Wednesday, 23 October 2013

How to understand cultures when on holiday


As travellers move across the world to countries they’re visiting for the first time, their thoughts frequently direct towards local customs and cultural awareness in the country they’re visiting. Some first time travellers may worry about “how to get along” in restaurants, bars and shops, perhaps feeling inadequate and out of place with their limited, if any, vocabulary and understanding. Some travelers become awe struck at such a big change in culinary styles from that which they are used to; others being shocked by the openness of extrovert behaviour when compared to the timidity of their home country lifestyles. Some others, still, even while visiting another country wonder why the indigenous population don’t behave like they do or even why they don’t speak their language. Many British hold this attitude.

On the whole, most travellers to intentional destinations are quite content to adapt to local practices and cultures, even to the extremes of religious worship.

Cultural diversity also presents itself in business and quite often a deal could be won on the basis of acceptance of cultural practices or even lending oneself to partaking in certain practices which amuse the indigenous onlookers, for example the wearing of local costumes, head scarves, taking shoes off, etc, perhaps even sharing a drink from the same glass of soft or alcohol beverage.

Some good examples of diversity of common practices are in greeting people where some cultures see physical contact as impolite. This is prevalent in Asian countries. On the other hand, it’s a common greeting practice in Hispanic countries, some Eastern European nations and a few European and Arab countries to hug and kiss at first greeting, even several times.

In Italy, Mexico and some Asian countries, university graduates expect to be addressed by their title, for example doctor, professor, licenciado and dottore. Family greetings also incorporate signs of verbal respect with elder relatives and older people generally being acknowledged with some physical accompaniment other than the proverbial handshake.

In some countries it’s common to eat several times a day with an abundance of low cost cuisines available late into the early hours of the morning, daily.

Very often, people who travel to the United States forget to tip. It’s usual, for example to tip waiters, porters and taxi drivers.

In England it’s polite to stand in line (queue) and make quite conversation, perhaps about their favourite topic “the weather”. In Asian and Indian countries, standing in line just doesn't exist. It doesn't work and usually its first come first served and it works too.

In Japan when they exchange personal or business cards, it’s polite to look at the cards and don’t just put it away.

In every country, be careful with eye contact. Some cultures are offended by eye contact where others are offended with lack of eye contact. Playing it by ear is the best.

The foregoing samples of cultural differences are by no means exhaustive so we should always try to find out what local customs are before we travel to a country, particularly if you plan to work or study there. We should try to adapt our thinking to incorporate local practices and make allowances for customs that we are not quite familiar with or that we might find hard to adjust to.

Sunday, 25 August 2013

Llandrindod Wells Victorian week finale

Today's firework finale marked the end of the Llandrindod Wells Victorian festival which began a week ago in this small mid Wales town. The firework display was attended by about 2,000 people and although the basic displays were interesting, they appeared to keep the crowds quietly mesmarized for more. As an observer, it would have been more memorable to see some structure, perhaps fireworks dancing to music.


Aneurin Bevan with a bird on his shoulder

Aneurin Bevan, the main architect of the British health service stands in the center of Cardiff and continues to postumously carry the British health service on his shoulders. We can see now in 2013 that managers are carrying the same crap as they did in Bevans time.


Sunday, 18 August 2013

Beauty in the heart of Wales - Elan Valley

The heart of Wales really does have great things to do and see and the spectacular sights around Elan Valley in Rhayadar, Powys is surely not an attraction to miss. There is a visitor center as you enter the 70 or so sq miles of beauty with an abundance of activities like horse riding and cycling. Campsites in the area are plentiful and clean. If you really want to take on the wildlife and the natural landscapes then you need a couple of days to do so although the site is also great for a picnic. If the weather permits then winter with snow covered valleys will take your breath away. Try it, you won't be disappointed.


Monday, 5 August 2013

Sainsbury's child days out links with time out pornography posts

Sainsbury's as a household name surely check where they place advertising, if only to protect their reputation as a quality brand supermarket and family friendly store. It now appears that their cover advert on Time Out for July, as they advocate things to do for children, together with Time Out's own 'pull out' of things to do seems to ignore the dirty and sordid editorial of the magazine as they frequently write about sex, graphically displaying the male genital and giving reference to disgusting past times that even a seasoned prostitute would complain about.

It's absolutely disgraceful that a leading household family store like Sainsbury's in the UK would attach it's name to such material when the potential audience for the 'children's things to do' is under 13 years of age.

Think again Sainsbury's before you attach yourself to a magazine whose name could mark your own fate - Time Out - think again Time Out of the consequences of your actions and the damage you will do to young minds.

Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Koh Samet PTT oil spillage disaster

Koh Samet, a beautiful and only just commercialized small island off the coast of Rayong, Thailand, is now a declared disaster zone as a result of a PTT oil spillage. Natural beauty, wildlife, local business, tourism and communities all facing a bleak future as the black gold of the petro chemical giant reaches far and wide. Given the rapid growth of business on the island in recent years and business rivalry for hotspots,  one can't help thinking that the oil spillage may be intentional.

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Overland train from Bangkok to Singapore

Bangkok to Singapore by train with my family of 5 was really exciting and inexpensive compared to air travel, particularly when you have lots of luggage and a small budget. The entire trip cost us less than 10,000 Thai Baht ($350) That's a big WOW!

Actually, we startef at Udon Thani and made our way to Bangkok; this part of the trip was exciting but tiring but we knew that a few days rest in the big city would do us good. Then we took the second class overland sleeper to Penang, Malaysia and rested for a couple of days before moving on to Kuala Lumpur. After KL we spent another night on the train and although it was cold with air con, the train staff were really helpful.
In all, we could have done a lot more en route like getting of and taking time in a Thai resort but we had a plane to catch back to England.

All in all, if you have the time and want to save money by flying to certain destinations from Singapore, do what we did; we saved about $2,000.
Happy travels.