During our initial getting acquainted conversation, Brian, our student mentioned that his grandfather had bought a mountain in Burma. In our casual conversation, I asked “Do you have siblings?” It came up shortly after that his grandpa bought a [...]]]> What did we learn from our Burmese exchange student from Singapore at our first dinner together?

During our initial getting acquainted conversation, Brian, our student mentioned that his grandfather had bought a mountain in Burma. In our casual conversation, I asked “Do you have siblings?” It came up shortly after that his grandpa bought a mountain. What have you bought lately? Wow, what else can you buy there? Is that like buying a star on the QVC shopping station? Apparently, they purchased a mountain and are mining it for minerals. I asked him if he can inquire further to fill in the informational gaps.

Of course, computers came up in conversation. He referred to his laptop as a “com”. He said folks from Singapore also use this nickname for their laptops. Many of his Singaporean friends are on Facebook.

His parents live in China, close to the border of Myanmar. What do you think his family imports? Mono sodium glutamate. Giggles. We explained that many US restaurants advertise that they don’t use MSG. My mother mentioned that as a child, she ate it straight from the shaker. Dad said it was delicious on hamburgers. Growing up, I thought it was a magic flavor enhancer. Nowadays it makes me feel a bit nauseous noxious.

In Singapore, the drinking age is 18 and the driving age is 21. Many of our Asian exchange students want to get their driving license here in America because it is so much cheaper than in their home country. In Japan it is over a thousand dollars plus proof many hours of practice driving.

When I drove him to school on his first day, he remarked that the sky was blue. This is not the first time I have heard this. At buildings in Singapore, he says there is always a gray backdrop. Our students from Egypt, Macau and China were also surprised to see a blue sky instead of a smog sky.

See a different post about Chinese Culture.

Burma changed to Myanmar in 1989. Did you know that it was a such a large country? For a country we don’t hear about too much, I would have thought it was smaller. I will be seeking more info about Myanmar and Sinagapore.

Why should you care about the cultural differences? Your audiences and employees are from these cultures and would appreciate if you took the time to understand their background.

Jolene Jang, The Meeting Maximizer

President, NSA Northwest, National Speakers Association

The best way to bring yourself good luck is to prepare. This video is information about Chinese New Year. Spread the word. To see how my Vietnamese American inlaws celebrate click here.

Chinese, typically after dinner watch a show with the family, like this. By [...]]]> Year of the Rabbit. In China it is year 4709.

The best way to bring yourself good luck is to prepare. This video is information about Chinese New Year. Spread the word. To see how my Vietnamese American inlaws celebrate click here.

Chinese, typically after dinner watch a show with the family, like this. By the way, these aren’t special effects. It’s incredible. I also understand these performers are def. This is 1000 hands performance.

This one is more of a magic show.

Characteristics:
The Tiger is the proverbial King [...]]]> Happy Lunar New Year!

It is the year of the metal tiger starting on February 14, 2010. In China it is year 4708.  Having a tiger in the house is great protection against fire, theft and evil spirits.

Were you born in the year of the tiger?

Characteristics:
The Tiger is the proverbial King of the Jungle and is admired for its vivid stripes symbolizing the balanced forces of `yin’ and `yang’. People Born in the Year of the Tiger are very lucky and very courageous. Tiger people are dynamic, attractive, lively, social, enthusiastic, intelligent, alert and optimistic. The tiger is  competitive with a wonderful fighting spirit. Tigers are natural leaders with great strategic skills, but they can also be stubborn and impatient.

Best Careers for Tigers:
Artist, Acting, Comedian, Musician, Race Car Driver, Aviation, Writer, Politician, Managers, Marketing and Sales

Best business partners
Earth dog, metal pig, water tiger, wood horse and fire dragons.

Compatible Friends:
Horses, Dogs

Most incompatible people:
Monkeys

Lovers:
Best with: horse, dog
Conflict with: Ox and Monkey

Chinese Zodiac Signs

Are people serious about their zodiac signs?

Yes, they can be. Here is an article about how a couple went from Seattle to a tiny village in Vietnam to get their fortunes read.

This article is about the same couple (…okay it’s me) who got married on a weekday morning to ensure good luck for their future.

How do you accommodate the bride, groom and mother in law… cultural weddings – click here.

Jolene Jang, The Meeting Maximizer

President, NSA Northwest, National Speakers Association

]]> http://www.themeetingmaximizer.com/chinese-new-year/feed 1 http://www.themeetingmaximizer.com/%e2%80%9cwow-i-can-see-the-stars-i-can%e2%80%99t-see-them-in-macau%e2%80%9d http://www.themeetingmaximizer.com/%e2%80%9cwow-i-can-see-the-stars-i-can%e2%80%99t-see-them-in-macau%e2%80%9d#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:25:08 +0000 admin http://www.themeetingmaximizer.com/?p=433 “I have never seen the sky so blue,” my exchange students from Macau and China discussed in awe as they stared at the sky streaked with clouds in the twilight hours.  When we returned home I took them on the porch to sit close to nature.

I asked them “what’s the color of the day [...]]]> “I have never seen the sky so blue,” my exchange students from Macau and China discussed in awe as they stared at the sky streaked with clouds in the twilight hours.  When we returned home I took them on the porch to sit close to nature.

I asked them “what’s the color of the day time sky?” The answers were brown (Macao) and white (China.) When I returned from Dubai, the one of first few things I noticed was the gorgeous blue sky. In Dubai it was a bright, yet a dingy color. I don’t think I have any pictures of they Dubai sky.

Jolene Jang, The Meeting Maximizer

President, NSA Northwest, National Speakers Association