Globalisation, Social Policy and Social Provision

Maam and Regional Colonialism

Maam and Regional Colonialism Maam and Regional Colonialism Maam and Regional Colonialism By Maeve Maddox Where I come from, children are taught that responding to grownups with a mere yes or no is impolite. Yeah is unforgivably rude. As a child I was taught to say yes, sir, no, maam and when I grew up, I continued to say it. When I lived in England, women whom Id addressed as maam would sometimes smile and tell me that over there maam was reserved for the queen. A recent segment on National Public Radio (Sept. 8, 2010) has alerted me to the fact that in some regions of the U.S., women perceive maamas a put-down. NY Times reporter Natalie Angier apparently wants the honorific wiped out of American speech altogether. This attack on the use of maam is an example of what I call regional colonialism. In every country, the people who live in the major population centers ridicule the speech and manners of those who live in other parts of the same country. Parisians laugh at French southern accents just as much as New Yorkers make fun of southern American speakers. Now that everyone in the country consumes the same news and entertainment media, the continued existence of regional vocabulary and pronunciation is at the mercy of the speakers and writers who control the media. An example of the media driving out previous southern terminology is that of the word soda to meansoft drink. When I was young, a soda was an ice cream treat. The first time I heard the word soda used to mean cold drink from the vending machine was in the mouth of a character on Law Order. Now all grocery stores, North and South, have soda aisles where one finds Coke, Dr. Pepper, RC, and other carbonated beverages. (I did notice a fairly recent sign in a local supermarket that listed soft drinks on the same sign as sodas.) Angier wrote an article, The Politics of Polite, in which she lambastes the use of maam. She acknowledges that maam usage varies by region. She even quotes a Georgetown professor: Southerners and Midwesterners will maam with greater frequency than do the residents on the East and West Coasts but having made this obligatory nod to regional usage, she goes full steam ahead to argue that nobody should maam anybody. In theory, ma’am is a courtesy term, meant to convey respect and graciousness lightly salted with deference. Yet much evidence suggests that when it comes to fomenting a sense of good will ma’am fails even more spectacularly than â€Å"Have a nice day.† The evidence Angier presents consists of the results of a completely unscientific poll of her own, and the following examples from the media: Barbara Boxer to Brigadier General Michael Walsh of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who addressed her as maam. She told the general that she preferred to be called senator: â€Å"I worked so hard to get that title, so I’d appreciate it, Helen Mirren, playing Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison on the crime series Prime Suspect: â€Å"Listen, I like to be called governor or the boss. I don’t like ma’am. I’m not the bloody queen, so take your pick.† Kate Mulgrew as Capt. Kathryn Janeway to a young male ensign: â€Å"ma’am is acceptable in a crunch, but I prefer captain.† In each of these examples, the context is a that of a woman asserting her right to a title previously reserved for men. If I were in a gathering in which all the male academics were being called Dr. and someone addressed me as Ms., Id be annoyed too. Angiers fourth example from the media of a character who rejects the use of maam is from a television series called Nurse Jackie: when a policeman struggling to help subdue a disturbed patient [makes] the mistake of referring to Edie Falco’s eponymous character as â€Å"ma’am,† Nurse Jackie [shoots] back, â€Å"So help me God, do not call me ma’am - uncuff him!† According to reviews, Nurse Jackie is an irascible drug-addicted curmudgeon who uses language as a cudgel. I wouldnt read too much into her objection to maam. I have no illusions as to what the outcome of the assault on maam will be if the East Coast and West Coast media take it up as a cause. A pleasant and civilized idiom native to my region will give way to a more abrupt manner of address that is preferred by those who control the national media. Meanwhile, Ill just continue to say Yes maam to my four-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter so that shell acquire the habit. She can deal with regional colonialism when the time comes. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Coordinating vs. Subordinating Conjunctions50 Diminutive Suffixes (and a Cute Little Prefix)Confusion of Subjective and Objective Pronouns

Dynamics of Leadership - Leadership Interview Essay

Dynamics of Leadership - Leadership Interview - Essay Example The reason for interviewing a company manager is to get the strategies and approaches that one uses in implementing leadership. In this way one can determine if the style and theories adopted by the leader may be conversant for the environments or irrelevant. The interview covers the main influential aspects that relate to the company that has influence in the general management. The roles of a manager are to oversee and supervise the activities of the company and its employees. It is the mandate of the manager in charge of small businesses to keep workers aligned with the company goals. In business, the managers have to report to top strategic management, crisis management responsibilities, business employee responsibilities and financial management supervision. A complete interview questions are used to determine the leadership skills and potentials of the candidate. They help in seeking to identify the leadership styles practiced by the candidate from his own perspective and the perspective of his direct peers and reporting staff. It helps in determining if the candidate’s style is congruent in the organizational culture. It is essential to create a leadership profile beforehand that can be used to identify the skills and traits of leaders who are successful within the organization. The best demonstration of leadership style is found on stories, self-serving commentary interviews and self-examination. It is therefore prudent to get as many stories as possible from the candidate so that it can help you analyze the leadership styles applied by the candidate. The positive suggestion and intentions of the candidate towards the company also implies the ability to develop the company and create good strategies. Tell me about yourself. This is not a question but a request. The response should be purposeful and focused. â€Å"Born in Canton in the year1964 on March, lived in Ohio and attended Lincoln High School.

Moral Dilemmas and Guilt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Moral Dilemmas and Guilt - Essay Example Truth-telling or Honesty – As by hiring the candidate of your choice my honesty would be impaired, and e) Individual Freedom – Further my objectivity and self-determinacy would also be affected by this situation. Further, this situation also has the potential to affect my moral behaviour and this also constitutes ethical dilemma. Consultations with the ethics committee comprising of the HR personnel and supervisors, presented the following basic options: a) it would be violation of the general ethical principles as well as the Organization’s ‘Code of Business Conduct and Ethics’ to some extent as are discussed above, however, as all the candidates are of equal footings as yet and are equally compatible and capable as their results of the tests and the experience proves, we can also consider hiring Mr McDonough. But for that effective interviews need to be conducted as these may result in certain other observations about the candidates too. I have also considered the ethical Theory that is suitable for the situation that we are facing now. The applicable theory is ‘Consequentialism’, which presents that the right action is one which produces the best consequences. Considering the information that I have gathered and the priorities I have set, each option was evaluated and the potential consequences for all the parties involved were assessed. Following implications were observed: i) Carry on the interview proceedings of all the candidates, keeping in mind your request and considering Mr McDonough above others: Gives a chance as to find out the capabilities of others too, and satisfies all the three parties, the potential candidates, you and me. It will not cause the doubts in the minds of the candidates as they will all be satisfied that they are being evaluated on their capabilities, appointment of Mr McDonough will be as per your request, therefore, that will also satisfy your request and as all the regular proceedings will be carried and consideration can be paid to other candidates too if some extraordinary ability is discovered, this makes the HR personnel satisfied with their work.  

Aalto university Essay Example for Free

Aalto university Essay Student reports serve as an important source of information for potential outgoing exchange students in regards to the various exchange programs available to GSOM students. An individual’s study abroad experience is as unique as the exchange programs provided by GSOM. As every report will be available for viewing at the GSOM website, these contributions will aid in the decision-making process for future outgoing exchange students. The topics below are meant as an aid only. Students are encouraged to use their imagination, while remaining as specific and detailed as possible. The use of pictures, articles from different sources or any other materials that would contribute to the report would be of great use to these reports. Please send your reports and any other supporting materials to GSOM International Office by e-mail [emailprotected] pu. ru FOR REGISTRATION: Skvorcova Ekaterina Your host university: Aalto University School of Business Your study program at GSOM: Master in Corporate Finance Your level and year (for ex. : bachelor, 3rd yr. ): 2nd year Master The semester and year that you studied abroad: Fall 2012. See more:  First Poem for You Essay BEFORE DEPARTURE WHAT DO YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD KNOWN BEFORE LEAVING FOR YOUR HOST SCHOOL? INVITATION/VISAS Firstly I received a letter from my host university, it offered me to fill an application form with approximate choice of courses. Then I was offered to book an accommodation and only after it Aalto University sent me an invitation for visa. It was worth asking them to scan it, because by post it took 3 months. The cost of visa is 250â‚ ¬, it’s called a permission for living, it was done in 3 weeks. For this permission one needs valid  passport, 4 photos, insurance and an invitation from Aalto University. AFTER ARRIVAL INTERNATIONAL SERVICES Helsinki Assosiation of Business students is known for its reliability. They’re called ‘buddies’. They organize plenty of programs for incoming students – picking-up service, parties, travels and so one. I really liked Walrush Day, Sport Days and some parties orgabized by KYY Assosiation. INTERNATIONAL INTRO WEEK? Unfortunately my permission for living was giving to me from 8th of September, but an Orientation Day was held the day before. I heard, that Orientation program took a few days or one weekend, where all incoming students had possibility to know the University, city center and each other. CULTURE SHOCK My host University were really helpful, every professor or coordinator were eager to help with every problem. As for culture shock, it was not so severe, because our nordic cultures are similar somehow. CAMPUS FACILITIES Comparable with GSOM facilities, the building is not so pretty, but all the services are the same – Wi-Fi access, computer access, library. It was not necessary to bring your own computer. ACADEMICS COURSES Every semester consists from 2 parts – for example, fall semester, the 1st part – from 10th of September till 22th of October, the 2nd part – till 15th of December. Before the beginning of each part a student have some time to choose courses, definitely, it’s worth not wasting your time and register for them in the very first day of registration. Needles to say, one should read carefully the description of the courses and priority of students, I was rejected to registration of two courses, because one of them was only for CEMS and another for finnish students as priority audience. Finally I passed 4 courses: New Product Development, Behavioral Finance and Decision Making, Management and Strategy Making, and Spanish Business Communication. In general the workload is not heavier comparable with GSOM, but it depends on the courses and teacher’s methods. TEACHING The style of teaching is not dramatically different from GSOM one, the material is covered sometimes more deeply, speed is lower. Quality of teaching is perfect, class participation is obligatory. Style of teaching is mixed with seminars, lectures, a lot of group projects. EXAMS I’ve taken 3 common exams and 1 book exam. If you have less time, it’s better to pass a book one, moreover you have 3 chances to pass them. CORPORATE CONTACT AND INTERNSHIPS Was there a strong corporate presence at your host university? Were you able to use the host schools career services and were there any internship opportunities? LANGUAGE COURSES If your exchange period is less than half a year it’s not worth studying Finnish, because it’s quite complicated. But Aalto University offers a lot of other opportunities for you with foreign languages such as Spanish,  German, French mostly with native speakers in a very interactive mode. HOUSING FACILITIES One of the first steps in filling the documents was choosing my accommodation. Aalto is a partner with HOAS which offers different kinds of accommodation for incoming students, you can choose whatever you want. I’ve chosen a room in 5 km from University, almost in the Center (5 min by train), it costs 390â‚ ¬ per month. COSTS/EXPENSES †¢ accommodation 390â‚ ¬ per month †¢ textbooks everything you can find in a library †¢ local transportation (buses, trains) 22â‚ ¬ per month. †¢ food/groceries (is this more or less RUR than in St. Petersburg? ) 200â‚ ¬ per month †¢ entertainment – very expensive BANKING If your stay in Helsinki is less than 2 years it’s not worth to open up a bank account, because in this case it would be not free, you can easily use your Russian bank account, everywhere you can pay using it. Finnish people use cash very rarely, so it’s not worth taking a lot of cash, just for the case when something is wrong with your bank account. STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES There is a health care insurance for all students who buy a student card, I’ve never used it. It costs 50â‚ ¬. SOCIAL EVENTS I’ve noticed that mostly exchangers associate mostly with domestic students rather than with others. It’s good to join KYY Association, they offer a lot of entertainment. SPORTS/RECREATION Unisport (gym + group trainings) is the best way to keep fit here, it’s not so expensive for students (42â‚ ¬ per 3 months) STUDY TOURS/FIELD TRIPS Excursions are not mandatory, their duration depends on the place. It’s good to know that everything is twice more expensive. WHAT TO BRING Laptop, camera, sleeping bag (for trips). GENERAL IMPRESSIONS The school is really worth visiting with all of their facilities, exchange students are crazy that’s why your stay will be unforgettable, but as for me Finland is not so friendly. REPORT CARD On a scale from 1- 5 (with 5 being best, 3 being acceptable) rate your host university on: 3 Academic value of your stay: 4 The experience in general: 4 Are you willing to give us permission to list your e-mail address at the end of this report so that students can contact you if they have questions? [emailprotected] ru.

Salvation on Sand Mountain by Dennis Covington Essay -- Religion, Spir

Dennis Covington writes about a unique method of worship—snake handling, in his memoir, Salvation on Sand Mountain. He begins as a journalist, looking in on this foreign way of life; however, as time progresses he increasing starts to feel a part of this lifestyle. As a result loses his journalistic approach, resulting in his memoir, detailing his own spiritual journey. Upon the conclusion of his stay in this world, Covington realizes the significance of this journey, and argues in his memoir that we cannot entirely know ourselves until we step outside of our comfort zone and separate ourselves from our norm. It is almost as if Covington was in a dream or some sort of trance throughout this whole experience. He begins as a journalist covering an eccentric trial. Instead of leaving this world after the conclusion of the trial, he is intrigues and uses journalism to get a closer look and this unfamiliar practice. He becomes intoxicated with this fascination causing him to forget his initial intentions as a writer, and begins to act and feel as if he is one of them. It is only until he disagrees with the way they feel about women, Covington is forced to wake up from his dream and come back to life, finally realizing he this is not where he belongs or wants to be. The author says, â€Å"I think he knew what he was doing in releasing me back to the wider world† (236). Covington says, â€Å"It was as though nothing has happened, but of course everything had. I knew it could never be the same with the handlers. I had found my people. But I had also discovered that I couldn’t be one of them, after all. Knowing where you come from is one thing, but its suicide to stay there† (236). Everybody at that moment knew that his prescribed time... ...ife, and he does not want to end up like them. He says, â€Å"It’s sad, in a way. I wish I could assure the Porter and the McGlocklins and all the others that we can be friends as long as we like, but that I won’t be taking up serpents anymore. I refuse to be a witness to suicide, particularly my own. I have two daughters to raise, and a vocation in the world† (238). He finally acknowledges his place in the world, is ready and happy to fulfill his calling. It is evident that the author Covington has a strong ethos, which he uses to convey his argument to his readers. His argument becomes clear only at the end of the memoir, which is intentional; readers had to see the entirety of his journey in order to fully understand his underlying message. The author successfully conveys the message of self-purpose through his own struggles and experiences written in his memoir.

Independence day essay Essay

I take it as a honour to stand before you and say a few words on Indian Independence Day. It was today on 15th August that India woke up with Freedom way back in 1947 which is one of the biggest achievement for us. Who can forget that midnight of 15th August 1947 when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Tri-coloured Indian Flag on Red Fort. Since that day we have got a great reason to celebrate this occasion every year with pride and honour. Independence Day in India is celebrated every year in each and every school with great spirits. Every school is decorated by keeping the theme Independence Day in mind. Flag Hoisting is done by our Principal who then speaks about few words on how we have to be thankful for this day and how we should follow the same path and philosophies of these great leaders. No one can ever forget how much it took to get independence for India, how much we lost and how much blood we shed? We definitely had lot to lose and we can never forget how much valuable gift Independence Day is for us from our ancestors who fought for the freedom and also from those almighty freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Chandrashekhar Azad, Rani Laxmibai, Lokmanya Tilak whose sacrifice can never be forgotten. When we watch movies inspired by stories of these National and historical figures, we get idea about how it would have been difficult to achieve freedom. The British ruled upon India for more than 400 years, and it was a period of chaos and injustice. Our treasures were looted and we were pushed to poverty and agony from all side. There was no safety for people within their homes as well as in neighborhoods and people thus lived in shadow of fear for each and every moment. But a handful of courageous men made it possible to stand in front of the big army of British and ask for freedom. Who can forget how the freedom movement shaped up in presence of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi who followed the path of Ahimsa and inspired many people to walk on the same. No wonder he is been called the Father of the Nation with all respect. We look upon celebrating Independence Day every year and sing patriotic songs  to pay respect to the great national leaders without whom it wouldn’t have been possible for us to enjoy the spirit of Independence the way we do today. I salute to all the freedom fighters and national leaders who made it possible for us to enjoy and celebrate our independence. Thank You, Jai Hind! Vande Mataram