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Times Have Changed

In the midst of emails back and forth about my 50th college reunion, it’s hard to believe that we’ve gotten to that point in our lives already. But as I think more about that graduation and what we did in the months after, I realize how different it is for college graduates now. We had paths clearly laid out for us after graduation: a job, graduate school, marriage. Whichever the choice, it was unlikely we would be moving back into our parents’ house. Now, college graduates are returning to the … Continue reading

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China Connections

On a recent trip to China, I was prepared to be overwhelmed by the dramatic grand sights – the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Three Gorges – but what surprised me were the small exchanges I had with some of the Chinese people. Many of them were willing, even eager, to relate with Westerner visitors. Their openness made for lasting memories of a rich culture and remarkable individuals. China seems to do everything fast, from building bridges and skyscrapers to making changes in social policy. In the late 1970’s … Continue reading

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Men at Work – More than Just a Sign

Linguist Deborah Tannen has written numerous books about the conversational styles of women and men, in families and at work. According to Tannen, problems can occur, especially in a job setting where the members are not as knowledgeable about each other, when men and women don’t understand the rituals that define each other’s approach. Women, even in a work setting, generally use conversational strategies that are considerate and sensitive to the other person’s feelings, even when giving negative feedback. Demonstrating an emphasis on getting the job done without “flexing their … Continue reading

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Setting Guidelines with Boomerang Kids

Readers of the Newsweek.com article by Tina Peng on boomerang kids, “They’re Baaack,” had lots of comments about how to make the situation work for both the parents and the kids. Here are just a sampling: Headface sets the stage for a new realationship when kids move back home. “I think there should be a new set of rules involved. The kids should have to pay part of the rent/mortgage, the same for groceries, do their share of chores, etc. Any parent who lets the dynamic regress back to when … Continue reading

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