CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD - part II

Santa Claus and other bringers of gifts...

Christmas has for many centuries been a time for the giving and exchanging of gifts, particularly between friends and family members. A number of figures of both Christian
and mythical origin have been associated with Christmas and the seasonal giving of gifts. Among these are Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus,
Père Noël, and the Weihnachtsmann; Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas; the Christkind; Kris Kringle; Joulupukki; Babbo Natale; Saint Basil; and Father Frost.

The most famous and pervasive of these figures in modern celebration worldwide is Santa Claus, a mythical gift bringer, dressed in red, whose origins have diverse sources. The name Santa Claus is a corruption of the Dutch Sinterklaas, which means simply Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, in modern day Turkey, during the fourth century. Among other saintly attributes, he was noted for the care of Children, generosity, and the giving of gifts. His feast on the 6th of December came to be celebrated in many countries with the giving of gifts. Saint Nicholas traditionally appeared in bishoply attire, accompanied by helpers, and enquired about the behaviour of children during the past year before deciding whether they deserved a gift or not. By the 13th century Saint Nicholas was well known in the Netherlands, and the practice of gift-giving in his name spread to other parts of central and southern Europe. At the Reformation in 16th-17th century Europe, many Protestants changed the gift bringer to the Christ Child or Christkindl, corrupted in English to Kris Kringle, and the date of giving gifts changed from December the 6th to Christmas Eve.

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!!! Watch !!! Santa Live WEB Cam - http://www.santaclauslive.com/

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The modern popular image of Santa Claus, however, was created in the United States,
and in particular in New York. The transformation was accomplished with the aid of six notable contributors including Washington Irving and the German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840–1902). Following the American Revolutionary War, some of the inhabitants of New York City sought out symbols of the city's non-English past. New York had originally been established as the Dutch colonial town of New Amsterdam and the Dutch Sinterklaas tradition was reinvented as Saint Nicholas. In 1809, the New-York Historical Society convened and retroactively named Sancte Claus the patron saint of New Amsterdam, the Dutch name for New York City. At his first American appearance in 1810, Santa Claus was drawn in bishops' robes. However as new artists took over, Santa Claus developed more secular attire. Nast drew a new image of "Santa Claus" annually, beginning in 1863. By the 1880s, Nast's Santa had evolved into the robed, fur clad, form we now recognize, perhaps based on the English figure of Father Christmas. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920s.

Father Christmas, a jolly, well nourished, bearded man who typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, predates the Santa Claus character. He is first recorded in early 17th century England, but was associated with holiday merrymaking and drunkenness rather than the bringing of gifts. In Victorian Britain, his image was remade to match that of Santa. The French Père Noël evolved along similar lines, eventually adopting the Santa image. In Italy, Babbo Natale acts as Santa Claus, while La Befana is the bringer of gifts and arrives on the eve of the Epiphany. It is said that La Befana set out to bring the baby Jesus gifts, but got lost along the way. Now, she brings gifts to all children. In some cultures Santa Claus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, or Black Peter. In other versions, elves make the toys. His wife is referred to as Mrs. Claus.

There has been some opposition to the narrative of the American evolution of Saint Nicholas into the modern Santa. It has been claimed that the Saint Nicholas Society was not founded until 1835, almost half a century after the end of the American War of Independence. Moreover, a study of the "children's books, periodicals and journals" of New Amsterdam by Charles Jones revealed no references to Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas. However, not all scholars agree with Jones's findings, which he reiterated in a booklength study in 1978; Howard G. Hageman, of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, maintains that the tradition of celebrating Sinterklaas in New York was alive and well from the early settlement of the Hudson Valley on.
Current tradition in several Latin American countries (such as Venezuela and Colombia) holds that while Santa makes the toys, he then gives them to the Baby Jesus, who is the one who actually delivers them to the children's homes, a reconciliation between traditional religious beliefs and the iconography of Santa Claus imported from the United States.
In Alto Adige/Südtirol (Italy), Austria, Czech Republic, Southern Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Slovakia and Switzerland, the Christkind (Ježíšek in Czech, Jézuska in Hungarian and Ježiško in Slovak) brings the presents. The German St. Nikolaus is not identical with the Weihnachtsman (who is the German version of Santa Claus). St. Nikolaus wears a bishop's dress and still brings small gifts (usually candies, nuts and fruits) on December 6 and is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht. Although many parents around the world routinely teach their children about Santa Claus and other gift bringers, some have come to reject this practice, considering it deceptive.

Christmas - rather Jesus or Santa Claus day.

Spending this time with family or running throught shopping to buy a bucket load of presents? Christmas is everywhere, from the tedious adverts, repulsively tacky Christmas decorations outside houses and shopping centers, inside train stations, bus shelters, everywhere. But has the balance between the true value of Christmas and the commerciality that comes with it been tilted in recent years?

Where is the limit between Christmas commerciality and the faith?

At Google Trends we can check the newes worldwide trends also compareing things with eachothers. I would like to present a chart Jesus and Santa compare, but without any comment, thats belong to you.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------http://www.google.com/trends?q=jesus%2Csanta&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=0

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At the end a little story about Jesus and Santa... only for those who get used to SouthPark sence of humour.

You'd watch that movie on one's own responsibility. In advance I would like kindly apologize for all bed words that was included.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSQczYEeB2w

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

"... May all your Days be merry and bright and may all your Children be white..." E.Murphy

Christmas meaning (commercial or non-commercial event)

Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on December 25, but this date is not known to be Jesus' actual birthday, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, a historical Roman festival, or the date of the northern hemisphere's winter solstice. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide (is one of the seasons of the liturgical year of most Christian churches), which lasts twelve days.
Although a Christian holiday, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians, and some of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, Father Christmas (known as Santa Claus in some areas, including North America, Australia and Ireland) is a popular folklore figure in many countries, associated with the bringing of gifts for children.
Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and
a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Etymology...

The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. "Cristes" is from Greek Christos and "mæsse" is from Latin missa (the holy mass). In Greek, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ, and it, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ since the mid-16th century. Hence, Xmas is sometimes used as an abbreviation for Christmas.

Celebrations...

Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in most countries of the world, even in many whose populations are not majority Christian. In some non-Christian countries, periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration (e.g. Hong Kong); in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday. Major exceptions, where Christmas is not a formal public holiday, include People's Republic of China, (except Hong Kong and Macao), Japan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Thailand, Nepal, Iran, Turkey and North Korea.
Around the world, Christmas celebrations can vary markedly in form, reflecting differing cultural and national traditions. Countries such as Japan and Korea, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorations and Christmas trees.

...December 25, ... January 6 or maybe ...January 7 - orthodox Churches.

While most countries celebrate Christmas on December 25 each year, some Eastern Orthodox national churches, including those of Russia, Georgia, Egypt, Ukraine, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrate the Great Feast of the Nativity on January 7. This is because of their use of the traditional Julian calendar, under which December 25 falls on January 7 as measured by the standard Gregorian calendar. On the other hand Armenian Apostolic Church in Armenia and throughout the world celebrates Christmas on January 6.

Commemorating Jesus' birth...

In Christianity, Christmas is the festival celebrating the Nativity of Jesus, the Christian belief that the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament's Messianic prophecies was born to the Virgin Mary. The story of Christmas is based on the biblical accounts given in the Gospel of Matthew, namely Matthew 1:18-Matthew 2:12 and the Gospel of Luke, specifically Luke 1:26-Luke 2:40. According to these accounts, Jesus was born to Mary, assisted by her husband Joseph, in the city of Bethlehem. According to popular tradition, the birth took place in a stable, surrounded by farm animals, though neither the stable nor the animals are specifically mentioned in the Biblical accounts. However, a manger is mentioned in Luke 2:7, where it states, "She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Early iconographic representations of the nativity placed the animals and manger within a cave (located, according to tradition, under the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem). Shepherds from the fields surrounding Bethlehem were told of the birth by an angel, and were the first to see the child.
Christians celebrate Christmas in many ways. In addition to this day being one of the most important and popular for the attendance of church services, there are numerous other devotions and popular traditions. Prior to Christmas Day, the Eastern Orthodox Church practices the Nativity Fast in anticipation of the birth of Jesus, while much of Western Christianity celebrates Advent. The final preparations for Christmas are made on Christmas Eve.
Over the Christmas period, people decorate their homes and exchange gifts. In some Christian denominations, children perform plays re-telling the events of the Nativity, or sing carols that reference the event. Some Christians also display a small re-creation of the Nativity, known as a Nativity scene or crib, in their homes, using figurines to portray the key characters of the event. Live Nativity scenes and tableaux vivants are also performed, using actors and animals to portray the event with more realism.

Varied traditions...

Among countries with a strong Christian tradition, a variety of Christmas celebrations have developed that incorporates regional and local cultures. For many Christians, participating in a religious service plays an important part in the recognition of the season. Christmas, along with Easter, is the period of highest annual church attendance.
In many Catholic countries, the people hold religious processions or parades in the days preceding Christmas. In other countries, secular processions or parades featuring Santa Claus and other seasonal figures are often held. Family reunions and the exchange of gifts are a widespread feature of the season. Gift giving takes place on Christmas Day in most countries. Others practice gift giving on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day, and January 6, Epiphany (Christian feast day which celebrates the revelation of God made Man).
A special Christmas family meal is an important part of the celebration for many, and what is served varies greatly from country to country. Some regions, such as Sicily, have special meals for Christmas Eve, when 12 kinds of fish are served. In England and countries influenced by its traditions, a standard Christmas meal includes turkey (brought from North America), potatoes, vegetables, sausages and gravy, followed by Christmas pudding, mince pies and fruit cake. In Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, fish often is used for the traditional main course, but richer meat such as lamb is increasingly served. In Germany, France and Austria, goose and pork are favored. Beef, ham and chicken in various recipes are popular throughout the world. Ham is the main meal in the Philippines.
Special desserts are also prepared: The Maltese traditionally serve Imbuljuta tal-Qastan,

a chocolate and chestnuts beverage, after Midnight Mass and throughout the Christmas season. Slovaks prepare the traditional Christmas

bread potica,

bûche de Noël in France, panetone in Italy,
and elaborate tarts and cakes. The eating of sweets and chocolates has become popular worldwide, and sweeter Christmas delicacies include the German stollen, marzipan cake or candy, and Jamaican rum fruit cake.
As one of the few fruits traditionally available to northern countries in winter, oranges were long associated with special Christmas foods.

Decoration...

Te practice of putting up special decorations at Christmas has a long history. From pre-Christian times, people in the Roman Empire brought branches from evergreen plants indoors in the winter. Christian people incorporated such customs in their developing practices. In the fifteenth century, it was recorded that in London it was the custom at Christmas for every house and all the parish churches to be "decked with holm, ivy, bays, and whatsoever the season of the year afforded to be green". The heart-shaped leaves of ivy were said to symbolize the coming to earth of Jesus, while holly was seen as protection against pagans and witches, its thorns and red berries held to represent the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion and the blood he shed.
Nativity scenes are known from 10th-century Rome. They were popularized by Saint Francis of Assisi from 1223, quickly spreading across Europe. Many different types of decorations developed across the Christian world, dependent on local tradition and available resources. The first commercially produced decorations appeared in Germany in the 1860s, inspired by paper chains made by children.
The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianization of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship. The English language phrase "Christmas tree" is first recorded in 1835 and represents an importation from the German language. The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century though many argue that Martin Luther began the tradition in the 16th century. From Germany the custom was introduced to Britain, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria. By 1841 the Christmas tree had become even more widespread throughout Britain. By the 1870s, people in the United States had adopted the custom of putting up a Christmas tree. Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments.
Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage.
In Australia, North and South America, and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Municipalities often sponsor decorations as well. Christmas banners may be hung from street lights and Christmas trees placed in the town square.
In the Western world, rolls of brightly colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts. The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels.
In many countries a representation of the Nativity Scene is very popular, and people are encouraged to compete and create most original or realistic ones. Within some families, the pieces used to make the representation are considered a valuable family heirloom. Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down on Twelfth Night, the evening of January 5. The traditional colors of Christmas are pine green (evergreen), snow white, and heart red.

PART IV - Japanese Business Etiquette

Japanese Business Etiquette

As you know Japanese has strong sense of hierarchy and honor. There are many unwritten laws regarding etiquette and manners that apply to the business world. Nobody will expect a foreigner to know all these 'codes', but knowing a few of the basics will go along way to smoothing the path to success in Japan.

When meeting anyone in a business environment for the first time, it is customary to exchange "meishi" (business cards). On receiving a person's meishi, accept it with both hands and then study carefully what is written on it. Very often business cards will have Japanese on one side and English on the reverse, so you should be able to understand what is written.

example Meishi




Japanese business cards:

o In Japanese business etiquette, Japanese business cards are a 'must have'. Carry at least 100 for a 1 week business trip to Japan and expect to give out 3 - 4 Japanese business cards at a small meeting and as many as 10 - 12 at a larger meeting. Have double-sided Japanese business cards printed with the Japanese language side being custom designed using the same elements as the English side. If your original business card is not English (i.e. German, French, Spanish etc.) then use double-sided English and Japanese business cards when doing business in Japan.

o Never flick, throw, slide, lob or otherwise push your Japanese business card across the table - always present your Japanese business card holding it with both hands, Japanese-language side facing forward (having your company logo at the top of the Japanese-language side will help you orientate it correctly!), to the most senior member of the Japanese party first, bowing slightly as you do so and then on down the corporate ladder.

o Accept a Japanese business card with respect, using both hands, saying 'Thank you'
or 'Hajimemashite' as you do so.

o Never write notes on a Japanese business card - never! Carry a small note book to write down notes or enter them into your PDA.

o Never fidget or play with a Japanese business card.

o Keep your Japanese business cards in a proper carrying case and treat them with respect


Visiting the office

When visiting the office of a business associate, you will probably be shown into a meeting room and asked to wait. Most meeting rooms consists of four or more chairs set around a table. As the honored guest it is important that you take the seat furthest from the door and you should stand up and shakes hands when someone comes in the room. When receiving guests you would reverse the process, with you sitting on the side closest to the door, with the senior member of your party furthest from the door on your side.

Within your own office life can be somewhat more relaxed although a certain amount of ceremony, involving lots of bowing and scurrying around, will be observed when senior managers are present. Generally though a nod of recognition is fine for those you work with, perhaps together with a comment on the weather or a similar subject. On arriving at your office in the morning a loudly spoken "ohaiyo gozaimasu" or "Good morning" should suffice with an equally loud "osaki ni shitsure shimasu" (literally "excuse my rudeness for leaving before you") when you leave at the end of the day. This will in turn be usually answered by a chorus of "gokurosama" or "o-tsukaresama", by those remaining behind.

Confrontation is frowned upon and avoided in Japanese society and this applies to the business world too. It is impossible to get a straight answer from a Japanese counterparty in a business environment and that every request is met with an uncommitted remark. In this situation, it is important not to get pushy but just go with the flow. Even though a definite no or yes is not forthcoming, you more than likely are making progress and you will eventually get to a situation where everyone agrees, although it may not be at that particular time. Try to get a confirmed date when you can expect to receive an answer and make it clear what you are hoping to achieve, while still respecting the integrity of the other party.

The final point to be aware of is the perennial worry that both Japanese and foreigners have when they meet - should one bow or shake hands. It is not uncommon for a Japanese company to require all it's new employees to go through a rigorous training to ensure that they know to what angle they should to, to whom and in what situation. No one will expect you to understand to that level. A simple extended nod of the head followed by a short handshake is probably the easiest compromise, but as long as you show the counterparty respect and politeness, all will be content.

Did you notice such rules between Polish businessmen?
Don't you think some of these Japanese rules and described habits are weird a bit?
Do you know other interesting Japanese rules?

PART III: Japanese manners and etiquette

Japanese attach much importance to proper behavior and etiquette, which have developed in order to allow relationships to be as smooth and free of tension as possible. Tradition, form and protocol are highly valued.

Greetings

Japanese customarily bow to each other rather than shake hands upon meeting. However, most Japanese accustomed to dealing with foreigners expect to shake hands with them and are rarely embarrassed when a foreigner offers his hand. A frequently used compromise is a handshake a accompanied by slight bow. Japanese do not mind being touched in impersonal situations like subway car, but they seldom prefer anything more than handshake in a personal situation.

Communication

Most Japanese are addressed by their last name. The title san is attached to all names, male and female. It is sexless combination of Mr., Mrs. and Ms. Another title you may often hear used is sensei used for teachers, elders, artists, politicians or others in respected positions.

Japanese are generally very soft spoken; using a quiet tone while speaking will be appreciated. Japanese are at ease with long pauses in conversation, and tend to stand rather far apart during conversation. When japanese try to make a point, they usually start around the edged and lead into the main point carefully.

Name Cards

Proper handling of name cards, or meishi is important in Japan. When offered a name card in a meeting, accept it with both hands, examine it for a few seconds, then place it on the table or desk. the name card should be kept out for the entire meeting, for it is considered to ignore name cards.


Tips

Tips are rarely expected in Japan. You should not tip in taxis, restaurants or hotels; in fact Japanese frequently refuse to accept tips even when offered. Hotel and restaurant bills generally include a 10 - 15 percent service charge.

Shoes

You may wear your street shoes into all Western-style restaurants and office buildings. However, at traditional Japanese restaurants, private homes, and many temples and other tourist sites, you will be expected to remove your shoes before stepping inside.

Dining

The place of honor in a traditional Japanese dinner party is directly in front of the tokonoma, an elevated alcove which usually contains a scroll hanging on the wall and an ornament or flower arrangement on the floor. At the beginning of the dinner, the host will raise his cup in a toast (kampai) to all present.

(tokonoma)

Useful Phrases

Japanese is spoken almost without stress or emphasis on syllables or words.

• Good Morning Ohayo gozaimasu
• Good Day Konnichi-wa
• Good Evening Konban-wa
• Goodbye Sayonara
• Good night (before sleeping) Oyasuminasai
• Thank you Domo arigato gozaimasu
• I'm sorry Sumimasen

Useful Advices:

• NOT BE LATE for appointments.
• Do not chew gum when working or in other formal situations.
• When Japanese start work at 9 AM, they START WORK at 9 AM.
• Avoid lots of jewelry or very colorful clothes when going to work.
• It's polite to put "-san" after anothers name, or "-chan" after a young girls name, or "-kun" after a boy's name, but NEVER use these after your own.
• For taxis the driver will open/close the rear left hand door for you.
• It's polite to belittle the value of your gift or food when you offer it, even if it's blatantly untrue.
• After coming back from a vacation it is normal to bring a small gift for all those you work with, even if you don't really like them a lot. Nothing expensive is required,however.
• It's polite to bring some food(gift - wrapped in more formal situations) or drinks when you visit someone.
• Gift giving is very important in Japan, but extravagant gifts require an equally or slightly higher extravagant gift in return. Avoid giving pricey gifts.
• Giving cash is normal for ceremonies like weddings and funerals; but give in special envelopes with a printed or real tie around it (available in stationary and convenience stores). Use new and not old bills.
• It's polite to initially refuse someone's offer of help. Japanese may also initially refuse your offer even if they really want it. Traditionally an offer is made 3 times. It may be better to state you'll carry their bag, call a taxi, etc., instead of pushing them to be polite and refuse.

Japanese table manners example:






What do you think about refuse help by Japanese ?
Did Polish and Japanese habits different so much?
What is your opinion?
Give example of Japanese habits if you know them and explain.

Japan is an exmple of a country in which...

"Japan is an example of a country in which the code of social conduct became so formal... and important,that proper behavior became the paramount law of the land."

Etiquette Guide to Japan, Boye Lafayette De Mente

If you are doing business with Japan and do not undersand proper etiquette and protocol, you may be jeopardizing your changes of success. Cross - cultural training is essential - do not leave the office without preparing!

Most communication is non-verbal. Be sensitive to the messages you are sending out through your body language.

Sitting & Standing

When speaking with someone, do not leave hands in pokets.
Do not stand with legs crossed over the other.
Do not lean against a wall or door.
Do not sit with the ankle over the knee. May sit with legs crossed at the ankles or knees.
Do not stick legs out in front on one either on tatami or in the chair.
Do not sit in a way that shows the soles of your shoes.
Sit on the edge of a chair or sofa to show respect. Leaning back shows familiarity.
When sitting on tatami,first start out sitting on your legs and then shift into a less formal position.Woman may tuck their legs to one side, but not sit cross - legged(acceptable for man).

Distance & Touching

The Japanese like more space between themselves than others.
Bowing too close to each other could be dangerous!
Touching is also taboo in Japan. The american pat on the back or arm around the shoulder is to be avoided.
Rarely is kissing accepted as greeting. Some Japanese with extensive European experience will be familiar with this form of greeting.
Bowing is common greeting in Japan, however, the handshake is becoming more popular, particularlu among those who work with international guests and clients and among young people.

Emotions & Communication

When is smile not a smile? The Japanese smile to communicate various emotions: anger, embarrasment, sadness and disappointment. Interpretation depends on context.
Eye contact is thought of as rude in Japan. They will often look down at their shoes or off in the air. Take care to not stare.
Silence in Japan is golden and is often used as a negotiating starategy.
Do not be tempted to jump in a fill the silence.


A visitor to culturalsavvy.com asked...


"What is the custom in Japan for going up and down stairs when arrivng at and leaving business meetings?"




A visitor send following response:
"Whether in business meetings or home visits, it is generally considered to good manners for the host to see the visitors off -- to the door, to the elevator, all the way to the building entrance until they board their transport, depends on the relationship between the two.
Obviously a very senior person doesn't escort a very junior one very far.

One thing I can say is that the Japanese see the visitors leave and watch them until they are out of sight(at least eye contact) before turning their heel and return to their office or living room. Many a Japanese visitor visiting the U.S., those I used to escort and interpret for, were a bit dismayed when the host people didn't wait for their limousine or bus to start moving before they turned their back to the visitors. We don't do that. On the other hand, Americans don't seem to expect that sort of send - off parties, so you don't miss anything."

A Japanese proverb says...

If you are fortunate to have the enjoyable experience of eating something new,your life will be lengthened by seventy-five years.

Japanse Food is an Art

The entire meal is a "symphony of carefully orchestrated flavour, color, texture and seasonal appropriatenes." Japanese food is considered an art and one should view the art and appreciate it before beginning to eat. Be sure to acknowledge the beauty of the presentation.

The Japanese have refined the art of making guests feel honored. They are known for wining and dining and pampering guests making it a challenge to reciprocate appropriately and adequately.

1.The oshibori is a warm or cold wet towel to cleanse your hands. Men will sometimes wipe their faces with it.

2.Japanese restaurants do not have napkins. Women often place a handkerchief in their lap. Always carry a handkerchief.

3.More formal meals are served on lacquer trays. Placement of dishes is significant - don't move them around on the try.

4.Most good restaurants place chopsticks on a rest - hashioki.
5.The rice bowl is to the left, the soup is to the right. Always pick up these bowls when eating.

A popular expresion says...

"Chinese food is for the stomach, Japanese for the eyes"

6.If there is a lid, remove it and place it upside down on the tray. Lids on soup can be hard to remove. Gently squeeze the bowl and remove the lid. when finished place covers back on bowls.

7.There are various different dishes on the try. Do not finish one and then move to the next. Eat small amounts out of each one. The japanese custom of serving things in separate dishes emphasizes the importance placed on presentation.

8.When uncertain about something, such as how to eat a certain Japanese delicacy, you may ask questions. This shows you are genuinely interested in leaming about the culture. However, do not turn the evening into a game of " twenty questions" with your host or sever.


What do you think about Japanese culture?
Did you ever meet with any anusual habits of Japanese?

PART III: SOURCES OF PROFIT

We all have some sources of money. Some of you are working on full time job others are getting money from parents – possibilities are almost infinite. What I want to present in 3rd part are others some maybe little bit unconventional ways of earning money.

Easy money?
Recently I watched another tv commercial of a contest with 10.000 zl reward. The only thing that I had to do was as usual to answer on stupid question an send obvious answer by sms on some number. Cost wasn’t high about 3zl net per message. A while later there were another 3 commercials with other contests and rewards but same rules… I believe that this is now a good source to earn easy money. Why? Let’s assume that only 20 000 people will send this message in 1 release of commercial… 3 x 20.000 = 60.000 zl in just few minutes! Of course you have to deduct all costs: commission of mobile operator, cost of tv commercial, reward etc. but I believe that in the end you should stay with about 20-25% of total income. Pure profit without big effort.
The same contests I’m getting even by sms without ask. This can be also a good way to easy earn some money but I don’t believe that more like in case of tv commercial.

Search funds - what’s that?
If you know some i.e. family company that have troubles you can are on a good way to start making money. If you will succeed and find investors that will help you to acquire this company - you won. Generally search fund is a group of people that are investing their money into such projects. If they will support you with funds you can rebuild structure of this company in order to start getting profit from investment. When your shareholders will see that your idea was good and they’re getting money from it you can look for another company to acquire till you’ll be able to buyout share’s of your primary project and then have own well prospering company. If you don’t want to run some company you can always sell it to other investors with profit. Simple isn’t?



Running own business…
Most of us wants to start our own business in order to be financially independent. Running a company have some advantages as well as disadvantages. If you’re managing your own company please tell me what is more comfortable I mean to works for someone or on your own account? I don’t have much experience in it that’s why I’m leaving this section open for you.

Questions:
■ What other ways of earning money you know [unconventional one’s]
■ Do you think that billionaires have got their fortunes thanks to luck or impressive knowledge?

Sources:
■ www.youtube.com
■ http://images.google.com

PART II: INVESTMENTS

In second part I’m going to specify only few ways of earning money by making investments – most known and common followed.

Real estates

Personally I think that investment in real estates it’s the most safety way to earn a lot of money in average time. Starting from real estates websites – founders of this kind of portals earn good money every month just by sitting and administrating the site. Another way is to start a selling company. Such company sells apartments i.e. from investors, renting offices, consulting and gets high commissions. If you’re buying an apartment in good price, location you can be more than sure that you’ll not going to lose on this business as well. Some may think that it depends on how market will react but still even if price of your 2-3 years apartment is almost equal as it was in time when you bought it you can always rent your apartment without special effort and start to sale when price is better and it will surely be. Other way to earn good money is just to buy a plot, build a house and then sell it with profit. This option unfortunately require more funds to invest than purchase of an apartment but delivers more satisfaction and money as well after the whole process is finished. For those of you who have an access to really big funds the best way to multiply them is to build a residential building for many people. This option doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be rich like co-founder of Microsoft (D. Trump is ‘almost’ there) but if everything is well planned, complex process of construction and management will end you can spend rest of your life on Bora Bora island (if you don’t succeed and stay with debts this is also a good idea to go there J).

Stocks

Are more profitable than bank deposits or bonds but on the other side more risky. Most efficient way to invest in stocks and win (earn something) is to achieve experience, knowledge about situation on all markets that can be concerned and stay fearless no matter what is happening on stock market. Personally I don’t believe that this is only a matter of luck. The worst mistakes that usually people do is when value of stock reaches level of purchase price and then when going down frightened investors are selling all stocks of some company and loose in the end; they should buy when price is really low and wait until it’s value increases. Other good solution is to buy stocks of a company that has temporary problems and value of it’s stocks is occasional. But on the other hand temporary problems can be transformed into bankruptcy and this is the worst situation for a stock holder. A lot of time is needed to earn on exchange rate especially on stock market. The most known person, icon of stock markets is Warren Buffet – 2^nd richest person in the world. Below I attached interview with him. It’s very interesting believe me.

Currencies

This is a very risky way of investing because we’re not sure if some state intends to have strong or weak currency. Strengthening or weakening of currency affects state economy positively and negatively as well. This causes situation in which it is hard to estimate right value of one’s currency. Other risk is appearing of currency speculation which is high probable and caused by multinational institutions that may have an influence on currency rate.

Bonds

Most safety way of investing for any amount of money because bonds are covered/secured by the Treasury. You can buy bonds directly from the Treasury or on stock exchange market. Interest rate is generally higher than on bank deposits (about 7%) but you have to ‘freeze’ your money on a long term to get planned profit. If you withdraw bonds before expiry period you’ll loose some percentages and get a same result as you would make a bank deposit.

Questions:

■ Have you try to invest in any way presented by me?

■ How you invests money or where you plan to invest?

■ Do you like to risk or maybe you’re more careful when investing money?

■ Extra: What is the most profitable and sure investment? Hint: I wrote it nowhere…

Sources:

■ www.youtube.com