EDUARDO INFANTE: Predjudice and Stereotypes

Ok, first of all, I apologize for the delay. Several events in my personal/professional life led me to skip posting anything two weeks ago. I am now writing with a big delay. But assuming you all understand how hectic things can get from time to time, I'm sorry you'll forgive me. So here's my answers...

1. What are some of the things that people who don't know you very well tend to think of you?
People who don't know me tend to think of me as: a) a very serious individual, b) a kind fellow, c) an easy-going dude, d) a mature guy, and e) a well-informed person.


2. Which of these assumptions are true?
Let's see... let me get through each of these on an individual basis:

a) A very serious individual. This is the most basic assumption that people who don't know me make about me. And it's true, to some extent. I would not call my self a serious person as much as I would say I'm a rather thoughtful guy. That is, I like to internalize my thought before they come out of my mouth. Most times, however, this is perceived as if I were a rather quiet, perhaps shy person, which is not true. Those who know me well know that I can be as outgoing and outspoken as anyone else. It's just that I like to measure my words and actions before hand... most times.

b) A kind fellow. Yes, they get me right if that's the first impression I leave on people to whom I just met. I'm kind, I'm mellow, I'm the kind of person who cares about others, who suffers with injustice, and who cannot help drop a tear or two in the movies, if the film calls for it. I also try to be gentle on people. My education steps up most times, and it's rather improbable than I won't let a lady in first, when we're both about to enter a building.

c) An easy-going dude. No hidden personality here, either. I try to go through life in a happy-go-lucky mode, which sometimes drives people close to me (e.g. wife) nuts.

d) A mature guy. I am mature. But sometimes I get to be too childish, too. Perhaps, most people who first meet me may be led to think I'm more mature than I actually am.

e) A well-informed person. My cultural baggage and my education, as well as my drive to stay up to the news, on almost everything, usually allow me to get along with most types of people, despite the apparent differences I may have with them.

3. Which stereotypes about your country are true, if any?

• Mexicans are lazy. Eduardo Infante is not lazy, but he is perhaps a little bit too laid-back for some cultures.
• Mexicans are warm and friendly.Yep, that's me.
• Mexicans are not hard workers. Not me. If 70 hours a week at my workplace and a huge commitment to my employer are not enough to argue the contrary, I can at least guarantee you that you will find a hard worker in me. If something, I can get too distracted, trying to do too many things at once, from time to time.

4. What are situations in which you find yourself to be prejudiced?

At 5'10'', I don't fall in the "tall people" category. Sometimes, I've found that people tend to think better of taller persons, and (profesionally) I've found myself excluded from certain opportunities, just because of my height. My weight is a whole different issue. I have the feeling that some people may judge me as a non persistant person just because I've let myself to gain some extra pounds in the recent years.


5. To you, what value is there in stereotypes?
I try to think of stereotypes as a negative in the way we perceive things. Nonetheless, I would lie if I said I don't have stereotypes on others myself. Therefore, I can at least assure you that I've learned from my mistakes, and can honestly say that breaking stereotypes is one of the most gratifying things that have ever happened to me.

ANDREAS EKSTROM: Of Dreams and Youth and Possibilities

1. When you were young what did you envision your future to be? And as a follow up, how does it compare to where you eventually arrived? I wanted to be a pilot! And then I got glasses at age 8, so I decided to write instead. Which is what I do. And married with children, I guess, which I am!

2. If you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again? I am not sure I want to go back. I have been there already! I would love some more time with my grandparents, but...

3. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time? Very much so. I read everything from kids books to pretty complicated stuff. I read ”Biggles”, all 80 of them. I read Gorbachev's ”Perestrojka” at age twelve. (That is just plain weird.)

4. I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve? Just the usual fame and fortune. Except I am not sure I want more fame and fortune than I have. Ok, maybe a little. I would at some point like to be able to fly a plane! But enough to put in the time and money? No way.

5. Please share a book that has meant something to you, and tell us why. Jules Verne's ”Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” was my first ”big” novel experience. A book that had, and still has, just about everything. I to this day consider it a masterpiece, and I have reread it many times, even as an adult.

JENNIFER RABOLD - Predjudice and Stereotypes

1. What are some of the things people who don't know you very well tend to think about you?

I think that most people think that I am completely confident and self-assured and competent at all times. There are a few people (mostly my mother, sometimes my husband) who know that I have plenty of moments of feeling totally insecure and unbearably incompetent (especially the past year and a half in my doctoral studies).

2. Which of these assumptions are true?

See above.

3. Which stereotypes about your country are true about you, if any?

Like Bianca Regina, I found a list of stereotypes about my country. According to the list, Americans are:

· Boastful and arrogant.
· Disrespectful of authority.
· Drunkard.
· Extravagant and wasteful.
· Generous.
· Ignorant of other countries and cultures.
· Informal.
· Insensitive.
· Lazy.
· Loud and obnoxious.
· Promiscuous.
· Racist.
· Rich and wealthy.
· Rude and immature.
· Snobbish.
· Stingy.
· Think they know everything.
· Thinks every country should imitate the US.
· Uninformed about politics.

A few of these are just dead wrong about me and always have been: boastful and arrogant, ignorant of other countries and cultures, lazy, loud and obnoxious, racist, thinks every country should imitate the U.S., uninformed about politics.

Some of them are probably right in comparison to other less developed countries, but certainly not in comparison to other Americans: extravagant and wasteful, rich and wealthy, stingy.

Some of them are right on the money, and I don’t mind: disrespectful of authority (but in a critical, I’m-not-going-to-believe-everything-they-say kind of way) generous, informal.

Some of them were right about me at one time or another (mostly when I was young and stupid): drunkard, promiscuous, rude and immature.

Some of them are probably more right than I’d like to admit: insensitive, snobbish, think they know everything (what? I don’t?)

4. What are situations in which you find yourself to be prejudiced?

Like many of you, I like to think that I am not prejudiced at all, but I know that my biggest prejudices are against the right-wing nut jobs, conservative Christian holier-than-thou types, homophobes, racist bigots, misogynists, and all those other people out there who are not accepting of differences. It’s much easier for me to try to walk a few miles in the moccasins of the minority, the immigrant, the refugee, the veteran with PTSD, the criminal, the homeless, the drunk, the addict, the suicide, the behavior problem, the anorexic, and all those people who are suffering, sometimes by their own bad choices and sometimes because of forces beyond their control. I guess that’s what makes me a liberal.

5. To you, what value is there in stereotypes?

There was an interesting article in Time magazine a few weeks ago called “Race and the Brain” (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1848769,00.html), which explained the research about how the brain responds to someone who’s of a different race. Evidently, the reaction of the brain to a different race is initially fear, and that fear was at one time evolutionarily beneficial, because it allowed people to process very quickly who was a member of their tribe. However, that reaction occurs in the amygdala, the “animal brain,” and the higher regions of the brain can counteract that initial reaction fairly quickly. But I suppose that’s why prejudice is so hard to overcome… we’re hard wired for it. And it’s why even though we would like to say we are not prejudiced or racist, we still have to examine ourselves and our society, to acknowledge white privilege, for example (see Peggy McIntosh’s article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” at http://mmcisaac.faculty.asu.edu/emc598ge/Unpacking.html). But I suppose what’s also important to realize is that all prejudice stems from fear. And perhaps acknowledging that can free us.

WEEK SIX: Five questions...Of Dreams and Youth and Possibilities

WEEK SIX: Five questions...Of Dreams and Youth and Possibilities

Author in charge this week: Brett Battles

1. Children have so many dreams. Small ones, large ones. They dream of being astronauts, of becoming a princess or a queen or even a king. As we grew older, our dreams became the shape our futures would take. So my first question is when you were young what did you envision your future to be? And as a follow up, how does it compare to where you eventually arrived?

2. I sometimes fantasize about being able to travel back in time, but not in my current mid-forties body. I wonder what it would be like to become who I was in high school or college but with the knowledge and patience I’ve gained in the years since. Second question…if you could go back and become yourself at a certain time in life which time would you choose and why? And if you could only take one bit of knowledge or one trait you’ve gained as you’ve grown older (but not too old!), what would it be? And why again?

3. As a writer, I started off as a reader. I began reading book after book when I was probably around 8 or 9. For me, initially it was mysteries then science fiction. Were you a reader as a youth? If so, what kind of books did you read? Who were some of your favorite authors at the time?

4. Back to the scenario in the first question…I’m wondering if there are any dreams you had which you did not achieve but are still working on, or hoping to achieve? What are they?

5. There are many books in my life that have meant something to me. Books and stories that have stayed with me over the years. Some make me smile, some make me think, some even make me mad. The final question…please share a book that has meant something to you, and tells why.

JENNIFER RABOLD - Travel, Work, and Politics

1. Can you describe a favorite travel memory? It doesn’t have to be extraordinary - simple is good, too – but what is a memory of some travel experience that you treasure?

My favorite place to travel is a place where I spend a longish time. I suppose the longest time I spent out of my own country was when my Up With People cast traveled to Mexico. I have so many fond and scary and interesting and eye-opening memories of Mexico. But I suppose my favorite memory of Mexico was spending three weeks in Saltillo as part of the advance team. I was the only Spanish speaker on the team (and that wasn’t saying much), so I had to learn to be confident in the language as quickly as I could. Fortunately, we were staying with the parents of a current student, and they were so good to us and helped us out a lot.

My favorite memory in Saltillo was Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which falls on November 1-2 (November 1 is actually called Dia de los Angelitos, to remember children who have died). In this very Catholic country, the ceremonies and rituals of Day of the Dead could not be further from the Catholic traditions… they come straight from indigenous practices.

Eduardo can probably correct some of my mistakes in my description of the holiday, but I’ll relate what I remember. On this day, families go to the cemeteries and spend time washing the graves, decorating them with flowers and tequila and other ofrendas (offerings), and then partying all night long right there in the cemetery (drinking the tequila, of course). What a celebration of life and acknowledgement of how present death – and the dead – are in life. And for the entire month before November 1, families erect quite elaborate altars or ofrendas in their homes dedicated to those family members who have died. They decorate them with photos of the deceased, the favorite foods or drinks or clothing items or other mementos that belonged to the deceased, and several ritualistic items, like candles to light their way home, a glass of oil to ease their way, a glass of water, calaveras (little sugar skulls), pan de muerto (bread of the dead), and other religious symbols (usually a cross is displayed). The items on the ofrenda are not meant to be wasted, however. I can’t tell you how many times I was offered items from the ofrenda when I visited a home… including an entire bottle of tequila once!

My favorite ofrenda was one we experienced when we visited a school. It was a living altar, and the students were impersonating the students and soldiers of the Student Massacre in Mexico City in 1968. They were frozen in their places, soldiers with guns, students dead or dying on the ground, as a narrator told the story. On the altar were school books and pencils and all the things that students would need. Even though I was translating the whole thing from the Spanish, it brought me to tears, it was so powerful.

2. What is something you’ve learned from traveling - a lesson that you’ve tried to carry with you in the rest of your life?

I think something I’ve learned to do when I travel is to spend my money wisely. I’ll stay in cheap places, crash with friends, trade houses, travel on trains, pack peanut butter so we don’t have to spend money on lunches. But I’ll spare no expense when it comes to really experiencing the place. My in-laws took all their children and their families on a cruise to Alaska a few years ago. On this cruise, you could just stay on the boat, you could just get dropped off in the towns, OR you could sign up for expeditions to really experience Alaska. We signed up for the expeditions. We went on a crabbing trip, we visited Mendenhall Glacier, we took a train ride up the mountains, we panned for gold, we went on a whale watching trip (where we were treated to a pod of about 20 whales bubble-feeding, where they all dive down simultaneously and blow bubbles in a circle, so the air lifts the fish up, followed by their enormous open mouths… man, that was awesome!). It cost a fortune, and I did it all with an 8-week-old baby carried on my chest, but how many times does one get to travel to Alaska?!

I’ve also learned to do my research, but to stay open to serendipity. I planned a trip for my family to visit France for three weeks last year, and truly, the only mistakes I made were taking the 3-year-old to the Louvre and going to Euro Disney on a summer day. In Paris alone, we visited the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Rodin Museum, Versailles, Luxembourg Gardens, Bois de Bologne, and Notre Dame. We took a ride on the Bateaux Mouches, we traveled by Metro, we saw a Guignol Marionettes show (humor that even my non-French-speaking children could figure out), we ate lots of crepes and omelettes, we attempted grocery shopping and tried out some wonderful restaurants. My sister-in-law, who lived in Normandy with her family, planned the most amazing itinerary for us there, including a pilgrimage to Mont St. Michel, a visit to see the medieval Tapestry in Bayeux, and road trips to some little known chateaus and abbeys.

But I couldn’t find much information about our other destination, Pontarlier, a tiny little town in the foothills of the Alps, so we waited until we got there to see what we could do. We were told that we weren’t far from Switzerland and that if we walked “up there” (with a vague wave of the arm), we could reach Switzerland. So, we packed a lunch, a camera, and a whiffle ball and bat (you know, the essentials when traveling with young boys), and just started walking up. And up. And up. And along country roads and down dirt paths and around corners until… around the corner, we came upon a ruins… a Fort Mahler, according to a rusty sign, an immense edifice built into the side of the mountain we had just climbed. It had grass growing out of the great rock blocks and was clearly uninhabited except by birds, and we were just amazed… until we walked around the narrow edge to the back of the fort and gazed upon the most breathtaking castle, also built into a mountain a few miles away… oh, and Switzerland. When we finally got home, we googled our journey and discovered that we had walked 8 miles and discovered the Chateau de Joux, a medieval castle we might never have found had we relied only on the research.

3. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about work and careers lately, and came across this quote: “Jump, and a net will appear.” What does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply in any way to your own life?

Well, it happens to me all the time… Dan loses his job, ends up working at home to his great satisfaction and financial gain; I apply to grad school, don’t get into my first choice, but end up getting a full fellowship I didn’t even apply for. Where will I jump next? I have no idea, but I’ve learned not to worry so much. I love the line from The Sound of Music: “When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.” BTW, I’d highly recommend Zen and the Art of Making a Living. It’s full of wonderful suggestions like this.

4. Here is another quote about work and life choices that I recently discovered: “I must simplify my life, and whittle down what I do to the things that I am absolutely the most passionate about, or else I risk being stuck in mediocrity.” Similarly, what does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply to your own life?

I’m torn on this one. I certainly don’t follow the advice, although sometimes I wish I could. I just don’t seem to have been born this way. I never suffered from too few ideas about what job I wanted to have, rather that I have too few lifetimes to try them all. I did cut down on a bunch of activities when I went back to school (first and foremost, my job!), which allowed me to really focus in on one thing, which was nice as long as it lasted. But now I’ve got all these other opportunities, like some classes I’ve been offered to teach and research projects I’m working on and grants to write for. And although there are stressful moments, I love it. I’m passionate about life, and I don’t do anything with mediocrity.

5. The U.S presidential election is on Tuesday. By the time you have to answer this question, we’ll know the outcome of the vote. How do you think the result of this election affects how the world views the U.S.? (Or, if you prefer, how you personally view the U.S., or how the U.S. might view itself?)

This morning, I was observing some classes in a middle school in Dorchester, Massachusetts, part of the Boston Public Schools system. Only 10% of the school is white. And I have to say, I am so glad I visited today. The energy in the school was just contagious! The students (and teachers!) were just bursting with pride, with their Obama t-shirts and stickers. And it was so great to hear them all talking about politics! I think this election inspired a whole new generation of voters.

I’ve also spent much of the day reading e-mails from all my international friends, who write “Congratulations, America!” and I am so glad that we will have a president who will represent America responsibly and humbly to the rest of the world, a president who is intelligent and isn’t afraid to hide it because he’ll certainly need it, a president who can actually string a coherent sentence together (these last 8 years have been hard on my English teacher self). Perhaps we’ve gotten beyond the anti-intellectual movement, the belief that you should elect a president you’d like to have a beer with, the wish to feel smarter than your president. Perhaps we’ve swung back from the “me, me, me” and started to realize that we’re all in this together, that when the poorest among us loses his house, it will affect the portfolio of the wealthiest. But maybe I’m still dreaming…

BRETT BATTLES - Travel, Work and Politics

1. Can you describe a favorite travel memory? It doesn’t have to be extraordinary - simple is good, too – but what is a memory of some travel experience that you treasure?

I love to travel. I’ve spent nearly two years of my life, all totaled, outside of the USA. It would be so hard to pick a single memory. Crossing the Arctic Circle in northern Finland? Going to a beer garden party in Germany? Standing in front of the statue of David in Florence?

This past week I just returned from 10 days in London and Paris where I went with my girlfriend Kelly. That was a marvelous trip I won’t soon forget.

But at the moment, if I had to name one, and this is actually pretty damn obvious, it was walking into a rundown, second floor nursery in an orphanage in Can Tho, Vietnam, and picking my daughter up out of the crib that had been her bed for months and holding her for the first time.

2. What is something you’ve learned from traveling - a lesson that you’ve tried to carry with you in the rest of your life?

That not only is everyone different, but we are all the same, too. We want to be happy. We want to love. We want to live our lives. So treating everyone with respect is so important.

3. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about work and careers lately, and came across this quote: “Jump, and a net will appear.” What does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply in any way to your own life?

It says that sometimes you’ve just got to take the opportunity and go for it. Kind of like what I did in September…I decided that my writing career was going well enough that I could quit my day job and trying writing full time for a while. There is no guarantee that I’ll be able to keep it up forever, but I needed to try. And so I am.

4. Here is another quote about work and life choices that I recently discovered: “I must simplify my life, and whittle down what I do to the things that I am absolutely the most passionate about, or else I risk being stuck in mediocrity.” Similarly, what does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply to your own life?

Yes and no…see, as a writer I think it’s important to have my hand in a lot of different things. Jack-of-all-trades kind of thing. I’m just interested in so many different things, that to give one up seems a waste. And, ultimately, I end up using a lot of them in my work. And since writing is what I am MOST passionate about, it all works out.

5. The U.S presidential election is on Tuesday. By the time you have to answer this question, we’ll know the outcome of the vote. How do you think the result of this election affects how the world views the U.S.? (Or, if you prefer, how you personally view the U.S., or how the U.S. might view itself?)

I honestly thought before this election, and still think now that it is over, that Barack Obama was the only candidate that could drastically change the view of America in the world. To me that was one of the main reasons I voted for him. Because, though many Americans don’t think this way, I believe that the world is too small to think only about ourselves. We are citizens of the world first, and how we treat each other, how we respect each other, how we listen to each other is so very important. I think Obama was the only choice – even as far back as the primaries – who could bring credibility to America’s effort to embrace the rest of the world. Now it remains to be seen if he actually does.

BRETT BATTLES - Prejudice and Stereotypes

1. What are some of the things people who don't know you very well tend to think about you?

Eh…heck if I know. If they don’t know me very well, I probably don’t know them so don’t know what they are thinking. But if I were to guess, I think they might believe that I’m a generally happy person who always likes to make the joke.

2. Which of these assumptions are true?

Sadly, yes. Okay, not sadly. But yes, to a certain extent.

3. Which stereotypes about your country are true about you, if any?

I think I’m deceptively non-stereotypical.

4. What are situations in which you find yourself to be prejudiced?

Prejudice is something that I loath. But I am prejudice, there is no denying that. I have little tolerance for those who have no tolerance. For example, it looks like we have just passed a law here in California that will deny homosexuals the right to marry. That pisses me off like you can’t believe. How can we deny rights to a certain group?? It’s just like the pre-60s America again, when blacks were not allowed to drink from the same water fountain as others in some places, or races would not be allowed to marry each other. Don’t get me started!

5. To you, what value is there in stereotypes?

In life I try to disregard stereotypes when meeting people. But I can’t say I’m always successful. Certainly there are some stereotypes that help us understand others, and there are other stereotypes that are either false or so out of date that they harm our relations with others. The fact that some people probably didn’t vote for Barack Obama merely because he was half-African-American is ridiculous to me, but it definitely happened. So is there value? On occasions. But wouldn’t it be great if we got rid of stereotypes all together? An impossibility, I know, but worth dreaming about.

PETER WARING - Travel,Work and Politics

1. Can you describe a favorite travel memory? It doesn’t have to be extraordinary - simple is good, too – but what is a memory of some travel experience that you treasure?

I have been really fortunate to have enjoyed some wonderful travel experiences - from flying around the streets of Bangkok in a Tuk Tuk late at night to trudging through snow in the mountains of New Zealand or simply having a quiet ale in a small 'pub' in Wales. As someone wise once said, 'Travel is life lived intensively'. A favourite memory though is having climbed a mountain with my then girlfriend, now wife, in Tasmania (southern state of Australia) - we were alone (no one for miles) and it was the most perfect day and we felt like Gods.

2. What is something you’ve learned from traveling - a lesson that you’ve tried to carry with you in the rest of your life?


I agree with Rick that this is a great question. I think I have learned that the world truly is remarkable and wonderful in everyway - and that people generally have the same hopes, fears and dreams.

3. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about work and careers lately, and came across this quote: “Jump, and a net will appear.” What does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply in any way to your own life?

Rick persuaded my wife to jump into a job in Asia and 5.5yrs later we are still here! So this has certainly been true for us - though not just a net, more like a ladder to bigger and better things. The experience has taught us to consider alternative possibilities for our lives which I think is healthy.

4. Here is another quote about work and life choices that I recently discovered: “I must simplify my life, and whittle down what I do to the things that I am absolutely the most passionate about, or else I risk being stuck in mediocrity.” Similarly, what does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply to your own life?

Perhaps this is true but it is also life's diversity and multiple possibilities that enriches the experience. Also seems contrary to the renaissance notion of excelling across a range of arts, intellectual pursuits, sports and so on which I find appealing.

5. The U.S presidential election is on Tuesday. By the time you have to answer this question, we’ll know the outcome of the vote. How do you think the result of this election affects how the world views the U.S.? (Or, if you prefer, how you personally view the U.S., or how the U.S. might view itself?)

Like Rick, I was also moved to tears by one of the best speeches I have ever heard. Full of history, graciousness and hope, I found myself choked up by the sheer emotion of what this moment in our collective consciousness means.

I don't know anyone in Singapore or Australia who wasn't hoping for an Obama victory. I think his victory has restored our faith in the promise of America and our sense of kinship with American people. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but this may signal a new golden era in America's position in the World. I for one will go out of my way to buy American (equities included) as hope has replaced fear and it is clear that America is energised to face the significant challenges of this time - I think the rest of the World will also see this and begin re-investing in the US and its great promise. The power of this victory, is unlike any other - nothing can stop an America inspired by that creed 'Yes we can!'

RICK VON FELDT: Travel, Work and Politics

1. Can you describe a favorite travel memory? It doesn’t have to be extraordinary - simple is good, too – but what is a memory of some travel experience that you treasure?

I consider myself a world traveler. When someone hears that I love to travel, that is always a question (along with “Where is the best place you have lived?”) that I am asked. I usually respond with a deep and heavy sigh. There are so many. I generally divide “great places that I have been” into two categories: 1. BREATHTAKING and 2. MOVE ME TO EMOTIOIN. This is similar to how I judge a good movie. Probably my most “breathtaking” place has been the Maldives. I have never seen a place that more represents heaven – with the most crystal clear water and beaches. And I have seen many. Of course, it helped when the experience was completely paid for by the company that I was working for. In the category of “move me to emotion” – it probably involves food in some way. It probably involves doing something native. For me, that is Japan. The culture – the food – the people take me away from what I know and provide me with a sensory overload of sight – sound – taste and culture. Even today, after having been there over a dozen times – I am still soulfully intoxicated when I go there. And because of those sensory items, I can remember so many details of every trip. My first trip to India, Bangkok, and Vietnam would come right in after that. I guess I still love – and miss Asia.

2. What is something you’ve learned from traveling - a lesson that you’ve tried to carry with you in the rest of your life?

Love the question. A couple of principles that work for me: 1). Focus on knowing the culture – not the language. It is the observation of a people that does more for you than mimicking the sound of a people. 2). We are all human – and generally want the same thing. Start with human motivation, and the rest is just a repeated habit. 3). Seek to understand rather than to be understood. 4). Taste everything. A food is human to all. And it is indicative to a person’s culture. 5). Try most things once – and get beyond judging things because of your own culture. 6). You will get robbed if you travel long enough. If not – you are not a real road warrior. 7). Every culture has it’s own version of a taco 8). Recognize that police in every country have different missions around the world – either to protect, enforce or to guide. Know the role in every country you visit for your own sake. 8). Write what you are experiencing, or you will forget and you will loose that moment when you get older 9). Everyone does not know why they are doing what they do. But discussing it creates a marvelous conversation. 10). Always be sure that you have something as interesting to come home to as you are experiencing out on the road. Otherwise, it causes great conflict. And lastly, 11). My favorite mantra: “Anticipation is fifty percent of the experience – so plan and do it carefully.

3. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about work and careers lately, and came across this quote: “Jump, and a net will appear.” What does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply in any way to your own life?

Well – I can relate to that one. It is similar to my “you have to jump off the lily pad in the river and float downstream” analogy. I can honestly say that I have lived this all my life. And it creates an amazing pattern if you trust and follow it. If you stay on the banks of the river – you will never really know what wonderful adventures are downstream. But you have to jump in the water – and let it carry you.

I am not sure if there is a “net” per se – however – I think there are always better things down the river. You just have to jump. Sure – you get wet. You swallow a little water sometimes and choke. But there is always something more amazing down the river. But the key it so know when to jump (my believe is that if you are thinking about jumping – then it is time. But if you have not “learned 90% of what you came to learn” – then stay for a bit.

I jumped in the water six months ago – for my 12th time. I love it. The water is meandering right now – but soon – I know I will hit rapids. I love it.

4. Here is another quote about work and life choices that I recently discovered: “I must simplify my life, and whittle down what I do to the things that I am absolutely the most passionate about, or else I risk being stuck in mediocrity.” Similarly, what does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply to your own life?

Simplify? Perhaps. For me – that is more about lessoning distractions so that I can focus on the most important things. But don’t take away all of my electronic “distractions.” I love them. Distraction for me is the larger risk these days than mediocrity.

However, this unknown man who is now known and will be our next president has caused me to think again. Here is a man who definitely has put it all out there – refusing to be mediocre. He is focused. And wow – look at what he has done. He is an example of human potential.

My largest fear for myself – and for everyone else in life is not understanding or going for their full potential. When I die – this is the only regret that would matter to me. So – I keep fighting for change and new things.

5. The U.S presidential election is on Tuesday. By the time you have to answer this question, we’ll know the outcome of the vote. How do you think the result of this election affects how the world views the U.S.? (Or, if you prefer, how you personally view the U.S., or how the U.S. might view itself?)

It was just hours ago that I watched Obama named our new president. I cried with excitement. Not since Ronald Regan have I felt hope and potential. If McCain has been elected, I think it would have been ok. But I think we would have had just an “ok” next four years – similar to life for the last eight years. But this is something new. I am so proud to show to our international colleagues around the world true demonstrations of Democracy – and of this amazing belief we have in America that anything can happen. I love showing them the resilience of America – and the idea of “not betting against America.” Obama will be views equally well if not better than Clinton as a global, tolerant person. He looks, talks and acts the part. There is so much to say about this election. While watching the television tonight – I wrote pages and pages of thoughts.

TOP FIVE THOUGHTS from my journal tonight:

1. This was not a campaign. It was a moment.
2. There is a new role model for the 40% minority of America. This election will be viewed in history as one of the most memorable change we could ever imagine.
3. This is a passing from the old generation to the new generation. It is time to pass the batan. Our new generation does not see people as devise groups of color and gender –but as people who have potential. We will be INCLUSIVE versus EXCLUSIVE.
4. We chose hope over fear.
5. This changes everything. In so many ways. In so many ways!

And lastly – my favorite comment came when they interviewed black author Maya Angelo tonight. She said, “We have finally decided not to live with our ignorance.”

EXACTLY!

Bianca Regina - Prejudice and Stereotypes

1. What are some of the things people who don't know you very well tend to think about you?

People tend to think that I am independent, self-reliant, somewhat distant and intimidating, not needy at all. A woman once ended her acquaintance with me because in her opinion I had "too few problems" and therefore couldn't relate to her. Among my colleagues, I have a reputation for being straight forward - we recently discussed a patient of mine who smells so badly that I can hardly stand being in the room with her, and they assumed that for me, it would be really easy to tell her.
When I first moved to Eastern Germany (the former GDR) people knew by my clothes and the way I talked, by how I behaved that I was "from the West". Ten years on, the boundaries have blurred, I fit in more, and sometimes my patients tell me all about those horrible "Wessis" (people from Western Germany) who have come to take away their jobs, wrongly assuming that I am from the East as well.

2. Which of these assumptions are true?

Most of them are true, I guess. I have had to work hard to realize that not all of them are true all the time. For example, going through the experience of infertility has helped me to acknowledge that I do have a needy side. I practise that sometimes now by telling the husband and friends about my troubles, even putting in a bit of whining at times (which is fun and makes me and them laugh). Like everyone else, I do have problems, insecurities and worries. Not that many maybe. As for the patient, it took me week to tell her (breathing throught my mouth). That much is true: once I've realised that I'm avoiding something I should be taking care of, I tell myself that avoidance is not okay, and then do it anyway.

3. Which stereotypes about your country are true about you, if any?

I've found a list of stereotypes about Germans which I'll comment on:

The women are icy Teutonic beauties with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Blue eyes, yes, Teutonic, no (though fairly tall), beauty, naturally, fo others to judge.

Both sexes loathe inefficiency, love the Fatherland, have never been late for anything in their lives, and would secretly quite like to invade Europe, even if they have to do it via the EU.

I don't like inefficiency, the Fatherland is ok (especially since we have a female chancellor), I am always on time, and no, I don't have secret ambitions for invasion. About the punctuality: I got into a fight with the husband over his being late yesterday where he suggested that I might take it easier on this point. I am more "German" in this respect than most of my friends and have coined the phrase "being on time makes me lonely" for myself - to remind me of all the times I have spent waiting for people, being once again stupidly on time. And alone.

They speak perfect English, and eat about five meals a day. They don't know the meaning of the word Witz (joke in German).

My English is fairly perfect, and it's something I'm secretly really vain about. I try not to tell anyone, though. I like jokes, but have a bad reputation for not laughing about them. I probably smile more and laugh out loud less.

There are, like I mentioned in my answer to question 1, quite a few stereotypes inhabitants of what used to be the two Germanys have about each other: "Wessis" are supposed to be too full of themselves, true capitalists and masters of self-presentation, "Ossis", the stereotype goes, are timid, somewhat lame, homey and afraid of risks. As with all stereotypes, there is some truth in both of them. Which might to a whole discussion about how political systems shape personalities and how that can change when the systems change...

4. What are situations in which you find yourself to be prejudiced?

When I come into contact with violence, it takes me quite a while to be able to understand the person behind that action - at first, I judge them, thinking that they're idiots/assholes/imbeciles. Overcoming my own judgment is hard in this case.

5. To you, what value is there in stereotypes?

They make life easier at times. They exist to reduce complexity. And they are a lot of fun to talk about!

RICK VON FELDT: Prejudice and Stereotypes

1. What are some of the things people who don't know you very well tend to think about you?

When I used to work in Singapore – I would sometimes go out to coffee with my assistant. That poor woman had to deal with my “office demeanor” – which often times would be short, impatient and rather direct. After a few cups of coffee, and taking time to really talk, I would usually ask her about how the team was doing – and if there was any thoughts about me she was hearing. I was always surprised to hear her call me “fierce.” I don’t see myself as fierce. I also think that until people get to know me – they wonder what in the world I am doing living a single life. I think the assume there must be something wrong with me – and that something bad in my life happened, causing me to want to live alone all these years.

2. Which of these assumptions are true?

I don’t think I am fierce. Impatient? Yes. And ok – if certain principles in life are violated – then I can get fierce – at least in my stare. But I rarely erupt in anger. I sometimes like to “grrr” at other cars on the highway. There I can be fierce. Last week, when I was in Kansas, my parents would often fight on where they would sit in the car. They would argue on who would get to be in the back seat. Perhaps that is a reflection of people who do know me – and my fierceness?

3. Which stereotypes about your country are true about you, if any?

I suppose I have to start with what I think are the main stereotypes: thoughtlessly optimistic, sometimes shallow, generally US centric and not thinking about the world. We can be seen as fundamentalists – based upon not well thought out ideas or based upon religion. We are thought to be consumptive and wasteful. We act sometimes before we think. We are more interesting in what is possible versus what should not be.

Am I like that?

I think I do embody the optimism of America. I like to think about “yes I can” vs. “no – we can’t do that.” I have been weaned on the idea that hard work can get you anything. I don’t take no for an answer and I will question, but yes, sometimes on emotion rather than thought. I don’t think I am shallow and if anything – too intense in general.

I think what would have also been interesting with this question is that each of us should have provided to the others what our perspectives of stereotypes were for their countries. I think I will go back and do that in the comment section. For example, I have some interesting ideas for Peter as an Australian….

4. What are situations in which you find yourself to be prejudiced?

I am prejudiced at times. I admit it. For example, I stereotype – and am predjudiced about drivers in California. I believe, and am right about 95% of the time that the slowest and wrong drivers on the highway are Hispanics or Asian women wives. I stereotypically blame this on lack of confidence or skill. It drives me crazy – and I talk to them when I pass them crazily in my car in the fast lane. Or rather – when they are in the fast lane – and I have to go around them!

When I returned to the USA – I had to once again adjust to the idea in America that you are not allowed to see color. In Asia – people would describe me as a Caucasian. That is what I was. It was a way to designate. That could have add on connotations. But with so much ethnic diversity – it was sometimes easier to understand people based upon a starting point. Of course, it also irked me when I was described as an American. And with that – came lots of stereotypes of silly Americans or American expats that hung out at the American Club.

Last week, I was reminded about how some of these predjudices form. I was back home with my family. I had taken a few of them out for lunch. In the route to drive to the Thai restaurant, I managed to take wrong turn – and headed incorrectly in to East Topeka. Topeka, like many Midwest towns either self segregate – or simply do it economically, which often achieves the same result. (Oops. You see – that is also a stereotype – some of which is true – but of course, not completely.)

As we started to drive into these neighborhoods, in which lawns were not cut, debris not removed and houses were not well kept, horror crossed the eyes of my families face. One of them even made a surprising comment with racial overtones. I was surprised at their reaction. Yet – I reminded myself that 20 years ago – I had the same perspective. This type of neighborhood in Topeka meant either Hispanic or Black neighborhoods. It was still true – but somehow – thinks looked less dangerous to me. I am not sure if this is because while living in Asia – I made new associations that poor did not equal bad or dangerous. I replaced some of that fear with empathy. But that is not what I was brought up to believe. While my Germanic upbringing has served me well in worth ethic – it can also breed intolerance to those who don’t work hard and make something of themselves. That intolerance gets mixed with fear – and expectations – and for many – nasty stereotypes develop.

Let me recount one more story that is fresh on my mind. It happened tonight, on the eve of Barack Obama becoming the president-elect of the US. About an hour before Obama was declared the winner of the election, I was finishing up at the gym. (If I have to watch election results, I might as well be on the treadmill at the same time!)

In the men’s locker room, I had finished showering, and was putting on my clothes. Usually, most people in the gym only talk to people they know. And since this is not my purpose in the gym, I keep my head down, do my work out and get out of there. No conversation.

A man on the nearby bench blurted out to me, “Well – that seems to have ended pretty quick tonight.” I looked around, and not seeing anyone else, realized he was talking to me.

“Pardon me?” I said.

“The election is already over. He won.”

I nodded.

“Now what are we going to do?” he said.

I was surprised that a stranger was talking to me. And even more surprised that he was asking provoking questions about politics. I was trying to think about how to handle the question. I was wearing jeans. My hair is longer. I certainly didn’t “look” the McCain (stereotype). Why was he saying this to me?

I decided to take the high road – and just get out of it. I responded, “It is time for a new America.”

He simply huffed and said, “We have been paying them to have babies for twenty years. Now we are going to pay for it.”

I was surprised. Shocked. I didn’t know what to say. I was tempted to spit something back at him, but I knew that it was a wrong place to debate. And moreover – he was a person not worth convincing.

I said nothing.

But as I drove home, I played the conversation over in my head – and tried to realize where his prejudice and perspective was coming from.

I can go more into my thought. But my bottom line realization is that the man had fear in his eyes. In his mind, his white world of supremecy was slowly coming to an end. And for him – and many Americans with wrong impressions about diversity in their minds – they are filled with fear.

I had to fortunately experience to be a diverse person living in a diverse world. Young people today are growing up in the same way.

But older generations of self (and this is a generalization and a stereotype) segregation haven’t learned that the world is a mix.

5. To you, what value is there in stereotypes?

Several of my author colleagues said that there is not much value in predjudice. While I agree that it can lead to many negative things – I think there is some value.

Sometimes, to me, it is like starting out with a hypothesis. You start with a set of assumptions and then your job is to either validate or dispel them. I have a sterotype that Asian women of 45 years of age here in California are slow drives that only come out at 10:30 am. I would hope that I find them out here kicking my butt in the fast lane. Generally, my sterotype is true. And I cheer them on when the buck the trend.

I stereotype that people from the Midwest have a certain set of “land values.” I go about validating if it is true and what is not true.

I believe, whether we like it or not – we all discover other people in this way. What is wrong is when we judge and don’t optimistically look to validate both sides.

I will give one more example.

Today, I needed to go in to ATT to get a new USB wireless card for my computer. I walked in to the store, and walked up to the man behind the counter who was free. He had scruffy facial hair. His polo shirt was way too tight to cover his massive 250 lb frame. He was not Caucasian. He had an ear ring.

Whether I wanted to or not – I had instant perspectives in what I thought he might be – both good and bad.

To me – challenge is to have those stereotypes – and then go about dispelling them or proving them true.

Isn’t that what we do as humans?
Is that right or wrong?

(drop me a note for more on my interactions with this particular chap – and whether my stereotype held true or not.)

BIANCA REGINA: Travel, Work and Politcs

1. Can you describe a favorite travel memory? It doesn’t have to be extraordinary - simple is good, too – but what is a memory of some travel experience that you treasure?

Being in Naples, Italy with the husband, eating pizza every day, drinking as much capuccino as we could, savouring street food, being outside - just trying to soak up all the simple, wonderful things about Italian life. Another favourite memory is being by myself on transatlantic flights. I really enjoyed being alone, and noticing that moment when time begins to drift, changing from one time zone and continent to another.

2. What is something you’ve learned from traveling – a lesson that you’ve tried to carry with you in the rest of your life?

Like Andreas: to take less. I once travelled in Mexico with my elder brother, me having already learned this lesson, him more and more annoyed with the weight of his backpack (and with watching me and my small, lightweight backpack) every day. In the end, he left a bunch of clothing behind in a hotel. Maybe some very tall Mexican is still wearing his clothes today.
Another lesson: to prepare. I love it when I have everything with me, down to the miniature bottle of my favourite conditioner, earplugs and a well-stocked MP3 player. It kind of contradicts the first lesson, so I would probably modify it to say that I think about not taking too much, but that I also take as many things as possible to treat myself well (even if three pairs of pants, four rings and four pairs of earrings aren't really necessary for a weekend, it's great to be able to choose).

3. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about work and careers lately, and came across this quote: “Jump, and a net will appear.” What does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply in any way to your own life?

I haven't jumped all that muchcareer-wise, in fact, parts of my career can accurately be described as stumbling. I like to think that I could jump if I had to, and that I would trust that a net would appear. Currently, I don't have to, so it doesn't really apply. I take risks in doing therapy and I try out new things, but that's walking or possibly skipping, not jumping.

4. Here is another quote about work and life choices that I recently discovered: “I must simplify my life, and whittle down what I do to the things that I am absolutely the most passionate about, or else I risk being stuck in mediocrity.” Similarly, what does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply to your own life?

It does say something to me. Like I said, I try to get rid of stuff that's not good for me. I also only work four days a week - a luxury I can afford because my job is well paid, but also something I do to increase the quality of my work. Well, also to increase the amount of time I have to do fun things. I can live with being mediocre for part of the time too, otherwise, life just gets too exhausting for me.

5. The U.S presidential election is on Tuesday. By the time you have to answer this question, we’ll know the outcome of the vote. How do you think the result of this election affects how the world views the U.S.? (Or, if you prefer, how you personally view the U.S., or how the U.S. might view itself?)

Most Europeans support Barack Obama. The weekly newspaper I read does not even try to be objective in its coverage of the election, it has wholeheartedly embraced the Democratic candidate. It's only Sunday, but the husband and me have already talked about when results will be coming in. See from afar, the question associated with this election is whether the States will change or not. Me, I'd like to see change.

ANDREAS EKSTROM: Travel, Work and Politics

1. Can you describe a favorite travel memory? It doesn’t have to be extraordinary - simple is good, too – but what is a memory of some travel experience that you treasure?
Stepping out on a wintery Chicago Street a few years back, a mild evening, having a four hour layover, just hitting the town since I happen to know a great place for hot chocolate there. A wonderfully urban feeling. I also love a memory of visiting ”Bianca Regina” while she lived in London – a little over ten years ago, which, in itself, is a breathtaking thought.

2. What is something you’ve learned from traveling – a lesson that you’ve tried to carry with you in the rest of your life?
Travel light. Get rid of unnecessary baggage.

3. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about work and careers lately, and came across this quote: “Jump, and a net will appear.” What does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply in any way to your own life?
That's all about trusting oneself. I could probably be better at that.

4. Here is another quote about work and life choices that I recently discovered: “I must simplify my life, and whittle down what I do to the things that I am absolutely the most passionate about, or else I risk being stuck in mediocrity.” Similarly, what does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply to your own life?
A constant struggle for me.

5. The U.S presidential election is on Tuesday. By the time you have to answer this question, we’ll know the outcome of the vote. How do you think the result of this election affects how the world views the U.S.? (Or, if you prefer, how you personally view the U.S., or how the U.S. might view itself?)
A big question. Mr Obama represents a more modern and international view of the world. That does give me some hope.

WEEK FIVE: Five questions on TRAVEL, WORK and POLITICS

Rather than focus on just one main subject area this week, I decided to have this set of questions be more of a variety pack. There are questions on travel, work and politics. Enjoy!

1. Can you describe a favorite travel memory? It doesn’t have to be extraordinary - simple is good, too – but what is a memory of some travel experience that you treasure?

2. What is something you’ve learned from traveling - a lesson that you’ve tried to carry with you in the rest of your life?

3. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about work and careers lately, and came across this quote: “Jump, and a net will appear.” What does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply in any way to your own life?

4. Here is another quote about work and life choices that I recently discovered: “I must simplify my life, and whittle down what I do to the things that I am absolutely the most passionate about, or else I risk being stuck in mediocrity.” Similarly, what does that say to you, if anything, and does it apply to your own life?

5. The U.S presidential election is on Tuesday. By the time you have to answer this question, we’ll know the outcome of the vote. How do you think the result of this election affects how the world views the U.S.? (Or, if you prefer, how you personally view the U.S., or how the U.S. might view itself?)

PETER WARING - Prejudice and Stereotypes

1. What are some of the things people who don't know you very well tend to think about you?

A tricky question since I also don’t know the people who don’t know me very well. I guess though some people might view me as being a little serious and reflective – perhaps even a little ‘anal’? Some may even think I’m conservative? People who know me better know that I have a broad and occasionally bizarre sense of humour and a left-leaning, liberal political orientation.

2. Which of these assumptions are true?

Certainly not the assumption that I am conservative. I can be quite serious and reflective though and sometimes I do need to remind myself to temper idealism with realism and not to get too ‘worked-up’ over the things that get me angry – prejudice, anti-intellectualism, narrow thinking…

3. Which stereotypes about your country are true about you, if any?

Australians are typically seen to be free and easy people with a laconic style and friendly disposition. We’re known for being intolerant of ‘bull-shit’ and those who seek to assert their superior social status. I guess this description is generally true of me also though I tend to be less laconic and perhaps not as ‘free and easy’ as other Aussies. I also wrestle less crocodiles then my fellow Australians and have only once ridden on the back of a Kangaroo!

4. What are situations in which you find yourself to be prejudiced?

Ditto Bob’s comments on ‘right-wing’ nutjobs. I also find myself prejudiced against those with narrow views but who also fail to read or attempt to broaden their understanding of any important issue but rather cling to ill-conceived, self-interested and anachronistic ideology.

5. To you, what value is there in stereotypes?

Only in reminding us that the basis of prejudice is often founded on a gross perceptual error. To take someone’s skin-colour, gender or sexual orientation and link this to certain negative behaviours or characteristics is plainly stupid.