Understanding The Holocaust and Preventing it Happening Again

Understanding The Holocaust and Preventing it Happening Again The human tragedy of the Holocaust was the systematic annihilation of millions of Jews by the Nazi regime during World War II. The adversity of this persecution influenced not only the European arena, but also peoples from all over the globe and their ideas. The impact caused by this ethnic cleansing was enormous. Peoples lives were drastically changed as they were persecuted and tortured. Families were taken out of their homes and forced to move to distant locations in exile. Their destinations were unknown and their future was also unsettled for they did not know what would await them. That is exactly what happened to Esther Hautzig, the writer of The Endless Steppe,†¦show more content†¦Another book that illustrates the calamity of the Holocaust is Memories of my life in a Polish Village, by T.K. Fluek. In her book, Toby Fluek, a small Jewish girl, describes how her family had to move to a Jewish Ghetto and go into hiding several times to save their lives when World War II began. By the end of the war, only she and her mother had survived. Toby became an artist and presents her story through the use of her own art in paintings and descriptions of them. It is amazing to hear from the people who have actually survived the Holocaust. It shows us how much we still have to learn about the world and the civilizations and how hard it is to understand the reason why we do such things to our fellow human beings. By 1945, two out of every three European Jews had been killed and the survivors continued to be oppressed. (Telles 51) In addition, thousands of political and religious dissidents such as communists, socialists, trade unionists, and Jehovahs Witnesses were persecuted for their beliefs and behavior and many of these individuals died as a result of maltreatment. According to the Preface to the Study of Women and the Holocaust, every Jew, regardless of gender, was equally a victim in the Holocaust (Ringelheim 17). Women, men and children were equally threatening to the Nazis. Children were seen as the next generation of Jews and, therefore, would have to be banned too. Jewish women and men experienced unrelieved suffering during theShow MoreRelatedThe Actions Of Adolf Hitler And His Nazi Army1205 Words   |  5 PagesJews is known as the Holocaust. In Greek â€Å"Holocaust† means â€Å"whole- burnt†, sometimes it is referred to as the â€Å"Shoah† which is â€Å"catastrophe† in Hebrew (Hall n.p.). Nazi Germany and the territories it took over treated Jews like animals and did awful things to them. It is very hard to understand how an event like this could even happen and why someone would involve himself in this enormous, racist group and eventually genocide. It is important to know what caused the Holocaust in o rder for the worldRead MoreAn Unlikely Friendship Grows in John Boynes The Boy in the Striped Pajamas938 Words   |  4 Pagesmost restrictive division. A second theme is the evil and the intolerance which existed around these times of the Nazi regime and the Holocaust, as seen by the Germans having the Jews in the concentration camp. And the third theme is the curiosity and innocence of Bruno, Shmuel and Gretel, who all seem to fail to properly notice and understand what is really happening in the world around them, all contrasting with the well acknowledgement of others, such as Lt. Kottler. Boyne uses the settings of BerlinRead MoreCold War in the Eyes of Ray Bradbury1689 Words   |  7 Pagesprimarily individual account and Fahrenheit 451 (1953), which centers on Guy Montag. The thematic similarities of Mars coupled with the state of the American mindset during the Cold War era entwine the two novels on the surface. Moreover, Bradbury was â€Å"preventing futures† as he stated in an interview with David Mogen in 1980. A dystopian society was a main theme in both books, but done in a compelling manner that makes the reader aware of Bradbury’s optimism in the stories. A society completely frightenedRead MoreThe Pianist By Roman Polanski Essay2529 Words   |  11 Pagesactions by Nazis that take place during World War 2 in Poland. I chose to review this specific film because I had watched it when I was younger, but I wanted to experience it again due to the amount of knowledge I have received from taking a college level history course. I felt that now that I knew more about Europe during the Holocaust, I wanted to visualize the point of view of a survivor through a very successful film. Szpilman had many relationships in his hometown one which was specifically specialRead MoreGenocide in Rwanda: international response3465 Words   |  14 PagesRwanda to be wiped out. As a consequence of either lack of information or lack of political will to intervene, the policymakers described the conflict as â€Å"tribal killings†, â€Å"tribal resentments†, rather than genocide. There was also an inadequate understanding of the conflict. Foreign observers treated the genocide as a collateral damage of war, rather than an ethnic cleanse, which should be attacked directly. Diplomats addressed the problem in the usual way, by promoting dialogue between both sidesRead MoreHuman Rights Take Priority Over States’ Rights Essay3593 Words   |  15 PagesEight hundred thousand Tutsis were killed in just one hundred days, and the world watched some of the most graphic footage seen since the Holocaust. People could not pull away from their television sets, unable to believe it was happening. â€Å"Never again,† they had pledged, and yet, here it was in 1994. As the Hutus enacted a massive genocide, attempting to eliminate the Tutsi minority from Rwanda, the world did nothing. The United Nations stalled while the United States refused to have another failureRead MoreCensorship Is A Violation Of Human Rights Essay3776 Words   |  16 Pageshistory believe their use censorship keeps citizens of a society away from ignorance and tries to use this as a justification for their actions. In their eyes there is currently no better way of preventing protest based of government action if the people do not even know if there is anything wrong happening in the first place. This method of repression has been evident in places like Ancient Athens against Socrates, Nazi Germany where all books not seen proper for Germans were destroyed, and NorthRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact Thi s Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesoppression reached once unimaginable levels—in large part due to the refinement or introduction of new technologies of repression and surveillance and modes of mass organization and control. Breakthroughs in the sciences that greatly enhanced our understandings of the natural world and made for major advances in medicine and health care were very often offset by the degradation of the global environment and massive spurts in excessive mortality brought on by warfare, famine, periodic genocidal onslaughts

Issues on Computer Technology Free Essays

In Midsayap, in a small and poverty-stricken town in North Cotabato, Philippines, four public schools have been given modern computer technology to help the teachers improve instruction for the benefit of the students. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated the computers, installed with tools and applications for teaching. The donations were in relation to USAID’s project to help provide equal access to education and learning that would eventually incite livelihood among the peoples of disadvantaged and unfortunate nations. We will write a custom essay sample on Issues on Computer Technology or any similar topic only for you Order Now (Manila Bulletin, 2009) The contribution of computer technology to the field of education relates to the issue of professional responsibility. The progress and advancement of computers and technology are extremely valuable to society considering the many benefits and advantages that it may provide to various areas of human life including education. It is a professional responsibility to ensure that along with the progress of computer technology development, it is being used to develop or expand other fields and areas of human life as well. It is important that the given opportunity for computer technology to flourish by man be given back to society by ensuring that this kind of technology benefits society as well. Modern computer technology has helped educators in developing countries provide the kind of quality education that most people in developed nations benefit from. It paves way to equality in terms of affording education. The employment of modern computer technology in Midsayap to improve learning standards and instructional processes is a good chance for the students and their families to improve their quality of life since fine education will help them find promising jobs in the future. Ultimately, modern computer technology contributes to the alleviation of unawareness or lack of knowledge and poverty. Manila Bulletin. (2009). Modern Computer Technology Benefits North Cotabato Mentors. Retrieved 17 Jul 2009, from Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation. Website: http://www. mb. com. ph/articles/208880/modern-computer-technology-benefits-north-cotabato-mentors The Internet: Media for All The development of the Internet through computer processes and functions was seen as one of the liberating events in the history of human life. During the period of revolution, the people have been constantly searching for a means by which they would be able to express their sentiments and demands. However, during that time, the influence of the media was restricted and controlled by large companies and industries. This all changed when the Internet was introduced in the 20th century. It has been called the media of the people since the information presented and exchanged were not restricted or limited by the personal interests of powerful people or organizations. Despite the establishment of various laws and regulations, the Internet remains to be an open medium of communication and exchange of ideas for the people. The utilization of Internet as a means to express ideas and communicate through appropriate computer functions and processes relate to the issue of freedom of expression and the concept of mass media. Gone were the days when the news and information being conveyed through the media are influenced by various influential interest groups. The Internet paved way to open communication that is guided by fair regulations allowing every person that has access to it to become the media themselves. The existence of the Internet and the continued open access to it by the people implies that it is a medium by which they can practice their human rights through freedom of expression. Not only is the Internet a means to communicate to anyone around the world but it is also a perfect medium for people to express their pleas against others who violate human rights, expose valuable information that the public should know, inform or educate other people, and so on. UK in Korea. (2009). â€Å"Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age†: Embassy Hosts Conference on 3 July (26/06/2009). Retrieved 17 Jul 2009, from Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Website: http://ukinkorea. fco. gov. uk/en/newsroom/? view=PressRid=20285376 Computer Technology Contributes to Car Safety INTEL Corporation, one of the most powerful, influential, and innovative technology company in the world has taken car-safety technology to a whole new level. The company has been employing researchers and analysts who are currently working nonstop to perfect an accuracy software that is meant to be installed in automotives for safety. The project was presented to an audience of previewers. The software was installed in a car model. Among the features of the software was human recognition wherein the device detects people inside the car, wireless networking that allows the device to connect to all the devices inside the car with networking capabilities, sensors that provide the car with relative connections to stoplights, devices along the roads the record traffic data, and communication to other cars as a means to detect possible collisions or accidents for the automatic activation of the emergency brakes. The technology developed by INTEL Corporation relates to professional responsibility. As previously discussed, the exponential development of technology in any aspect is the industry’s debt to man who has the knowledge and resources to develop it limitlessly for the disposal of humankind. For this reason, it is the responsibility of technology and everyone working behind to develop it to open up opportunities that would allow it to benefit man. This establishes the purpose of technology and uncovers the reason why people should support technological growth and development. The development of the accuracy software, or any other computer device that supports human safety for that matter, is extremely significant to society simply because these kinds of devices maintain and contribute to the preservation of life. Furthermore, these devices allow man to carry on with his daily tasks and obligations with less worries. Business Mirror. (2009). Intel Shows Off Car-Safety Devices, Accuracy Software. Retrieved 18 Jul 2009, from Business Mirror. Website: http://www. businessmirror. com. ph/component/content/article/52-technology/12073-intel-shows-off-car-safety-devices-accuracy-software-. html Terrorism Finds a Match in Cyber Security Strategy As a means to increase the national security system of United Kingdom against cyber threats and terrorism, the nation’s government has introduced a new Cyber Security Strategy. United Kingdom’s efforts were regarded as the â€Å"first strategy of its kind,† (ICM, 2009) rendering it as possibly the most advanced and sophisticated digital design intended to combat cyber terrorism that may cripple any country’s national defenses. The United Kingdom government has assigned able and trusted organizations to complete the Cyber Security Strategy project including MI5 and the Metropolitan Police. In order to establish and solidify the foundations of the program, the government has created an independent group to operate the system and appoint skilled and knowledgeable officials to oversee security operations. How to cite Issues on Computer Technology, Papers

Infinity Essays - Cardinal Numbers, Infinity, Elementary Mathematics

Infinity Most everyone is familiar with the infinity symbol, the one that looks like the number eight tipped over on its side. Infinity sometimes crops up in everyday speech as a superlative form of the word many. But how many is infinitely many? How big is infinity? Does infinity really exist? You can't count to infinity. Yet we are comfortable with the idea that there are infinitely many numbers to count with; no matter how big a number you might come up with, someone else can come up with a bigger one; that number plus one, plus two, times two, and many others. There simply is no biggest number. You can prove this with a simple proof by contradiction. Proof: Assume there is a largest number, n. Consider n+1. n+1*n. Therefore the statement is false and its contradiction, ?there is no largest integer,? is true. This theorem is valid based on the ?Validity of Proof by Contradiction.? In 1895, a German mathematician by the name of Georg Cantor introduced a way to describe infinity using number sets. The number of elements in a set is called its cardinality. For example, the cardinality of the set {3, 8, 12, 4} is 4. This set is finite because it is possible to count all of the elements in it. Normally, cardinality has been detected by counting the number of elements in the set, but Cantor took this a step farther. Because it is impossible to count the number of elements in an infinite set, Cantor said that an infinite set has No elements; By this definition of No, No+1=No. He said that a set like this is countable infinite, which means that you can put it into a 1-1 correspondence. A 1-1 correspondence can be seen in sets that have the same cardinality. For example, {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}has a 1-1 correspondence with {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}. Sets such as these are countable finite, which means that it is possible to count the elements in the set. Cantor took the idea of 1-1 correspondence a step farther, though. He said that there is a 1-1 correspondence between the set of positive integers and the set of positive even integers. E.g. {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ...n ...} has a 1-1 correspondence with {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ...2n ...}. This concept seems a little off at first, but if you think about it, it makes sense. You can add 1 to any integer to obtain the next one, and you can also add 2 to any even integer to obtain the next even integer, thus they will go on infinitely with a 1-1 correspondence. Certain infinite sets are not 1-1, though. Canter determined that the set of real numbers is uncountable, and they therefore can not be put into a 1-1 correspondence with the set of positive integers. To prove this, you use indirect reasoning. Proof: Suppose there were a set of real numbers that looks like as follows 1st 4.674433548... 2nd 5.000000000... 3rd 723.655884543... 4th 3.547815886... 5th 17.08376433... 6th 0.00000023... and so on, were each decimal is thought of as an infinite decimal. Show that there is a real number r that is not on the list. Let r be any number whose 1st decimal place is different from the first decimal place in the first number, whose 2nd decimal place is different from the 2nd decimal place in the 2nd number, and so on. One such number is r=0.5214211... Since r is a real number that differs from every number on the list, the list does not contain all real numbers. Since this argument can be used with any list of real numbers, no list can include all of the reals. Therefore, the set of all real numbers is infinite, but this is a different infinity from No. The letter c is used to represent the cardinality of the reals. C is larger than No. Infinity is a very controversial topic in mathematics. Several arguments were made by a man named Zeno, a Greek mathematician who lived about 2300 years ago. Much of Cantor's work tries to disprove his theories. Zeno said, ? There is no motion because that which moved must arrive at the middle of its course before it arrives at the

Globalization and Social Inequality The WritePass Journal

Globalization and Social Inequality Introduction Globalization and Social Inequality IntroductionReferencesRelated Introduction Social inequality is an issue that is much debated today within the social sciences, as well as other disciplines. Although very few would deny that social inequality exists and has always existed in human societies, it is not always clear through what mechanisms it manifests itself, along what lines it progresses, and how we can make life better for those affected by global inequalities. The question remains whether or not the world that we live in today is more equal than what people have experienced in the past. Although some might argue that Western development brings with it more equal rights, it is doubtful that this is actually the case. In recent years, we have witnessed a phenomenon called globalization which is, in short, a â€Å"widening and deepening of the international flows of trade, capital, technology and information within a single integrated global market (Petras and Veltmeyer 2001, p11).† Globalization has brought with it significant changes in the way peop le and nations relate to one another. In many cases, it has created new patterns of inequality, as well as reinforced old ones. The purpose of this paper is to investigate some of the effects of globalization and critically analyse them. I will argue that currently we do not live in a more equal world and neither are we moving towards greater equality. Rather, I argue that, through globalization, inequalities are exacerbated due to capitalism and the unequal flow of markets. This paper will look at how inequalities have evolved over the last two hundred years, why they have occurred, and how the pattern of inequality looks like today. Kaplinsky (2005, p 28) and Jolly (2005) note that as early as 1776, economists such as Adam Smith became preoccupied with the issue of poverty and its consequences on inequality. During the 18th and the 19th century in England it was well-known that for every handful of rich aristocrats there were hundreds or even thousands of poor people. With the advance of industrialization, poverty only deepened (Jolly 2005). Karl Marx illustrated the problem perfectly by outlining the issue of the bourgeoisie owning the means of production, while workers sell their labour for minimal wages. Petras and Veltmeyer (2001, p 128) also stress that historically, a minority ruling class have used coercion and social institutions to control exploited people. Until the present day, this situation has not changed very much. Moreover, during the past decades, the disparities between the global North and South have become more and more evident, partly due to globalization. The movement of capital and trading agreements have mostly benefitted the developed countries, while the developing ones are forced to create economies that cater to the needs of the West. As Birdsall (2005, p 2) notes, â€Å"global markets are inherently disequalizing, making rising inequality in developing countries more rather than less likely.† This shows that we are not moving towards a more equal world. Moreover, even wealthy countries, such as the U.S. experience growing poverty rates within their own borders (Dillon 2010). Dillon (2010, p 60) stresses that â€Å"economic inequality has in fact grown since the late 1980s, as has the gap between the highest and the lowest income groups,† while Butler and Watt (2007, p 112) even call poverty rates in the U.S. â€Å"extreme.†Ã‚   It is evident from these accounts that unfortunately, unless measures will be taken, inequality will increase and dreams of an equal world are moving farther away. The reality is that we live in an unequal world. There is an abundance of social issues that are caused by widespread inequality. Discrimination today manifests itself through the lines of class, gender, race, age, nationality, and other factors. Due to length limitations, this paper mostly focuses on economic inequalities. These are especially poignant when we look at the way people live in underdeveloped countries. This is a direct consequence of colonialism and the quest of the Western world to expand and develop their economic system. However, the expansion of the markets rewards only those who have more assets, such as financial and human capital (Birdsall 2005, p 3). Also, poor nations cannot attract investment and diversification, without a stable middle class and economic institutions. Consequently, the price of their exports declines and they fail to grow (Birdsall 2005, p 3). This is just an example of how globalization reinforces inequality. If markets are let to operate f reely, as they do today, the world will become more unequal. Underdeveloped countries have not become more equal since interaction with the West has intensified. Beer and Boswell (2002, p 31) also stress that â€Å"disproportionate control over host economies by transnational corporations increases inequality by altering the development patterns of these nations.† Although some might think that international corporations can improve a developing country’s economy, this is not necessarily true. It is evident then, that the path that is nowadays advocated by many here in the Western world, does not serve the purpose of a more equal world. On the contrary, it exacerbates global inequalities. The causes of growing inequality in today’s world are diverse and often not very easy to identify. However, the main cause might be the capitalist system that has spread internationally, oftentimes to the benefit of few and the exploitation of many. Trade between rich and poor nations creates patterns of dependency and unequal exchanges, leading to high income inequalities between the two (Beer and Boswell 2002, p 33). Despite the current emphasis on trade agreements and flows of trade that increasingly deepen, time and time again it has been stressed that this process creates inequalities and is detrimental to developing countries. In addition, the markets often fail. Some notable examples are the financial crises in Mexico, Thailand, Korea, Russian, Brazil and Argentina that took place in the 1990s (Birdsall 2005). Also, when a recession hits, the lower classes are the most affected. In turn, this leads to even greater inequalities between the rich and the poor. There are many mechanisms through which capital and the markets contribute to a less equal world in our present time. Investment often causes disparities between foreign and domestic sectors. Also, international corporations usually do not reinvest profits in the local economies. Governments in developing countries adopt policies that prevent the lower classes from moving upwards, while at the same time they encourage the formation of a â€Å"managerial elite (Beer and Boswell 2002, p 33).† For those concerned about equality, it is alarming that neither foreign investors nor local governments fully understand the consequences of their actions. If this kind of policies will keep being implemented, levels of inequality will certainly increase. As Petras and Veltmeyer   (2001) note, the politics of the Western Right are also at fault for the direction towards which we are heading. They say that the Right engages in â€Å"class warfare† through privatization and the conce ntration of power in the hands of few (Petras and Veltmeyer 2001, p 148). Thus, social institutions, as well as economic policies serve the interests of wealthy corporations. The focus of present neoliberal politics is not to decrease income disparities, but to increase the wealth of the few. Staying on the same course guarantees that the world will become less and less equal. I have argued that we do not live and a more equal world. On the contrary, the globalization of markets has had a negative impact on the livelihoods of many. The effects of capitalism had started being seen a long time ago. Income disparities always existed between those who own the means of production (the bourgeoisie) and the workers that work in their factories. The income gap between the lower class and the upper class increased steadily with time. In addition, global exploration and colonization has led to even greater disparities between the West and the colonies. Under the current system, developing countries find it almost impossible to reach the same level of wealth and stability as Western countries. However, even developed countries have growing poverty rates within their own borders. These rates have been increasing over the past years, while the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. The world is becoming a less equal place. The free flow of markets and an unregu lated capitalist system are mainly to blame for income inequalities. Poor nations have become dependent on rich nations and economic crises affect lower classes the most. With both corporations and national governments driven by profit, no one looks at the long-term effects that trade has on inequality. Moreover, the rise of neoliberal politics in the West encourages the maintenance of the same pattern of increased inequality and dependency. Despite the optimism of some, the truth is that globalization, as it is occurring today, is only increasing disparities between classes, between nations, and between the global North and South.   The evidence shows that the world is at least as unequal as it was two hundred years ago. Current economic policies will only serve to make it less and less equal. If drastic measures are not taken soon, there is little hope that our world will become a more equitable place. References Butler, T. and Watt, P. 2007. Understanding Social Inequality. London: Sage. Beer, L. and Boswell, T. 2002. The resilience of dependency effects in explaining income inequality in the global economy: a cross national analysis, 1975-1995. Journal of World Systems Research, 8(1), pp.30-61. Birdsall, N. 2006. Rising inequality in the new global economy. International Journal of Development Issues, 5(1), pp.1-9. Dillon, M. 2010. Introduction to Sociological Theory: Theorists, concepts and their applicability to the twenty-first century. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. Jolly, R. 2005. Global inequality in historical perspective. WIDER (World Institute for Development Economic Research) Angle, 2. Kaplinski, R. 2005. Globalization, Poverty and Inequality: Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Cambridge: Polity.

5 Tips to Understand Hyphenated Words

5 Tips to Understand Hyphenated Words 5 Tips to Understand Hyphenated Words 5 Tips to Understand Hyphenated Words By Mark Nichol The complexity of rules about those little dashes that separate many words for various reasons causes so much misunderstanding that many writers just leave them out of the recipe or spill them randomly into the mixing bowl. But your compositional cuisine need not be so undisciplined. The rules may seem complicated at first, but soon you’ll be able to put hyphens in their place. 1. Adjectives Hyphenate two adjectives united to modify a noun: â€Å"a well-trained writer.† But do so only before the noun: â€Å"a writer who is well trained.† Keep in mind, though, a convention that has arisen in which permanent open compounds, words that have been bonded together to form perpetual concepts, like â€Å"income tax† or â€Å"ice cream,† don’t take a hyphen even in phrases like â€Å"income tax records† and â€Å"ice cream cone.† How do you know which compounds have bonded and which remain free agents? If an open compound is listed in the dictionary, it’s permanent. 2. Adverbs But notice that these rules apply to adjectives but not to a similar-looking class of words; adverbs ending in â€Å"-ly† aren’t hyphenated to the verbs they modify: â€Å"a brightly colored shirt,† â€Å"a quickly memorized poem.† But most other adverbs are (â€Å"little-known fact,† â€Å"best-kept secret†); compounds with â€Å"least,† â€Å"less,† â€Å"most,† and â€Å"more† are exceptions. 3. Nouns Nouns are usually compounded, too, of course (â€Å"footstep,† â€Å"mountaintop†) but some, like â€Å"life-form† and â€Å"mind-set,† resist the closure that most of their like have accepted. Compounds that can be used as verbs and nouns alike differ in that the former are often hyphenated (â€Å"I had to jump-start his car†) and the latter aren’t (â€Å"He asked me for a jump start†). Another example is â€Å"fast track†: â€Å"We fast-tracked the project,† but â€Å"It’s on the fast track.†) 4. Multiword Coumpounds Multiword compounds like â€Å"right-of-way,† â€Å"back-to-back,† and â€Å"up-to-date† always include hyphens. Beware, though: â€Å"Head to toe,† although a common expression, does not appear in the dictionary with or without hyphens, so omit them (unless the phrase modifies a noun: â€Å"a head-to-toe inspection†). Familiar word strings that modify nouns are usually hyphenated before and after: â€Å"next-to-last person in line,† â€Å"the reply was matter-of-fact.† 5. Confusing Words Some words in which you wouldn’t expect a hyphen to persist remain to avoid confusion with a similar word with a different meaning (â€Å"re-cover,† as opposed to â€Å"recover†; â€Å"re-creation† instead of â€Å"recreation†). Had enough? We haven’t even covered every hyphen rule yet, but I’ll save some for later. The bottom line about this floating line, though, is: â€Å"When in doubt, look it up.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:12 Greek Words You Should Know75 Synonyms for â€Å"Talk†10 Tips About How to Write a Caption

Intercultural Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Intercultural Communication - Essay Example Sometimes innocuous blunder may occur through minor mistake causing insult and hurt and for the perpetrator may result in shame and embarrassment. Normally respect and approach will follow where there is understanding, but the way understanding takes place is complex (Pettigres, 2000). Studies have shown that in many cases the awareness, that understanding is needed, is often lacking, which unfortunately forms the route cause of misunderstanding. In this globalized economy where the boundaries of countries are disappearing, the intercultural communication is finding its importance. We take example of this business meeting between a Vietnamese business team with US business team. Let us assume that each team is reasonably well prepared for the meeting. The language is not the problem, members of both the teams are well conversed with English. However to iron out minor language hiccups, each team also included a good translator. The members of both the team comprises men and women, all are meticulously dressed in business dress. Both the teams are punctual and the meeting starts on time. The meeting being a daylong affair, the lunch has been arranged at a local restaurant. Proper planning is made in advance in choosing the menu beforehand so that potential cultural issues on food habits can be prevented. The organizer expected all to go well as the perceived threat from lack of communication have been taken care of. However there arose problems. Initial shaking of hands went well as this has become universal custom for English knowing people to shake hands. The problem started with greeting; both the parties did manage to greet the other in a wrong way. In UK the family name is given at the end of the name. For example Peter Smith is known as Mr. Smith, not other way round as Mr. Peter, whereas in Vietnamese the family name comes first thus making Mguyen Van Khai, Madame Nguyen. But in the meeting Mr. Smith was greeted as Mr. Peter whereas Madame Nguyen was greeted as Madame Khai. The Vietnamese delegation took more offence than their counterpart, the UK delegation, as they perceived it as disrespect. However the meeting continued with the initial hiccup starting with a sore note. The second misunderstanding occurred, this time around with the UK delegates, when one of their team members was referred by someone as his sister. The UK delegates took the meaning literally, but actually it was meant to denote close friendship. The main problem started with the way the Vietnamese men were interacting with their female counterpart of UK delegation. They expected the women delegates would prefer to mix with other women of Vietnamese delegation and left them, which was perceived as disrespect by the female members of UK team. There was another major goof up when during lunch break one of the Vietnamese delegate placed his hand on the elbow of a lady UK delegate to show her the way, when they were leaving for lunch. In Vietnamese culture this is seen as sign of respect and as non-sexual, undertaken between members of the same as well as opposite sex.

CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS ISSUES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS ISSUES - Essay Example ASDA is a supermarket chain with direct focus on its customers and suppliers. It purchases goods from its suppliers and sells them to its customers. It does not have direct influence on its profitability by any other stakeholders. Although customers and suppliers are the main components of ASDA’s profitability, various other stakeholders also have to be considered and taken into account before arriving into any decision. These variables have an indirect effect on the working and profitability of the company. a) Shareholders: The aim of the company should be to maximise the return of the shareholder as they have invested their wealth and time in ASDA. Company should decide that whether the decision taken by the company would be right for the shareholders and their wealth or not. b) Customers: Customers are another important component which should be considered before arriving at any decision. Customers basically want good quality products at the lowest possible price. Company must see that they generate profit meeting the needs and wants of its customer at the most efficient price. Profit should be generated from customer satisfaction and not by their exploitation. ASDA assured its customers regarding the products it made was not an outcome of exploitation but behind the scene its workers were even not getting enough wages. c) Management and employees: These are the pillars of any organisation or company. In ASDA the condition of its employees was worst. If worker’s interest is not checked by the company, they will not work to the best of their capability making the company incompetent. No proper attention was provided to the needs and comforts of the workers. ASDA must check that their profitability motive does not overlook their employees. d) Government: Government is another party who does affect the profitability of the company. Many a times, government intervenes into the working of the business through the formulation of new