Lucid Experiences’ Post

Comparing Superman with "Journey to the West," Dr. Catherine Wu used these two examples to explain distinct cultural values rooted in Western and Eastern traditions. Superman represents Western ideals of individualism, often fighting alone and highlighting the importance of personal strength and the power to effect change. In contrast, "Journey to the West" emphasizes teamwork, perseverance, and unity through a group’s collective spiritual journey. This comparison raises the question: which culture is better? Is Western culture superior to Eastern culture 🤔 ? As Dr. Catherine Wu noted, no culture is inherently better than another; each is unique in its own right. Adapting to a new culture is always a learning experience. When I first arrived in Singapore, I was initially puzzled by the gum ban 🤔 , especially since chewing gum was widely available in Malaysia. Over time, I came to understand the rationale behind this rule—primarily the high costs of cleaning and maintenance. I now appreciate how this ban helps maintain a cleaner environment and fosters civic responsibility, allowing us to enjoy public spaces without the inconvenience of discarded gum 😇 . This experience has underscored the idea that every culture has its unique values and practices, each serving a purpose in its own way. #NTU #MMC #MediaAndCommunication #CulturalIntelligence #MC6372 #Week3

In 2004, a moment of profound wisdom and creative genius occurred from an unexpected source. Iain Dowie, the manager of Crystal Palace FC. Though not widely recognised for coining new terms or his philosophical insights, during a short interview Dowie introduced 'bouncebackability' to the world, a word that lexicographers swiftly embraced and incorporated into the English dictionary. At first glance, 'bouncebackability' might not seem particularly meaningful. However, a closer examination reveals its hidden power and brilliance. This off cuff, mish-mash term, perfectly captures the essence of a unique set of attributes essential for top performers across all disciplines and walks of life. This simple blending of words, accidental as it may have been, encapsulates how attitude, motivation, commitment, and resilience are fundamental qualities for high achievers, whether in sports, business, engineering, education, or any other field. Add spirit, or passion to the mix, and now we're cooking! Bouncebackability. What a word. But more importantly, what a way to live. Happy Friday. Hope it's a good one! #rightplace #resilience #iaindowie #quotes #salescareers #bouncebackability

Some of you may have recently heard about some drama surrounding Simu Liu and a #boba company named well Bobba on Dragon's Den. The drama stemmed from how the two co-founders of non-East Asian descent pitched the product. Namely, marketing it as a healthier or better alternative to existing boba which "no one is ever quite sure what the contents are." The issue has once again brought up the debate of what is #culturalappropriation and what isn't. For what it's worth, I thought Simu Liu actually did a good job of being respectful and even cautious when approaching the topic. I give some of my own thoughts in a long-winded, rushed together video (because it ended up being too long to be an Instagram Story): https://lnkd.in/gBRf3PSu. Spoilers: it's not cultural appropriation because the co-founders aren't East Asian. It's cultural appropriation because they haven't shown the proper respect and made enough of an effort to partner with folks who are from that background. But on LinkedIn, I'll focus on this. If you are taking a product or business based off something that has a cultural or ethnic background - then it is a VALID business and marketing issue of demonstrating how you are working with those communities. It's not just a "woke" or "politically correct" issue. It is cold, hard, cash and public image of how you engage with the community that you are taking from. Younger generations are more open than ever in trying and engaging other cultures where they're at. The days where Americans turn their nose at Sichuan food, or Indian food, or mahjong, or boba or whatever is quickly coming to an end.

Exploring Shanghai in Blossoms: A microcosm of Chinese urban modernity "Blossoms Shanghai, the maiden TV series by famous Hong Kong film director Wong Kar-wai, has become one of the most popular TV dramas in China. The 30-episode drama, which took 6 yrs in the making, is adapted from the novel of the same name which won a literature prize in 2015. How is the spirit of Shanghai and China demonstrated in the story? And what is the complicated relationship between Shanghai and modern China? In this episode, we have Zhang Xudong, professor of Comparative Literature and East Asian Studies at New York University, on the show." https://lnkd.in/gdMCBaZU

Post-Vacation Blues? Here’s How to Cope. School holidays are over, worth a quick read, especially for all of you coming back from Bali! Great article in the Harvard Business Review by Rebecca Knight, #HarvardBusinessReview

We are excited to announce our latest article: "Etiquette and Manners in Japan." This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights into the cultural norms and etiquette that are essential for anyone planning to visit, live, or work in Japan. From dining manners to business protocols, this article covers everything you need to know to navigate Japanese society with respect and confidence. It’s an essential read for students, professionals, and anyone interested in Japanese culture. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g336SK-c

Here's a great reminder that a little positivity can make all the difference, especially when challenges feel overwhelming. In our industry, it’s easy to get weighed down, but controlling what we can and supporting each other goes a long way. Check out this video for some practical tips and a boost of encouragement. We got this—let’s tackle it together!

What’s your Mandarin level? Join the waitlist of my Mandarin course for a special offer, link in bio! #MandarinLevel #VeggieVocabulary #LearnMandarin

When I was 13, I met Mr. Li and he was the first Chinese person I had ever met. Having grown up in Eastern Europe, we weren't used to meeting people from distant corners of the world... but I was on a trip to Sweden, and he was happy to tell me about his country. I listened intently. He sat down and began drawing a Chinese character, explaining the philosophy behind it. 海【hǎi】n. ocean, sea. "The character is composed of ideograms," he explained. "The strokes on the left symbolize 'water', the top represents 'people', and there is a 'mother' underneath. This character means 'water is the mother of people'. And this is how we think of the ocean." At that moment, I was captivated. I knew I wanted to understand how these people perceive the world, and I set out to learn the Chinese language and culture. Fast forward 20 years, and I now live in China, fluent in the language and ready to be a Mr. Li for my international food and beverage brand clients. As their business guide, I help them expand by navigating the complex world of the Chinese consumer ecosystem, revealing the beauty of Chinese culture and people, and the vast opportunities within this strong and eager market. I didn't realize at 13 how important it would be to follow a path that would help build relationships between people in Europe and China. Now, having helped introduce hundreds of food and beverage products and Western flavors to thousands of shelves at premium Chinese supermarkets, I see the impact of fostering cultural understanding. My biggest lesson from 10+ years as founder of LITAO Group? There's plenty to learn from both sides, and both the West and China are here to stay. Just as Mr. Li took the time to share his culture with me, it's up to all of us to listen to each other, question our assumptions, and build bridges that embrace our shared humanity. This is the best path forward for a modern, peaceful, and connected world. --- P.S. We created a free tool for F&Bs to see if expanding to China is the right move for them. Shoot me a message and I'll happily send it to you! 

So much of life is about outlook… a glass half full, a glass half empty. If one considers the image at the top, it becomes more a question of does the quantity matter most, or is it the quality of the contents? Even then, the quality and quantity are subjective and dependent upon purpose… for example, are the contents to drink or to analyse in a lab? Along these lines, I know a very good agent in Singapore (Priscilla Tan) that has the bottom image as their signature file - that works for most contents… even better than “ice to Eskimos!”