Superior Culture?

When I took the course "Business Ethics" in Ateneo Graduate School of Business, we learned that although there are differences among moral beliefs and practices, it does not mean that there is no universal good. This goes against the belief that "Since we have different beliefs, let's leave it at that. Do what you do while I do mine." In a more concrete example, it does not mean that if the Eskimo culture tolerate killing female babies and leaving the old to freeze for their survival, that it is right in their context.

We do not even have to put in religion here. In morality, this makes a lot of sense. In any culture, killing, taken in isolation, is morally wrong.

Currently, I am taking Intercultural Management and we are learning the differences of different cultures. (Achievement vs Ascription, Neutral vs Affective, Individualist vs Collectivist, Explicit vs Implicit, Soft-time vs Hard-time, etc) I have actually studied this several times before but something about the way our teacher teaches strikes me.

Of course, since we are in management, the teacher teaches us to tolerate and understand in order to adapt to different cultures. His way of teaching is that no culture is above another. Sure, that makes a lot of sense and I respect that. That is right. For example, Hard-time culture (those who stick to a time-table religiously) sometimes get frustrated to people from the Soft-time culture (those who welcome spontaneity) because in their opinion, soft-time people are inefficient. Where in fact, in some cases soft-time people can actually be more efficient, especially when they are open to adding more hours to work as opposed to sticking to a strict time-frame.

But in certain cases, I believe that certain cultural norms can actually be better than the others. For example, people with an Achievement culture (what you do over where you are from. what you know over who you know) can have more deserving people in important positions than in Ascription culture. Explicit people could have less miscommunication than implicit people and can easily solve their conflicts especially if they are also in the Neutral culture (Facts over emotions).

So in this case, what I'm trying to say is that we should examine our culture and identify which norms put us at a disadvantage. For example, we have so many undeserving politicians or corporate officers because of their lineage. Our Affective culture (emotions) can sometimes be an advantage but it could also put us at a disadvantage as we are sometimes too sensitive and do not listen to logic.

I believe the young ones are slowly adapting and changing the "Filipino culture" especially the time-orientedness. (Future-orientedness over Past-orientedness)

Hopefully, the new generation will be better. :)

Prague-ing Rights for Czeching the Republic

We went to Prague for the Feb 26 weekend as back-packers. (Technically, I only brought a mini-sling-bag, so does that make me a sling-bagger?)

It amazes me how the aura of the people in Prague differs to that of the Hungarians, despite their geographical proximity.

Hungarians are generally reserved and serious. When you buy something in a restaurant, they just want to get the transaction over with. (Of course, there are exceptions) This is not necessarily a bad thing because it makes things more efficient.

The people in Prague however are generally warm. When you order in a restaurant, they try to initiate a conversation with you. I don't think it's because the Czechs are better English-speakers; because there were those that didn't speak English well that still tried to talk to us.

I don't know if it's because of the difference in history, income, tourists-exposure, or culture. All I know is there is a difference.

The main point is that there is a variety of cultures out there. Not all Central Europeans act the same way. Just because they are generally Caucasians who live in Central Europe, doesn't mean they act the same way.

Even Hungarians have different sub-cultures. Not all of them dread the past, as what they are stereotyped to be.

In conclusion, I'm Prague-ing that I've been to Prague. :))

Special shout out to Kristian of Hostel Downtown for having the energy to entertain us.

 This does not do justice to how beautiful this place was

Parang Ilog Pasig lang... 200 years ago.