia Smith can reliably lead most of us through the creation of an omelette, the compiler of spells is less likely to guide the average punter to health, wealth and insuperable sexual charisma.

There’s some validity to this, but the better authors in the field make it clear that the spell book isn’t really the equivalent of “150 Astonishing Meatloaves”. It’s more like sheet music: valuable to those who have put the effort into learning how to read music and perhaps play an instrument, but bookshelf clutter to those who haven’t.

Witchcraft spells are less a recipe and more a starting-point for inspiration. Witchcraft spells are more like a palette than a finished painting. Only in the hands of an accomplished artist will witchcraft spells become anything which stirs the soul, or changes the world in any way.

If you want to cast witchcraft spells, and cast them effectively, you must become that artist, and master the skills which will enable you to weave the raw materials of witchcraft spells into an irresistible force.

Without this training and discipline, witchcraft spells aren’t worth the paper they are written on. A problem with texts on beginner witchcraft is that they tend to gloss over this somewhat significant fact.

There is a swathe of information debunking the myths and misapprehensions about witchcraft at the Genuine Witchcraft site, covering witchcraft symbols, beginner witchcraft, real witchcraft spells, and witchcraft supplies. Newbies to witchcraft and those who have been around the park a time or two are well advised to look in and get educated.

American symbols represent the heart and soul of American culture. One of our country’s most common symbols is the bald eagle and the Statue of Liberty. There are symbols that represent segments of American culture and life. For example, if you’re a southerner, the Confederate flag might be an American symbol for you. But if you are an African American you most likely find the Confederate flag to be deeply insulting. It’s important to keep symbolism in perspective. The symbols of America are just that: symbols. The only thing that gives them real power is our belief in them, and we can never let that belief become more important than our ties to each other. With the right purpose, national symbols can be quite beneficial increasing the ties between each citizen. But symbols with separatist views, even the most beneficent of American symbols can be an invite to discord and tyranny.

Take that most well known of American symbols: the Statue of Liberty. This symbol of American freedom, given to us from the French, from whose philosophers are modern ideas of freedom come from, stands proudly at one of the greatest entry ways for immigrants in the world: New York Harbor.

Native American symbols are something different all together. While the flag, the bald eagle, and lady liberty symbolize our country culture, Native American symbols have come to symbolize our country’s spiritual past. Native American symbols have been used to represent all kinds of neo-pagan religious revivals, becoming symbols not just of the peoples that used them, but also of modern religious movements. Whatever the use of these Native American symbols, it is interesting to see how an ancient idea can be reincarnated and integrated into our modern culture.

—————

Free videos to teach you how to attract new prospects to you. Stop spending your money and start getting paid to generate fresh responsive mlm leads for your business.

For all the Sistas out there who are naturally proud of their African American heritage check out this website that has lots of different cool designs on the African-American personal checks. When you get there you’ll see that it’s not just for the Sistas because there are other designs that include stuff like the tribes of Africa and African-American children. The best thing of all to me is that an African-American entrepreneur who apparently gives money away to help other African-Americans created some of the checks. And some of my white Sistas really love the designs too so let’s share the love.

“Can’t We Talk?” (condensed from: You Just Don’t Understand)
by Deborah Tannen

A married couple was in a car when the wife turned to her husband and asked, “Would you like to stop for a coffee?”
“No, thanks,” he answered truthfully. So they didn’t stop.
The result? The wife, who had indeed wanted to stop, became annoyed because she felt her preference had not been considered. The husband, seeing his wife was angry, became frustrated. Why didn’t she just say what she wanted?
Unfortunately, he failed to see that his wife was asking the question not to get an instant decision, but to begin a negotiation. And the woman didn’t realize that when her husband said no, he was just expressing his preference, not making a ruling. When a man and woman interpret the same interchange in such conflicting ways, it’s no wonder they can find themselves leveling angry charges of selfishness and obstinacy at each other.
As a specialist in linguistics, I have studied how the conversational styles of men and women differ. We cannot lump all men or all women into fixed categories. But the seemingly senseless misunderstandings that haunt our relationships can in part be explained by the different conversational rules by which men and women play.
Whenever I write or speak about this subject, people tell me they are relieved to learn that what has caused them trouble - and what they had previously ascribed to personal failings - is, in fact, very common. (more…)

• evite: end-of-summer bash: drunken watermelon on tap

  (tags: cool diy drink summer)

• I Love You in many languages

  (tags: linguistics)

• Invest Like Harvard and Yale | From PFBlog: The Unique Personal Finance Blog Since 2003

  (tags: investing money finance)

• Sushi Tutorial

  (tags: sushi cooking food recipes tutorial howto japan reference)

• Albert Einstein Quotes | Famous quotes, quotations

  (tags: quotes einstein quotations culture famous)

• skop.com I Know Where Bruce Lee Lives [KeyJay, ultrainteractive KungFu Remixer]

  (tags: flash games fun cool humor funny music animation)

• Workouts - Revolution Health

  (tags: health fitness exercise)

• babbel

  (tags: language learning free online languages education web)

• 25 Beautiful, Minimalistic Website Designs - Part 2 | Vandelay Website Design

  (tags: webdesign design inspiration minimalistic CSS style website)

• - Old Book Illustrations: pictures scanned from old books

  (tags: illustration art history graphics free images books)

• How to Automate Your Personal Finances ∞ Get Rich Slowly

  (tags: finance money planning budget saving toread online)

• Train Your Eyes to See Color, Again | ThinkSimpleNow.com

  (tags: motivation life mind brain inspiration focus health)

• 101 CSS Techniques Of All Time- Part 1

  (tags: css design webdesign tutorial tips list resources)

• Funny Birthday Quotes and Sayings

  (tags: quotes)

• Geeky Weddings Cakes. Which would be yours? [PICS]

  (tags: geek humor)

• Free SEO Tools Online | Makes Getting SEO Help Easier |

  (tags: seo tools marketing webdesign searchengine software howto)

• Design Police | Bring bad design to justice.

  (tags: design fun Stickers humor download funny print)

• Directory of over 2,000 E-Learning Tools - Free and Commercial

  (tags: tools elearning web2.0 education e-learning directory software)

• Blast Off Fat (Way) Faster - Health.com

  (tags: health fitness Exercise workout tips diet ideas)

• Stan Lee Tribute Artwork

  (tags: art comics marvel stanlee illustration tribute stan)

CFO Jobs B2BCFO.com is a national network of qualified chief financial officer consultants catering to small and mid sized companies on an as needed basis.

• Five Ways You Can Fall in Love With Tagging Again - ReadWriteWeb

  (tags: tagging tags RSS folksonomy social blog tag)

• 50 Things Men Wish You Knew - Men’s Health

  (tags: relationships women funny men interesting humor lists)

• 2007 Top 10 Independent Games of the Year by Game Tunnel

  (tags: games freeware indie list 2007 downloads download)

• “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut

  (tags: vonnegut writing literature fiction inspiration future scifi)

• The great fall of China - Los Angeles Times

  (tags: china economics Politics News interesting usa economy)

• As Seen on TV: The 10 Most Laughably Misleading Ads | Cracked.com

  (tags: funny Humor advertising tv video ads ad)

• Innovative Minds Don’t Think Alike - New York Times

  (tags: creativity innovation research culture howto)

• RunScanner freeware startup and hijack analyzer

  (tags: security freeware windows malware software utilities performance)

• Year in Review: The 70 Best Lifehacks of 2007 - Lifehack.org

  (tags: lifehacks productivity self-improvement 2007 list gtd resources)

• Dunning-Kruger effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  (tags: psychology research personality interesting science human knowledge)

• 5 Packs to Transform Windows to other OS | MakeUseOf.com

  (tags: windows theme os mac themes vista linux)

• Photojojo » 19 New Year’s Photo Resolutions — Goodbye 2007, Hello Two Thousand and Awesome!

  (tags: photography Tutorials photo project advice Photos 2008)

• Mom Is Teaching » Blog Archive » New Year’s Eve

  (tags: 2008 newyear planning)

• A Complete List of the Many Forms of Web Marketing for 2008

  (tags: marketing strategy advertising web reference 2008 socialmedia)

• Top 25 Free Icon Resources for Web Designers | Speckyboy - Wordpress & Design

  (tags: icons webdesign icon free design Web iconos)

• High Achiever, Gifted Learner, CreativeThinker

  (tags: education learning psychology intelligence creativity teaching children)

• BBC NEWS | Magazine Monitor

  (tags: 2007 knowledge bbc lists trivia list science)

• The 5 most annoying programs on your PC - Download Squad

  (tags: software windows tools reference humor funny programs)

• Feature: Free Tools to Manage New Year’s Resolutions

  (tags: lifehacks productivity tools resolutions goals health business)

• StyleIgnite.com > Articles

  (tags: webdesign design inspiration website web css graphic)

• 2008: Web 2.0 Companies I Couldn’t Live Without

  (tags: web2.0 list internet 2008 2007 techcrunch web)