Cultures within a society

Large societies often have subcultures, or groups of people with distinct sets of behavior and beliefs that differentiate them from a larger culture of which they are a part. The subculture may be distinctive because of the age of its members, or by their race, ethnicity, class, or gender. The qualities that determine a subculture as distinct may be aesthetic, religious, occupational, political, sexual, or a combination of these factors.

In dealing with immigrant groups and their cultures, there are various approaches:

• Leitkultur (core culture): A model developed in Germany by Bassam Tibi. The idea is that minorities can have an identity of their own, but they should at least support the core concepts of the culture on which the society is based.
• Melting Pot: In the United States, the traditional view has been one of a melting pot where all the immigrant cultures are mixed and amalgamated without state intervention.
• Monoculturalism: In some European states, culture is very closely linked to nationalism, thus government policy is to assimilate immigrants, although recent increases in migration have led many European states to experiment with forms of multiculturalism.
• Multiculturalism: A policy that immigrants and others should preserve their cultures with the different cultures interacting peacefully within one nation.

The way nation states treat immigrant cultures rarely falls neatly into one or another of the above approaches. The degree of difference with the host culture (i.e., "foreignness"), the number of immigrants, attitudes of the resident population, the type of government policies that are enacted, and the effectiveness of those policies all make it difficult to generalize about the effects. Similarly with other subcultures within a society, attitudes of the mainstream population and communications between various cultural groups play a major role in determining outcomes. The study of cultures within a society is complex and research must take into account a myriad of variables.

Culture as worldview

During the Romantic era, scholars in Germany, especially those concerned with nationalist movements — such as the nationalist struggle to create a "Germany" out of diverse principalities, and the nationalist struggles by ethnic minorities against the Austro-Hungarian Empire — developed a more inclusive notion of culture as "worldview." In this mode of thought, a distinct and incommensurable worldview characterizes each ethnic group. Although more inclusive than earlier views, this approach to culture still allowed for distinctions between "civilized" and "primitive" or "tribal" cultures.

By the late 19th century, anthropologists had adopted and adapted the term culture to a broader definition that they could apply to a wider variety of societies. Attentive to the theory of evolution, anthropologists such as Franz Boas assumed that all human beings evolved equally, and that the fact that all humans have cultures must in some way result from human evolution. They also showed some reluctance to use biological evolution to explain differences between specific cultures — an approach that either exemplified a form of, or segment of society vis a vis other segments and the society as a whole, they often reveal processes of domination and resistance.

In the 1950s, subcultures — groups with distinctive characteristics within a larger culture — began to be the subject of study by sociologists. The 20th century also saw the popularization of the idea of corporate culture — distinct and malleable within the context of an employing organization or a workplace.

Culture

Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate")^[1] generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance. Cultures can be "understood as systems of symbols and meanings that even their creators contest, that lack fixed boundaries, that are constantly in flux, and that interact and compete with one another"

Culture can be defined as all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a population that are passed down from generation to generation. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society." As such, it includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, norms of behavior such as law and morality, and systems of belief as well as the art.

Cultural anthropologists most commonly use the term "culture" to refer to the universal human capacity and activities to classify, codify and communicate their experiences materially and symbolically. Scholars have long viewed this capacity as a defining feature of humans (although some primatologists have identified aspects of culture such as learned tool making and use among humankind's closest relatives in the animal kingdom)

5 Strange Lucky Charms

As I haven’t been feeling lucky lately, and my usual “Pave my own Destiny” line was on a leave of absence, I checked up some of the “luck rituals” and “lucky charms” that could perhaps change my luck a bit for the day.

Turns out there are so many lucky charms out there on the net, with the simplest of purposes (to bring you luck), to the looniest. Some of them we already know; while some are just out of this world.

Here are a few:

Indescribable Key Chain
The picture says its all. If you’re feeling unlucky in the copulation department, then this trinket is for you. The site where I saw this says it was probably from the 70s because of the physical features of both the man & women, reminiscent of the trends during that year.

Money Tree

With the price of oil going haywire these days, perhaps I shall purchase my own money tree although I think gamblers need these more than me (or maybe my mom who is a bingo enthusiast). Whatever your reason maybe, the money tree will bring you luck in the financial department. Popular with the gambling folks

Swastik Pyramid Yantra

As it says on the site, it should not be confused with the Nazi Swastika, but it gets points for interesting for me. The Vedic Swastik is the symbol of Ganpathi, the lord of good fortune. Again another “general” use lucky charm that you might like to purchase. They don’t come cheap these lucky charms!

Omamori Charm from Japan

Suspiciously looks like a tea bag to me! It’s a charm for protection from various elements (ghosts and other vicious back stabbers beware). It also helps a bit in gambling (what is with these general purpose lucky charms!?). Looks nice with its traditional print, and an added bonus! If you keep it in your car and backpack, you’ll have a more auspicious or luckier chance with the women. Doesn’t hurt to try! If you’re a fan of Japanese Culture, this is for you.

Raccoon Penis Bones

From the name itself, you’d know what this is lucky charm is for. Jerry Hall once said that “growing up in Texas, boys gave raccoon penis bones to girls they liked as a form of love token or simple love spell”. In 2004, it became popular among women who were sold to this love amulet to get their luck with men started. In fact, a group of women capitalized on this and started selling raccoon penis bones in the form of earrings (hmm that sounds… not so sexy.) Also in 2004, Third Eye Blind Frontman caught Vanessa Carlton’s eye when he gave her a dried raccoon’s penis necklace and his book “Sarah”. Literally worked like a charm!

Lucky Charm from WOW

I just had to feature this! These are just some of what I’ve been reading over at the forums:

“Can also be used for the superstitious. It could help improve the drop rate of your desired item! Make sure you collect 7 if you’re even more superstitious.”

“Rogue with these charms seemed to attract paladin drops. Amazing.”

“Be sure not to stop farming them when you get 13.” Spooky.

I’ve always believed in making my own luck, paving my own road, but sometimes I just like to hold on to something tangible - and I guess these lucky charms - although no, I won’t really be using that raccoon penis bone - will work just fine. Whether you’re superstitious or not, a bit of luck, salt over your shoulder and a short prayer will probably do your day a bit of good.

Dubai Culture and Women

The family unit in the United Arab Emirates is an important social unit for an Arab. Loyalty to family or surname influences all aspects of family life and society United Arab Emirates. The Arab honor and respect for his family, particularly children. Therefore, it is very paternalistic, patriarchal and hierarchical, with elders and parents who make the decisions.

UAE national families are large, with families citing God going from one to procreate. Therefore, the bigger the better, giving economic and spiritual benefit. Children, when growing older are expected to care for parents, especially for children that much to bear the financial burden, if necessary. Also, it is noted thatlarger families demonstrate the virility of the father.

As far as fidelity passes, family comes first, then clan and tribe. The UAE nationals also reflect national identity and, moreover, are proud of their culture. There is also a strong loyalty to the royal families. Demonstrating this includes photos of the leaders in all walks of life. The UAE Nationals his beloved founding father, Sheikh Zayed, and there was massive show of grief over his death. The people still comment on their generosity for what he did for them and for the construction of the UAE.

Women

Women are respected in the UAE society, as they are the ones who bring life in the world, and raise children. This perception is lost in the west, where it is seen that they are subordinate to men, but increasingly, woman are most prominent in the workplace and in other walks of life. Some guidelines for the West are: respect for privacy and the role of women in society; stand when a woman enters the room, and I understand that there are many households in different areas of residence, so that when you visit a house, you wouldn't socialize with women.

Things that men should not include:
- Do not talk publicly professionals UAE National Women, unless it is business related. You will understand that when they are allowed to cross the limit, when approached to discuss other matters
- Do not shake hands with a UAE National female, unless prompted.
- Suffice it to say, not flirting, touching or embracing women
- Do not look at women or maintain eye contact
- Do not ask an Arab man about his wife or female members of his family

of course, it's better to be strict in yourself first, to understand the situation, and with Western values, and an increasingly diverse society to make up, things are changing, but traditions remain and what is best to take this into account.

Discovering Culture and History

With close to 2 million visitors a year, South Africa's capital city, Cape Town, is fast becoming one of the largest tourist hotspots in the world. The country's great exchange rate offers a great value holiday for your money, and coupled with the fact that it's in the same time zone as the UK - so British tourists don't suffer the effects of jet lag - have both contributed to the popularity of South Africa; not to mention the stunning scenery and attractions within Cape Town.

For those travelling to Cape Town, a visit to the Cape Winelands is an absolute must as the region is one full of breathtaking vistas and majestic mountain backdrops, while also being steeped in rich culture and history. Rolling vineyards and quaint Cape Dutch homesteads await visitors, as well as award-wining wine farms offering some of the region’s best wines - the perfect accompaniment to the delicious dishes that are available.

The wine farms of Stellenbosch are the closest in distance to Cape Town and are within a 45 minute drive of the city centre. This is the most well known wine region and home to the first official wine route in the area, founded in 1971. A variety of cellars, producing some of the country's most acclaimed wines are located in the town. Stellenbosch is also a university town and the oak-lined Dorp Street is home to museums and galleries, as well as many student cafes and restaurants, leaving you with a plethora of cultural and historical attractions to explore during your visit.

Wine tasting, cellar tours and stopping to enjoy the scenic beauty at the various wine farms could easily take a day or more, so it is advisable to have a rough idea of where you would like to go before you set out. Many of the wine estates have become very tourist orientated in recent years, offering guided tours, gift shops and restaurants while at some of the small estates you may end up sitting in a rustic cellar sipping wines with the wine maker himself!

With the current, favourable exchange rate, fine dining in Cape Town is something everyone can enjoy, with a plethora of restaurants and cafes (often run by top international chefs) offering delicious dishes at a great price - from fresh Mediterranean flavours to exotic Asian spices, local Cape Malay dishes and traditional African meals. Being a city that's surrounded by the ocean, it goes without saying that Cape Town specialises in seafood restaurants, with crayfish, giant prawns and fresh sushi being just a few popular dishes in the region. Juicy steaks and African venison accompanied by sun ripened, seasonal vegetables are also mainstays of menus across Cape Town. As well as the delicious food on offer, more often than not, the location of the restaurant itself will offer superb views and a memorable ambiance.

Of course, it's not just the wining and dining that travellers visit Cape Town for. Table Mountain is Cape Town's most prominent feature and is a world famous landmark. Sculpted from sandstone, this huge mountain is visible from almost everywhere in the city. 600,000 tourists ascend the 1086 metres of the mountain by cable car annually to enjoy the unparalleled views of Cape Town and the beaches that surround it and it's a must for any visitor to the city.

The V & A Waterfront is South Africa's most visited attraction. Situated in the working harbour of Cape Town, the Waterfront offers a myriad of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities. Lit up beautifully at night with Table Mountain looking down on the harbour, the Waterfront is a great place to sit with a cocktail and take in the scenery and stunning ocean views that South Africa is famous for. A number of restaurants and cafes, offering everything from light snacks to fine dining, line the Waterfront.

So whether you're going to enjoy the wine, the culture or the scenery, South Africa holidays offer something for everyone and, as the weather gets colder in the UK, it's the perfect time to consider a trip to Cape Town as summer in South Africa is just beginning.

Culture in the Business Environment

Management Challenge

Organizations are judged on their financial performance and therefore, by default so are their management teams. The key for managers is understanding how financial success is measured, impacts on operational performance and options available to make positive sustainable change.

Traditional Approach

Typically managers tend to think in two dimensions when trying to address the problem. What do I need to change in my operations to achieve the desired financial results? Timescales may be tight and sometimes the short term needs may outweigh the long term aspirations. Sometimes short term measures can damage the long term capabilities of an organization. This can become a vicious circle where the law of diminishing returns is compounded by the diminishing options available. If you look at the diagram link below you will see a dotted line defined as the Minor Loop where the financial demands of revenue, profit, cash flow and equity are served by changes in operations of the business. This can be successful but it is a path littered with hazards.

Minor Loop Evidence

This is not simply an opinion it is backed by research conducted by Cameron and Quinn who stated that the three most typical change initiatives conducted by organizations in what could be described as Minor Loop were:
Restructuring
Quality Initiatives
Process Initiatives
Of these at least 75% failed, stalled or did not achieve the desired benefits. A summary of their findings is below.
Only 20% of TQM initiatives met their quality objectives and 40% were a complete flop
A survey of senior managers who had been involved in downsizing found that 74% indicated that productivity, morale and trust had since deteriorated
A survey across 1742 companies in the USA and Europe found that 85% found little or no gain from their effort in re-engineering processes.
Alternative Approach

So if this problem exists you may wonder if there is an answer to it. The answer is yes and it hides in plain sight. The third dimension is the organization itself and its culture. The reason it hides in plain sight is that people are generally aware of it but it is difficult to really define, let alone do anything about it. We now have instruments and methodologies that bring culture into focus and allow organizations to do something about it.

An organization's effectiveness will impact on its operational capability and consequently its financial performance. In bringing in the organization dimension it adds a multitude of options and can provide a shot in the arm to the minor loop challenge described above.
The organization is generally the origin of the business performance but is often overlooked as the area where true transformation can take place. The Major Loop described on the diagram link below shows how it can take place. It even provides benefits against the external issues that can plague operations and finance.

Major Loop Evidence

If you are still not convinced a ten year study by Kotter and Heskett found that organizations who actively managed their culture significantly outperformed those who did not. We would ask you to look at the main findings below and consider what those findings might mean for your organization.

Revenue growth of 682% versus 166%
Net income growth of 756% versus 1%
Stock price increase of 901% versus 74%
Job growth of 282% versus 36%
Companies listed on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For significantly outperform the S&P 500