Oman requires Westerners Essay Example for Free

Oman requires Westerners Essay Carrying out business in Oman requires Westerners to rethink their standard working practices. Simply dispatching the companies most highly qualified and intelligent staff without giving any thought to the wider implications of the character of the individuals is likely to cause the companies presence to fail. Patience and resilience are probably the first two qualities needed alongside professional competence by those being considered for employment in Oman. A willingness to change and adopt a more relaxed approach to local ways and methods is important as Omanis can be almost impossibly frustrating in business negotiations, in timekeeping or when bargaining on price. There are many never dos which may seem trivial but whose result is likely to be out of all proportion. Never lie (or be caught lying) to make a point. This will result in immediate distrust of you and the company. Never patronise or talk down and never show impatience or worse, anger during negotiations. These points will guarantee that you will go no further in that project. But furthermore, as the Omani social network extends in wide and diverse areas, you may find that you are unable to do business anywhere else as well! Equally, you may unknowingly be capitalising on that as well with your good trading practices being passed on. The matter of face and saving face has a great deal of importance when dealing with Omanis. Westerners should be particularly cautious when dealing with a situation which might suggest a fault or limitation, especially if the matter is brought into the public arena such as at an office meeting. Quick offence can be taken and will almost certainly lead to immediate dismissal often from the country on that day! The threat of instant removal from the country should not be discounted as a hyped-up story. It is very real and can be invoked by Omani nationals and lead to you being flown out of the country on the morning or afternoon, that is within a few hours, of the transgression. Lack of time keeping is a major cause of frustration for Westerners. Yet Omanis will always say that they are always available and access to them is simple. Westerners have no concept of the absolute duty that Arabs have towards family situations, which is far greater than those expected in Western societies. A phone call from a brother wanting to see them will take an overriding priority on the day. Unfortunately, a call to reschedule a meeting is unlikely to occur, they will just not appear. The Arab culture is so much different to Western priorities that they just simply cannot comprehend the Western fascination with the minor matter of Time. Patience and plenty of it is an absolute requirement. Another source of irritation is the time it takes to get-to-the-point at meetings, even more so if the point is likely to be contentious or controversial. Arabs will way up the mood and feelings of the decision-makers at the meeting and only bring up unpopular items if the mood is right. They see no point in advertising and bringing up these matters if the influential person or persons are not going to be receptive. Therefore, you may have to await several meetings before an item is discussed. Arabs hate to be the bearer of bad news such as saying no. They will hesitate or defer continually, keeping your hopes alive, when they have no intention of agreeing.

Existentialism and Theatre :: Existentialism

Existentialism and Theatre Existentialism is a concept that became popular during the second World War in France, and just after it. French playrights have often used the stage to express their views, and these views came to surface even during a Nazi occupation. Bernard Shaw got his play "Saint Joan" past the German censors because it appeared to be very Anti-British. French audiences however immediately understood the real meaning of the play, and replaced the British with the Germans. Those sorts of "hidden meanings" were common throughout the period so that plays would be able to pass censorship. Existentialism proposes that man is full of anxiety and despair with no meaning in his life, just simply existing, until he made decisive choice about his own future. That is the way to achieve dignity as a human being. Existentialists felt that adopting a social or political cause was one way of giving purpose to a life. Sartre is well known for the "Theatre engage" or Theatre 'committed', which is supposedly committed to social and/or political action. On of the major playwrights during this period was Jean-Paul Sartre. Sartre had been imprisoned in Germany in 1940 but managed to escape, and become one of the leaders of the Existential movement. Other popular playwrights were Albert Camus, and Jean Anouilh. Just like Anouilh, Camus accidentally became the spokesman for the French Underground when he wrote his famous essay, "Le Mythe de Sisyphe" or "The Myth of Sisyphus". Sisyphus was the man condemned by the gods to roll a rock to the top of a mountain, only to have it roll back down again. For Camus, this related heavily to everyday life, and he saw Sisyphus an "absurd" hero, with a pointless existence. Camus felt that it was necessary to wonder what the meaning of life was, and that the human being longed for some sense of clarity in the world, since "if the world were clear, art would not exist". "The Myth of Sisyphus" became a prototype for existentialism in the theatre, and eventually The Theatre of the Absurd. Right after the Second World War, Paris became the theatre capital of the west, and popularized a new form of surrealistic theatre called "Theatre of the Absurd". Many historians contribute the sudden popularity of absurdism in France to the gruesome revelations of gas chambers and war

Essay – Bride and Prejudice

People interact with and also with their surroundings. This impacts on their sense of belonging or their sense of isolation. We see this is William Shakespeare’s play ‘As You Like It’ and the Anglo-Indian genre movie, ‘Bride and Prejudice’ by Gurinder Chadha. The relationship between people and the interaction with place heavily impacts on the sense of belonging among the characters in the prescribed text. Rosalind and Celia are cousins who share a common understanding and identical values. Being from the same parental stock their social perception of life is similar.Their fathers being brothers, they share the same social economic circle. Their closeness is stressed when Celia paradoxically emphasises, â€Å"you know my father hath no child but I, nor none is like to have†. This shows Celia is prepared to forfeit the dutchy for her cousin Rosalind, which cements their friendship and helps them to improve their sense of bonding with each other. The ducal court and the lust for power sees Celia’s father usurp the dukedom from his elder brother, Duke Senior, Rosalind’s father.This chaotic deed breaks the bond of unity and segregates Duke Senior, Rosalind, Celia, Orlando, Jacques and Adam. The two fathers are located in a contrasting environment. The court of Duke Fredrick is seen as a contrast to the forest od Arden. Duke Fredrick’s court seems to foster values of flattery, falsity and autocracy. These values create friction on the bond of belonging and unity. Where as the forest of Arden is an allusion of the garden of Eden.The interaction with this rustic setting acts as a whet stone to refine the disturbed banished crew of exiles. Duke Senior’s syntactical expression, â€Å"running brooks’† and â€Å"sermon in stones† shows the peace and serenity of the forest of Arden. This natural environment of forest of Arden also fosters friendship. Hardship also accompanies the calm serenity of this so-called paradise because the harsh, â€Å"churlish chidings† and â€Å"bites and bolows† of the weather fosters a sense of independence on each of the exiled members in the forest.Rosalind’s impersonating as Ganymede protects not only her virginity but also her cousin Celia’s maidenhood. These good times and bad times and the will to succeed are essential qualities that assist the sense of belonging in the prescribed text. Love is another pervading factor in emotional belonging. The sisterly affection between Rosalind and Celia acts as a wedge that not only glues them together but also binds Orlando with Rosalind; Duke senior with his younger brother Duke Fredrick; Celia with Oliver and Phoebe with Silvius.Thus we see how Shakespeare portrays how belonging can be nurtured with love, understanding and a firm purpose of commitment for a common good. Shakespeare justifies the power of love and in the concept of belonging by making Rosalind metaphorically refer to love as madness, â€Å"love is merely a madness†¦that he whispers are in love too†. By this quibble Rosalind tries to humorously convince Orlando that just as he is in love with her, she is also madly in love with him. This reciprocal interaction with each other helps to foster unity among all the characters in the play.Similarly Gurinder Chadha’s romantic musical film, Bride and prejudice portrays the concept of belonging that is nurtured on account of interaction with people and places. The Bakshi Family has a strong sense of togetherness within the home and also the microscopic environment of their rural setting in Amritsar. The film in the opening scene uses mise en scene with the protagonist Lalita Bakshi serene in her environ. In the scene that follows we see The Bakshi Family, in their Indian accent, discuss marriage.The love and closeness of the sisters, Jaya, Maya and Lakhi establish their security, warmth and comfort within their home. This closeness and sacrifice is also displayed in the prescribed text where Rosalind and Celia make sacrifices for each other. Interaction with a place is presented where Lalita, the heroine, has to build an affinity not only with Amritsar in India but also with Will Darcy’s wealthy American family hotel in America. Her education al competence helps her easily integrate with the American way of life.In like manner even though Darcy felt out of place on his first visit to Amritsar in India, his love for Lalita made him adjust with the Indian culture and also with the Indian locale. The contrast of Darcy’s occidental attire in the early scenes is different in the concluding part of the film. The oriental drum beat played by Darcy himself and his Indian outfit piloted, by an elephant, shows how in belonging sacrifices need to be made. These sacrifices create a bond between the members who yearn for a common goal. In the case of Bride and Prejudice the love between Will Darcy and LalitaBakshi cement a relationship between the Bakshi family and the Darcy family; so also in As You Like It the love between Celia and Oliver and Rosalind and Orlando foster a sense of belonging between the members of the ducal court and the members in The Forest of Arden. Thus establishing the fact that interaction between people and places heavily impacts on the sense of belonging. On analysing both texts we see, William Shakespeare and Gurinder Chadha uncover how a sense of belonging or isolation is created by the people we interact with, the environment in which we are and the love , understanding and concern we express for each other.

Fighting for Our Rights

I have been witness to many movements and many campaigns that involve rights of those concerned. Human rights, animal rights, women’s rights, child rights, minority rights, prisoner’s rights, right to freedom, right to education, right to potable water, right to fight, right to eat, right to sleep, rights of the aged, rights of the marginalised, rights of refugees and war victims, rights of these and rights of those, rights of the left and rights of the right, etc,etc. The list is endless. It is not my intention to mock those who are suffering and those whose rights have beendeprived but I at times wonderwhy the activists and concerned souls who are serving the deprived don’t want to delve into their own duties and the duties & responsibilities of those whoserights they seem to support, uphold and protect. For after all, rights and duties are the two sides of the same coin, just as remembering and forgetting are The problem has assumed such epic proportions in the West that parents are even scared to punish their own children for fear of invoking the wrath of the child rights activists who seem to forget that in the long run a certain amount of discipline is good forthe children whose rights they appear to support and vouch for. I therefore presume they have never heard of the saying â€Å"spare the rod and spoil the child†. The lack of discipline, respect and values may all be attributed to this forgetfulness of duties. I am completely in favour of animal rights and protecting the natural environment of animals but let me tell you about a champion of the environment and animal rights whom I had the misfortune of meeting during my sojourn in Chennai. The person in question is an illustrious personality with undisputable credentials but if you were ever to walk into the office of the aforementioned you will find that the way the staff there are treated is worse than the way animal haters would treat an animal. This person has completely forgotten that it is not only ourduty to protect animals but it isalso our duty not to treat humans like animals. Not only do we have to take care of theenvironment at large but we should also realize that we should provide an ideal environment for our subordinates to work, grow and flourish. I’m not talking merely of the physical environment but also of the environment wherein the individual employee is treated humanely so that he or she realizes that it is their duty to work harder and serve better. I am also a firm believer in the right of children to good and quality education but I do believe that it is also the duty of these children who are provided this quality educationto treat their teachers, parents and the general publicwith respect and love. I believe in the rights of the aged but I cannot simply acceptor forgive those aged who during their better and younger days failed to fulfill their duties as a parent and therefore do not obtain the love or respect of their children who then disown them and abandon them to their ownends. I believe in the rights of war victims and refugees but I alsobelieve that it is the duty of such victims and refugees to ensure that they respect their aggressors and also respect the laws of the host country that provided refuge rather than turning into a fifth column within the host country. I believe in the right of all to uninterrupted supply of potable water but I also believe that it is the duty of allto ensure that they do not pollute the water source and damage the water table. I believe in the rights of minorities but I also believe that it is the duty of the said minorities to treat their majority brethren with love and respect. I believe in my right to believe in a lot of things but also believe that it is my duty to fulfill a lot of responsibilities. Therefore my dear friends may I beseech each and everyone of you who may chance upon this post to obtain and enjoy your rights with a senseof duty and responsibility for as I mentioned earlier rights and duties are two sides of the same coin. If only each one of us were to enjoy our rights with a sense of responsibility and duty, the world would certainly be a better place to live in.

Absolute rulers essays

Absolute rulers essays Many empires and nations throughout global history have been under the rule of absolute monarchs who follow the policies of absolutism. Absolutism is a political system in which a ruler has complete power. Many ancient nations, such as Spain, Russia and France, followed the policy of absolutism. Absolute rulers usually show strong armies, high taxes, and the belief in divine right. One of histories most prominent absolute rulers was Peter the Great of Russia. Several rulers of empires and nations have followed the policy or absolute rule. Many of the absolutists believed that they had gotten their right to rule straight from God, also know as the Divine Right. Because of this, the monarchs had complete control over the government. He or she could pass any laws they believed would benefit the nation without consulting any person. The monarch not only had complete rule over the government, but he or she also had utter control over the people and their lives in his or her empire. In fact, if people rebelled against the leader it was virtually inevitable that they would be jailed, tortured, or killed. Peter the Great of Russia is one of the most famous absolute monarchs. He is characterized as a very cruel man; however, he successfully reformed Russia. His goal was to westernize and modernize all of Russia, including the government, society and culture. He imported western technology to help him achieve this goal. Peter improved education by setting up academics and simplified the Russian alphabet. Serfdom spread around Russia; the serfs worked the land that the nobles were given, ensuring that the nobles could serve the state. Serfs were also forced to work on government projects, which improved the waterways, canals and roads. Peter brought all Russian institutions into his control, including the Russian Orthodox Church. He also wanted to end the seclusion of higher class women in their separate quarters. Peter wanted men and wom...

Changing masculinities in Hollywood styled romantic comedies Essay

Changing masculinities in Hollywood styled romantic comedies - Essay Example Where males in older romantic comedies were portrayed as cool emotionally and in control of their environment, males in current and modern romantic comedies are more often highly flawed and emotionally vulnerable. The changing image of the male figure in romantic comedies has developed a less competent male figure that is at the mercy of the storyline, where in older films the male figure was far more commanding and in control of the events. Romantic comedies have been in film for as long as stories for film have been written. Grindon (2011, p. 12) calls the romantic comedy the â€Å"most enduring and flexible† of the film genres, its inclusion in the film releases of each year standard and expected. Grindon (2011, p. 3) describes the romantic comedy as â€Å"striv(ing) to excite sexual desire and mimic its pleasure mediated through the devices of cinematic storytelling and experienced as laughter†. ... The male image has undergone a great deal of change in contrast to the female image, his position in building the relationship very different than one might have seen in the 1950s or 1960s. The following paper will explore the nature of the romantic comedy while developing a profile of both the stereotyped female and male, with a close look at the changes seen in the masculine identity throughout the history of film. The theory on the differentiation of the male and female identity is explored, as well as the ideas of the nature of male integrity in contrast with the duplicitous nature of the female. The relatively stagnant nature of the female lead stereotype in a romantic comedy is put into contrast with the evolution of the male identity in the romantic comedy genre. While there are few absolutes in any film genre as the idea is to try to create something unique, repetition of stereotypes keeps familiarity for the audiences, while commenting on the relationships of the genders. In this relatively unique instance, the nature of the stereotypes for the male figure in a genre has gone through radical changes, leaving the male identity in these films as something very different than it was when the industry of film began. Background The Hierarchy of Knowledge One of the elements of the romantic comedy structure is that of the hierarchy of knowledge. A standard in romantic comedies is that either the male or the female has the privilege of the hierarchy of knowledge, knowing more about what is transpiring than the other. Typically it is the female in the film who has the advantage of knowledge. The male can be seen as the victim of circumstances that he has less control over. McDonald (2007, p. 22) uses the film Sunday in New York

A worn path Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A worn path - Essay Example sion, one incident shows the roundness of her character as she picks up the nickel that slides from the Hunter’s pocket, â€Å"God watching me the whole time. I come to stealing† (Welty, 3) This god fearing nature is also typical of her age and racial background who had none but God to trust their fate upon and hence needs to fear them at times. The sole aim of her life is to save her grandson and for that reason she even opts for stealing but her realization that of the commission of her guilt is unmistakable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Other characters of the story are also of round type. The hunter, for instance, initially appears to be harsh but when he sees that the old woman does not fear death, softens his tone and admires her courage. The nurse and the attendant though both of them spoke initially with the old woman in a harsh note but finally sympathize with her. These ups and downs are signs of a normal human nature. As these traits have reflected from the approach of all these characters, thus, neither of those can be classified as flat characters. The main aim of literature is to reflect different dimension of life and due to the roundness of characters, the story has become a real depiction of life. The treatment of a poor, racially inferior old woman normally initializes with a poor welcome. The disadvantage of old age, economic backwardness and also racial inferiority has been reflected here. However the author does not forget to bring out the courage, typical of a black woman through the other characters’ behavior after knowing her. All the characters she meets later become kind towards her. However the woman indulges in the act o stealth but earns the readers sympathy when they know her cause.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Though is determined to save the life of her grandson yet she remembers her self-dignity. Thus, during the time of picking up the nickel she feels the bite of her conscience. Later on, at the doctor’s chamber in the town, when the attendant offers her to