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. :)

Of Travelling and Relationships

According to experts, you undergo 5 phases of Culture Shock Adjustment as you travel to another country

Stage 1 - Excitement
You get fascinated that you are in a different country. You appreciate everything there is to offer and while you may see a few glitches here and there, you let go of them

Stage 2 - Crisis Period
You begin to realize that the country you are in isn't all that. The glitches now become obstructions.You get irritated more than ever.

Stage 3 - Adjustment
This is the part where you now accept the negative aspects of the country you are in and adjust accordingly.

Stage 4 - Adaptation
The country you are in now feels like home.

 Stage 5 - Re-entry Stage
You go back to your home country and this could result into a positive or negative feeling. For others, they do not go back.


I believe that you undergo the same phases when you enter into a relationship


Stage 1 - Excitement
"She plays football, oh wow!" As if you love football! But it does not matter, you just appreciate and appreciate. If you get lucky, you enter into a relationship with her.

Stage 2 - Crisis
"How could you not like dogs?" Opinionated now becomes know-it-all, funny now becomes non-serious, and pushy now becomes nagger. Oh, such a tough stage!

Stage 3 - Adjustment
"Fine, let's compromise." This is the part where you now accept the other for who she is and give up a part of yourself. Wow, "give up". Such strong words but true.

Stage 4 - Adaptation
"I love you." Need I say more?

Stage 5 - Re-entry
"Will you marry me?" or "We need to talk..."


I don't want to sound like an expert. After all, I've only been in one serious relationship and a few, well I don't even know what you call it. But I do know about back-packing as I have visited a few countries now.

Back-packers are the best because they do not spend much money when they visit a country. They keep a tight budget by staying in hostels, taking public transpo, and handing out miniscule or zero tips. They dont stay long in one country so they only get the excitement phase. They only take the positives and leave.

A major caveat though is this can be very tiring. Travelling from one country to another and being always on the go wears out your body. Thus, back-packing is only for the strong, smart, and young.

After a tiring travel, you still search for one stable country to always come home to. Only, in relationships, a stable partner may not allow you to back-pack.

Back-packers' BFF