Austrian and American stereotypes

Hello everybody!


After this long break, I am finally back with a very interesting topic. I don’t know about you, but when I am watching those typical “American High School”-movies I notice many stereotypes, which are repeating themselves during and in the different films. Because I really wanted to know more about Americans and if stereotypes are actually accurate or if US-citizens are totally different in real life, I started to research a little and I want to show you what I found out. Also, I am going to talk about so-called Austrian behaviour.


The majority of people I know are firmly convinced that Americans are very loud. To be quite honest I just think they are more outgoing than Austrians and that Austrian people are not used to someone being that amenable. Another peculiar stereotype I heard is that Americans only eat Fast Food. I do get why someone would say that, because it is undeniable that in the US there are many spots where you can get this type of foods. But I think it is pretty strange to claim that they only eat that way. Of course, Austrians love their Schnitzel but that doesn’t mean that they enjoy it every day.


Some behaviours, that people view as “typically Austrian” are skiing, drinking beer and Lederhosen. It is true, that skiing and drinking beer are fun activities, but there are so many people who have never been on ski or do not drink alcohol, even within Austria. Also, Lederhosen, I guess, aren’t that comfortable – why should anyone want to wear them all the time?


Maybe stereotypes are suitable for most people of a specific region but why should we limit people, or their qualities just based on ethnicity or origin?


Leave your opinion in the comment section below!


Yours Roberta.

How to be successful in business

Hello everybody!

I was reading an article some time ago in the online edition of “The CEO magazine” and it talks about a successful first year in business.

I thought you might be interested because we are all currently attending our last year of business college and some of us may think about founding a Company afterwards.

Basically, what it says is that the first year might be fraught with risks and challenges, but there are five steps which help you to prepare and make it through every kind of inconvenience.

The first step is to develop a solid business plan. According to what the author says, it is important to let everyone know what your product is, why it is outstanding and to gauge how successful it might be.

It is also said that being flexible and adaptable is the key to achieving your goals. Often things don’t go the way you want them to, so adapt to changes.

The author also mentions that it is important to be prepared to work hard, because the business isn’t going to build itself. Be devoted and confident.

It is also mentioned in the text that the fourth step is discipline. Stick to the idea, but not to the plan. If you see a problem with your execution, correct it and do not just give up. The articles last advice is to keep your ego check. It is good to be confident but don’t exaggerate. Because otherwise it can happen, that arrogance is getting in your way.

What surprised me most was that you don't necessarily have to stick to your plans. Changing something won’t kill your business, it could actually be helpful.

 in my mind it is a very interesting five-step advice, that is summing up how to behave when you want to establish your own business.

What do you think about this article? Have you ever thought about establishing your own company?

Please leave your opinion in the comments!

Fraught – belastet, angespannt
Gauge – abschätzen
Devoted – hingegeben
Execution – Ausführung
Exaggerate - übertreiben

https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/start-ups-entrepreneurs/how-to-survive-your-first-year-in-business/

Quizlet: Job application

https://quizlet.com/_78lnsg

press review - oil prices

Hello everybody! 

I was reading an article some time ago in the online magazine “English online” and it talks about the prices of oil.

I thought you might be interested in it because prices of fuel influence all regions of the world, including Austria and it is interesting to know which countries benefit from this.

Basically, what it says is that for the first time in four years, prices of oil have been decreasing steadily.

It is also said that right now you pay $60 to $80 dollar per barrel, which are 159 litres. Before that decrease prices were at around $100 dollar per barrel. According to the prognosis there are no signs of the prices increasing again in near future.

The author also mentions that Saudi Arabia tried to stabilize the prices by producing less oil, but unfortunately the Unites States started a procedure called fracking, where you extract oil that is trapped in rocks.

It is also mentioned in the text that there are some countries benefitting from the falling prices. For example, in Europe the downward movement of oil prices is expected to be good for the economy. Japan and China for example are tied to oil from other countries. They have to import almost all of their oil. Therefore, the low prices are beneficial for them, also.

What surprised me most was that Russia’s income consists 70 % from the two natural resources oil and gas, and because of the falling prices Russia misses approximately 2 billion dollar of income per year.

In my mind the advantages and disadvantages of this price drop balance each other.

What do you think – are there more advantages or disadvantages for you personally when it comes to oil prices falling down?

Barrel = 159 Liter

Downward movement = Abwärtsbewegung

Extract = entnehmen

Prognosis = Prognose

Beneficial = vorteilhaft

Veganism

Hello everybody!

Lately, I’ve been noticing peculiar, but not necessarily bad, behaviours which got very popular. One of the trends I heard of grabbed my attention and I felt the need to share my opinions on that topic.

The trend I want to take up has a great positive impact on our environment. Nevertheless, some people might say that this way of life is strange or at least unusual. Veganism.

Considering the fact that I am a vegan, I benefit a lot from this upcoming trend of eating a plant-based diet. More and more products with the label “vegan” are found in shelves of supermarkets. Some of you might not know what the word “vegan” even means. Basically, you just do not eat, wear or use any products coming from animals, including them. Now that we clarified the definition of this trend let us analyse the rise of the trend, the benefits and why I think people chose this lifestyle.

Down below you can see two pictures which show the increase of interest in veganism. The first graph shows that since 2007 there has been a rise of 360% of vegan people in the UK. That means that comparing to twelve years ago there are 3.6 times more vegans in the United Kingdom. The upwards tending trend is also visible on the second picture. It is remarkable that in only one year the number of persons searching “vegan” on the internet doubled.

Environmental-friendly, health-benefitting and cruelty-free are the keywords to describe veganism with. Your ecological footstep is way smaller, you are going to feel more energetic and fit and also, you don’t have to kill animals or make them suffer for your food. Those are tremendous benefits for you and everybody around you.

Why I think many people go vegan? Because they started thinking about the consequences of their actions.

So, what about you? Have you ever thought about going vegan? Leave an answer in the comment section down below!

Yours Roberta

Press review

Hello everybody!

I was reading an article some time ago in the online edition of “Business spotlight” and it talks about gender stereotypes, especially at work.

I thought you might be interested because we’ll all be part of the working life and we’ll be confronted with this topic. Therefore, I think it is important to be aware of the existing gender issues.

Basically, what it says is that there are differences between how women and men are treated in negotiations, or generally in working life.

It is also said that success at work is usually associated with male traits of aggression, but if women show these behaviours, they are seen as disagreeable. Negotiating is harder for women, because the traits needed for negotiating go against the expectations of feminine behaviour.

The author also mentions that studies show that when women negotiate on behalf of others, they do not face a sexist backlash. Being demanding and assertive on behalf of others is seen as protective and caring, which are qualities typically associated with women. A successful female negotiator needs to combine positive male characteristics with positive female stereotypes.

It is also mentioned in the text that Catherine Tinsley, who is an expert on gender issues offers advice on how to act in business, so that women feel treated equally. One of those would be, highlighting their multiple roles, for example, employee, manager, mother or community worker.

What surprised me most was that paradoxically, political correctness prevents women and men from discussing the existing gender problems, because in my mind it is a very important issue, which we have to talk about.

What do you think about this topic? Are there still gender issues in working life?

Roberta. 

traits – Charakterzug

backlash – Gegenreaktion

assertive – durchsetzungsstark

negotiator – Verhandlungsführer

paradoxically - seltsamerweise

Fair Trade

Hello everybody!

In our last English lesson, we were talking about the brand or the logo “Fair Trade”. For me personally it is very important that products are fair trade, cruelty free or anything that assures that people and animals haven’t been harmed or exploited.

However, there are split opinions on the logo fair trade, because they are a brand and do more marketing than what they proclaim.

I value every move or action against people and animal exploitation, therefore I support the “Fair Trade” Logo. Of course, as everything else, it has some aspects which you could criticize. If no one criticize something, everything would stay the same. Therefore, it is important, that things are spoken out but as many others, I wouldn’t say it is completely wrong to promote this brand. It is a step in the right direction.

Roberta.