When Constance H. Lau was hired as president and chief executive of American Savings Bank almost four years ago, the lawyer by training seemed an odd fit for Hawaii's third-largest bank.

The USG discussed recommending the institution of a cultural studies requirement in the undergraduate curriculum at its meeting Sunday. Most members agreed that a better understanding of different cultures and the way they interact is important, but opposed the idea of adding another distribution requirement to the 11 A.B.

This article explains the meaning of ‘mai pen rai’ in Thailand, and how that one phrase describes the mentality in Thailand. The author uses an example of Geert Hofstede’s cross cultural research to explain the differences in culture between Thailand and the United States to an American expat.

You come from a country where people are more individualistic. In Thailand, people are more `collective’.

Geert Hofstede surveyed 117,000 employees in multinational corporations in 66 countries, in 1967 and in 1973. Based on a 100-point scale of `individualism points’, Thailand scored 20, compared with 91 for the United States, 90 for Australia, 89 for Britain, 71 for France and 67 for Germany.

Thailand’s mai pen rai

GUANGZHOU, China -- Ever since Mickey Mouse visited Lin Huanbin's school here last summer, telling fairy tales and passing out Mouseketeer certificates, the 11-year-old boy has been unable to get Mi Laoshu out of his mind.

How sad, yet jubilant many of us Catholics feel as our Pope John Paul II has gone home to Heaven. How empty we felt when he died. Sad, empty, happy and even suspenseful emotions overtaking our nation, all at the same time.

Bart Deggs says he and his wife, Margie, have been Salvation Army officers since 1962 and have been able to “exercise our faith every day of our lives.”

For some reason, it seems as though I´m always surrounded by females. There´s wife Nancy, of course, and our two dogs and two cats - females every one.

I had an unexpected visitor in my office between classes yesterday. A minister that I have known since moving to West Texas stopped by after a meeting to just say “hello.”

What is your favorite springtime activity? Let's Get a Little Culture... Courtesy of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Turn your TV off and get outside for TV-Turnoff week.

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