and then... you are supposed to try again, thinking just about results. The only purpose was to have some fun, but things always get complicated. The unexpected works , most of the times, as a friend said. However when I think about that, something makes me feel uncomfortable. Maybe I'm not taking part, maybe I'm not thinking about results.
So, I have two questions: what do you want?... as another friend asked
and when do you want it?
When, as we know , nobody knows. That's for sure. I like things for sure.
Once again I learned how to dream an uncertain dream. I did it so well. When you finish, I said myself, you will be a better man. But nothing changed, I still have the same taste in my mouth, the same blood in my veins, the weirdest beast in my heart.
Several characteristics may define a hero. A hero has to be a figure with great strength or certain abilities, a risk taker, someone well known for his or her achievements. My hero was a famous warrior who used only his mind and word as indestructible weapons. Mahatma Gandhi, also known as a “ half-naked Indian fakir” left a message to the world though his own life. His message helps my life to stay away from angriness and violence and leads my thoughts to a peaceful lifestyle. Nonviolence, and Simplicity are two of the most important principles Mahatma Gandhi stood for, and without falling into dogmatisms the way Gandhi developed these three principles makes him my hero.
Mahatma Gandhi left a valuable message of nonviolence. He said that all through history the way of truth and love has always won, that an eye for an eye leads to blindness instead of victory. Applying this message I save myself everyday. Moreover, showing sympathy toward whomever gives me a bad attitude has always left me good results.
Simplicity is also one of the greatest legacy left by Gandhi. He encouraged Indian people to spin threads and wear homespun cloth instead of using foreign fabrics. Furthermore, Gandhi washed his own clothes, reduced his expenses almost to zero, and wore a dhoti part of his life to show simplicity. He refused to eat meat and became a vegetarian as an economic resource. His determination is an example for me. It gives me the strength to fight against consumerism and blind ambitions.........
Talking about myself at this point it is kind of scaring because the space is almost in blank. At least this one is different from the self-criticism papers I used to fill out back in Cuba. This space accepts creativity. I love creativity!At least I can speak about my virtues and dreams, and also humor around. With 28 years old, certain characteristics about myself have become quite clear. It is also right that I had to recall my background, all the events that have taken place in my life, and the way other people see me to understand the way I am.
One way or another, I’ am the result of all the events that have taken place in my life. I used to think I was different, brought from somewhere in the middle of the Milky Way galaxy, and I certainly was, but not literally. I was only child until the age of eight; a cutie pie and non-talkative little girl who used to spend long hours in the backyard cooking cucumber with bougainvillea or watching her dad converting old cars into spaceships. My wonderland seemed to work perfectly even though after my two sisters were born. They gave me strength and patience. I remember that time like going thru a precocious motherhood. I felt more than pleased being a guardian and looking after them. Thanks to all possible divine powers in the sky, my mother was also there. She was the one in charge of lighting up the house with spirituality. I never was a religious person, like many other Cuban people who were cut off from going church every Sunday during the Castro’s regimen; however, my mom showed me an alternative way for being blessed: our African roots. My house was always protected with a shield of flowers, colognes, and tobaccos. I was a happy kid with a happy life until adolescence hit. Adolescence was a desperate race where every time I reached the goal I was automatically kicked to the beginning. No matter how hard I tried, I ended up being everything I was taught to be. This background molded my beliefs, values and attitudes and there is not possible way in the entire world my past could be changed.
Nowadays I am the same person I used to be, but dimensionally changed. Time has tamed me. All those characteristics of my personality that were undefined twenty years ago are settled now. I describe myself as a nature lover, protective toward defenseless people, peaceful, imaginative, introverted but not unapproachable, and a risk taker. Furthermore, my close friends think I am trustworthy, understanding, and respectful. On the other hand, I am very insecure, sentimental, and a bit proud and impulsive. As per my husband, this bit proud and impulsive of me will bring future troubles in our relationship. He also says I am very temperamental. My answer to him is always the same: “Welcome to women’s world”.
There might be much more about myself I don’t even know. I have accomplished who I am by understanding my background, the events that have taken place in my life and the way other people see me. I do not definitively come from the Milky Way Galaxy, but I am still a special person, so is everyone.
Y.D.
The world today is experiencing an ongoing interaction between people with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Since exposure to people of other cultures is more common everyday, intercultural communication plays an important role. The best way to communicate with other cultures is identifying their broad characteristics and understanding their general tendencies. The way people live, talk, dress, interact, eat, and express themselves is different to the next. Even though two cultures might share a lot of similarities on their background they can also display certain difference toward these characteristic. To gain a better understanding of how these characteristics are displayed in cultures of similar background, let’s analyze Puerto Rican and Cuban cultures.
Dominican Republic and a lady asked me If I had a boyfriend and I told her yes, I have been with him for a year and half now. Her respond was “Oh really! So when is the wedding?” I was confused and later she told me in her culture if you are with a guy for that long or longer that meant they are planning to stay together. Many cultures assume and imply that rule about marriage.
Cuba has both tendencies, individualistic and collectivist. Cuba has a political structure that forces its society to an extreme collectivism. The Cuban government has set up entities per block called CDR. The CDR’s are tasked to keeping a detailed record of each neighborhood’s inhabitant’s behavior and look for any counter-revolutionary activity. The purpose of this entities has changed its meaning as time has passed, giving to people the right to get involved in the affairs of others. Another example that shows traits of collectivism in Cuba is seen through its dwelling system. Since the possibility to obtain a new residence is almost none, it is usual to see different generations living in the same house. Consequently, Cuban families are likely to be cooperative, they are expected to support each other especially in the case of unfavorable events, and a personal problem is broadly debated within other family members. On the other hand, Cubans have developed an individualistic tendency that has aroused with their increasing opposition to the regimen. It seems that everyone tends to pursuit his/her freedom individually. As many other Latin American countries, Cuba has a high-context culture characteristics. High–context cultures tend to attribute behavior according to the situation or factors that are external to the person. They relay on nonverbal communication and prefer tradition over change. Cubans feel more comfortable expressing ideas by using a lot of body gestures. To illustrate, when listening to a conversation within Cubans, a person from a different culture might infer a fight is taking place; however, most of the time, said conversation has not a remarkable meaning. Cubans also tend to have a high sense of humor independently how serious is the context of the situation. Cuban culture can be mostly defined as a low-power distance culture. Cubans treat one another informally, even when two persons are not acquainted. It is also easy to see a colloquial relationship between a patient and a doctor, a student and an educationist, or an employee and a client. Since different social classes are no allowed in Cuba by Castro’s regimen, people are not usually addressed according to their qualifications, academic degrees or diplomas; they all are called “compañero.” Nevertheless, a high respect towards the elders is still prevalent. In addition, Cuban culture has difficulty dealing with ambiguity, uncertainty, and diversity. Even though Cuba has a varied ethnicity, a strong feeling of regionalism is clear seen on its population. For example, people from Havana, the capital city, express certain rejection when people from Santiago de Cuba, the estern part of Cuba, come to live them.
To summarize, the best way to communicate with other cultures is identifying their broad characteristics and understanding their general tendencies. Puerto Rico and Cuba have similar backgrounds. They share a lot of similarities when it comes to their cultures. Both cultures can be mostly described as collectivistic, high-context, and implicit-rule, and it is essential to understand their tendencies before making any assumption of a Puerto Rican or a Cuban person.
Y.D.
Today consumers are constantly aimed with creative and effective advertising campaigns. Without even noticing it, consumers fall into the enchanted world of advertising. The world of advertising is full of perfection and success where everyone could find a way to be identified with. Advertising could be compared with an anchor that connects people with a constantly evolving world. By the mid-1800’s, printed works helped advertising to perpetuate it’s pace through history; but technology has extended advertising representations to its max. Advertising's role since the mid-1800's hasn't really changed. The effectiveness of advertising has always been based on common devices of persuasion that appeal to our emotions rather than our reason. Enclosed, is a Tampax magazines ad published on 1941. Implied on this ad are three of the most common device used in advertising: Glittering Generalities, Testimonial, and Band Wagon
This add displays a woman wearing a swimming suit whose body language expresses happiness and self-confidence. The picture of the woman is framed within two expressions: “Vacation Discovery!” and “Glorious freedom now with Tampax”. For a better understanding of this ad, let’s remote ourselves back in 1941 where women were not as independent as they are today. The expression “Glorious freedom now with Tampax” immediately aims to women who might want to think and act for themselves. Before going farther with details, lets define what Glittering Generalities device is. Glittering Generalities is a device where “virtue-words” appeal to our emotions and make us accept and approve the add without examining the evidence. On this particular case, the add suggests that women, by using this accessory, will enjoy a glorious freedom while on vacation. Is that all what women’s freedom is about?
Furthermore, this ad has not only been delivered by several “virtue-words”. A three-paragraph text also intends to persuade the audience (women). The text begins where the woman picture ends and continues down to the ad bottom. On the second and third paragraph, the expressions “A doctor has perfected Tampax…” and “Accepted for Advertising by the Journal of the American Medical Association” can exemplify the Testimonial device. This device suggests, by using authorities, that something is good.
