The World As I See It

Understanding the Rules for Change

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 19:59:00 +0000

There have been a lot of comments from varying factions about the lack of indictments in cases of African American killed by police. However, our complaining about it is not the answer. We can submit all the Facebook posts that we want, but that does not solve the problem. Part of the greater issue is that we keep preaching to the choir. Our messages are only being heard by those sympathetic to our frustrations. Those who are not responsive to the message of ‪#‎BlackLivesMatter‬, justice for Black America, or even fairness and equality for all people can simply delete our posts and move on. If we truly want our voices to be heard, then we must participate in the legislative process by voting.

The reality is that none of us are going to give up all that we have and move to Africa (and a part of this reality is that the Motherland has its own set(s) of problems that we are not equipped to deal with). What we need to do is take the same steps that our parents' generation did and petition Congress to enact legislation that forces change. This will not end bigotry and racism, but it also doesn't help for us to also promote reverse racism as a solution. As African Americans, we only make up 13% of this population, and even if we were able to convince every one of the 41 million Blacks in this country to revolt, it would be like California (which has 39 million people) attempting to fight the rest of the entire United States. Legislation is the key to change. , we all need to participate in the legislative process.

Why guys are intimidated by a womans' ex-boyfrind?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:23:00 +0000

Few guys would ever admit to being intimidated by another man. A man likes to think of himself as a "real man", a "man's man", a "Viking" who is master of his domain. Men are conditioned to be strong, fearless providers and protectors. They are wild bucks, kings of the jungle, and conquering Caesars who back down to no one, until finding themselves in the presence of the dreaded ex-boyfriend.

Why are men so intimidated by ex-boyfriends? Why is it that the testosterone kicks in with just the mention of a name? One reason is because a guy realizes that there will always be someone else who was special to his woman. He may be a girl's first "real love", but he could never be her first love. Regardless of how secure he may be in his relationship, he always knows that the "ex" had her heart before him. Most men want to see themselves as the only man to truly rock a woman's world.

Men are uncomfortable with the thought that the chastity of their love has already been violated. They may push the thought aside, or accept it as a reality of life, but they would rather not ever be faced with it. A man may be confidently self assured of his place in a woman's life in front of men with whom she has no interest, but just the thought of her being with a flame from her past can make him doubt his relationship.

There will also be the question of what feelings remain between a woman and her "ex". And some women can cast further doubt with statements like, "I still care for him, but I am no longer in love with him", or "He's in my past, I'm with you now". Though reassuring and momentarily comforting, those comments do not erase all of a man's doubts. As much as he may try to convince himself, there is always the thought that she may still care for her former boyfriend more than she admits.

There are other reasons why a man may feel threatened by a woman's past. Men can be territorial, egotistical, and internally emotional. If a woman frequently references a previous boyfriend, or maintains some level of close friendship with him, then a man may feel that his territorial rights have been violated, and his ego turns that into a "respect" issue. He may express his feelings through rational dialogue, but deep inside, he is emotionally crushed.

Some women use their relationship with their "ex" as an item of negotiation. They dangle their association as if she could always go back. For some it's a game, but for others, it becomes a serious threat when things are not going their way in the relationship. It is a form of manipulation that may keep a man forever wary. Men often want to create fond memories in a relationship, but they never want to compete with them.

Why people try to change the person they love

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:52:00 +0000

Everyone has their own idea of the perfect mate. Physical appearance and personality traits define the initial attraction, but most people enter relationships with partners who fall short of being ideal. Communication and compromise helps overcome differences during the early stages of romance, but at some point, one person in the relationship will expect to see long term change in the person they grow to love.

Few couples fall in love and find that they are the perfect match. Most learn to accept each other as the persons that they are. They fall in love with their partners despite the differences, and often accept those differences as a part of the unique qualities that shape them as individuals.

But other people are aggressive in encouraging change in their partners. They develop a mental image of the person they want to love, and become diligent about shaping and molding their partner into that person. Many fail to recognize that their actions may be detrimental to the relationship, and that they could be asking that person to change an important part of their personality.

People have different reasons for wanting to change the person they love. Some focus on encouraging the elimination of bad habits, such as smoking or the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. They may suggest exercise or weight loss programs if they feel their partner could be healthier, or improved hygiene and housekeeping habits if those are areas of concern.

People sometimes want their partners to change because they have experienced change themselves. Those who have recently achieved educational goals may place higher expectations their mates. If one person has broadened their circle of friends or increased their social activities, then they may push for their partner to do the same.

Some couples go through changes together. They embrace growth as a couple, and often find that facing challenges together is easier than going through things alone. They will engage in new or different activities, such as committing themselves to church, or taking ballroom dance classes, and find that pursuing such change together helps them to grow closer together as a couple.

Change is not as easy for some as it is for others. People develop their own process for implementing change, but they must usually be motivated to do so. The greater the motivation, the more likely that change will take place, but the decision to take action is strictly in the hands of that individual.

The bottom line is that most people implement change in their lives on their own terms, and pushing them does more to push them away than lead towards the desired results. Gentle encouragement works better than a nagging, although a good shove might be necessary every now and then.

Why people cheat in relationships

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:21:00 +0000

Sharon spent two years observing as her husband's emotions drifted farther away. Like a developing cancer, she noticed the early warning signs. Late nights at the office became more frequent, as did the unavoidable business trips. When not at the office or traveling, he needed more time to unwind, more boys' nights out, more work related lunches and dinners, and basically, more time away from her.

He was a good father to their two boys when was around, always ready to play catch or toss the football. And he frequently brought her flowers and gifts back from his trips, in the beginning. Now, he just complains about he tired he is, and shows little interest in initiating sex, unlike the first four years of their marriage when he couldn't keep his hands off of her.

Soon she began noticing strange charges on the credit card bills, the scent of another woman's perfume on his clothes, and secretive "work related" calls that came at odd hours. She tried everything to regain his interest. Working out at the gym, sexy lingerie, candlelight dinners, but nothing seemed to work. It took a while for her to admit it to herself, but she was still unable to get him to confess that he was having an extramarital affair.

Then one day she met the nicest guy while working out. He was pleasant with a great personality, easy to talk to, and complimented her efforts in the gym. She found herself making it a point to get to the gym when she knew he would be there. She enjoyed his company, and his attention, and by the time he invited her out for coffee at a nearby Starbucks, she had already made up her mind that she was going to have an affair.

A Growing Trend in Extramarital Affairs

Sharon is not unusual. Infidelity is no longer just a man's dirty little secret. Women have now gained equal standing in their marriages, and are proving that it is no longer business as usual when it comes to extramarital affairs. Men have long been known to be less faithful in marriages than women, but women have quickly made up for lost time by exploring new emotional opportunities outside of their marriages.

Recent statistics indicate that more and more married women are having affairs. Some researchers believe that between 45 and 65 percent of married women have participated in some level of infidelity during some point in their marriages. The numbers are misguiding because fewer women admit to affairs than men, but it's no doubt that women's views about cheating have changed over the past 50 years.

Why Women Are Cheating

There is never a legitimate reason for married couples to be unfaithful in their relationships. But where men seem to commit adultery more out of available opportunity and curiosity, women tend to blame abuse, emotional abandonment, and believe it or not, revenge for their extramarital encounters.

In her book, "Undressing Infidelity: Why More Women Are Cheating", Diane Shader Smith interviewed 150 female adulterers to find out what made them abandon their marital vows to enter into relationships outside of their marriages. She found that the actual reasons for cheating were as varied as the women interviewed, but that most were actually looking for something that their marriages didn't provide.

Smith found that some women were in search of greater self esteem, some were in search of more passionate relationships, some women simply enjoyed the excitement of risk, while some women cheated because they became emotionally attached to men outside of their marriage. What is most interesting is that the women ranged from corporate executives, to a Midwestern school teacher, making it difficult to develop a preconceived idea about who might, or who might not cheat.

Who Are Women Cheating With?

Women appear to be more particular about who they cheat with than men. Most women feel that they have to develop a comfort level with a man before committing to him sexually. For women, infidelity is less likely to be about a one night stand. Women prefer instead to have an emotional encounter. But while some women cheat with men who have similar characteristics as their husbands, most women gravitate towards someone completely different.

For many women, cheating leads to the fulfillment of a fantasy. They seek out men who provide an escape from the reality of their day-to-day lives. Cheating allows exploration in areas that may be taboo in their relationships with their husbands, but perfectly allowable in their extramarital relationships. They explore sexual variety, spontaneity, intensity, and even risk in fulfilling the curiosity of their affairs.

But cheating is never the solution to marital problems. It causes more feelings of guilt and anxiety in women than it does in men, and though statistics show that women are less likely to be caught cheating, they are just as likely as men to admit an affair when confronted. Extramarital affairs always have repercussions, and the fallout can be greater for women than it is for men.

How to communicate with women

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:30:00 +0000

I've found that there is an art to communicating with women that few men understand. Men become complacent in maintaining active and interactive conversations only months after lingering on a woman's every word. Women, on the other hand, never forget that it was his initial interest in her every word that first gained her attention.

Communicating with women is different than communicating with men, but mostly because their interests are different. While women are satisfied just knowing the final score of the biggest game of the year, men like to know individual statistics and details. But when women want to explain every detail of a successful shopping experience, men only care about the cost.

Listening is still the key. Effective communication is not a matter of sharing interest in the same passions, but being passionate enough to care about what the other person shares. Women often complain that men stop listening. Active listening involves interaction and participation. Asking questions, repeating key points, eye contact, and even sharing opinions shows that issues important to her also matter to you.

Men interested in improving their level of communication with women should remember a few points.

1. Communicate with her as if it's a first date. Ask questions, and then listen to the answers. Be sincere in your evaluations or input, and speak to her as if you care about her feelings. A good conversation format to follow is to compliment, ask questions, listen to her responses, and then compliment again.

2. Think of a conversation with a woman like ballroom dancing. Women want a man to lead, without being demanding. Flow with the rhythm of the conversation. Maintain balance, both in objectivity and judgment. And staying centered, never leaning too far to the right or the left of her point of view. Remember, you're only there to compliment her. She's the center of attention.

3. Communicating with women takes greater patience and understanding. Not because they speak or hear things any differently than men, but because they are thorough and want a complete understanding of the subject matter. Women respond to emotional stimuli, interpreting pitch, tone, voice inflection, and even information in a different manner than most men.

There are also rules of engagement which should never be ignored throughout the communication process.

These are basic dos and don'ts that make interacting with women easier.

Do:

-Control the conversation, but not the woman. Women like for men to be in charge, but they do not like being told what to do.

-Suggest, but never imply. Women can take suggestions, but hate implications.

-Respect her opinion. Even if you disagree with her, she has the right to express what she feels.

-Compliment her. This was mentioned before, but it bears repeating. Flattery gets you everywhere.

Do not:

-Tell her she's wrong. A woman is never wrong unless she's says she is.

-Initiate an argument. It's a no-win battle.

-Read her the riot act. This initiates an argument.

-Speak down to her. She's on a pedestal. You have to look up to her.

Does age really matter in relationships?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:59:00 +0000

Does age really matter in a relationship, or is age more of a factor when it comes to love and compatibility? The history of relationships reveals that age matters little in establishing male and female liaisons. Older men have long been romantically linked to younger women, and in some cultures, that tradition holds true to this day. But the topic of age has become more prominent over the past few years, with the biggest twist being that older women are now openly dating younger men, and younger men are becoming more attracted to the wiser and more established older woman.

Dirty Old Men and Gold diggers have existed since the accumulation of wealth created the perception of power for men, and a life potentially free from financial need for women. Now, many of those same women, after years of involvement with men who could not or did not satisfy them emotionally, have taken matters into their own hands. Armed with an equal level of power and social status, either attained or self made, older women now establish relationships on their terms with little regard for age.

Based on these current trends, age does not matter when it comes to two consenting adults making a conscious decision to be together, regardless of the reasons why. Even in relationships where both individuals have motives other than love, their presence in each other's lives serves whatever purposes that they've attached to them.

But age does matter in a relationship to some degree. Not the physical age which is counted in years and has little relevance to whether two people can be happy, but the emotional age, which either widens or lessens the gap in long term compatibility. Emotional age is a much better determinate of whether two individuals separated by years, have enough in common to enjoy each other, explore each other, and grow with each other.

Everyone has an idea of what they want in the person with whom they share a relationship, but the reality is that people often settle for far less than what they had in mind. Relationship decisions are now made as much for convenience and security, as they are for love and a fairy tale ending. With more than 50% of marriages in the United States ending in divorce anyway, are people so wrong in making the decision to enter into relationships based on satisfying personal wants and needs?

The bottom line is that if two people like each other enough to enter into a relationship, regardless of any age differences, then few outside interferences will deter their decision. And the reality is that they have every right to do so, despite their reasons.

Who knows, they may just fall in love and live happily ever after.

Learning from relationships

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:58:00 +0000

Relationships offer a wealth of learning opportunities which prepares us for future life experiences. They provide us with real world training in how to better interact, nurture, grow, and flourish as we engage other people in our life's path. Learning from relationships is essential to our own personal growth and development, and in determining the quality of our relationships as we mature.

Every interpersonal interaction establishes some type of relationship, and there is something to be gained from each. Whether personal or professional, family or friend, emotional or platonic, or good or bad, we learn what we like or dislike about each relationship experience. As we change through the growth process, so do our relationships, as does the value that we place on them.

Every relationship has a purpose. Though the purposes will differ from one relationship to another, each relationship is valuable in the overall scheme of our journey through life. We place values on our relationships based on their importance to us at any given time. Our relationship with a banker becomes more important when we depend on his approval for the mortgage on our first home. Just as the relationship of a high school sweetheart, who at one point we never thought we could live without, seems insignificant on our wedding day with the most wonderful person we met six years after graduating from college.

Romantic relationships tug at our hearts. Though family relationships can also touch us emotionally, few things move us as deeply as our romantic interactions. Learning form these types of relationships are often a challenge. They can take us through emotional extremes, from highs to lows, depending on the relationship experience. But they are also the relationships that we tend to learn from most.

Romantic relationships can be emotionally exhilarating when things are going well. Though every relationship has its share of ups and downs, we place greater value on those past relationships which give us the greatest joy. From them, we learn to share emotionally, to engage our passions, to explore our sexuality, and to grow within the realm of a relationship as opposed to simply as an individual.

We learn to extend trust, but when that trust is broken, we learn to exercise caution. We learn to forgive, but not necessarily forget. And also learn how important it is to be forgiven, because as perfect as we may be, we learn that we may not be perfect in every relationship. We learn what makes us feel good about relationships, and we learn what we will no longer accept. We learn that another person's idea of a great relationship may not be great for us.

Most of all, we learn the importance to commitment. We learn how to hang in there when things get rough, and sometimes struggle through situations that lead us to greater life experiences. We learn to be humble when it's in the best interest of the greater good, and how to soar as we expand our relationship's horizons.

But we also learn that some relationships end. And when they do, we pick up the pieces and move to the next. We learn what things to take with us as we move on, and what things to leave behind. We learn what worked, and what didn't, and what we never want to experience in our future relationships. We learn that in order to expect the best, that we must give our best, and that the success of our relationships is greatly dependent upon us.

Dating after a break-up

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:02:00 +0000

Experts would say that it's best to get back on a horse after being thrown off, to get back in the batter's box after striking out, and to never give up after the disappointment of failure. But a clich is of little use to a person on the rebound from a broken heart, and getting back in the saddle could be the last thing on their mind.

Taking the first step towards dating again after being dumped by a lover is like to starting to walk all over again after an accident. The first few steps are a little shaky, but it doesn't take long to get back into stride. The most difficult part of dating again is letting go of the past, and the important thing to remember is not to move too fast.

Letting Go of Ghosts

Past relationships can be haunting. They can often keep us from moving forward long after the relationship has ended, and cause us to see things in our new associations that aren't really there. Letting go of ghosts from relationships past is essential to opening doors to the possibilities of the future.

There is nothing wrong with being a little cautious, but it's an entirely different matter when we allow the fears of our past to hold us back from achieving emotional fulfillment. Letting go of ghosts is not always easy, but it is necessary in order to move into more fulfilling relationships.

Allow Time for Healing

A broken heart will mend at its' own pace, but it is possible to accelerate the process. Allowing time for healing prior to jumping back into the dating scene helps minimize future relationship issues. Rushing from one relationship to another is a recipe for disaster. A bruised heart is a lot like a strained muscle, it still functions, but it is most effective after going through the entire healing process.

Have a Little Faith

Dating after being dumped is an exercise in faith. We often invest so much of ourselves into our past relationships that we feel emotionally vulnerable when things don't work out. Too often, we carry that baggage into other potential relationships. We shouldn't fear every dog just because we've had a bad experience with one.

Stepping out in faith does not mean to leap blindly. There is nothing wrong with learning from past mistakes, as long as they don't keep us shackled to our fears. Faith becomes stronger by taking things a step at a time, and that includes letting go, healing our wounds, and moving forward.

Eventually, as we begin dating again, we engage our new relationships with an open heart, an open mind, and very open eyes.

Why it's hard for men to understand women

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:42:00 +0000

Women are complicated beings. Not every man can fully grasp the vast complexity of emotional, psychological, and physiological differences that separate them from men. Men acquire an early knowledge of interacting with women through early relationships with their mothers. So, when it comes to understanding the basics, men are not as clueless as women believe.

There will always more to a woman than what meets a man's eye, and it is moving beyond the basics that men begin to have problems. Identifying which personality will emerge during the monthly changes that women must constantly adjust to, is like looking into space and picking out which celestial object will best sustain life. You might get lucky and get it right, but there is a far greater chance that you won't.

But, men will never fully understand women because they can never fully understand the entire female experience. Men will never know the discomfort of going through monthly changes. And they will never endure the contrasting joys and pains of childbirth. Few men experience the challenges of having to raise their children alone. And men don't go through the hormonal upheaval associated with that period fondly called the "change of life".

Actually, men could really care less about what women have to endure. Only when they find their lives altered or in any way inconvenienced do they show any concern at all. It isn't their problem that women go through what they go through, but most of them believe that they must still be a woman's first priority. But, men can be surprisingly different at the beginning of a relationship.

Men are chameleons. They understand that they must do the things and say the things that will attract a woman's attention. They adapt to environmental changes to avoid having their intentions detected, but always reverse to their true colors when safe in their comfort zones. In the beginning, men become whatever a woman wants them to be, when they feel that there is a potential payoff in the end. However, they have little desire to maintain such appearances beyond the point of absolute necessity.

Men and women operate in different emotional planes. Men are fueled by testosterone. They get excited about football, basketball, a good fight, and sex. Women, on the other hand, have more estrogen. They enjoy a good love story, cry at weddings, and believe in fairy tale endings. Biological building blocks make it difficult for men to ever understand why women shed tears over the "Cinderella" story, and few women see the excitement of getting beat up for money.

And though some men watch "Lifetime" movies, and may even shed a few tears, they will never fully understand everything that makes a woman a woman.

Does sex really sell advertising?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:25:00 +0000

Sex will always be a part of advertising because advertisers know that sex sells. It may not sell to everyone, but market researchers know that sexual content in advertising grabs attention. As long as they have your attention, they can market their product. Even if the product has nothing to do with sex.

Advertisers do not market products to offend moral conscious. They advertise to sell their product. But, even individuals who find themselves offended by sexually explicit advertising still talk about them, and marketing executives still believe the old axiom, “there is no such thing as bad advertising”. Even when an advertising campaign generates controversy, it is still considered effective.

Targeted advertising

Manufacturers hire advertising companies to market products to those individuals most likely to purchase them. And advertising executives conduct extensive market research to determine who fills the target demographic of the manufacturers products. Ad campaigns are then developed to reach the greatest number of potential customers within that demographic group.

In a perfect world, advertisers reach their target customers, those customers purchase the manufacturers products, the manufacturers profit from their relationship with the advertising agency. At that point, everybody is happy.

But what happens when such intangibles as advertising reach, competitive market share, and an ineffective ad campaign effects the manufacturer’s advertising investment? Then, advertisers broaden their demographic scope in hopes of reaching a greater population. In such situations, men may have to sit through ads for feminine products, or women may end up viewing scantily clad beauties bouncing on the beach. The target demographic is still being reached, but non-target consumers may become uncomfortable by the ads.

Selling sex to men vs. women

Most people understand that women in bikinis have nothing to do with selling beer. But advertisers target beer commercials to their core demographic, who just happen to be beer drinking males between the ages of 21 and 36 years old. That isn’t to say that women do not drink beer, but research indicates that while a woman may have a beer or two, young men drink considerably more, usually consuming four to six beers in a sitting.

Advertisers also know when to sell sex to both men and women. Condom ads were once found only in male oriented magazines. But with the heightened awareness in safe sex and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), condom manufacturers now advertise their products to both sexes, targeting those demographics who research has found to be most sexually active. Consequently, condoms are now just as likely to be purchased by women as they are by men.

Selling sex to an older generation

Sexual performance and enhancement products are another example of how sex related content is now targeting an older generation. Such products are marketed towards “baby boomers” who may be beyond their sexual peak, but still enjoy the satisfaction of a healthy sexual relationship with their partners. Few men in the 21 to 36 demographic would admit to needing such products, but through the broad reach of advertising, they are aware of them. Such unfiltered advertising increases a manufacturers reach, but also guarantees future customers.

Advertising sexual content and First Amendment rights

There will always be some who oppose sex in advertising. But, advertising is a numbers game. In other words, as long as the number of sales generated by ads with sexual content outnumber those individuals who find the ads offensive, advertisers will continue to use them. To them, the end justifies the means.

But advertisers have another weapon at their disposal. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

To advertisers, this means that they have every right to market a product in any manner they see fit, as long as it does not present a “clear and present danger” to the people of the United States. Church groups have complained, but they are also covered under the same amendment.

Advertisers will continue to use sex

The main objective of advertising is to sell products, and sex sells. As long as consumers respond to ads with sexual content, then advertisers will continue to produce such ads. There are fewer inhibitions about sex than there were 40 years ago, and much of the sexual content used in ads today would have been censored then.
There will also continue to be individuals who oppose sex in advertising. But, until advertisers find a way to market certain products by depicting images of nuns or the elderly enjoying them, sexual images will continue to bombard our senses.

Let’s just hope that beer companies don’t start showing scantily clad grandmothers bouncing on the beach. But, then again, that could very well sell a product to someone.

Communicating across cultures

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 06:49:00 +0000

Effectively communicating with people from different cultures has become increasingly important in a world where physical boundaries are so easily negotiated by the use of technology. We increasingly find that we now work, attend school, communicate professionally, and socially intermingle with people of cultures and environments different than our own.

Bridging cultural gaps is an essential step in the process of creating harmonious relationships between people of different backgrounds. Making the attempt to better understand differences in why people live, think, and believe the way that they do enables us to improve as a society, and also gain the respect of those with whom we are attempting to communicate.

Cultural Differences

Understanding differences between your culture and that of the group or individual with whom you are trying to communicate is important to better interpretation. This is especially true when language barriers are an issue. The better each side understands some of the cultural differences of the other, the more effective their communication will be with one another.

Navigating through cultural differences does not always mean that we must overcome language barriers. Even in a society where one language predominately ties people together, understanding cultural diversity is an essential tool in the efficient exchange of the thoughts, ideas, and social interactions which separate people. In other words, overcoming the boundaries of cultural understanding is just as critical as the effective interpretation of language or dialect.

Cultural Interchange

Cultural interchange has long been an accepted practice in many countries around the world, but is a relatively new concept in the United States. On some continents, cultural changes can be experienced in traveling short distances. And though U.S borders have always been open to legal immigration, it was always expected that people crossing into U.S. territory adopt the language and customs already established here.

One of the primary reasons why cultural interchange and cultural intermingling has taken longer in the U.S. is because of geographical isolation. Two of the four U.S borders are separated from the rest of the world by the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast, and the Pacific Ocean in the west. These oceanic borders make it much more difficult for uncontrolled or mass immigration into the country.

Until recently, cultural differences in the U.S. existed primarily between the northern and southern parts of the country, and between ethnic minorities attempting to establish social acceptance will maintaining their own ethnic and cultural identities. The distinct lines between many of those differences have become blurred, thanks in part to education, social and cultural integrations, and because of increased media exposure to different aspects of those cultural differences through music, film, television, dance and personal interactions.

Communicating across cultural differences is also necessary because culturally diverse people are now immigrating into new geographical areas because of work, educational opportunities, and the chance to live a better quality of life.

Elements of Communication

Many of the same elements of effective communication that are essential when communicating between individuals within the same culture become increasingly more important when communicating with people of different cultures.

Communication elements include:

-Visual or non-verbal communication may include facial expressions, eye contact and eye movement, posture, hand and facial gestures, and head and body movements. Abrupt and Sudden movements may also be interpreted differently from one culture to another.

-Tactile communication includes certain touching gestures such as a handshake, a hug, or a kiss.

- Vocal communication includes more than just speaking words. It also includes the use of vocal tone, voice inflection, pitch, and projection.

Also, it is not impolite to ask when in doubt. People never mind sharing different aspects of their culture, and it's much better to experience a moment of learning than one of embarrassment. Many people across cultural boundaries share the same hopes, dreams, love of family, and professional aspirations as we do. Many of our differences are simply based on lack of knowledge about our differences.

Are women really looking for Mr. Big?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:40:00 +0000

Most women, at one time or another, have dreamed of finding that perfect person with whom they might spend the rest of their lives. They base their ideas of "perfect" on a number of influences, but those ideas are reshaped and remolded as they mature into adulthood. In essence, young girls swept away by fairy tales of Prince Charming, grow into women who would love to fall under the charms of "Mr. Big".

The concept of "Mr. Big" works wonderfully in a fictionalized dramatization. The man who has it all, and is willing to share it all with that one special woman is the stuff that dreams are made of. But in reality, there are not that many "Mr. Bigs" to go around, and most women find themselves involved with men who they hope is more than just average. At some point, they come to realize that what's really more important than searching aimlessly for the fairy tale of "Mr. Big", is to find the man who can realistically fill the role of "Mr. Right".

With that said, I must admit that there are times when I'm absolutely confused about the fascination with "Mr. Big". Though I'm not an avid follower of "Sex and the City", my assumption would be that the name "Big" refers to a man who completes the total package. Someone who is wealthy, very good looking, honest, generous, and fulfills the anatomical pipe dream that most women believe guarantees sexual fulfillment.
But the reference to "Big" goes even farther.

On "Sex and the City", "Big" just so happens to be big in every way. He's the guy who really does have it all. He's handsome, he's filthy rich, he's got a big house, big car, smokes big cigars, and to top it all off, I' assuming he has a big... well you know.

But, if this is the standard that the media projects to women, how can average guys in the real world even compete? When the media sets the standard so high and gives women the perception that they shouldn't settle for anything less in a man than they can dream about, what chance does the average guy have? What reasonably sane woman wouldn't want a "Mr. Big"?

Most guys invest a lot of time and energy into personal improvement. But with all of their efforts in striving to be the best man that they're capable of being, they may still fall short of the media hyped "Mr. Big". I sincerely wish the best for the "Sex and the City" franchise, but I also hope that women don't walk away with unrealistic expectations about what they should be looking for in a man.

There's nothing wrong with a woman wanting a rich, handsome hunk who just happens to be the complete package. It's just that average, hard working guys need love too.

What makes a woman sexy?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:45:00 +0000

As she entered the room, every eye turned in her direction, mine included. She was not the most beautiful woman present. There were others there who's faces could have graced the covers of Vogue or Elle. She was not the tallest, shortest, heaviest, or thinnest woman there. Others could place claims on those superlatives, too. Initially, it wasn't anything you could immediately put your finger on, but whatever it was, she just simply had it, and she carried it like few women ever could.

What makes a woman sexy is not always her most obvious characteristics. Sure, physical appearance has something to do with it. But it's much deeper than that. The sparkle in her eyes, the manner in which she carries herself, her smile, the way she dresses, the confident ease in how she walks, and the way she wears he hair will all demand some level of attention.

But how she interacts with others is also important. The self-assured demeanor that carries her effortlessly through each meaningless conversation, smiling, and never losing eye contact with whomever she's she's engaged. She doesn't gulp her drink, but rather sips, as if she savors the taste and appreciates it's delicacies. She gives space, but is never too far away. And she attracts attention, with having to demand it.

In conversation, she does not agree to everything uttered. She has her own mind, with views and positions on a wide range of topics. She isn't condescending when she is better versed on a topic, but she can also admit when she's wrong, and shows genuine interest when not totally comfortable with the subject matter. She is open to new knowledge, even if she'll never use it. She is comfortable with her femininity, but doesn't always have to defend feminism. To her, isn't so much a matter of male or female, but rather whats right or wrong. Without a doubt, she is her own person, but respects the potentially fragile ego of her male counterpart. She know how to balance being who she is, without taking away from the person that he aspires to be. She knows that women mature sooner that men, but doesn't have to rub it in his face.

A woman can be sexy wearing sweats or a gown, with hair pinned up or flowing freely down, while working a room or at ease in her home, chilling with the girls or out on her own. She's sexy while crunching for an upcoming test, while losing at b-ball but trying her best. She's sexy while shopping, she struts through the mall, but mostly she's sexy doing nothing at all.

When communication problems create relationship issues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:01:00 +0000

It is an acknowledged fact that communication issues, or the lack of communication, can create irreparable damage to a relationship. Those relationships in which couples develop the skills to navigate through problems have a much better chance of long term survival. Others are doomed due to communication styles employed in airing grievances, or because of the prolonged existence of unresolved issues.

Aggressive or threatening dialogue is widely known to create more problems in relationships than they solve. Relationship issues are heightened rather than reduced in heated exchanges, and seldom does one person yield to the rational of the other. Couples who fail to find common ground in resolving conflicts will also fail in finding emotional fulfillment. Happiness in a relationship cannot exist without learning to negotiate through difficulties.

The lack of communication can be as dangerous as aggressive communication in the long term health of a relationship. There are times when one or both individuals will hold their true thoughts or feelings inside to avoid a potentially explosive situation. But that doesn't solve the problem. Choosing not to communicate about an issue is like playing Russian roulette. The participants know that the gun is loaded, and it's only a matter of time before the live round is fired.

The most effective communication in relationships has been long thought to be open communication, where two individuals exchange thoughts and opinions based on personal views nurtured by past influences. In such a dialogue, addressing relationship issues is considered healthy as long as both individuals can agree to disagree.

Open communication has proved effective in the simple resolution of minor relationship problems. However, when agreeing to disagree does not produce a long term solution to the core issues in the relationship, those problems continue to live below the surface with the possibility of becoming more volatile if, or when they resurface. Communicating about the problem is an effective first step, but eliminating the problem is by far the most efficient means of achieving a long term solution.

Occasionally, couples must look outside of their relationship for assistance in healing what is inside of their relationship. Couples therapy or marriage counseling can be an effective means of working through issues creating emotional distance. But for therapy to work, both individuals must embrace the concept. Without a joint effort, there can be no long term solution.

There are no one size fits all solutions to solving every problem in a relationship. Life just isn't that simple. But actively addressing those issues that could lead to long term problems drastically increases the likelihood of a happier relationship.

Why Men Should Listen to Women

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:15:00 +0000

One of the biggest problems in couples communications is that men hear, but do not listen to women. And it's not that guys don't want to listen, it's just that in most cases, women are just not saying the things that guys want to hear. Even when it isn't an issue of being right or wrong, guys will depend too much on their own experiences or perceptions in efforts to preserve their male egos. Why should men listen to women? Because, quite frankly, guys don't always have all the answers.

It can be demeaning to a guy's sense of manly pride to admit that he is wrong, especially when he has to admit it to a woman. There are simply some things that a guy refuses to admit that a woman can be right about, or worse yet, know more about than he does. Politics, sports, world events, home and auto repair, action movies, video games, and map reading are just "guy things". When women infiltrate those territories, or heavens forbid, become knowledgeable about them, then it threatens the last few bastions of perceived male superiority. (Read entire article here)

CelebrityWorld
How to Better Understand Women

Leno in, Conan out as host of "Tonight Show"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Jay Leno is once again the host of the "Tonight Show", after weeks of high profile negotiations which ultimately left Conan O'Brien out in the cold. NBC announced the switch Thursday, as O'Brien accepted a severance package of more than $40 million.

Talk of a late night line-up change began months ago, as the network conceeded that Leno's prime time experiment was not going over well with NBC affilliates. The affiliate complained that Leno's show was a poor lead in to local news, and demanded a change. Network executives offered Leno a 30 minute segment following local news at 11:35pm, which would move the "Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" back an additional 30 minutes. But O'Brien objected, and sparks began to fly.

"Tonight Show" ratings slipped after O'Brien took over, and Leno was seen as the more valuable commodity. After negotiating a settlement which included more than $12 million for his staff (and a non-compete agreement that keeps him off the air until September), O'Brien is moving on.

Conan O'Brien broadcast his last "Tonight Show" Friday, and Leno is expected to air his first show as the "new" host after the Winter Olympics ends on Feburary 26th.

"Pants on the Ground" singer gets a record deal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:46:00 +0000

The whole country has heard it by now. “Pants on the Ground” has become a hit after it’s creator, Larry Platt, performed his origanl song for the judges of American Idol. Since performing during the Idol auditions, Platt has become an overnight sensation, and now he has a record deal.

Platt has been signed by Jake records, and according to company CEO Scott Thomas, Platt’s song has potential.

“General Larry Platt has an energy about him that is infectious,” Thomas said in a press release. “We’d love to work with Mr. Platt to generate some exposure for his original song, but also the causes that he holds near and dear to him.”

Platt has taken the nation by storm. Video clips of his ”Pants on the Ground” performance has made him an instant internet hit, and he has also performed on ”The View”, singing and dancing his way into the hearts of America.

The age limit for Idol contestants is 28, and though Platt is too old to compete as a contestant, he was allowed to audition. During his audition, he floored judge Randy Jackson, and left Simon Cowell speachless with his unusual song and dance antics, which also included a split at the end. Guest judge Mary J. Blige was also amused.

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