Tapestry™

Olympians use pizza and burgers to slim down

2008-08-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

While politicians spend time attacking the fast food business instead of focusing on economic or energy issues, that is, when they are not on vacation, the Chinese boxing team has stunned the world with their dietary admission.

Light flyweight boxing gold medalist Zou Shiming credits a strict diet of pizza and burgers as keeping his weight in line for his division.

While much of the world condemns these foods, one cannot argue with Olympic success.

Understanding Baby Boomers

2008-08-27T06:48:00.001-04:00

Generations X and Y are struggling to understand the Baby Boomer generation in much the way the Boomers tried to understand their parents and grandparents. The secret lies within the past pop-culture. Here is a video that explains the pop-culture during the early days of the Baby Boomers.
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Generational results on texting behind the wheel

2008-08-25T20:29:00.004-04:00

As more states, provinces, and regions try to eliminate text messaging while driving through legislation (instead of education) the use of texting continues to increase. A recent survey in the US shows the use of texting differs by generation:

Generation Y 48 percent
Generation X 27 percent
Baby Boomers 4 percent
Traditionalists 1 percent

The survey, conducted by FindLaw.com adds to the growing lists of disastrous distractions facing drivers today.

Phone companies need to program some new acronyms into the phone. Here are some examples:

STAD (stop texting and drive)
STAD YAATReAT (stop driving and duck, you are about to hit the rear end of a truck)
IBNKU (its been nice knowing you)
CUN6WTCE (see you in 6 months when the coma ends
LOLS (life on life support)

Have more?

The Realtor lost the account

2008-08-25T07:21:00.001-04:00

Upon arriving in New York, a couple relocating from Japan found a well-known Manhattan realtor.

The wife reached into a bag a brought out a beautiful gift for the realtor who took it, opened it, and admired it.

The couple then found another realtor.

Why?

For the answer, click here.

Paying an Indian

2008-08-24T07:25:00.000-04:00

When providing payment to a South Asian Indian, which hand should you use?

Right
Left
Either
Neither

For the answer, click here.

You Staying Young

2008-08-23T03:27:00.000-04:00

There is something that every generation must face: growing older. It happens every second of everyday and can be very scary. Here is a book that relieves those fears!

At the core of this landmark book are the Major Agers--14 biological processes that control your rate of aging. Some you've heard of, some you haven't, and some you never knew contributed to the aging process. Some speed decline, others inhibit your repair mechanisms. These Major Agers are everything from short telomeres and inefficient mitochondria to stem cells and wacky hormones. The doctors explain the principles of longevity and many of the causes of aging and how to fight the effects. The climax of the book is a 14-day plan to help you along your path to staying young. The doctors want you to be able to integrate important processes into your daily life in order to make staying young routine, but first you'll need to measure your real age and health right now. Staying young encompasses your emotions and mental health as well as your exercise habits, eating habits, personal hygiene, and genes, among other things.

To read more or to order this book, click here.

Locally Organic captivates the world.

2008-08-22T01:32:00.002-04:00

Two cultural trends seem to be merging across the globe: “Eat Locally” and “Eat Organic”. Although locally grown organic products tend to be a bit more expensive the advantages are abundant. Far less energy is required to get individual products to the grocer, pesticides have been eliminated, and the local economy is able to turn money faster to the benefit of the entire community.

Many areas have embraced the combined trends including France, Canada, Australia, and the United States.

The downside is that in many areas consumers will have to revert to more distantly grown foods as each summer growing season ends.

Where’s the patriotism in buying gas?

2008-08-21T01:34:00.002-04:00

Americans in border towns have found that cheap gas is more alluring than national patriotism. In North America gasoline/petro taxes are used to pay for road creation and maintenance. In Mexico, which drills and refines oil for export, fuel sells for about half of what it costs in the USA. Consequently, many Americans are sneaking across the border to fill their tanks, some even taking canisters to bring back home.

Likewise, Canadians have long found it advantageous to go south of their border to buy petro, which costs about 25 percent less than in the provinces.

Although the Canadians have not purchased sufficient quantities to dry up stations along the US-Canadian border, stations south of the Mexico-US border are experiencing long lines or complete outages.

Meanwhile, what is happening to the roads?

Crash course in being Canadian

2008-08-20T02:14:00.000-04:00

Last week we looked at being an Assyrian in Canada. But what about the Canadian culture itself? Here is a crash course.

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Superfruit comes from upside down tree

2008-08-19T10:33:00.002-04:00

The baobab fruit has long been a part of the Senegal culture. Locals depend of the tree in many aspects of their daily life, for which the tree has been nicknamed, “The Tree of Life”.

In fact there is a special use for virtually every part of the Baobab tree. Locals use the tree’s seeds for cooking oil, its fruit for relief from stomachaches, its leaves to cure insomnia, its pulp for juice, and its bark for ropes and caskets. The tree is richer in vitamin C than oranges and has more calcium per glass than milk.

The hearty trees can live for thousands as they are drought and fire resistant. They have a large trunk with long spindly branches, giving them an appearance of being upside down.

Now the western world has discovered the tree. This Senegalese secret could easily become a billion dollar or 650 thousand Euro industry for the continent in need of jobs and income. And this estimate is based on the current unsophisticated farming of the trees -- with marketing and organized orchards, the industry could easily become ten to twenty times larger.

Japanese Business cards

2008-08-18T07:36:00.001-04:00

Frank was so excited to meet a delegation of businessmen visiting from Tokyo. As they offered their business card to him for introduction, he took the cards with his right hand and stocked them in his left. The business men were highly insulted.

Why?

For the answer, click here.

Greeting a woman from Ecuador

2008-08-17T07:39:00.002-04:00

When meeting an Ecuadorian women, whether you are a man or woman should you :

Shake, using your left hand

Smile and nod gently

Kiss her once on each cheek

Extend your hand for a kiss

For the answer, click here.

The Vietnam Veteran Culture

2008-08-16T03:04:00.001-04:00

More than fifteen years since its original publication, the number one New York Times bestseller We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young is still required reading in all branches of the military. Now Moore and Galloway revisit their relationships with ten American veterans of the battle—men such as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley and helicopter pilot Bruce "Old Snake" Crandall—as well as Lt. Gen. Nguyen Hu An, who commanded the North Vietnamese Army troops on the other side, and two of his old company commanders. These men and their countries have all changed dramatically since the first head-on collision between the two great armies back in November 1965.

Traveling back to the red-dirt battlefields, commanders and veterans from both sides make the long and difficult journey from old enemies to new friends. After a trip in a Russian-made helicopter to the Ia Drang Valley in the Central Highlands, with the Vietnamese pilots using Moore's vintage U.S. Army maps and Galloway's Boy Scout compass to guide them, they reach the hallowed ground where so many died. All the men are astonished at how nature has reclaimed the land once scarred by bullets, napalm, and blood. As darkness falls, the unthinkable happens—the authors and many of their old comrades are stranded overnight, alone, left to confront the ghosts of the departed among the termite hills and creek bed.

Moore and Galloway combine gritty and vivid detail with reverence and respect for their comrades. Their ability to capture man's sense of heroism and brotherhood, their love for their men and their former enemies, and their fascination with the history of this enigmatic country make for riveting reading. With sixteen pages of photos, tributes to departed friends and loved ones, and General Moore's reflections on lessons learned throughout his military career, We Are Soldiers Still puts a human face on warfare in a way that will not soon be forgotten.

Click here for more information about this book, or to order it. Also available in CD by clicking here.

So many religious holidays, so little time off

2008-08-15T01:28:00.002-04:00

Many companies struggle with the diversity of religions now found through the world. The difficulty revolves around how to properly handle religious observances and holidays.

In the southern US state of Tennessee Tyson Foods has grappled with this issue as it has been working out a new contract with its union.

Originally there was an agreement in place to exchange Labor Day for Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim holy month of fasting.

However amid much public attention, the company changed the agreement. During the first year of the contract Eid al-Fitr will be a paid holiday in addition to Labor Day, a US holiday marking the formation of the first major union formation. Beginning next year Tyson Foods will no longer close for Eid al-Fitr, however all employees will receive one floating holiday to be used for any observance of their choice, pending a supervisor’s approval.

Although this solution seems amiable, critics point out that Christians do not need to use a personal holiday for their major observances because the plant closes. Therefore Christians are getting a benefit from an extra day off to schedule at will for recreation while other religions must use that day if they are to join family for religious observances.

There seems to be no easy answer given the thousands of world religions.

Palestinian Poet kept culture alive

2008-08-14T01:17:00.003-04:00

Mohmoud Darwish, the most famous of the Palestinian poets, died over the weekend in Gaza City. Mahmoud grew up in Palestine and never lost his passion for Palestine, even after decades of exile.

"He felt the pulse of Palestinians in beautiful poetry. He was a mirror of the Palestinian society," said Ali Qleibo, a Palestinian anthropologist and lecturer in cultural studies at Al Quds University in Jerusalem.

Throughout history cultures have been saved from extinction through the poets, artists, and musicians that carry out the culture in their works. Darwish’s works have helped the world remember what life was like in historical Palestine.

“[Darwish] is our heart, and our tongue,” said Issam Makhoul, an Arab lawmaker and veteran member of the Israeli Communist Party.

Being Assyrian in Canada

2008-08-13T02:12:00.000-04:00

Here is a video made by an Assyrian in Canada. It looks at the issue of blended nationalities.

USSR Rebirth? Russian culture of aggression

2008-08-12T05:36:00.004-04:00

Reports of the death of the aggressive culture of the former Soviet Union may be premature. As Vladimir Putin sat among world leaders watching the opening of the Olympic games, his armed forces were invading the sovereign nation of Georgia.

Russian ground and air forces have moved, according to the United Nations, beyond the provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a separatist region within Georgia.

Russia is claiming a nobility position saying they are moving into Georgia for humanitarian reason. However the mighty Soviet government has not sought United Nations authority to enter a foreign nation.

Russia has also criticized the United States for entering the dispute by airlifting Georgian forces from Iran (note to America’s critics – Georgia was part of the United Nations multi-nation coalition rebuilding Iraq, in United Nations sanctioned activities there).

Many cultures die hard when the sons and daughter of those made successful by a former culture dream of the visions of greatness handed down by parents and grandparents.

In the case of Russia’s latest moves, it is evident that the Soviet culture remains.

The good news in this is that the western world can once again have a common villain for the James Bond and Mission: Impossible entertainment franchises.

Culture Clash costs jobs

2008-08-12T01:54:00.001-04:00

Unable to bridge the French and American cultures, two top executives of Alcatel-Lucent are resigning at the end of the year.

Patricia Russo, chief executive in New Jersey, USA, and Serge Tchuruk, chairman of the French portion of the newly merged Alcatel have not been able to make the transition from two smaller companies to an international telecommunications equipment giant.

Unlike when the famous joint venture between IBM and Apple which derailed several years ago after the two organizations could not form a new corporate culture, this time it seems the problem was national cultures. Ms. Russo could not speak French, providing a huge handicap in top meetings.

Another problem was a series of job cuts designed to streamline te company. Job cuts are not acceptable in the French culture.
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The Mexican neighbors

2008-08-11T06:52:00.002-04:00

The Johnson’s were happy to see the new neighbors from Mexico were moving in. To welcome them, they sent a bouquet of Iris, Violets, and a purple passion flower. The new family was highly offended.

Why?

For the answer, click here.

Eskimos

2008-08-10T06:38:00.000-04:00

The Canadian Football League team in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is known as the Eskimos.

Are Eskimos native to Canada?

For the answer, click here.

"Eight" babies

2008-08-09T06:34:00.001-04:00

In the Chinese culture, eight is the luckiest number. It is one of the reasons this year’s Olympics was given to China to start on the date numerically as 08/08/08.

The impact and fortune of the number eight will be with Hailey Jo Hauer and Jace Rinker all of their lives. You see, not only were they born at 08:08 on 08/08/08, they weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces.

Xander will undoubtedly go into numerology as he is his grandparent’s eighth grandchild and his sister was born on 04/05/06.

Although one could debate the authenticity of the time of birth, the Iowa and Minnesota hospitals where the babies were born could not fudge on the weight.

“New Directions in Diversity”

2008-08-09T02:17:00.000-04:00

Have you imagined becoming a diversity reporter in your company or community? Here is book to help you do just that.

The book contains hundreds of professional tips about covering cultures, including national, religious, orientation, abilities, generational information.

This is also a great tool for educators teaching general or diversity classes.

To learn more about the book, click here.

Cell Phones on airplanes? a generational divide

2008-08-08T13:35:00.001-04:00

Whether or not to allow cell phone usage on airplanes was the focus of a recent survey. The survey revealed that the tech-challenged Traditionalists and the Baby Boomer generation clearly want to keep the devices turned off and stowed during flights. However the Instant Messaging Generations X and Y are ready to end this ban.

Cell phones are banned on airplanes in flight due to the impact they would have on cell towers. With a high altitude plane a single cell phone could hit bounce it’s signal off hundreds of towers. However once a plane is in the final stages of landing their is no danger for their use according to many expert. The major pilot unions have continued to ask government authorities to ban there use anytime the plane’s door is closed is related to safety, not cell tower impact. They provide a distraction to the flight crew preventing the passengers, who are always riveted to any announcements being made, from clearly hearing them.

Generation X and Y, according to industry sources, will continue to have to sneak the IMs when the flight attendants are looking the other way.

Culture Clash: LA and PR

2008-08-06T02:11:00.000-04:00

If you have ever been to Puerto Rico you know that after midnight street lights are considered to be little more than yield signs. It’s not illegal to proceed even when a light is red. Consider this comical piece the next time you are caught off guard when your local culture differs from the prevailing culture.

Starbucks cannot compete in Australia

2008-08-05T16:15:00.000-04:00

Starbucks has virtually left the land under saying they cannot compete due to the continent’s sophisticated coffee culture. They are closing all but 23 outlets after admitting defeat in their drive to hydrate thirsty Aussies.

The reason: Australia’s diverse population had already elevated the tastes of java lovers. Espressos and cappuccinos are common place in a land that has been brewing delicious blends since post-World War II migration upped the palates of the average Australian.

The sophistication of the Australian coffee aficionado is so strong they are turned off by one simple piece of the Starbucks formula – having teens prepare the cups. To an Australian it takes experience to be able to get the brew just right.

The chain will now be limited to Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne in an attempt to continue to brag about the intercontinental affection for its products.