Final Reflection

German culture is a melting pot of life, everything is the same but different from other cultures all around the world. Religion, Music, Politics, Economic issues all exist. Regardless of where you may be, you can bet that there will be social issues, social hostility and that as a whole the human race pulls together when needed to do so.  The only thing that truly separates German culture from other countries is language and traditions of being passed down from generation to generation. Germany is more than the media perceived culture of drinking beer.  

Comparatively speaking there is a lot in common between German culture and that of American culture.  Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that a lot of the Immigrants that came over during the Industrial Revolution were that of German heritage. Still to this day you can see direct similarities’ between the two cultures in all areas; Religion-though there may be minor differences the United States shares a lot of the same Religious views. Music- the United States and Germany tend to mirror one another’s style of music. Politics- The two cultures tend to have similar Political and Economic concerns/issues of the state; corruption to jobless concerns, to one party being “better” than another. This is most likely do to the fact that one economy depends on how the other does for success, if one side or the other has a rise an unemployment causing concern for consumer spending. You will see cuts being conducted a crossed the board from country to country. We all depend on one another to be successful, and until we learn as humans to work together you will continue to see these issues.

German culture shares similarities to other neighboring Europe nations such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein/Luxemburg as well as differences. Similarities among the German speaking countries (other than that of language) are the concerns of governing others from Political concerns as economic hardship to the music culture. Differences between the cultures are extremes in the separation between the classes; upper class- middle class- or the lower class. For instance in Switzerland they have no minimums wage set up and there is an extreme inflation concern with the difference in pays between people, with differences between managers the equivalent as Managers making $14000 per hour and $14 per hour.  This raises some concern when you see the middle class start to dwindle down and disappear.

Over the past 10 weeks of the quarter my understanding of German and its surrounding countries has grown 10 fold. Even though I had an insight into German culture through my wife’s family, I have learned much more this quarter to expand on my knowledge. For instance how you order food and Germany and how the waiters and waitresses take your order to the tip being in the bill, how in Germany vacations are an important venture whereas in the states it seems not to be as big of a thing.  The most important thing that I learned this quarter in my opinion is that all cultures are just a melting pot of life. Regardless of your religion, music taste, and economic stance-you are in the pot.  Though we may be different, it is important to try and gain an understanding of where others come from and appreciate where they come from. Besides at the end of the end of it all, where we end up is not the important part, but the journey that we took to get there. To me culture represents just that, the journey that one took to get where they have gone.

Artikel #5: Romania president says energy sufficiency possible

            Energy costs seem to be on the for front of every countries minds with tension in the middle east escalating with Iran threatening to shut down the Strait of Hormuz; shutting off the access to the Mediterranean Sea for Europe and other Continents. Romania is no different from any other country with concerns of the future of the energy sector these concerns are shadowed by concerns of the job forecast with unemployment rate in the 17-country Euro-zone at an all-time highest level since the Euro was established in 1999.

The possibility of the oil cuts have caused companies to try and prepare for the projected increase in oil costs. (Every sector of business is effected by oil increases, i.e. cost of shipping, cost of electricity, to the decrease in consumer spending). This is a big reason for an increase in unemployment rates to this level, like not previously seen.

Iran’s dare the world to react attitude has forced countries to look for other avenues for their oil addiction. With the possibility of becoming energy efficient Romania’s President believes they can be before the end of the decade. This is as a result of the discovering of large gas reserves offshore in the Black Sea. It is speculated that there could be in upwards of 100 billion cubic meters (131 billion cubic yards) that could be extracted. With their current oil consumption levels Romania could survive on this reserve for approximately 7 years.

It surprises me how so many countries seem out to find the answer to energy independence on their own and not trying to work together as one whole unit to find an alternative to oil. Maybe once everyone shares the information they know, then we could become independent as a species for energy. It seems that energy/the need for oil is an issue across any border, regardless of what hemisphere you reside on. 

This article can be read at:  http://www.kentucky.com/2012/03/05/2096142/romania-president-says-energy.html#storylink=rss

Artikel #4 Wienerberger among the winners again

Wienerberger among the winners again

Markets all over the world have suffered from this economic time of turmoil and adversity, history has showed us that this is no different among different markets. European companies affect the strength of companies in Asia and North America and vice verse. As this article demonstrates to us, companies in Austria are affected by the housing markets in The United States; a decline in the housing market in the states means a decline in brick sales for this Austria Company Wienerberger.

Though as bad as this economic time has been it has produced some strong companies that have trimmed the fat off in order to stay afloat. So it would be unfair to say that this time has been all bad without anything good to come from it. When we learn more from the mistakes we make than from the successes that we have undergone.  The strong will survive in this time of despair and leave us with only the best of companies worldwide. Companies just like Wienerberger.

They have felt their own taste of despair through this having to shut down 31 factories across Europe since 2008, but they again look to be reporting profits this year.  When even last year the reportedly had more than 40 million Euros, so though it has been dark the lights seem to be working again. This shows why they have withstood through this hard time, their ability to see the big picture and push through the hard times and do what is necessary to succeed in such volatile markets around the world.

It may be easy to be so concentrated on our own markets and our economy, our jobs, and our lively hood in the United States. But our decisions reach out deeper than we may realize when so many people’s lives may be affected by our tasteless and ignorant decisions. It may take a while but the decision we make in the business market will have a ripple effect across all of the world markets. 

This article (by Austrian Times) can be read at:

http://www.austriantimes.at/news/Business/2012-02-22/39685/Wienerberger_among_the_winners_again

Switzerland-Minimum Wage

Like any other country Switzerland has its fair share of the lower class. With such movements going on all over the world for Occupy fighting for the lower classes ability to rise above adversity and succeed. Though I am not for personal hand outs of what someone worked hard for to those that have not, I am for equality in that chance- when your class can determine your ability to succeed in an already gravitational force holding you back.

Currently in Switzerland there is no minimum wage set, and when the basis on cost of living is set using minimum wage as its basis it makes you wonder what is the Switzerland Government using to establish this amount. Though when it comes time to set this amount, they must be careful not to set it to high, doing so would cause a whirl wind of inflation lowering the value and spending power of the Swiss Francs. They can observe and learn from other countries when they attempt to set their minimum wage amount. In the United States we have seen that raising minimum wage will hurt those who did not make minimum wage. For instance if minimum wage is $7 per hour and someone is making $8 per hour, unless both individuals get equal raises with an increase of the minimum wage the individual who was making $8 per hour loses spending power.

Recent years there was a difference between the employee and manger earned at maximum of 30 times more (in the United States that would be like an employee making $7 per hour and the Manager making $210 per hour-Wow!) more recently the difference has been more like the manager making 1,000 times more. (Same comparison value $7 per hour and $7000 per hour) this seems to be a little extreme. On average terms that would be an annual salary of $14,000,000 to $14,000.

Aimed at insuring everyone has a decent pay to live on, there is some opposition. Mostly from the managers who are more than living comfortably. Saying that different sectors have different needs, true but if that’s the case why do they make so much more? Is it that they are really worth that much more? It is said that an entertainment system is only as good as its weakest component. I.e. you may have a digital TV, blue ray player and a VCR. Well that system is only as good as the VCR. This also applies to an employee of a company; a company is a team and is only as good as there worst employee.

Where it is only in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and the Scandinavian countries that have not set up any form of minimum Wage- What is taking them so long, and why not? Though they may think this will hurt them, I feel that this would help to stabilize volatile markets in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Giving their employees better standard of living will increase the spending power of the employees and they would have the ability to buy more products on increasing Economic trend s for the rest of the world.

What is surprising to me, is the difference in pay between mangers and their employees, I mean WOW!!!! Talk about being full of yourself. This provides an insight in not only Switzerland but into the culture of human nature.  One of the seven sins, Greed, it amazes me the differences in pay between the classes and that there are people starving. I understand this is not the case for all people in Switzerland but unfortunately this article paints a greedy picture. Just like it was when I was in the Navy, we were no longer individuals and anytime one of us messed up it was all of us as a whole who were blamed. Instead of a report of Jon Smith got a DUI it was Navy Sailor gets DUI and the same when in a foreign country, and then we were Americans representing all of the country.

This article (Armando Mombelli, swissinfo.ch) can be read at:

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Calls_for_a_minimum_wage_mount.html?cid=31977734

German Culture 1

The cultural aspect in the article was music – specifically, popular music.  Providing a peephole into society, music is the gateway into the hearts of its citizens, helping them get through their struggles by providing a much-needed escape or bringing them together through song. It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but perhaps the ears are the path to the heart in music. No matter what “the hits” are the song is still a direct representation of its listener. If a song touches someone, then that speaks volumes of that person, given an insight into their hearts.

Comparatively to the United States the music scene is close with minor differences, some more obvious than others like language. Expecting there to be more differences in the types of music that are main stream in Germany, found it to be surprising.  How close the cultures through music are is surprising, there is a current rap star in Germany named Casper that seems to parallel a rap star in the United States named Eminem.

The cultural importance that music brings to the table in Germany is a strong foundation in the culture of Germany and everywhere else. Music is a common link between nations regardless of different cultures, providing the common ground. Through music perhaps we can all get along, even if just for a moment. 

This edition of Soundscape 100 was produced and hosted by Gavin Blackburn, edited by Rick Fulker and mixed by Irena Malcharczyc and can be read at:

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15511285,00.html

German Culture to me

German Culture:Christmas at Oma and Opa's:

This past Christmas I spent with my wife's family, being from Germany they're extremely rich in German Culture. Starting off the celebration was the instruments and vocal talents of the family. (Playing such instruments as Piano, Violin, and Clarinet.) Performing traditional Christmas Carols and Hymns as the family is brought together through music.
Following the music of the family, is the reading of the Christmas Story from the Bible; First Opa reads in German and then followed is one of the Grand kids reading the same passages in English.
Being the first year that I have had the pleasure to take part in the celebration with them, not only do I look forward to many more of them. But I hope to continue it with my family to install the tradition with my kids and any future ones my wife and I may have.

This differs from any American tradition I have seen or heard of, this reminds us of the reason for Christmas and not the materialistic season that Christmas has turned into.
Seeing that I am basing my thoughts on ones who came to this country from Germany. I hypothesis that the validity of my thoughts to be correct in dealing with German tradition. All though with this I also understand that with everything in dealing with humans and their culture and or beliefs, nothing is absolute. No matter what tradition we as Americans may have, nothing is absolute in all of the citizens of our country.
In comparison of the traditions in the United States and Germany culture,  one thing is true and that is nothing is. No matter where you go there will be many different traditions but none of them will be with all of that countries people. It is up to the individual families of a country to grab what traditions they want from the melting pot of life.