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Travel Cultures Language

This Life Lesson Ain’t No Lie

by Janine Boylan on February 25, 2013

woman with long nose, illustrating a life lesson about telling lies

Lies tend to catch up with you.
© Thinkstock

Have You Lied Today?

I did, even though one life lesson I’ve surely learned is: Don’t lie. 

I was at this restaurant where the service was impossibly slow and the food mediocre. I had to go into the kitchen to summon the server and request my check. When she sauntered out and gave me the bill, she asked: How was everything? My answer: Fine.

No, it wasn’t! But it was easier to tell a little lie than to have a confrontation.

Language Speaks Volumes About Cultural Differences

by Janine Boylan on February 18, 2013

Language can reveal so much about the values and priorities in a culture. That’s why I love learning about different languages and discovering the richness of cultural differences. Perhaps Rita Mae Brown best described the connection between language and culture when she said:

Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.

One Thousand Names

What would you call this animal? To me, it is simply a reindeer.

Reindeer, illustrating that languages reflect cultural differences

There are 48 terms in the Northern Saami language for the shape of reindeer antlers.
© Thinkstock

Technology in Everyday Life: Plug Away or Pull the Plug?

by Janine Boylan on February 11, 2013

man with plugs in his hair, showing overuse of technology in everyday life

Are we too plugged in?
© Thinkstock

How Plugged In Are You?

Think about the technology in your everyday life.

  • Do you go on dates with your smartphone?
  • Do you excuse yourself to go to the restroom and check your email?
  • At a coffee shop or airport, do you try to get the seat nearest to the outlet?
  • In line, do you immediately pull out your smartphone for something to do?
  • Do you think your smartphone makes you smarter?

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