Culture, Parking, and Innovation

As long as cars are a part of our lives, the challenge of where to put them will be an issue. The automobile is such a dominant feature of modern culture, expanding the distance we are able to travel for dinners, shopping, sporting events, and social functions on a daily basis. As a result, available parking for vehicles is an issue.  Frequently, decisions are made based on parking availability.

Are there places to park? Will I have to pay? Is it too expensive? Is it safe for my car? Is it safe for me? Will there be space available? How far will I have to walk?

Without parking options, mobility would not be enjoyed to the degree it is, or chaos would reign as it does when parking rules are not enforced.  A society’s ability to govern parking should not be underestimated, neither should the importance of parking to free enterprise.

“According to urban planner Eran Ben-Joseph, there are now three non-residential parking spaces for every car in the US, with as many as 30 in Houston and some other US cities. This translates into nearly 800 million parking spaces covering an area larger than Puerto Rico. With roughly 600 million passenger cars throughout the world, other communities and countries face comparable parking and commercial situations.”

Parking is truly a global issue. Although the European auto market has collapsed and the US market is saturated, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan is seeing incredible growth in all other markets.  With cars come parking problems.

Eran Ben-Joseph’s Rethinking A Lot is an interesting read on the past, present and future of parking lots. Rethinking the parking lot is a valid suggestion. What is perceived as an ugly, cultural void may be redeemed by adopting cultural, environmental and economic mixed use.  The ugly scar of parking lots and garages scream for innovation.

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scottreitz, May 21st 2013 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Intercultural, Urban

Let the Walls Speak

politicalgraffiti8Norman Mailer and Jon Naar put together The Faith of Graffiti (1973) and art was changed forever.

Vandal became Van Gogh, and Pariah became poet.

Naar argues that Graffiti is political. I would agree. For every ‘Ron loves Wanda’ tag, there are dozens of  socio-political tags that directly or indirectly address issues of opposition, territorial boundaries, epitaphs to heroes, calls for rebellion, or commentary on society.

The Next time you see graffiti, look a little closer. Maybe vandalism up close looks a little more like art and politics than you previously thought.

As an interculturalist, look for voices everywhere. What does graffiti tell you about opposition, art, cultural norms?

dont-vote

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scottreitz, January 28th 2013 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Community, Culture, Intercultural

Generational Diversity: Over The Hill and Wet Behind The Ears

GD1In the diverse work place, many of us have learned (and continue to learn)  how to navigate our differences of gender, race, and religion. In some relationships, we apply humor while in other relationships, it seems we are dancing around a minefield with a blindfold on. That said, over time, we figure it out to some degree of success.

What we may not be paying attention to is the generational diversity in the room.

Context Alert:  If you are a Westerner this probably applies to your environment. To the non-westerner, this may help explain the pervasive thought on age in the North American workplace.

Lancaster and Stillman remind us (as if young employees are not already painfully aware) that “younger generations [are not ] seen as credible.” In addition, younger generations are perceived as impulsive, inexperienced, and lacking in work ethic. On the other side of the coin, younger generations often perceive the older set as out of touch, insufficient in energy, and operating as the over-protective guardians of power.

Trans-generational dialogue and understanding is a critical component across cultures east to west. There are so many questions to be asked that have not been broached. Depending on your cultural construct, the way you initiate your inquiry will vary in intensity and directness. Take some time with a colleague to learn more about what they value, and how they perceive the employees born in different decades.

 

Check out Lancaster and Stillman’s When Generations Collide for more.

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scottreitz, January 25th 2013 | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Community, Culture, Intercultural, Social Media

Standing Out or Blending In?

628x471When we cross borders and cultural boundaries, what often enamours  us from the start is the attention we gain for our differences. Like a giant blond Swede in Tokyo, you have the attention of people around you. They ask questions about your clothes, your camera, and if you are a westerner in Asia- why the technology of your mobile phone is so 20th century. You are invited out, complimented on your noble attempts at using your phrase book, introduced to new cuisine, and asked for your Facebook name. You might feel like a superstar.

Enjoy the ego boost for what it is worth because the truth is, to be effective, you must find a way to blend in. Unless you are in fact a superstar, your ability to relate, to blend in, to integrate, is your path to effectiveness- not your novelty. Novelty wears off quickly. Your height, eye color, accent, – ‘differentness’ is fleeting. Before long, you and your new colleagues will begin to resent how different you are, if steps are not taken to join in.

The best way to do this is to go to work. Expend an incredible amount of inertia getting your relationships, your professional work, your language proficiency, and your cultural competency into orbit.

One of my favorite expressions for effectiveness in intercultural community is borrowed from my friend, The Identity Specialist. His tagline is “Be Unique but Belong.“

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scottreitz, January 24th 2013 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Community, Culture, Intercultural, Team, Travel

When Math fails Us: A Thought on the Lakers and Intercultural Teams

global nbaWhether or not you follow American Basketball, the Los Angeles Lakers franchise is a global brand. Advertisements with Dwight Howard assault your eyes in Shanghai and Tokyo, Kobe Bryant makes an appearance in Soweto outside of Johannesburg and hats with Laker colors appear in a variety of languages. The Lakers and their stars have achieved global notoriety and economic success.

Surprisingly, with their incredibly deep pool of talent, they are near the bottom of the standings in their sport. Why? The incredible individual statistics for a team with many potential “Hall of Famers” suggests an incredible season and probable championship season.

Lakers All-time leading scorer + arguably the best Center in the league + a point guard with 10,000 assists + a roster of other very talented players = unproductive.

Why doesn’t the math add up?Kobe+Bryant+Visits+Football+Centre+Soweto+QcZ14YwULB7l

Perceived potential is not always realized. In teamwork, success is far more complex than assembling a group of the most talented, successful individuals. Richard Lewis argues that successful intercultural  teams exhibit adaptability and flexibility when they come together. Could the solution to problem with the Laker players (and to the challenges of our own intercultural team contexts) be that we begin to view previous successes as an option and not the blueprint.

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scottreitz, January 23rd 2013 | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Intercultural, Team

What in the world is Freedom?

My_way_OrIsaac Weld died in 1856, but even in those days he had a critique of the American interpretation of freedom.

He wrote of Americans:  

“Civility cannot be purchased from them on any terms; they seem to think that it is incompatible with freedom.”

Freedom is a much abused word. Freedom is more comfortable appearing before a preposition and verb (of speech, of safety, from oppression) or following an adjective (academic).  Freedom to do anything you want (and percieve is right) is a scary elucidation but one that many in individualistic societies embrace.

Do you think Isaac Weld is right about Americans?  

What does freedom mean in your country?

Thank you to Craig Storti  for introducing me to this quote years ago in his book, The Art of Crossing Cultures.

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scottreitz, January 23rd 2013 | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Culture, Intercultural

Prepare to squat: Advice for the rookie Western Traveler

Before you say “ewww,” or comment disparagingly about how “uncivilized” squatting is when using the restroom, consider your human physiology. While the westerner may find the absence of a sit toilet to be uncomfortable and even distressing, the squatting position traditionally used in the East is the most natural and the most healthy method for the evacuation of the bowels. Medical research suggests that squatting more effectively aligns the anorectal tract, leading to a more efficient and more effective trip to the loo. In contrast, the unnatural pressure of sitting during the defecation process can lead to hemorroids, rectal tearing, and even Deep Vein thrombosis (DVT). So embrace the squat when you travel. Here are some steps to take when confronted with the squat-only bathroom apparatus for the first time.

Fight the Fear. The last thing you want to do when traveling is to allow your toilet preferences to dictate your itinerary.

Take a moment to consider your technique. Remember it needs to be clean and tidy for the person following you so technique is everything.

Lock the door or stall if possible. The first time may take a while.

Place your shoes on the skidded tile on either side of the porceline hole.

Lower your pants to your knees.

Move into the deep squat position. This is not the hover position you might utilize in a dirty train station bathroom.

Find your balance. The last thing you want is to tip one way or the other.

After you complete your task, use either paper or glass tumbler to clean yourself.

Dispose of paper in the proper place. Down the hole is not necessarily the most appropriate disposal. Place any used toilet paper in the garbage can if instructed to or if you see that to be the method previously used.

Pull up your pants. Step off of the skids.

This process becomes more and more comfortable with practice and it may even become your preferred technique. It is far more sanitary than a sit toilet in regions where sit toilets are misunderstood or misused.

 

Enjoy your trip and don’t let something silly like a squatty potty get in your way.

 

Also check out Daniel Lametti’s article on healthy bathroom posture.

 

 

 

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scottreitz, December 6th 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Culture, Intercultural, Travel

Identity and Culture: Who were you the last time you signed in on MySpace?

Your identity: All of the attributes that make you uniquely you.

Identity is not static. It grows, expands and contracts, like a human heart. Like culture.

Do you remember who you were the last time you signed in to MySpace?

Sign in and see the ‘You’ that you projected for others to see. What pictures did you post? What music did you listen to? Are you embarrassed by what you projected at that time? How is culture, and your preferences of subcultures  different today? I am curious what you learn about yourself. Please post below.

For more on Identity and Social Media check out my friend, the Identity Specialist.

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scottreitz, November 28th 2012 | Posted in Culture, Social Media

Ethnos and Identity

I just finished reading an essay by Abner Cohen that resonated with me. It discussed the role adversity plays in forming our identity and our ethnicity.

For example, as much as our vision for our professional future is formed by positive aspirations, it is equally influenced by what we choose not to be or what we choose to fight against. Some of what I do in directing others was formed in my younger years while working under a poor supervisor and leader. In those difficult days, I would press myself to be thankful for an example of how not to function. Identity is shaped not only by force of will, but also by external forces beyond ones control.

In the same way, ethnic identity does not happen in a vacuum.  Cohen writes “contemporary ethnicity is the result of intensive interaction between ethnic groupings and not the result of complete separatism.” One does not have to dig deep into a community to find how ethnic identity is shaped by interactions with others. The Jewish identity is deeply rooted in the story of Moses and their escape from Egypt, as well as the tragic genocide at the hands of the Nazi regime. The examples abound in virtually every ethnic enclave you might think of.

And it isn’t just interaction born of conflict. Ethnos is also influenced by language, music, art, faith, and general human interaction through common borders and through trade.

Please don’t take this the wrong way (because it is possible that some of you may see this as a negative statement).

Our identity is just as much who we are not as it is who we are.

What do you think?

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scottreitz, November 21st 2012 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Intercultural

The Many Functions of the Urban Auto


A few weeks ago, I looked out of my office door and took in a scene (picture right) that triggered a collage of great memories and reminded me of all the glorious things my automobile can do.

As a kid growing up in Brooklyn, New York, the car was far more than a transportation tool for people and cargo. It was part of the landscape.

It was both private and public property.

A Datsun 210 was sometimes the boundary set by my mother, delineating the border of my activities. A Delta ’88 marked the end zone on one side of the street and a Dodge Dart across the street the other marker. Cars were bleachers for younger kids not allowed to play in the street.  They served as base for games of Cocolevio or Manhunt. Cars were gold mines for young kids, where absent-minded adults allowed change and sometimes paper money to fall from their pockets as they fumbled for their keys. Older girls checked their makeup and older boys their hair, in any of the dozen side view mirrors facing the sidewalk. Hoods were desks for homework and tables for chess or checkers. What would we have done without cars? I can’t even begin to imagine such a horrible world for a younger me.

When I saw this student leaning on my car, I was thankful. Thankful for this reminder to a city kid now living in the suburbs- Cars aren’t just for driving.

While you are thinking about the role of the auto in urban society, check out this blog written by my friend Hans, titled Automobility Evil.

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scottreitz, November 20th 2012 | Tags: ,
Posted in Community, Culture, Intercultural, Urban
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