Wednesday, October 30, 2019

UDL Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

UDL - Assignment Example Lesson ideas are well established by offering full plans, along with tips on introducing the topic, which would help someone to better understand how a topic should be brought up to students. Internet resources about poetry slams, including books and visual aid, supplement the lesson plans and offer extra material to be added, or to allow the teacher to tweak already existing ideas. By providing internet resources and online plans, the lesson is appealing to the modern learning style of using technology to assist comprehension. The chart of alternative methods is extremely useful in understanding how to better deal with children who have special learning requirements. Specific issues are addressed, and then are answered with possible suggestions, backed up by internet resources. Clever solutions are mentioned to deal with comprehension issues, such as using a text-to-speech tool on the computer to help students understand how to read or say certain words. This specific area of the ar ts is perfect for helping students with comprehension and reading techniques.

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Business of Women- a Book Review Essay Example for Free

The Business of Women- a Book Review Essay Literature pertaining to entrepreneurial women is very limited. There are numerous books that depict the lives of wage-earning women in Canada; however works on self-employed women are uncommon. The Business of Women- Marriage, Family, and Entrepreneurship in British Columbia, 1901-1951, was written by Melanie Buddle in 2010, under UBC Press. In The Business of Women, Buddle attempts to highlight the key features of entrepreneurial women in the 1900’s in Western Canada, exploring how and why women entered the business world. In this book, Buddle examines case studies and primary documents in order to expose the world of female entrepreneurs. Buddle focuses on issues of gender and class relations that influenced the ability of women to become self-employed. Although the information presented in this book represent the period of 1901 to 1951, I will attempt to draw connections, through the use of a summary and analysis, between the materials presented in this book to 21st century businesswomen. In the first part of The Business of Women, Buddle addresses reasons why women were more likely to be self-employed in British Columbia. Buddle highlights frontier characteristics that depict why a larger proportion of women in British Columbia were married and were self-employed. In British Columbia, women married in higher proportion, compared to the rest of Canada. Many males arrived in British Columbia in the 1850’s during the gold rush and many men settled in Western Canada in order to work in the logging, fishing, and mining industry. These influxes of male wage-earners lead to an overabundance of men in the province (26). The gender imbalance resulted in women finding it easier to marry, while men found it much more difficult. Women worked during their marriage when their spouses could not provide sufficient financial support. While women in British Columbia married in higher proportions, there were also a greater number of women who were living without a spouse. Although a woman was living essentially by herself, she would still be listed as married- which contributed to the large number of women who were listed as married. Many of these men left their wives and families to pursue work elsewhere. The absence and even unreliability of a spouse led to some women becoming involved with self-employment. Many women had to turn to self-employment because wage-earning job opportunities were very limited. In British Columbia, male immigration was high due to the surge in the natural resource sector. In addition, during this period, there were a number of male Asian immigrants who took wage-earning positions. As a result of the scarce number of wage-earning jobs, many women opened their own businesses. The need to support their children was the most important reason why married, widowed, and divorced women ran businesses. Although many women were married, their husbands were either absent, sick, or unable to work. These women were essentially single; they did not have a male breadwinner caring for them and they had the added responsibility of caring for their children. Family was the key motivation to women’s self-employment. Women who had children to care for had to find a means of supporting themselves that allowed them to stay at home. Many women took up self-employment opportunities such as sewing, doing laundry, boarding, or operating small enterprises from inside their home (55). Working from home was advantageous for many women because they could set their own hours, thus they could be more attentive to their family. The critical difference between women and men entering the workforce, both with families, was that women’s endeavours catered to their family’s interests. Women worked or opened businesses when it was imperative to support their family, but at the same time, their work had to accommodate the tasks they performed at home. Working from home, women had the opportunity to turn their homemaking skills into income-earning jobs or they would turn their homes into their business (46). Effectively, these women turned their two jobs- one as a mother, the other as an entrepreneur- into one. It is clear that the presence of children affected why and where women worked – which can be seen as an important link between family and entrepreneurship. Age was also an important factor in understanding why women engaged in self-employment. Women who had families and were married were generally more inclined to open businesses. Thus, census data shows that participation of older women in self-employment was much more common, as opposed to young and single women (45). Contrary to expectation, women did not turn to self-employment as a way to break out of gender-socialized roles, rather women worked because they had to. Women, who faced either inadequate or no support from their husbands, had to turn to self-employment in order to support their families. The relationship between marriage, family, age, and entrepreneurship was very distinct in British Columbia during this p eriod. Buddle also seeks to explore the different careers that female entrepreneurs engaged in. During the period of 1901-1951, an increasing number of women worked in the service, trade and finance, and clerical occupations (55). Most women worked as servants, cooks, waitresses, teachers and nurses, while others turned to self-employment. Even those who were self-employed worked in the service industry (with the exception of dressmaking and related occupations). The relationship between sex segregation and self-employment also played a factor in the kinds of jobs women took. A woman’s femininity could be very advantageous, as she could open a business that played into ideas of femininity and beauty. In this way, sex segregation pushed women to become more successful in their endeavours. From 1901 to 1951, involvement in six self-employed occupations was consistent among women. These included: farmers, dressmakers and sewers, retail store owners, lodging-house keepers, barbers and hairdressers, and music teachers (55). Although female self-employment in the farming industry was declining during this period, and men usually dominated this area of work, a large number of women were self-employed in this occupation. Women who worked on farms generally did sex-typed jobs, such as cooking, cleaning, overseeing egg and butter production, while men were responsible for the outdoor farm labour (66). Women who farmed alone often grew fruit and cattle. Thus, self-employed females working in this male dominated occupation represented a portion of entrepreneurship that â€Å"disproved the notion of a female work culture† (69). The highest rates of female self-employment in the manufacturing industry belonged to the occupation of dressmakers, seamstresses, and sewers. Dress-making and sewing were sex-typed jobs that were associated with females, however women capitalized on these ideologies. The percentage of women who worked as retail store owners increased over the first half of the twentieth century. Women shopkeepers competed in a male-dominated field – although their stores were sex-typed. Women primarily owned stores such as clothing, dry goods, grocery, and confectionary (71). Lodging-housekeeping was primarily sex-typed as feminine. This was an easy business for a woman to enter because it was run out of the home and required manual labour but little financial investment. In addition, a woman could run a lodging house and look after her children at the same time. As lodging-house keepers, women continued to do the same domestic tasks they had done as unpaid workers, but they were now providin g these services to paying lodgers. Through occupations such as farming and shop-keeping, one is able to deduce that self-employed women and men were not segregated by occupations the same way as wage-earning men and women. When they were self-employed, women had the capability to operate in a male-dominated field and challenge tradition assumptions. In chapter four, Buddle describes the business and professional women’s (BPW) clubs that existed in British Columbia. Buddle focuses primarily on the Victoria and Vancouver BPW clubs and their relationship with the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (CFBPWC) (84). The majority of self-employed women in these clubs were married, widowed, or divorced. The clubs in British Columbia were generally very conservative- they praised conventional roles and societal expectations of women. These clubs were held highly in society and provided members with an opportunity to â€Å"assume a public life without too deeply challenging traditional gender roles† (85). Although on the outside club activities were relatively conservative, on the inside, the club provided members with a facet to release their frustrations towards the inequalities that they dealt with on a daily basis. Away from the public eye, many of the club’s activities displayed parodies of male-dominated business traditions in news articles, mock debates, and mock weddings. The CFBPWC’s main goal was to further the advances that women had made post-war. Not unlike the local clubs, the federation’s primary focus was women and their ethical and behavioural differences from men. The first convention for the CFBPWC was held in Winnipeg in the summer of 1930 and included representatives from clubs in Montreal, Hamilton, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria (93). The formation of the Vancouver BPW Club was in response to the gendered world in which women worked – they sought to create a community in which women could support and encourage one another a s they ventured into unknown territories (96). Between 1920 and 1961, the BPW clubs became much more vocal on employment issues such as wage equity, the rights of married women to work, and the status of domestic workers (96). The rights of married women to work were a constant issue for BPW clubs. In later years, the Victoria club defended its position regarding the rights of married women to work. The club praised women who worked in support of family, while also promoting the interests of women working outside the home for pay. Although the BPW clubs promoted women working, they frequently noted that a woman’s most important role was as a worker within her family. In this light, the BPW clubs seemed unclear about their stance regarding married women’s rights. In one aspect, they stressed that family came first, but in other views, their stance on women’s equality in the workplace was very progressive. BPW club members were aware that gender issues impeded their careers- thus the club’s social activi ties became a way for the women to vent their frustrations. The club engaged in â€Å"mock weddings† in which women would dress up as brides and grooms. This showed that the women recognized how they were perceived and in a way, embraced it. However, these club activities did not take part in their outside image as a respectable and feminine organization. As a result, while the club had a very serious and focused goal, they were also a recreational club that allowed women to simply have fun. In the final chapter of The Business of Women, Buddle addresses the relationship between gender, class, and business. In the early twentieth century, it was difficult to consider the idea of a self-employed woman because that suggested she was independent, competitive, and aggressive – traits which were not commonly associated with women. However, while entering a masculine world of entrepreneurs, women were able to present themselves as both feminine and businesslike – a characteristic that allowed them to thrive as self-sufficient businesswomen. To demonstrate that they were respectable, female entrepreneurs emphasized their devotion to fashion and to their families. In this light, women tried to be seen as womanly and feminine, while simultaneously engaging in competitive business. Women took many measures to ensure that they would not be seen as masculine, their appearance seemed to be almost as important as the work they did. For example, Hyman Kessler, a woman who owned a scrap metal dealership, displayed this feature. Kessler would dress very feminine when she was out, always wearing skirts, and she would not smoke in public (although she was a heavy smoker at home). Kessler stated that in her business â€Å"you have to think like a man and act like a lady† (134). These comments of acting like a lady are full of class and gender implications. Another example can be seen through Wendy McDonald. Following her husband’s death, McDonald assumed ownership of BC Bearing Engineers (135). McDonald was generally unknowledgeable regarding this area of business, however she was praised for her ability to juggle a career and raise children. Magazines consistently described her as a progressive woman and noted on multiple occasions that she had modeled in her youth. The media’s focus on her early modelling career, her lack of knowledge, and her children, all reinforce the idea of femininity within businesswomen. Businesswomen during this period sought to represent themselves as different from men, but equally capable. If a woman could prove that she could be as successful as a man, while still behaving in a ladylike manner and while still becoming wives and mothers, â€Å"she did not pose a threat to the gender conventions that equated business-like behaviour with masculine behaviour† (136). The types of business women engaged in were also influenced by gender. It often represented a compromise between societal pressures to remain feminine and the need to make economic decisions. Many women based their career choices on opportunities they thought would be profitable, but they also had to consider society’s expectations of appropriate avenues for entrepreneurial women. Hence, as long as she maintained her femininity and recognized her role as a mother and wife, society would tolerate and even praise a businesswoman. On that note, the following analysis of The Business of Women will highlight key themes, literature excellence, and offer critiques of the book. Through these, the relationship between twentieth century businesswomen and 21st century female entrepreneurs will be demonstrated. Ultimately, this analysis will elucidate Buddle’s objective in writing The Business of Women and how the concepts apply to the contemporary business world. The primary theme that Buddle addresses in The Business of Women is the relationship between gender roles and entrepreneurship. Throughout the entire book, Buddle seeks to answer the question of why and how women became entrepreneurs. In every explanation and case study, the link between society’s expectations of women and their involvement in business are very prominent. This book highlights the many struggles that women had to face in a male-dominated world. However, it also emphasizes the many successes of businesswomen. In every chapter, Buddle is careful to point out key women who changed the scope of entrepreneurs in British Columbia. From large associations such as BPW clubs to Hyman Kessler, a small shop owner, these stories reflect the determination and achievements of women as entrepreneurs. Nevertheless, the conclusion that Buddle arrives at, is that although women during this period engaged in relatively successful entrepreneurial endeavours, their participation was limited. Furthermore, Buddle argues that if a woman had the ability to undermine her presence and conform to society’s expectations of a â€Å"woman†, she would become successful. This again, goes back to the relationship between gender roles and entrepreneurship. The Business of Women is a very informative book. Buddle effectively utilizes evidence such as photos, quotes, and census data, in order to augment the reader’s understanding. For example, on page thirty, Buddle presents a table depicting the percentages of employed women, with various marital statuses, in British Columbia compared to Canada. Buddle’s research is evidently very thorough; she presents a vast amount of data that supports her idea of female entrepreneurs. Buddle also does a very good job of presenting the pros and cons in her analysis of the BPW clubs. When Buddle analyzes the BPW clubs that existed, she explains that the club’s basic objective was to promote women’s rights. However, Buddle also argues that the BPW clubs were very conservative and often contradictory when it came to their stance on political and social issues. In this light, Buddle remains objective- which has the effect of further enhancing the reader’s comprehension. Buddle’s main theme throughout the book is the relationship between gender roles and the ability to become self-employed. Buddle is very effective in explaining that although women were given the capacity to become entrepreneurs, their ability to become successful very much relied on their capabilities to conform to society’s expectations. In chapter five, Buddle addresses the link between gender roles and businesswomen. Buddle provides many examples, including Hyman K essler, Wendy McDonald, and Laurette Grayel (who was the owner of a delivery company). Buddle mentions that â€Å"the womanliness of female entrepreneurs was stressed to such a degree that it seems calculated to negate the very fact of their self-employment† (142). In this way, Buddle effectively analyzes society in the 1900-1950’s and is able to reach a conclusion regarding the capabilities of women to achieve successful self-employment. Another commendable area of this book is Buddle’s choice to maintain an even-tone throughout the book. Buddle avoids utilizing hyperbolized language and does not come across as overassertive in her presentation of the book. It is a fair assumption that Buddle is a feminist. The very fact that she wrote this book signifies that she believes women’s entrepreneurship is an important topic that needs to be further explored. However, at no point in the book does Buddle attack men or society as a whole. Thus, I think she does a good job of not becoming too dogmatic. An area where The Business of Women fails is th at it does not make the connection between the data presented in the book, which took place in the twentieth century, to present day society. Buddle wrote this book in 2010; therefore it seems like a reasonable assumption that the book would contain a chapter or two that would provide the reader with an explanation of the relationship between history and the present. However, the only connection that Buddle offers is in the conclusion, where she talks about today’s â€Å"momprenuers†. Buddle states that a connection between history’s self-employed women and today’s mother entrepreneurs can be seen. Buddle also mentions that the difficulties of women of history can be mirrored in the difficulties of women today. However, Buddle fails to further explore this intriguing topic. She chooses to simply leave it to the reader to relate any possible examples or stories from the 21st century. The Business of Women is also very microscopic, with the focus being very narrow. It only offers explanations and conclusions for women in British Columbia. In the tables and graphs that Buddle presents, she often compares British Columbia statistics to Canada, such as on page twenty-eight and fifty-nine. However, Buddle does not further explore this relationship in her text. Buddle argues that her purpose of having such a specific focus is that it provides the reader with a greater understanding of the specific circumstances of women during this period. While the book is very informative, it represents only a portion of female entrepreneurs in Canada. On one hand, while Buddle is able to present the information regarding women in British Columbia, she does not effectively relate this information to other women in Canada. In this light, Buddle fails, in my opinion, to look at the bigger picture. She focuses extensively on British Columbia, but neglects to offer any in-depth information or connections regarding other women in Canada. Lastly, I found this book to be quite repetitive. Buddle could have utilized a more concise approach in presenting her information. For instance, in the beginning of chapter two, Buddle states that self-employed women were more likely to be married than wage-earners, and she once again makes the statement later in the chapter. Buddle could have been more succinct in her presentation of the book. Despite the book’s minor flaws, the overall message that Melanie Buddle is trying to achieve is conveyed. Buddle’s main theme throughout the book is the relationship between gender roles and the ability of women to become entrepreneurs. A connection can be made between women of history and of modern day society. Women today are still faced with the pressing issues of how they will financially provide for their families. As a result of limitations and family circumstances, many have had to turn to self-employment. Despite the many progressive advances that women have made, gender roles still exist. The Business of Women provides a valuable framework for understanding the relationship between gender and entrepreneurs in society today. The characteristics of the twentieth century, which is discussed in this book, such as family needs and sex-typed occupations are still very much in existence today. In fact, common expectations of women and frontier characteristics are still very similar. Therefore, by examining the ways that women recognized their gender roles in the twentieth century through The Business of Women, it provides the reader with significant insight into the 21st century world of entrepreneurs. After reading The Business of Women by Melanie Buddle, I highly recommend that all business students read this book. This book does not present any ground-breaking information; rather, it solidifies what many people already knew. The transition of women into a male-dominated business world was not an easy one, and although the contents of this book occurred over fifty years ag o, the same generalizations and assumptions apply to the business world today. It is proportionately more difficult for a woman to become successful as an entrepreneur, compared to men. Many women are forced to concede to society’s expectations of adequate female self-employment, thus it can be observed that societal changes have not been as dramatic as one would hope. Nevertheless, the prominence of businesswomen has undoubtedly risen. It is now common for a woman to continue to work after she marries, and having a family no longer has to define what a woman does for a living. Women such as Oprah have redefined what it means to be a female entrepreneur. Not unlike the Hyman Kessler’s and Wendy McDonald’s of history, these women have utilized their skills and adaptability in order to build an empire. In reading The Business of Women, one begins to appreciate the determination and resourcefulness that these women displayed. Thus, it is my recommendation that everyone should read this book, regardless of gender. This book provides an understanding of how the relationship between gender roles and society has shaped entrepreneurs. Surprisingly, I found this book to be quite interesting. Learning of the different careers and clubs that these women participated in definitely inspires me. The women during this period can be looked at with admiration because despite society’s limitations, they were ultimately able to utilize their skills and resourcefulness to become successful.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Americans Motivation to Work Essay -- Labor Supply Economics

American's Motivation to Work The majority of Americans get up each morning and go to work in order to earn money. But what are the true motivators for working and where do they come from? How do wage rates and other forms of compensation affect the quantity of labor supplied to the market? This essay will discuss how labor effects the economy. Each person working plays a role in society and production output. These are areas that need to be addressed when the supply of labor is being discussed. The motivation to work arises from a variety of social, psychological and economic forces. People need income to pay their bills, feel that they have a role in society and also feel a sense of acheivement. Although there is always a choice, that is not working and not getting paid. People choose between labor and leisure according to the percieved rewards of each. The marginal utility of labor reflects the satisifaction to be gained from added income, as well as any direct pleasure a job may provide. A worker compares these satisfactions with those of leisure and chooses the one that yeilds the greatest utility for available time and wage rates. As it may seem obvisous to some, the more a worker gets paid, the more encouragement that worker has to work more hours and produce more output. Thus, higher wages may increase the marginal utility of an hour's labor, this being a substitiute for labor. But it can also have the opposite effect. This being that if a wor...

Thursday, October 24, 2019

An Essay Plan on the History of High Heels Essay

The aim in this essay plan is to identify classes and gender of high heel shoes. It also aims to construct in cultural terms why high heels has developed and remained a paramount accessory, its reasons why high heels shoes were made, and its representation in both gender. I also intend to frame how man perceives high heels that were worn by woman from the 17th century. Finally, I would present the evolution of high heels as it changes from time to time. Introduction During the late sixteenth century, in Western Europe the appearance of footwear has been established by June Swann’s meticulous research. However, a crucial question surfaced after several improvements were added to the high-heeled shoes. Why do high heels emerge as an item of fashion at that time? I shall also give the complex range of culture from which high heels derived. The discussion on the general impact that high heels have in identity, class and gender shall be explained. The high heels had become a symbol of wealth, style and status worn by men, women and children, of the upper classes. Europeans became interested in these cultures for a range political, social and commercial reason. I shall be using â€Å"Shoes†, a book written by Giorgio Riello and Peter McNeil. In 1533, it was the wedding of Italian born Catherine de Medici with the Duke of Orleans in France that brought high heels in popularity for women. Ladies can thank this forward fashion royal who insisted on having heels made for her in Florence prior to the wedding. The 14-year-old challenged bride set the rage in Paris for the new â€Å"It† shoe. Development The high heel emerged as an exclusively feminine form of footwear by the early eighteenth century and this shift show changes in notions of gender. In the aristocratic society, high heels became objects of scorn when reduced to only a few millimeters as the upper class conformed to a more controlled esthetic favored by the middle class. The reemergence of high heels during the middle century challenged the respectable women on many levels in respect to their confinement. Why does man wear high heels in the past? Since the late 1700s, men’s shoes have had primarily low heels although high heels originated in France as male footwear around 1500. A notable exception is cowboy boots, which continue to sport a taller riding heel. The two-inch Cuban heel features in many styles of men’s boot, but was popularized by Beatle boots, famously worn by the English rock group, The Beatles, which saw the reintroduction of heels for men. In the 1970s, there was also a brief rising in higher-heeled shoes for men. It provides a tantalizing evidence of the private aspects female body in public. Heels are a staple in the chic urban woman’s wardrobe, but this was not always the case. In 1500, it was men, descendants of European nobility, who began to wear heeled shoes in order to keep their feet in stirrups when horseback riding. Although there are some references to heels in history prior to this, this is when it become popularized for men of the courts and the term â€Å"well heeled† came about to suggest being wealthy or able to afford the costly shoes. What does red high heels shoes represents in the 17th century. Since Louis XIV was rather short, he wore heels and soles, which were raised with cork, and were covered with red leather. Until the French Revolution, these red heels and red edged shoes remained a privilege for the French nobility. Madame de Pompadour, Louis XIV’s fashion-loving, trend-setting mistress, fell in love with red a half-century after the Louis who wore the red heels. She moved red from Versailles velvets to simpler cotton and chintz. In her various chateaus, she covered sofas and beds with red-colored stripes and prints. Quote: â€Å"†¦man’s red high heels, while already an established fashion, became a regulated expression of political privilege. † (Riello and Peter McNei 2006). This quote establishes a type of perception heels are giving men wearing them. It means that men in red high heels are being looked up in the society as someone regulated by a political privilege as it usually being wore by men in court and nobility, taking for example King Louis XIV who was the one who established wearing red high heels in court. High heel shoes are believed to have transformative powers to make the women who wear them into the women they seek to be. With a full closet of possibilities, a woman’s fantasies can be worn at will, or kept in reserve for possible future times of need. High heel shoes represent hope. â€Å"†¦The high heel’s popularity among women was related to its ability to present the fiction of a diminutive†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Riello and Peter McNei 2006). This quote is about how these high heels worn by women has affected its semblance in the society. Women maybe of a low class but wearing a high heels has no longer become a necessity but rather a symbol in society depending on how the wearer wants to be perceived. Here I will discuss how women use fashion to influence men through the exploitation of men’s sexual desire. â€Å"†¦ Like false ambition in men, from a love of power. † (Wilson 2005). In this quote, it tries to express that women in heels provokes men sexually and physically. The wearing of high heels treats men’s sexual desire, as women are treated sex symbols in society especially by those who provocatively use high heels as a seduction. The representation of high heels has become increasingly eroticized because the higher the heel the greater the show’s association with sexuality. Fashion photography has linked pornography and high heels as part of an erotic imagery. It also has the capacity to signify values it even shaped and constructed the female status, desirability and self-representation. It does establish only femininity but also sexual allure. The â€Å"flapper† who suggested sexual availability by wearing highs, shockingly short skirts, and make up such as rouge and lipstick, which until the 1920s had been signifiers of prostitution†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Riello and Peter McNei 2006). In the post-modern context of the 1980s, the feminist rejection of fashion started to lose much of its grassroots support. The idea that fashion, specifically sexy shoes, were not simply oppressive but offered pleasure to women became more widely accepted (Gamman 1993). Critics argued that fashion can be an experiment with appearances that challenges cultural meaning. In the early 1980s, this change of heart about high heels perhaps was provoked by counter-cultural street fashion. Moreover, feminist debates about pleasure and female desire, which indirectly changed the way fashion was understood. Western women now claimed they were wearing high heels for themselves and that heels gave them not only height but also power and authority. From a 16th century Italian, high-platform shoe called the chopine, women’s and men’s elevated heels evolved. Practical versions of the chopine, called pattens, made it easier to walk on muddy pathways before the advent of sidewalks and curbs. Because chopines raised both the heel and the toes above the ground, walking was difficult, and so, after two centuries on stilts, the sole was lowered while the heel was left standing. Thus the high-heel was born, an evolutionary hybrid. As technology evolved, shoes also evolved depending on the current needs of women in work and society. The culture of shoes in general affects how women of today are perceived and represented. Some may have been criticized and scorned but I never stopped them from improving according the needs that women are expected to present themselves in public. While some may be conservative, others are a bit provocative and thus reflect the idea of prostitution by the wearer. In the 19th century, high-heeled shoe became the top style to own although Europe brought the new trend for high heels. America was not far behind in becoming of style because in 1888, the first heel factory in the United States opened. Making it unnecessary for women to import their shoes from Paris. Women in the early part of the 20th century favored sensible shoes but in the 1920s, legs and feet were suddenly on display and shoes needed to be as beautiful as they were practical. The women of today believed that wearing high heels makes them more women to themselves than wearing flat shoes because it enhances beauty and personality. In a cultural sense, women of today have earned their power and authority by the stature they pose in the society and these high heels has contributed to that perception. Conclusion To conclude, the cultural changes of shoes affect how the women of today were perceived by the society. Originally, high heels were created for both sexes but women are more empowered to wear high heels than the men do. The kind of impact high heels have on woman and man from the 17th century to now dwells more on the societal functions. Women in the 21st century have more shoe choices than ever before. From athletic wear to high heel, women can choose to wear what they want, even hybrid shoes such as â€Å"heeled† tennis shoes and flip-flops. What is certain is that heels have not disappeared. It continues to evolve and match with the current trends in fashion wear. Dress and shoe should always go along together to match up the affair or the function of the wearer. Some women are even going under the knife to shorten their toes or inject padding into the balls of their feet to allow their feet to fit more comfortably into a pair of stilettos. Though this is already an obsession but the women never stopped from daring into where it would get them physically. While these may be oddities of fashion, they gesture toward an exciting array of fashion choices women have today. The high heels are of different varieties that women could choose depending on their types of confidence level and their position in the society and their financial capabilities as well. Shoes are made not only for comfort but it reflects a much higher degree of sense as it involves culture and history. It presents the issue of high heels as a tool in getting into a privileged world or reflects a negative perception of sexuality. It will now depend on how the wearer shall carry oneself in public, strutting his or her favorite footwear. Works Cited Gamman, Larraine. â€Å"Self-Fashioning, Gender Display, and Sexy Girl Shoes: What’s at Stake—Female Fetishism or Narcissism? † Shari Benstock and Suzanne Ferriss, eds. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. (1993) Giorgio, R. And Peter, M. , â€Å"Shoes,†, Oxford: Berg. ( 2006) Wilson, Nigel Guy. Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece. New York, New York: Routledge. Retrieved from: http://books. google. com/books? id=-aFtPdh6-2QC. (2005)

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Analysis on Successful and Failed Company

Analysis on Failed Company 1. Kodak Kodak founded in 1880 by George Eastman. Eastman Kodak, the 131-year-old film pioneer that has been struggling for years to adapt to an increasingly digital world, filed for bankruptcy protection on January 2012. (Merced, January 2012) Example: In 1996, Kodak introduces Advantix Preview film and camera system, which Kodak spent more than $500M to develop and launch. One of the key features of the Advantix system was that it allowed users to preview their shots and indicate how many prints they wanted.The Advantix Preview could do that because it was a digital camera. Yet it still used film and emphasized print because Kodak was in the photo film, chemical and paper business. Advantix flopped. (Mui, 2012). Reasons of Failure: Kodak’s strategic failure was the direct cause of Kodak’s decades-long decline as digital photography destroyed its film-based business model. Kodak’s missed opportunities in digital photography. Kodak mana gement’s inability to see digital photography as a disruptive technology, even as its researchers extended the boundaries of the technology, would continue for decades.George Eastman, who twice adopted disruptive photographic technology, Kodak’s management in the 80’s and 90’s were unwilling to consider digital as a replacement for film. The transformation from analog cameras to digital camera was failed. This limited them to a fundamentally flawed path. They cannot compete with the gradual rise of the mobile phone camera ( Apple iPhone, Samsung) and others strong competitors ( Nikon, Olympus, Canon). Kodak mistakes that people, in after the picture will continue to print it out, but this kind of thing more and more impossible.From this perspective, photo sharing more for communication, rather than personal memories. 2. Pets. com (internet and new technology failure) Launched in August 1998, Pets. com was created to sell pets food and accessories via the internet. Users of the site could browse through different categories, choose products they like and have them conveniently delivered to their home. On 7 November 2000 Pets. com announced that it could no longer continue as a business, and as such became the first US dot. com on the stock market to close. Pets. com folded after having burned through $300 million in less than two years.Over 300 people lost their jobs and the site was shut down. In a statement made to the press on that same day, CEO Julie Wainwright explained the situation. ‘It is well known that this is a very, very difficult environment for business-to-consumer Internet companies,’ she said. Reasons of Failure: Perhaps the main problem was that Internet users weren’t ready to order their pet food online. After all, dog food is dog food, and there clearly weren’t enough people searching for rare pet items that they wouldn’t be able to find in their hometown.In 1998, people will rathe r driving down to the shops and getting the pet food and accessories on the spot, rather than wait a few days delivery period. The strategy of offering extreme discounts clearly wasn’t working. According to Dan Janal, author of Branding the Net, the cost per customer acquisition for Pets. com was about US $80. He said ‘There’s no way you make that back when you sell a product with a paper-thin margin†¦ ’ But its discount policy wasn’t Pets. com’s only problem.It had also introduced free shipping – which was proving increasingly expensive for the company to sustain, especially when customers were ordering very little. One of its major mistakes was the excessive spending on marketing and advertising. During its lifetime Pets. com spent more than $70 million on marketing and an average of $400 to acquire each new customer (Bucholtz, 2000). Pets. com advertised more heavily than any other online pet e-tailer. Pets. com spent too much money on building awareness, and too little time questioning whether its Web site was a viable business in the long term. 3. Tesco in Japan Japan is the smallest of Tesco's 13 international businesses, consisting of 129 stores in greater Tokyo and making less than ? 500m in annual sales, according to analysts' estimates. According to Guardian News (August 31, 2011) noted that Tesco has decided to sell its Japanese business after eight years there. On June 18, 2012 Tesco sell half its operations in the country to Japanese retailer Aeon Corp. for a nominal sum, the first of a two-stage exit. The two companies will form a joint venture, with Tesco investing some 0 million pounds (($63 million) to finance further fund restructuring. After that, Tesco will have no further financial exposure to the Japanese business. Reasons of Failure: †¢Lackluster economic growth In the almost decade-long period (it entered in 2003 through acquisition of local player C Two-Network) it was operating in the market, the retailer never seemed able to gain scale and traction in a notoriously difficult retail sector. In 2011, Tesco Japan made trading losses of ? 35m. †¢Wrong partner In Japan, C Two-Network at the time of acquisition had 78 stores and annual revenues of less than $0. 5 bn.By any stretch of the imagination it was not a major player in the Japanese retail sector. Plus, some of its stores required plenty of investment. †¢Tough competition Tesco’s competitors had been operating before the entry of Tesco and had built strong market dominance. Launching Tesco Express seemed a logical move given the existing store portfolio and the format’s success elsewhere. However, it faced stiff competition from local c-store giants such as 7-Eleven, LAWSON, FamilyMart and Ministop. In addition, these players have also expanded into residential price-focused supermarkets – LAWSON STORE 100.Beside this, rivals such as Seven & I and AEON have really investe d in improving their own ranges in recent years. ? 4. Harley Davidson Harley Davidson (H-D), the American motorcycle manufacturer has a loyal brand following not only in the U. S. but also in many countries across the globe. It also introduced a range of accessories to match the bike. A chain of retail shops sold H-D branded merchandise like T-shirts, jackets, caps, gloves, helmets key chains, socks, ornaments etc. Reasons of failure: A brand over-extension In the 1990s, it extended the brand too far and moves into inappropriate categories.The company introduced products like ties, infant clothes, wine coolers, aftershave and perfumes. Even the loyal fans did not like the idea, as it did not resonate with the tough brand identity. However, Perfumes and wine coolers were eroding the mystery of the H-D brand. After strong criticism from the loyal customers, the company pulled of many inappropriate products. H-D had learnt a branding lesson. More products did not mean more revenue and overextending the brand meant a short-term focus. The company has now admitted its mistake, and stopped producing perfumes and other inappropriate products. . Pan Am Pan American World Airways was one of the most famous brands of airline on the planet in the 1980s. Pan American World Airways known as Pan Am was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until it ceased operations on December 4, 1991. Reason of failure: †¢Tragedy – terrorist attack In 1988, disaster struck. A Pan Am plane (flight 103) on route from London to New York disappeared from radar somewhere above Scotland. Later it emerged that a bomb had gone off in the cargo area, causing aircraft to break in two.In total, 270 people were killed, including 11 on the ground. This horrible nature of the tragedy make Pan Am name was tarnished and could never recover. Despite the company’s constant promises of commitment to increasing its airline’s security, the public was simply not willing to fly with Pan Am due to decline in confidence. ? 6. Kellogg’s in India Kellogg offered Corn Flakes, Wheat flakes, Basmati rice flakes (ready to eat cereals) in India. Despite offering good quality and being supported by the technical, managerial and financial resources of its patent, Kellogg’s product failed in the Indian market.In April 1995, a 25% decline in sales happened in India. Reasons of failure: †¢Over confidence and ignorance of cultural aspects Kellogg’s believed that it is going to introduce the new breakfast products, heavily on the quality of crispy flakes. But pouring hot milk on the flakes made them soggy. Also Kellogg in its advertising campaigns hinted that the Indian breakfast was not nutrition and that Indian breakfast was not good for health. This deeply hurt the sentiments of the home maker. Once the home maker’s ego was hurt they psychologically turned themselves against the concept of corn flak e based breakfast. Lack of understanding Indian consumer’s behavior and habits India is a country that has a history that comprises of traditional practices, which also include the regular and long followed eating habits. Kellogg’s failure was the fact that the taste of its products did not suit Indian breakfast habit. †¢Premium pricing policy Another reason for the low demand was deemed to be the premium pricing adopted by the company. The prices of its products were too much than the nearest competitors like Mohan’s Cornflakes. ? Analysis on Successful Company 7. Starbucks in ChinaHoward Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks announced that China will become its largest market outside the United States. It has opened over 500 outlets in the country, which are more profitable per outlet than in the U. S. China will soon become the biggest market outside the United States for Starbucks. The keys to Starbucks were to: †¢Create products tailored to China’s unique cultural tastes Instead of trying to force onto the market the same products that work in the U. S, Starbucks developed flavors (e. g. green tea-flavored coffee drinks) that appeal to local tastes.Rather than pushing take-out orders, which account for the majority of American sales, Starbucks adapted to local consumer wants and promoted dine-in service. †¢Position its brand as â€Å"aspirational† to allow higher product pricing. The average coffee sold in China is far more expensive than in the U. S. Carrying a Starbucks cup is seen as a status symbol, a way to demonstrate sophistication and the capability to afford a personal luxury for the up-and-coming middle class in China. Starbuck's high pricing strategy of specialty drinks allows it to have its Chinese outlets be more profitable per store in China despite the lower sales volume.Overall in Asia, its operating margins are 34. 6% in 2011 versus 21. 8% in the United States. †¢Differentiate itself from its competitors Starbucks build-in spacious, comfortable air-conditioned or heated stores attracting professionals for business meetings. Starbucks former strategy was centred in offering a high quality product to a narrow consumer segment (coffee lovers). By offering high quality, these lead customers to have a lower sensitiveness on price, opportunity for higher margins, and an increase of customer loyalty. ? 8. Subway The main reason for their success is they are going with the right trends.Since people now are more concern on healthy lifestyle, food with less calories and more nutritional food. Subway constant expansion has turned us from choosing McDonald to ‘Eat Fresh’ value meal. At the end of 2010, Subway had 33,749 restaurants worldwide, in comparison to McDonald’s which had 32,737, the BBC reports. A major promoter of the Subway brand, and a huge boost to the company’s image, has been Jared Fogel, the young man who decided to go on a diet that simpl y consisted of Subway sandwiches. He was hundreds of pounds overweight, and successfully lost this weight on his Subway diet.Subway achieved its rapid growth, in part, by opening outlets in non-traditional locations around the world. It had very strategic in planning its locations. These include a car showroom in California, an appliance store in Brazil, a ferry terminal in Seattle, a riverboat in Germany, a zoo in Taiwan, a Goodwill store in South Carolina, a high school in Detroit and even a church in New York, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Subway Restaurants are pretty small; this mean their cost are very low and can fit basically anywhere. Another great idea Subway had was to introduce the 5 dollar foot long.As money becomes tighter and tighter, consumers didn’t want to waste money on lunch. For 5 dollars, you can get a decent amount of their subs. The nice, round price that can be paid with one bill has led to a song and tons of sales. 9. Blackberry in Indone sia Compared to all countries in Southeast Asia, Indonesia does have the largest number of BlackBerry users. The BlackBerry came to Indonesia in 2004, when Research In Motion (RIM) formed a partnership with local telecommunications company PT Indosat. There are about three million BlackBerry subscribers in Indonesia. Atika Shubert , 2009). Blackberry discovers the habits of the users in Indonesia. Indonesians love to use their phones to type and chat. People from all walks of life here like to form online communities and share information, especially on their BBM profiles which is ideal for this type of social engagement. So they come out with the phone that with keyboards and touch screen function. The iPhone's touch screen has less appeal in this respect. Another reason is price. Blackberry phones cost about $500 when sold new, compared to an iPhone that costs around $900.But if bought on Indonesia's â€Å"gray market† — in order words, smuggled in tax free — then a BlackBerry can be purchased for around $300. That caters not just to Indonesia's high-end businessmen but also to the country's growing and fashion-conscious middle class. (Atika Shubert , 2009). Another reason is accessibility. Indonesia's Internet infrastructure is expensive and not always reliable. Getting a home broadband connection can cost as much as $100 a month. For many Indonesians, it's easier, and cheaper, to get a web-enabled phone. (Atika Shubert , 2009). 10. Tesco in South KoreaTesco had been evolving itself, adjusting to the local market. It even change the name itself from Tesco to Home plus. When grocery chain Tesco wanted to expand their market share in South Korea without increasing the number of stores. They came up with a brilliant idea. Due to the people in South Korea work long hours and less leisure time. Also increase populations possess smart phones. They thought of an efficient way to sell their products. The Korean subsidiary Home Plus put up billb oards in subway stations with their range of products, accompanied by QR, or Quick Response codes.All people had to do now is scan the QR codes with their cell phone and the groceries were delivered to their doorsteps. The South Korean market remains Tesco’s largest international business with sales of ? 4. 5bn and profits of almost ? 300m. (ReWiring Businees, 2011). According to Tesco’s Business Review in Asia, their Home plus concept is delivering remarkable results with sales growth of 33% and profits went up to over 50% in South Korea. They otherwise continue to make good progression with establishing a strong brand in Asian markets. List of referencesAtika Shubert (December 28, 2009). CNN tech: BlackBerry boom in Indonesia. Available from the world web: http://articles. cnn. com/2009-12-28/tech/indonesia. blackberry_1_blackberry-phones-iphone-mobile-phone? _s=PM:TECH Brand Failure (November 14, 2006). Internet and new technology failures: Pets. com. Available from the world web: http://brandfailures. blogspot. com/2006/11/internet-and-new-technology-failures. html Casestudyinc. com (Mar 12, 2012). A brand extension mistake by Harley Davidson . Available from the world web: http://www. casestudyinc. om/harley-davidson-brand-extension-failure Gray, Paul (December 23, 2009). Pets. com – A Classic Example of Product Development Failure. Available from the world web: http://www. brainmates. com. au/brainrants/pets-com-%E2%80%93-a-classic-example-of-product-development-failure Merced, Michael J. De La (January 19, 2012). New York Times: Eastman Kodak Files for Bankruptcy. Available from the world web: http://dealbook. nytimes. com/2012/01/19/eastman-kodak-files-for-bankruptcy/ ReWiring Business (July 4, 2011). Tesco goes virtual again – Application of few success factors in South Korean retail business.Available from the world web: http://www. rewiringbusiness. co. uk/tesco-goes-virtual-again-%E2%80%93-application-of-few-success-fact ors-in-south-korean-retail-business/ Mui, Chunka (January 19, 2012). How Kodak Failed. Available from the world web: http://www. forbes. com/sites/chunkamui/2012/01/18/how-kodak-failed/3/ USA Today ( Feb 10, 2012). Rein, Shaun, CNBC. com Contributor: Why Starbucks succeeds in China and others haven't. Available from the world web: http://www. usatoday. com/money/industries/food/story/2012-02-12/cnbc-starbucks-secrets-of-china-success/53040820/1

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

How to Create a Homeschool Schedule

How to Create a Homeschool Schedule After deciding to homeschool and selecting  curriculum, figuring out how to create a homeschool schedule is sometimes one of the most challenging aspects of educating at home. The majority of today’s homeschooling parents graduated from a traditional school setting. The schedule was easy. You showed up to school before the first bell rang and stayed until the last bell rang. The county announced the first and last days of school and all the holiday breaks in between. You knew when each class was going to take place and how long you’d spend in each based on your class schedule. Or, if you were in elementary school, you just did what your teacher told you to do next. So, how do you make a homeschool schedule? The complete freedom and flexibility of homeschooling can make it difficult to let go of  the traditional school calendar mode. Let’s break homeschool schedules down into some manageable chunks. Yearly Schedules The first plan you’ll want to determine is your annual schedule. Your state’s homeschooling laws may play a  role in setting your yearly schedule. Some states require a certain number of hours of home instruction each year. Some require a specific number of homeschool days. Others consider home schools self-governing private schools and put no stipulations on attendance. A 180-day school year is fairly standard and works out to four 9-week quarters, two 18-week semesters, or 36 weeks. Most homeschool curriculum publishers  base their products on this 36-week model, making it a good starting point for planning your familys schedule. Some families keep their schedules very simple by choosing a start date and counting days until they’ve met their states requirements. They take breaks and days off as needed. Others prefer to have a framework calendar in place. There is still lots of flexibility even with an established yearly calendar. Some possibilities include: A typical school schedule from Labor Day until the end of May/first of JuneYear ‘round schooling with six weeks on/one week off or nine weeks on/two weeks offFour-day school weeks until youve satisfied attendance requirementsFollowing your city or countys  public/private school calendar (This option works well for families who homeschool some of their children while others attend a traditional school or families in which one parent works at a traditional school.) Weekly Schedules Once you’ve decided on the framework for your yearly homeschool schedule, you can work out the details of your weekly schedule. Take outside factors such as co-op or work schedules into consideration when planning your  weekly schedule. One of the benefits of homeschooling is that your weekly schedule doesn’t have to be Monday through Friday. If one or both parents have  an unconventional work week, you can adjust your school days to maximize family time. For example, if a parent works Wednesday through Sunday, you can make that your school week, as well, with Monday and Tuesday being your family’s weekend. A weekly homeschool schedule can also be adjusted to accommodate an  irregular work schedule. If a parent works six days one week and four the next, school can follow  the same schedule. Some families do their regular  school work  four days each week reserving the fifth day for co-op, field trips, or other outside-the-home classes and activities. Block Schedule Two other scheduling options are block schedules and loop schedules. A block schedule is one in which one or more subjects are allotted  a large span of time a couple of days a week instead of an hour or so every day. For example, you might schedule two hours for history on Mondays and Wednesdays and two hours for science on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Block scheduling allows students to fully focus on a particular subject without over-scheduling the school day. It allows time for activities such as hands-on history projects and  science labs. Loop Schedule A loop schedule is one in which there is a list of activities to cover but no  specific day  to cover them. Instead, you and your students spend time on each as its turn comes up on the loop. For example, if you’d like to allow space in your homeschool schedule for art, geography, cooking, and music, but you don’t have time to devote to them each day, add them to a loop schedule. Then, determine how many days you want to include loop schedule subjects. Perhaps, you choose Wednesdays and Fridays. On Wednesday, you study art and geography and on Friday, cooking, and music. On a given Friday, you may run out of time for music, so the following Wednesday, you would cover that and art, picking  up with geography and cooking on Friday. Block scheduling and loop scheduling can work well together. You may block schedule Monday through Thursday and leave Friday as a loop schedule day. Daily Schedules Most of the time when people ask about homeschool schedules, they’re referring to the nitty-gritty daily schedules. Like yearly schedules, your states homeschool laws may dictate some aspects of your daily schedule. For example, some states homeschooling laws require a specific number of hours of daily instruction. New homeschooling parents often wonder how long a homeschool day should be. They worry that they aren’t doing enough because it may only take two or three hours to get through the day’s work, particularly if the students are young. It is important for  parents to realize that a homeschool day may not take as long a typical public or private school day. Homeschooling parents don’t have to take time for administrative tasks, such as roll call or preparing 30 students for lunch or allow time for students to move from one classroom to the next between subjects. Additionally, homeschooling allows for focused, one-on-one attention. A homeschooling parent can answer his or her student’s questions and move on rather than answering questions from an entire class. Many parents of young children through first or second grade find that they can easily cover all subjects in just an hour or two. As students get older, it may take them longer to complete their work. A high school student may spend the full four to five hours – or more – dictated by state law. However, you shouldn’t stress even if a teen’s school work doesn’t take that much time  as long they are completing and comprehending it. Provide a learning-rich environment for your children and you will discover that learning happens even when the school books are put away. Students can use those extra hours to read, pursue their hobbies, explore electives, or invest in extracurricular activities. Sample Daily Schedule Allow your daily homeschool schedule to be shaped by your family’s personality and needs, not by what you think it â€Å"should† be. Some homeschool families prefer scheduling specific times for each subject. Their schedule may look something like this: 8:30 – Math9:15 – Language Arts9:45 – Snack/break10:15 - Reading11:00 – Science11:45 – Lunch12:45  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ History/social studies1:30 – Electives (art, music, etc.) Other families prefer a daily routine to a time-specific schedule. These families know that they’re going to start with math, using the example above, and end with electives, but they may not have the same start and end times each day. Instead,  they work through each subject, completing each and taking breaks as needed. Factors to Consider It’s important to note that many homeschooling families start much later in the day. They don’t start until 10 or 11 a.m. – or even until the afternoon! Some factors that may influence a homeschooling family’s start time include: Biology – Night owls or those who are more alert in the afternoon may  prefer a later start time. Early risers and those who are more focused in the mornings, usually prefer an earlier start time.Work schedules – Families  in which one or both parents work an atypical shift may choose to start school after that parent goes to work. When my husband worked second, we had our big family meal at lunch and started school after he left for work.Family needs – Factors such as a new baby, a sick parent/child/relative, a home-based business, or maintaining a family farm can all affect start times.Outside classes  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Homeschool co-op,  dual-enrollment, and other classes or activities outside the home may dictate your start time requiring that you  complete school work before or after these commitments.   Once you have teens who are working independently, your schedule may undergo a radical shift. Many teens find that they’re most alert late at night and that they also require more sleep. Homeschooling allows the freedom for teens to work when they’re most productive. The Bottom Line There is no one perfect homeschooling schedule and finding the right one for your family may take some trial and error. And it will likely need to be adjusted from year to year as your children get older and the factors affecting your schedule change. The most important tip to remember is to allow your familys needs to shape your schedule, not an unrealistic idea of how the schedule should or shouldnt be set up.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Free Essays on A McDonald’s Ethnography

McDonald’s, home of the â€Å"Golden Arches†. At first glance, it’s just another one of the many fast food restaurants that clutter our highways. But, a closer look at the legendary fast food chain will yield so much more than a typical eatery. There aren’t too many places that you can feed a family of four for fewer than fifteen bucks. Granted, the food is a bit unhealthy, cheeseburgers, french-fries, onion rings, triple thick milkshakes (this is just a small part of the menu) will kill the recommended 2000 calories a day. But, for food cooked under 10 minutes, what else is to be expected? Still, as much as American’s strived to eat healthy, McDonald’s still boasts â€Å"Over 1 Billion Served†. The colorful booths, play areas, and plants all screams scream dine-in! However, the freezing cold-air in the summer time and the less than comfortable temperature in the winter, all say otherwise. Which, in fact is much like how people in American culture behave. Our warm smiles and â€Å"Howya doin’s?† all seem inviting. However, if you ever tried to actually tell someone how you were really doing (other than â€Å"fine†), you quickly learn that this is merely a faà §ade. This is m imicked in the decoration at McDonald’s. It looks pleasing to the eye, but that’s were it ends. â€Å"We love to see you smile,† the catchy jingle from the commercial announces. But, if you’ve ever been at McDonald’s around lunchtime, you’ll notice that there is not much smiling going around. Maybe because the teenagers working would rather be at the mall shopping, than asking â€Å"Would you like to super size that?† Only in America will you find people who go to work and behave basically how they want and not worry too much about getting fired. In other countries, where unemployment is extremely high, and it is almost impossible to get any help from the government, you may have some smiling cashiers, but not in America. As for the gender make up of... Free Essays on A McDonald’s Ethnography Free Essays on A McDonald’s Ethnography McDonald’s, home of the â€Å"Golden Arches†. At first glance, it’s just another one of the many fast food restaurants that clutter our highways. But, a closer look at the legendary fast food chain will yield so much more than a typical eatery. There aren’t too many places that you can feed a family of four for fewer than fifteen bucks. Granted, the food is a bit unhealthy, cheeseburgers, french-fries, onion rings, triple thick milkshakes (this is just a small part of the menu) will kill the recommended 2000 calories a day. But, for food cooked under 10 minutes, what else is to be expected? Still, as much as American’s strived to eat healthy, McDonald’s still boasts â€Å"Over 1 Billion Served†. The colorful booths, play areas, and plants all screams scream dine-in! However, the freezing cold-air in the summer time and the less than comfortable temperature in the winter, all say otherwise. Which, in fact is much like how people in American culture behave. Our warm smiles and â€Å"Howya doin’s?† all seem inviting. However, if you ever tried to actually tell someone how you were really doing (other than â€Å"fine†), you quickly learn that this is merely a faà §ade. This is m imicked in the decoration at McDonald’s. It looks pleasing to the eye, but that’s were it ends. â€Å"We love to see you smile,† the catchy jingle from the commercial announces. But, if you’ve ever been at McDonald’s around lunchtime, you’ll notice that there is not much smiling going around. Maybe because the teenagers working would rather be at the mall shopping, than asking â€Å"Would you like to super size that?† Only in America will you find people who go to work and behave basically how they want and not worry too much about getting fired. In other countries, where unemployment is extremely high, and it is almost impossible to get any help from the government, you may have some smiling cashiers, but not in America. As for the gender make up of...

Sunday, October 20, 2019

How to Format a US Business Letter

How to Format a US Business Letter How to Format a US Business Letter How to Format a US Business Letter By Ali Hale Whatever you do – whether you’re a student, employed in an office job, or working as a freelancer – I can guarantee that at some point in your life, you’ll need to sit down and write a formal business letter. It might be to a customer, to an employer with a job that you want, or to apply for university funding. Perhaps it’ll even be to a literary agent or publisher who just might take on your undiscovered novel. Of course, you’ll want the letter to be well-written – but almost as important is knowing how to format it correctly. This article is about US business letter format (for UK readers, don’t worry, I’ll be writing a follow-up one for you.) The main formats for business letters in the US are called full block format and modified block format. Full block format means that all the elements of the letter are left-justified so that the start of each line is at the left-hand margin. This is the more formal style, so use it if you’re unsure which to go for. Modified block format means that some elements of the letter are shifted over to the right. Nowadays, this style is appropriate in most contexts. Here’s a full block format letter And a modified block format one: Let’s break those down into the main elements, in top-to-bottom order: Your Address Your address, also known as the â€Å"return address†, should come first. (Note that this applies when using standard plain paper. If you have letter headed paper, you should omit this.) 123 Acacia Avenue Newtown Anywhere AN 98765 Your return address should be positioned: On the left-hand side if you’re using full block format On the right-hand side (tab across, rather than right-aligning) if you’re using modified block format Why put your address? Even if the recipient has your details in their address book, you want it to be as hassle-free as possible for them to reply – you’re likely to receive a speedier response. The Date Directly beneath your address, put the date on which the letter was written: May 15, 2008 To avoid any confusion, especially if you are writing to a business abroad, it is best to put the date in word rather than number form, and you should omit the â€Å"th†. The date should be positioned on the left-hand side, for full block format and for modified block format Why put the date? It’s standard practice to include the date on which the letter was written. Correspondence is often filed in date order. It makes it much easier for the recipient to send a timely reply, and easier for you to chase up an answer if necessary. Eg. â€Å"In my letter of May 15†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Reference Line Ive not included this on the diagram as guidance varies on where it should be placed. You may include a reference line, starting with â€Å"Re:† This is often used when corresponding with large companies, or when applying for a job. The reference line can either appear beneath the date, OR beneath the recipients address. If you use a reference line, you should usually omit the subject line (see below). The reference line should be left-aligned for both full and modified block formats. Different types of letters will require different types of subject and reference lines, so choose the one thats most appropriate to your case. Why put a reference line? You should use a reference line if the recipient has requested specific information, such as a job number or invoice number, or if youre replying to a letter. This makes it easier for the recipient to get a speedy response to you. Recipient’s Name and Address Beneath this, you should put the name and address of the person you’re writing to, just as it would appear on the envelope. If you’re using a window envelope, this should be aligned on the page to show through the window – but even if it won’t be visible until the letter is opened, it should still be included. The recipient’s name and address should be positioned on the left-hand side, for both formats. Why put their address? If you’re writing to someone in an office, it probably won’t be them who opens the post. An administrator is likely to do so – and letters may be separated from their envelopes at this stage. Particularly if there are multiple departments within one building, or if you are starting your letter â€Å"Dear Bob†, a name and address ensures your letter reaches the correct recipient. The Greeting After their address, you should leave a line’s space then put â€Å"Dear Mr Jones†, â€Å"Dear Bob† or â€Å"Dear Sir/Madam† as appropriate. Follow this with a colon. The greeting, sometimes called the â€Å"salutation†, should always be left-aligned. Why put a greeting? Business letters are a formal type of writing, and it’s considered polite to start with a greeting. Although you can get away with starting emails â€Å"Hi† or â€Å"Hello†, letters follow more conservative conventions. The Subject Optionally, you may wish to include a subject for your letter. This is becoming more common, perhaps as people have become used to the subject lines of emails. If you do put a subject line, it should be in uppercase, directly below the â€Å"Dear name:† The subject (if you include one) should be left-aligned for full block format, but can be either left aligned or centred for modified block format. Why put the subject? It’s a good idea to include a subject so that the recipient can see at a glance what the letter refers to. Try to be succinct but include as much information as possible, eg. â€Å"Funding application from Joe Bloggs, candidate 222-456†. The Text of Your Letter Now, finally, you can write the main body of your letter. Your text should have: Single-spacing between lines A blank line (NOT an indent) before each new paragraph (And, of course, you should conform to all the usual rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling: for example, ensuring that you start each sentence with a capital letter, and finish with a full stop.) Why leave blank lines? In the business world, it’s standard practise to put a blank line between paragraphs. This helps to break up the text on the page and make it more readable. The Closing After the body of text, your letter should end with an appropriate closing phrase and a comma. The safest option is â€Å"Yours faithfully† (when you don’t know the name of the person to whom you are writing, ie. when you began â€Å"Dear Sir/Madam†) or â€Å"Yours sincerely† (when you do know their name). If you are already acquainted with the recipient, it may be appropriate to use a phrase such as â€Å"Best regards†, â€Å"With warmest regards†, or â€Å"Kind regards†. The closing should be: Left-aligned for full block format On the right (tab across so it matches up with your address) for modified block format Why use these phrases? Although â€Å"Yours sincerely† and â€Å"Yours faithfully† might sound archaic, they are time-honoured ways to close a formal letter. Your Name and Signature Put several blank lines after the â€Å"Yours sincerely,† or â€Å"Yours faithfully,† then type your name. You can optionally put your job title and company name on the line beneath this. Joe Bloggs Marketing Director, BizSolutions Your name and signature should be: Left-aligned for full block format On the right (tab across so it matches up with your address) for modified block format Why leave a blank space? The blank space is so that, when you’ve printed the letter, you can sign it with your name. This is taken as proof that the letter really is from the person whose name is typed at the bottom. Sometimes, another person may sign the letter on your behalf. If this is the case, they should put the letters â€Å"p.p.† before their name, which stands for the Latin per procurationem meaning â€Å"by agency†. Business letter tone Its very important that you choose the right voice and tone when writing your business letter. Using the correct format but choosing an improper type of language might affect your desired outcome. Heres what the guys from thebalancecareers.com wrote about this: Make the purpose of your letter clear through simple and targeted language, keeping the opening paragraph brief. You can start with, â€Å"I am writing in reference to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and from there, communicate only what you need to say. The subsequent paragraphs should include information that gives your reader a full understanding of your objective(s) but avoid meandering sentences and needlessly long words. Again, keep it concise to sustain their attention. Enjoy writing your letters, and use the examples above to help you with the formatting if you do get stuck. Your Step by Step Recap Formatting a business letter correctly might seem a bit daunting, especially if you’ve never or rarely written this type of letter before – perhaps you’re applying for a job for the first time, for instance, and writing a covering letter. Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered, so you can use it as a handy checklist: Step #1: Decide Whether You’re Using â€Å"Full Block Format† or â€Å"Modified Block Format†. Try not to mix-and-match between these. Remember, full block format (with everything left-justified) is the more formal of the two styles – but these days, modified block format (with some elements shifted over to the right) is fine for most contexts. Step #2: Include Your Address Your address should go on the left for full block format and on the right for modified block format. Don’t right-justify the text – tab across. Step #3: Include the Date The date should go directly after your address, and should be left-justified whatever format you’re using. Write it like this: â€Å"May 15, 2008†. Step #4: Potentially Include a Reference Line If you’re corresponding with a large company or if you’ve been asked to include a specific reference number in your letter, type â€Å"Re:† then the reference line. If you’re using a reference line, omit the subject line. Step #5: Include the Recipient’s Name and Address This should be left-justified, whatever format you use. It’s important to include their full name as well as the address in case the letter becomes separated from the envelope (which it usually will in a large office). If you’re using a window envelope, make sure the recipient’s name and address are positioned to appear within the window. Step #6: Include the Greeting The greeting, sometimes called the salutation, should be followed by a colon. (E.g. â€Å"Dear Mr Jones:†) It should always be left-justified. Step #7: Consider Including a Subject Line The subject line is optional, but it’s become increasingly common practice. Your subject line should show the recipient, at a glance, what your letter is about. It can be left-justified or centered in modified block format. Step #8: Write the Letter Itself The text of your letter itself should be left-justified (in all formats) and single-spaced. You should put a blank line between paragraphs, rather than indenting them. Write in an appropriate business-like tone. Step #9: Add an Appropriate Closing Close your letter with a phrase like â€Å"Yours sincerely† (a safe formal option) or â€Å"Best regards† (a good option for someone who you already know). Follow this with a comma. Step #10: Add Your Name Leave a blank space for your signature, then type your name at the end of the letter. If appropriate, you can put your job title and company name on the line beneath your name. US Business Letter Quiz Select the correct answer for each of these questions about business letters. 1. Which business letter format has all elements of the letter left-justified? Modified block format Which format has all elements of the letter left-justified? 2. What should your greeting be followed by? A colon A semi-colon 3. Should you include the recipients name and address? Yes No 4. In the body of your letter, how should you mark the end of one paragraph and the start of the next? With an indentation With a blank line 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 Business Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Masters Degree or Master's Degree?50 Synonyms for â€Å"Idea†How to Style Legislative Terms

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Environmental and Global Health Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Environmental and Global Health Issues - Essay Example Although the outbreak ended in 2003, the reoccurrence of the infection is possible because it is a cross species exposure that creates the introduction into the human population and there is little that can be done to fully protect against a new outbreak. Through protocols that provide for rapid information, reporting the illness and preventing its spread can now contribute to protecting the population. The following paper analyses the initial outbreak in 2002 and its spread throughout the world and then explores appropriate protocols for reporting a discovery of the illness within the community. In addition, information on addressing poor air quality environments for respiratory patients is explored to further the examination of influences on respiratory through poor air quality and the modification of treatment during these periods of time. Analysis The Outbreak The origin of the introduction of the illness into the human population was likely from a bat that interacted with an int ermediary animal that was then sold in a Chinese food market. The virus is found in the Himalayan palm civet and the raccoon dog which are suspected to get the virus from bats, both having been present at the market that was the origin of the virus and might have either one been responsible for the outbreak into the human population (Shetty, Tang, & Andrews, 2009). The first documented case of the illness occurred in the Guangdong province of China. The illness was identified as coming from a unique Coronavirus that was identified as the etiological origin of the disease that could travel between humans through contact at an efficient rate. A doctor who had been treating patients in the province traveled to Hong Kong and began the outbreak from exposing to the virus those he encountered in the city and at a social gathering. Those he encountered spread the illness into other regions of Hong Kong, Vietnam, Canada and Singapore (see Figure 1). This spread of the illness brought it int o the notice of the global community which provided for action that contained the illness within four months of the initial outbreak. (M’ikanatha, 2007). Figure 1 Spread of the SARS Virus from Hong Kong (M’ikanatha, 2007, p. 512) The Epidemiology SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome developed in 2002 in Hong Kong with the disease spreading worldwide causing 916 deaths and over 8,000 known cases. The cause of the outbreak was the Coronavirus which is found in avian and mammal populations and is important for some species, but can cause respiratory tract infections in a variety of more domesticated species, including humans (M'ikanatha, 2007). The illness ran its course from the winter of 2002 until the last reported case in June of 2003. Overall fatality was averaged at about 10.9%, with only 1% occurring in those under 24 and 6% for over the age of 25. It was worse for those over the age of 44 with a 15% rate of fatality and a 50% rate of fatality for those over t he age of 65 (World Health Organization (WHO), 2012). M’ikanatha (2007) describes the following factors as unique aspects of the SARS virus: the agent of the disease was novel, the transmission mode of the virus and how to prevent the spread was unknown, the World Health Organization issued a rare global alert, it created population fears that were unique to the time, healthcare workers were the most frequent victims and the

Friday, October 18, 2019

The Disease of Alcoholism Speech or Presentation

The Disease of Alcoholism - Speech or Presentation Example The present paper has identified that alcohol is a poison which can damage the body. Either as a con ­ sequence of its direct toxic effects or because of the dietary and vitamin  deficiencies which often  accompany heavy drinking, alcohol can harm the body. It can damage the brain with, at worst, dementia the result. The nerve supply to the limbs can be impaired with numbing and pain (peripheral neuritis). The liver can be the prime site of alcohol poisoning, with cirrhosis the outcome. The pancreas can become inflamed, with painful and potentially lethal consequences. The limb muscles can be weakened (Goodlett et al 1999). Only imagine that about 200,000 deaths each year are directly related to alcohol abuse (Death Statistics 2007). The major adverse effects associated with alcohol abuse are related to liver damage because of the accumulation fats and protein in the liver. Long-term heavy drinking is associated with the development of esophagitis, gastritis, achlorhydria and g astric ulcers. Heavy alcohol intake may interfere in the normal process of food digestion and absorption (Goodlett et al 1999). It also inhibits the capacity of the intestines to absorb various nutrients including vitamins and amino acids. This can result to vitamin deficiencies. Alcohol has been shown to affect the heart by increasing the resting cardiac output, heart rate and myocardial oxygen consumption. A person with alcohol intoxication may also be predisposed to infections secondary to the suppression of the immune system. Alcoholism ruins personality and males a person dependant on alcohol. â€Å"Rich or poor, tall or short, fat or thin, male or female, all fall into the alcoholic spectrum in an orderly and predictable pattern--each being equal to the other†. Form the chemical and biological point of view alcohol has potent effects on areas of the brainstem called the locus coeruleus and the raphe nuclei (Goodlett et al 1999). These play an important role in both moto r coordination and alertness, which unsurprisingly are two of the functions most impaired by having a drink or three. Alcohol abuse is so dangerous because it negatively inferences the mental and psychological development of a person. Alcoholism has the potential to disrupt every brain function. The well-known fact is that alcohol may appear to be a stimulant, but it is mostly a central nervous system depressant. Although initially there may be a feeling of happiness and well-being, alcohol produces loss of emotional control, violent behavior, inability to coordinate movement, nausea, confusion, and coma. Less known facts are that alcoholic coma is not a minor problem - it results in death in about 1 in 20 cases. Once people who use alcohol heavily are habituated to this drug after five or so years; they will experience blackouts, nightmares, and hallucinations. It is a known fact that citizens can drink alcohol life long in moderate quantities without significant risk to health or social well-being. Unfortunately, too many people who take alcohol regularly are unable to resist the temptation and increase the quantity of alcohol that leads to alcoholism. It is important to remember that withdrawal also produces uncontrolled trembling of the limbs, delirium and epileptic attacks that do not always respond to anti-epileptic drugs (Goodlett et al 1999).  

Emily Dickinson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Emily Dickinson - Essay Example In a tumultuous time, American writing became introspective and biographical (Casper, 19), and Dickinson's melancholic poetry of the self reflected both her immediate surroundings and her nationality. The mid-nineteenth century was also a time of high expectations for the future, and this was a theme that Dickinson picked up on in her work. The reader's expectations play a huge role in literature, and Dickinson played with them mercilessly, asking why we expect certain things and completely blind-siding us. Although it can be argued that our expectations of literature are merely to be entertained, and occasionally provoked, this essay will look at expectations as a motif of literature, both internal and external. This essay will look at five of Dickinson's poems, of varying lengths, styles and subjects, and show how the poet uses and manipulates the motif of 'expectation' to constantly surprise the reader, in ways both good and bad. It is difficult to date much of Dickinson's work, a s her copious output was private, and typically her texts lack titles. The first line of the first poem to be discussed is â€Å"I had been hungry all the years†, and is a perfect introduction to the idea of subverted expectations. The extended metaphor of the poem uses lunch to represent a long anticipation for an event which turns out to be extremely disappointing – although it sounds silly, Dickinson's use of rhyme and rhythm creates a pounding tone which reinforces the sense of misfortune, and of high hopes dashed. The speaker describes herself as â€Å"trembling† (3) in impatience to eat the food, only to find that it makes her feel â€Å"ill and odd† (14), and that â€Å"Nature's dining-room† (12) in which she ate before is far more suited to her temperament. This could be an allegory of growing up, as the speaker fails to mention if she was allowed to return. The final stanza concludes the moral of the story, that the mere fact of not being able to eat creates hunger, which â€Å"The entering [into the new realm] takes away† (20). The speaker's expectations were always fruitless. The repetition of the word 'hungry' grounds the poem, reminding the reader of the physicality of the subject. Punctuation provides the same function in â€Å"Frequently the woods are pink†, a poem which subverts the very notion of expectation itself. The speaker of â€Å"Frequently† expresses wonder at the â€Å"Wonderful Rotation!† (11) of the earth, turning everything alternately â€Å"pink† (1) and â€Å"brown† (2). The liberal sprinkling of dashes and exclamation marks – five of the former and three of the latter, in a poem just twelve lives long – induces the reader to pause at certain points in the poem, enhancing the effect of the preceding line. The pauses echo the speaker's surprise, and implicitly encourage the reader to ask themselves: why do we not find the fast rotation of th e earth as impressive and amazing as it is? Extending the question, does being accustomed to a phenomenon necessarily mean that we forget its wonder? The interjection of â€Å"– they tell me –† (9) increases the sense of wonder, as if the speaker cannot quite believe what â€Å"they† say. Sunrise and sunset are so magical as to deserve such a â€Å"Wonderful†

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Global Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Business - Essay Example The company has chosen this market as its first international pilot project because it was geographically and culturally/psychologically close market (Ying Fan, 2009). However, the company realised that it was necessary â€Å"to adjust its business model to suit the new markets† (Ying Fan, 2009:285). Thus, the company has learned the Iron Rule of international business, whereas â€Å"in international business, the seller adapts to the buyer† (Gesteland, 2005: 17). The company continued its business expansion across France, Northern Europe, Mexico, and Greece. Thus, Zara has utilised the benefits of cultural convergence – â€Å"the growing similarity between national cultures, including the beliefs, values, aspirations, and the preferences of consumers, partly driven by global brands, media, and common global icons† (Rugman and Collinson, 2011: 137). Also, Zara has opened a store in New York. Even though it was neither geographically nor culturally close market, it was strategic decision enabling the company to build brand awareness and get close to international fashion brands (Ying Fan, 2009: 286). Thus, Zara has gained knowledge, experience and expertise necessary for successful business development in more distant markets. During the period from 1997 to 2005 Zara has adopted aggressive business expansion and entered other markets despite the fact of geographical or cultural proximity (Ying Fan, 2009). As of January 2006, the company was present in 59 countries across Europe, America, Middle East, Asia and Africa. In order to meet the needs of the consumers from different countries, the company has adopted localization strategy (Rugman and Collinson, 2011). It has adopted its products by modifying cloth size, style, and other elements to local tastes and cultures. In order to enter foreign markets, Zara has adopted three entry modes: own subsidiaries, joint ventures, and franchising. Zara entered most European and South American

Scientific Journals Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Scientific Journals - Term Paper Example BP is British Petroleum (Alexander, 2010). Three months later, the spill oil was blocked and about half of the oil spilled was removed through evaporation, natural dissolution, and human action (Ocean Conservancy, 2010). However, about half of the estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil had already polluted the environment (Ocean Conservancy, 2010). Rather than blaming the BP, a House panel blamed a rig device for failure to cut the oil flow (Doggett, 2010). In May 2010, the BP and the US government jointly estimated that more than 5,000 barrels a day of crude has been leaking into the environment and scientists warned of an environmental damage that could rival the 1989 Exxon spill in Alaska (Ball & Hughes, 2010). Other scientists say, however, that the spill may be more than 10 times the 5,000 barrels-a-day joint estimate of the US government and the BP (Ball & Hughes, 2010). On the month, US scientists estimated that the oil spill â€Å"could cause more of Louisiana’s retreating marshland revert to open water† (Ball and Hughes, 2010, 4th paragraph). U.S. Greenpeace, a leading environmental group, has her own interpretation of the timeline of the BP oil spill disaster (2010). According to the Greenpeace US, as early as 2007, the US Interior Department’s Mineral Management Services (MMS) has acquired data that oil-drilling projects are marked with a history of accidents, fires, and deaths (Greenpeace, 2010). In July 2008, a top agency manager of the MMS was criminally charged for having conflicts of interest with oil companies (Greenpeace, 2010). Yet, however, the MMS was allowed to give BP an exclusion from the US National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirement to prepare an environmental impact statement for BP’s drilling operations (Greenpeace, 2010). Based on the â€Å"timeline† of the Greenpeace (2010), the BP oil spill can be blamed to the lax application of US environmental policies as well as to the congruence of

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Global Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Business - Essay Example The company has chosen this market as its first international pilot project because it was geographically and culturally/psychologically close market (Ying Fan, 2009). However, the company realised that it was necessary â€Å"to adjust its business model to suit the new markets† (Ying Fan, 2009:285). Thus, the company has learned the Iron Rule of international business, whereas â€Å"in international business, the seller adapts to the buyer† (Gesteland, 2005: 17). The company continued its business expansion across France, Northern Europe, Mexico, and Greece. Thus, Zara has utilised the benefits of cultural convergence – â€Å"the growing similarity between national cultures, including the beliefs, values, aspirations, and the preferences of consumers, partly driven by global brands, media, and common global icons† (Rugman and Collinson, 2011: 137). Also, Zara has opened a store in New York. Even though it was neither geographically nor culturally close market, it was strategic decision enabling the company to build brand awareness and get close to international fashion brands (Ying Fan, 2009: 286). Thus, Zara has gained knowledge, experience and expertise necessary for successful business development in more distant markets. During the period from 1997 to 2005 Zara has adopted aggressive business expansion and entered other markets despite the fact of geographical or cultural proximity (Ying Fan, 2009). As of January 2006, the company was present in 59 countries across Europe, America, Middle East, Asia and Africa. In order to meet the needs of the consumers from different countries, the company has adopted localization strategy (Rugman and Collinson, 2011). It has adopted its products by modifying cloth size, style, and other elements to local tastes and cultures. In order to enter foreign markets, Zara has adopted three entry modes: own subsidiaries, joint ventures, and franchising. Zara entered most European and South American

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Chapter 5 Reaction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chapter 5 Reaction - Essay Example I am now more aware that precautions should be observed when communicating with others, especially those people from diverse cultural orientations or those who do not belong to the same generation to prevent misunderstanding. The authors’ style of using diverse real life scenarios to explain points of contention provided clear illustration and support to the arguments. Examples in the form of stories, incidents, and funny communication scenarios reinforce meanings to the lessons that the author aimed to impart. The value of the information in the chapter is measured in terms of its applicability to one’s personal life. As I live in a Western culture where people are more open, frank, and honest in terms of verbal communication, I have accepted and adapted the practice of being direct but likewise vigilant in using frames and idioms depending on the situation and the person I am talking to. Likewise, not because I live in the United States, does it necessarily mean that I have to impose the American culture and way of live to other people from diverse racial and cultural background. The article assisted in guiding me towards using proper decorum and to be more vigilant in exerting appropriate efforts in learning and being aware of critical acceptable and unacceptable behavior in terms of communication patterns and expressions.