Research Articles Base: Lifestyle Essay Samples

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

There are  a lot of things that I do for fun especially after the whole hard days at work and every time that I get so bored in my place. I usually hang out with my friends. I go out and watch movies, eat or just simply talk and have coffee with tem. I can also consider myself as a very sports minded and active person. I love playing soccer and volleyball. At night, while relaxing, I surf the Internet and read blogs, since it is the trend these days. I usually go to ,  etc.             There is another past time that I like, and this surely satisfies me inside out, makes my heart pound and relaxes my soul. This is Salsa dancing. Yes! You “heard” it right, “SALSA.” Even for people who are not particularly interested in dance, the triumphant rise of Latin music and dance all over the world must be striking. Wherever you are, you will hear some kind of Latin music: in discos, on the radio, in TV commercials, as background music in shops and bars, in concert venues or on the internet. Styles of Latin music range from the songs of top earners like Ricky Martin or Jennifer L to the Old Guard of Cuban son like Ibrahim Ferrer or RubGonzs to a multitude of salsa, merengue and bachata bands from the Caribbean, the US, Latin America, Africa or Europe.   I want to concentrate on one musical phenomenon, on salsa. To clarify relations between salsa and Latin music in general I have to elucidate briefly the history of salsa. Salsa music has been a hybrid from the very start. Thus, salsa was not really a musical style,: ‘Salsa is not a rhythm. It is a concept. An open, ever-evolving musical, cultural, socio-political CONCEPT.’   In the beginning I just wanted to dance. I already had some experience as a hobby dancer, and had tried several dance forms. However, I was looking for something else, something that was not restricted to the classroom like the other dances I had practiced before. I was attracted to salsa because it took place in discos, where I could dance whenever I wanted to and as long as I wanted. There were cases of dancers who abandoned partners as a consequence of their passion for salsa, and many neglected former friends and hobbies because they spent most of their leisure time dancing. Simultaneously, I noticed that salsa, and Latin music in general, had become a worldwide fashion. I started to wonder what made salsa and Latin music so fascinating for so many people, and decided to have a closer look at the part of the phenomenon I knew best: the salsa dancers of Hamburg. When I started to visit salsa discos I watched the advanced dancers with admiration and decided to follow their example. I was more and more drawn into the music and the dance. At peak times of my passion I was out dancing five nights a week, and I realized that other dancers shared or even surpassed my enthusiasm.         Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

There are a lot of things that I do for fun especially after the whole hard days at work and every time that I get so bored in my place....

MBA assignment – Business Implications of the European Union (Empirical Contribution: “European lifestyle’s)

European Lifestyles Definition of Lifestyle             According to the dictionary, lifestyle is considered as the way of life or style of living that reflects the attitude and values of a certain individual or group. In general it is a set of attitudes, habits and possessions regarded as typical or a given group or a person (Farlex, 2008). The word lifestyle was first coined and used by Alfred Adler in 1929. Adler used the idea of lifestyle to characterize the vital character structure of a person as established during early childhood. Furthermore, he related lifestyle to personal behavior and emotional reactions during the life-cycle. Thus, the core style of life is founded during the first four or five years of childhood, and that a fragment of memory preserves the motives of a lifestyle for an individual (Elliott, 2007, p. 12). Furthermore, Tony Veal (1993), further described lifestyle as the distinctive pattern of personal or even social behavior characteristics of an individual or a group (Roberts, 2006, p. 167). The concept about lifestyle includes the conviction or beliefs of an individual towards his or her self, other and events in the syllogistic framework. Adler explained that once a lifestyle was acquired by an individual, it will remain the same unless the person gains an insight into his or her ingrained outlook in life (Clark, 2007, p. 47). In general, lifestyle is a characteristics bundle of behaviors that make sense to a person and other people in a specific time and place, as well as other factors such as social relations, consumption, entertainment as well as fashion that is considered as a mixture of habits, conservative ways of doing things as well as reasoned actions. Thus, lifestyle reflect the attitudes, values and worldview of a person, and is considered as a means of copying a sense of self in order to create cultural symbols that is parallel with personality identity (Spaargaren & VanVliet, 2000, p. 52).   What is European Lifestyle?             In most of the European cities, living downtown is always considered as the most desirable option. This is due to the fact that it offers convenience and accessibility for every facility.             Living in downtown is somewhat expensive, that’s why it had affected the lifestyle of the people. European accepted the trade-off readily, where in the interesting city requires its residence to live in a smaller room. Thus, it causes the European to have a humble or small living, where in people are focusing on saving money in different ways. This can also be seen in the growing demand for apartment as well as the adaptable home design, where in the residents can upgrade and remodel their homes but save money, time and effort (Tuhus-Dubrow, 2008).             Europeans prefer to have a smaller appliance, furniture and other gadgets inside their home in order to save space. As a result, Europeans that are living in smaller spaces are less consumer-orientated. They don’t fill their homes with much stuff such as groceries, making them prudent with their purchasing activities because the emptier spaces will look and feel larger (Griffin, 2000). As a result of smaller space at their homes, Europeans also tend to go out more, and use the city more.             Europeans also buy fresh food a few times a week. That is the primary reason why, the need and demand for huge fridge is not that high. They give a strong emphasis on their diet, that’s why they have a strong fixation over fresh food. However, the said lifestyle is changing a little due to the longer working hours and availability and accessibility more fast-food outlets (McGraw-Hill, 2007).             Europeans prefer to commute than to have their own car. This is due to the fact that the people are supported by the good public transit of the region. In addition to that, it also helps the citizens to save money on gas and maintenance of their cars (Browne, 2008).   European, American and Chinese Lifestyle European lifestyle focuses on being conscious about consumption and tends to go for quality over quantity (Browne, 2008). There are different aspects that affected the lifestyle or European, first is the increasing rate of cost of living that pushes the people to do activities and tasks that will help them save money. As a result, Europeans are likely to stay or live in smaller home, and it follows that they choose to buy and use smaller appliances, furniture and stuff, in order to save space as well as money (Griffin, 2000). This is opposite to the demand of Americans for huge homes, and huge appliances and furniture (FindArticles.com, n.d.). On the other hand, Chinese people are already changing their preferences for size and style of houses, there is a growing demand for luxurious homes due to the continuous economic growth in the country (Shanghai Daily, 2008). Europeans are less consumer-orientated. They are not buying stuffs and things that are not that important in order to save space and money (Browne, 2008). On the other hand, both Chinese and Americans love buying things and stuffs, out of impulsive buying. But, the Americans are guilty of buying large amount and units of stuffs that, more often than not, are not necessary or important because they have huge space in their homes and the price of products are low (Bonner, 2007). In terms of diet, Europeans are considered as meticulous regarding what they eat. The reason why they are not buying that much stuff is because they prefer to eat fresh foods (McGraw-Hill, 2007). That is the reason why they have the habit to buy stuffs few times a week. Chinese, like Europeans also focuses on serving fresh foods. On the other hand, most of Americans prefer to have fast-foods for their meals (Chu, 2006). Car ownership in Europe is not that important due to the good public transit. Europeans are tended to commute, rather use their cars, if any, because it can help them to save money on gas. On the other hand, both Chinese and Americans are dependent in having their own cars. In China, the demand for and sales of car is continuing to increase (Browne, 2008).   Hong Kong Situations             Before the arrival of British, Hong Kong was a small fishing community and a haven for opium smugglers and pirates. At the end of the first Opium War during 1842, China ceded Hong Kong to the British in perpetuity. Both China and Britain soon realize the vitality of the trading post as the best harbor between Indochina and Shanghai. China ceded an adjacent part of the mainland that was called the New Territories, to Britain for 99 years during 1898. During 1984, the British agreed to give back all of Hong Kong as the New Territories lease was near its expiration. In return, Britain asks for guarantee from China that it would preserve the economic system as well as civil liberties of its former colony (Gonzalez, Smith & Sherer, 2004, p. 141). As of now, Hong Kong has become an international City, that is consists of differently people with different nationalities. This is the result of the improvement and development o the city as a financial hub in Asia. It can be seen in the development of the country in terms of tourism where in more and more people are traveling, visiting and staying in the city in order to take advantage of its growth and development. In July 1997, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or SAR of China, and it remains as one of the great trading communities in the world (Gonzalez et.al., 2004, p. 142). The British influence is still evident, and it can be observed from the school system and free-market economy, up to the double-decker buses, it can also be observed on the English pubs, afternoon tea and orderly queues (Reiber, 2007, p. 4). However, after the take-over in 1997, the influence of English had started to decrease. First is that although English is still thought in all schools, most of them are teaching in Cantonese in parallel with Mandarin and English. In addition, portrait of Queen Elizabeth was removed from all the banknotes, postage stamps and public offices, however, the pre-1997 coins are still acceptable up to present (Lim, 2002, p. 25).   Business Implications             Although, it has been a long time since the Britain return the control and territory of Hong Kong to China, there are still visible influences of the British in the entire lifestyle and standard of living of people in the city.             Due to the continuing growth of the economy and connection of Hong Kong, Europe is beginning to realize that Hong Kong is one of the increasingly vital East Asian economies, thus more and more European businesses are starting to pay more attention in focusing on the different new opportunities that can be gained in the quickly expanding South-East Asian markets, primarily China. Hong Kong now, with its great connection to China, will focus more on Europe as a whole and will try to gain access to the single European market for enhanced prosperity (Floyd, 1998, p. 168).   European Imports and Foods             As of now, the European imports are affecting Hong Kong everywhere. It can be observed on the huge numbers of European products that ranges from different beverages and foods, cosmetics up to latest trends of technology. Thus, it shows that the European lifestyle can be seen in everyday life of the citizens and visitors of Hong Kong.             In addition, the traditional breakfast in Hong Kong is somewhat different compare to other regions of China; this is due to the influence of the long periods of colonial rule of British in the city. Traditional breakfasts could be consists of milk tea, coffee or yuanyang that is served together with bread, fried egg, bowl of macaroni soup or ham. On the other hand, due to the improving and developing tourism industry in the city, because Hong Kong can be considered as an international City, it is offering different cuisine that will cater to the different tastes and demands of the people. The city is offering not only oriental Chinese food but varieties of cuisine from Spanish, American, Italian and even Portuguese cuisine that enables the tourists, and even the local residence to choose (Yee Lee, n.d.).   Fashion             Hong Kong is considered as the shopping capital in Asia, most of the tourists are visiting the city in order to avail and take advantage of low price accessories and clothes. In the city, the tourists can choose to varieties of fashion and designed with the touch of different cultures and nations.             However, many people considered Europe as the home of the finest fashion designers and trend setters in the field. Most of people in the world, including the Hong Kongers, believe that Europeans are always related to stylish, fashionable and always providing good design. In addition to that, the region also holds the image of quality and elegance (Europe, n.d.).             On the other hand, due to the influence of Chinese culture, the trends in terms of fashion in the country are starting to change. More often than not, Chinese style and design are being incorporated to some of the Western, particularly European design.    Language             Due to the fact that Hong Kong is under the Chinese control, Mandarin is being spoken more often compare before. Chinese and English are the two official languages of the city, while Cantonese is considered as the most popular dialect (AsianInfo, 2000).             The education system of the city has been modeled in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, because of its historical connection with the UK. At secondary students study for the HKCEE or Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination at the age of 17, and then at the age of 19, student must take the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination or HKALE. In addition, undergraduate degree usually takes three years in order to complete (British Council, 2008).             English is used in different schools and universities and considered as the second official language in the city that is why, language barrier is not a problem in the city, compare to other regions and areas in Asia. In addition to that, most of the signs and warnings are written in both Chinese and English, that’s why foreigners can get around in Hong Kong in easy manner (AsianInfo, 2000).   Transportation             As have mentioned above, the reason why European does not have a high demand for car is because of their effective, efficient and accessible transportation system. One of the most important influence and contribution of British to the city is the transportation system.             Hong Kong is considered as a compact and boasts and one of the most efficient, safe, affordable and frequent public transportation systems in the world. The foreigners and locals can use the taxi, ferry, rail, or Metro Train and bus or tram in order to get around easily and catch wonderful glimpses and views of the city along the way (Hong Kong Tourism Board, 2007).             The said transportation system enables different businesses to have a greater access in different important points in the city. In addition to that, it also created a great connection with China, where in it will offer larger market.   Entertainment             The influence of English is also visible in the entertainment industry in the city. There are channels, particularly in cable that offers vast varieties and choices of English shows. On the other hand, in terms of Movie or Film industry, Hong Kong movies show mixture of the Chinese culture and English or British influence. Hong Kong had a greater degree of economic and political freedom, compare to other regions of China, thus it had helped the city to become the filmmaking hub for the entire Chinese-speaking region, as well as the East Asia. It had helped the city to become one of the largest and most dynamic film entertainment industries in the world, and had ranked first in Asia, and second in the world, in terms of capita production in 2006 (HKTDC, 2008).   Sports             Sports play a vital role in the culture of Hong Kong. In the city, it can be observed that both eastern and western culture has a great influence in terms of sports.             Football is one of the most important influences of English to the sports culture of the city. Football is famous among youngster and it can be seen everywhere. English Premiership takes the city by storm due to the intensity and excitement of each and every match, as well as the certain bond between the Hong Kongers and British (Youth.gov.hk, 2007).     References   Boner, B. (2007). Bailing Out the American Debt Business. LewRockwell.com. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from http://www.lewrockwell.com/bonn er/bonner333.html   Browne, K. (2008). The Triumph of the European Lifestyle. National Post. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://www.househunting.ca/vacation-homes/story.html?id=68ecda79-9820-4d27-a476-3270b5fcf9b1.   Chu, C. (2006). Fast Food Traps. Granite Medical. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from http://www.granitemedical.com/health_education/health_ tips/nutrition/fastFoodTraps.htm   Clark, A. (2007). Empathy in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Perspective and Practices. Routledge.   Elliot, A. (2007). Concepts of Self. Polity. Hong Kong Tourism Board. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/mustkn ow/information/mk_info_gett.jhtml   Europe World – the Original Home to Fashion and Glamor. Europe. Retrieved November 20, 2007, from http://www.europeword.com/blog/euro pe/europe-world-the-original-home-to-fashion-and-glamour/   Film Entertainment (2008, March 27). HKTDC. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://info.hktdc.com/main/si/spfilm.htm   Floyd, D. (1998). ‘The Handling Over of Hong Kong to China: The Implications for European Business’. European Review. 98(3), 168-171   Getting Around (2007, November 30). TravelChinaGuide.com, Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/h ongkong/getting-around.htm   Gonzalez, J., Smith, M. & Sherer, T. (2004). The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Geography. Alpha Books.   Grifin (2000). International Business: Managerial Perspectives. Pearson Custome Publishing.   Hong Kong Market Introduction (2008, March). British Council. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://www.britishcouncil.org/eumd-information-background-hong-kong.htm   Hong Kong Overview (1999). Hotel Travel.com. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://www.hoteltravel.com/hongkong/guides/overview.htm   Lim, P. (2002). Discovering Hong Hong’s Cultural Heritage. Central. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press.   Luxury House Market Likely to Grow (2008, July 9). Shanghai Daily. China.Org.Cn. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from http://www.china.org.cn/business/2008-07/09/content_15979163.htm   Business Week (2007). McGraw-Hill. University of Michigan.   On the English Premier League and Football Stars (2007, August 28). Youth.gov.hk. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://www.youth.gov.hk/en/hotpicks/soccer.htm   The Free Dictionary: Lifestyle (2008). Farlex. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/lifestyle.   Reiber, B. (2007). Frommer’s Hong Kong. Frommer’s.   Roberts, K. (2006). Leisure in Contemporary Society. CABI Publishing.   Spaargaren, G. & B. VanVliet (2000). ‘Lifestyles, Consumption and the Environment: The Ecological Modernisation of Domestic Consumption.’ Environmental Politics. 9(1), 50-75.   The Languages of Hong Kong (2000). AsianInfo. Retrieved November 17, 2008, from http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/hong-kong/hk_language.htm   Tuhus-Dubrow, R. (2008, October 26). The Incredible, Flexible, Movable House.Boston.com. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2008/10/26/the_incredible_flexible_movable_house/?page=2   Where America Lives – Homes Growing in Size and Other Related Facts. FindArticles.com. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4021/is_n1_v20?pnum=2&opg=20111749&tag=artBody;col1   Yee Lee, W. Breakfast in Hong Kong. Travel in China. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/china-info/index .pl?page=4;read=308 Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

MBA assignment – Business Implications of the European Union (Empirical Contribution: “European lifestyle’s)

European Lifestyles Definition of Lifestyle According to the dictionary, lifestyle is considered as the way of life or styl...

WHY AMERICANS LOVE THEIR CARS

WHY AMERICANS LOVE THEIR CARS             The Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the USA reports that based on their statistics on a 107 million US households,  there is a median of 1.9   trucks, cars,  jeeps, or sport utility vehicles (SUVs) per household.  In each household, there is an average of 1.8 drivers. Working out this figure will result to 191 million motor drivers and 204 million  motor vehicles.             According to Robert Land, the director of Virginia Tech’s Metropolitan Institute, [I]” This is the final realization of the entire American ethos…There (is) a real love of the road.”             The author of “Commuting in America,”  Alan Pisanski, said “(America)[ii] has added more cars than people for the last two decades and the average number of people per household has been declining.”             Various are the reasons as to why vehicles in the USA are burgeoning. The main reason among these is that the number of income-earners in one household in America  has been on the rise. These income earners usually drive their own car separately to work. Adolescents who have their own personal cars are on the increase, too.  Families are finding SUVs  amenable to weekend get-aways and leisure time. Vehicles are also more durable. Compared to before when automobiles were scrapped if their odometers register 100,000 or even lesser miles, present cars can still be driven 200,000 miles  or even more.             Furthermore,  since cars are more durable, ten- year old second-hand cars are astonishingly more obtainable in the market because of its low cost price.             American middle class families characteristically have three vehicles in their households. A couple has one car each which they use for work, and a family SUV or a pickup. They usually use the cars with more mileage per liter of gasoline during weekdays, but they use their  gasoline- gobbling  sports vehicle on vacations and holiday breaks.             It can be said that the Americans’ love affair with their cars has restructured their neighborhood and communities. Taking into consideration parking spaces for their motor vehicles, many localities have already substituted the districts’ apartment buildings to  suburban subdivisions.             A person averages three to five trips daily, half of which are used to run errands and for  buying necessities in the groceries and malls.             A  Surface Transportation Policy Project, a group that  supports balance in transportation,  stated that [iii](Americans) are taking many short trips (they) used to make on bike or foot”.               A survey conducted by the Transportation Department of the USA in 2002 found out that 91% commuters drive their own motor vehicles.  In the survey, it also showed that only 8% of American households have no cars or any form of transportation.              Fear of terrorism also added to the increase of sport vehicle utilization. Holiday merrymakers and vacationers would rather ride cars than planes. A survey conducted by a travel research firm, D.K. Shifflet & Associates revealed that commuters who used land vehicles instead of other modes of transportation rose to around 85% in 2002 from 83%  in the year 2000.              Another survey by Lube International  said that higher than one-third of people they surveyed, mostly US adults, said that they have civilized their bonding with their personal vehicles by praising,  cheering, and even saying sorry to their SUVs, trucks and cars. They encourage their cars verbally, stroke the wheels or the dashboards to have a smooth trip, and, not to give them problems or stall on the road.  They even say thank you to their vehicles for a nice, safe  journey and  a trip with no motor problems.              [iv]“A car is a part of the American’s dream of freedom, wealth, and mobility,” based on the statement of an urban studies expert, Professor Michael Dear,  of the University of Southern California.             The cities of America have been planned and designed for the convenience of its human populace and their vehicles. The citizens live far away from their jobs, from entertainments, and the shops. The suburban way of living would fall down if their vehicles will be taken away. 		 		 		[i] www.usatoday.com 		 		 		[ii] www.usatoday.com 		 		 		[iii] www.usatoday.com 		 		 		[iv] www.guardian.co.uk Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

WHY AMERICANS LOVE THEIR CARS

WHY AMERICANS LOVE THEIR CARS The Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the USA reports that based on their statistics on ...

Contrast Essay on Life in 1911 and Life in 2011

LIFE IN 1911 AND LIFE IN 2011         If we are going to look back in the past we can view many histories of great people throughout the world who have made a great contribution in today’s modern world. And then again if we are going back to their time we can view many changes in cultures and traditions, political and philosophical even economic and lifestyles among nations. After a century of evolution the earth is still young but the past can no longer exist but only in the memories of the people. To get a better idea what life was during the past decades let us take a look at a glimpse of the past.       During early 19th century modesty in family life is their experienced. Most of the countries lived in a simple way of life where agriculture, fisheries and livestock are among their livelihood that is why most people are a working class. During the 19th century family was much larger than of today since family planning has not been introduced. Female are just left at home to take care of the household choir and their children while men do the work for the family, this was the usual settings in the society.       During the 19th century religion was highly exercised in the family throughout the world according to their belief while most countries began to be a Christian nation. Actually this established religion has been passed on until today from generation to generation and probably will continue to grow and diversified in actually different but one God. Christianity and its complexity remain unsettled from past history until present times.         During the early 19th century there was no electricity in many families throughout the world and only chosen elite individual can have such technology. They spent their activities during day time and rest early at night. They uses kerosene or gas lamp to light their home, this is how simple life has been during those times. During those times they use their hands to eat their meal, all food is made fresh by natural planting process and nature has its way to grow on its own. Lakes and rivers are clean as well as the air they breathe.       Education is highly valued and children have only physical activities when playing   and lifestyle is simple. Their manner in dressings is a sign of conservatism and the way people speak is ethnically intrinsic or natural. Basically all nations have experience such way of life during the early 19th century. Although we can conclude that they have not experience such advancement in lifestyle they have experience peace and simplicity until such time that World War 1 has began during 1914.      Their communication is somehow a problem during those times where they have to rely using the post office snail that takes weeks or months to be delivered. Transportation is through wagon or carts using animals such as cows or horses. Cars and planes have only been used to some elite groups.       In today’s modern society where we are living there is so much different in the lifestyle, culture and beliefs where diversity in family life is experienced. Equality of work among men and women has taken its place. Industrialization has revolutionized the way of life and people worked in a highly advanced society and modern technology using computer paved its way to economy. Changes in culture and belief are much more different from the past where everyone has their freedom from their family to choose their own ways to grow.         Children nowadays do not play more physical but technological using computers and other gadgets. The education system is highly advanced and there are many ways and means to study. The changes in clothing are more liberal especially among women where some flesh can now be shown and accepted in public.       Lightings and electricity is just an ordinary view at night and people can do their work anytime whenever they can. Electricity highly revolutionized society. We can easily communicate throughout the world using telephone and internet we can travel much faster using cars and planes and boats.       Unfortunately due to economic development and industrial revolution our natural resources have been abused. The rivers and lakes are mostly polluted and the air we breathe are not so fresh because of undesirable chemical contents coming from factories and automobiles that has been releasing harmful chemical that pollutes the air. The foods we eat do not necessarily made in natural process but through fertilizer that forces the plants to grow.       People do not value much about Christianity and Morality and that has been the problem in the society and crime has been its product. But Beauty, Money and Power have been the utmost importance in life nowadays. And these have been the difference in 1911 to 2011. Again I would like to emphasize life will go on and change because the world evolve through changes and the earth is still young the past cannot exist but only in the memories of people.        Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Contrast Essay on Life in 1911 and Life in 2011

LIFE IN 1911 AND LIFE IN 2011 If we are going to look back in the past we can view many histories of great people throughout the w...

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