Friday, December 5, 2014
Week 47 from Jordan
Hello
everyone! Sounds like you all had a great Halloween. There was
literally nothing different for us from a different day (except for
monthly stats). It was a bit weird not seeing families out in costumes
getting candy, but I suppose that's one of the ways the Koreans stay in
such good shape. ;)
This week has been a good one. We
finally got back to a fairly regular schedule. We have been off for a
while due to DMZ trips, conferences, and the like, but it was nice to
have a good, regular week again. We have been able to meet some really
prepared people. One is a kid that we talked to briefly, had a street
lesson with, and now is progressing. His family doesn't know he is
meeting us, but we are trying to change that... Sweet kid. I don't know
when the next baptism will be, but we're excited and look forward to
seeing people progress.
A lot of the churches
around us have signs that say 이단 (heresy, cult) churches can't come and
proselyte there. I guess other church's missionaries try to contact in
churches...? The funny part is that the picture of people not allowed
into the church looks like our missionaries, and the church that is
specifically named is that of one of our investigators. It is
entertaining to walk in front of the church with our investigator and
see the sign. :)
Things really are good here.
The weather has gotten cold, but that's given the leaves permission to
change all at once, so that now when we look at the mountains, we get to
see red and (especially) orange patches all over the place. It's
really nice. :) The leaves are probably all gone back home by now. If
they aren't, I'll bet the snow will take care of them! Let me know when
the snow first comes. :)
Elder Ahn is
struggling with English, but then I remind him that it is the most
difficult language, and he is patient. He is progressing despite what he
thinks. Korean is okay. There is an endless supply of words to learn.
In English, if I remember, there are about 2 million words, but only
2500 of them are used often. In Korean it seems like there are the same
number of words, but they are all used. It's a fun challenge. We're
having a good time seeing which language has more arbitrary
redundancies. So far Korean has been winning, but Elder Ahn has switched
study books, so I think it will be more evenly matched now. :) The ward
is really great. They are doing a good job at welcoming those who are
baptized for the most part, but Korean culture is still very strong, and
that culture is very much a clique culture. It's funny to see high
school behavior in 80 year-olds at times, but the church has been a
great blessing to the members, and I am grateful. :)
Thank
you for the email and news. How was "How to Train Your Dragon 2"? Was
it only dad that liked it, or did other people like it, too? The posters
were fun... 5 months ago. It is always astounding to see how quickly
pop culture changes. I'm glad I don't need to worry about it. ;) Have a
great week, and I look forward to reading your email next week!
Press forward with steadfast faith in Christ.
Best wishes,
Elder Jones
Week 47 - Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. AND Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour
Dear Jordan,
We
hope you continue to be well. We haven't had snow in the valley yet but
we received some snow in the mountains yesterday and we might get some
more tonight. We have had beautiful weather this week but it will be
colder this next week. On Halloween the temperature was about 70 and it
was the best weather I have seen for Trick or Treating.
On
Monday we had Family Home Evening but Rachel didn't join with us because
she had a cold and went to bed after school. On Tuesday the YM and YW
held the Halloween carnival at the church. They started about the same
time I got home from work so I didn't go. Sarah only went for a short
time but the others stayed and had a good time. Mom taught her evening
class. On Wednesday Mom helped Holly and her mom and I helped Bekah with
her homework. On Thursday Mom taught her class and I helped Bekah with
homework for a while. She is almost caught up on all of her past due
homework.
On Friday (Halloween) Bekah went to a party and Mom took her
to it and then waited until was over. Sarah and Hannah went trick or
treating and seemed to have a great time. Rachel stayed home and handed
out candy. She sat in a big black folding chair on the driveway all
bundled up with a mask on. She scared several people. For some of the
people that came to the door, I directed them back to the chair. On
Saturday I finished up some of the outdoor yard work and did the
shopping. Mom, Bekah and I saw How to train your dragon 2 and I enjoyed
it. Saturday afternoon is when the temperature changed from the 70s to
the 40s and 50s. On Sunday we went to church and the Robert's house for
dinner. We also ended Daylight Savings Time. Most of us still woke up
early (regular time) so Mom has been working on the Relief Society
newsletter and Sarah has been watching The Princess Bride and Ella
Enchanted.
The Clements wanted to give you some extra money. I
believe that Mom will add the money to your account. Mom will send you a
letter this week. Everyone is doing well.
We love you. You are doing a great job. Please keep working hard.
How is Elder Ahn doing with English? How is your Korean? How is your ward working with you?
Please let us know if you need anything.
You
got a surprised sound out of both mom and I when you said that you had
gone to North Korea. We are glad you are safe and that it was a safe
environment for you to be there. What a great experience for you!
Keep
going strong, and wear out your shoes by walking! Hopefully you are
enjoying the food, and that you are healthy. We love you!
Love,
Hannah, Rachel, Bekah, dad, Mom, Sarah
Mom: Thinking of you J
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts
- Winston Churchill 1874-1965, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
November requests
So, These things are not necessities, but if you could send them with
socks when I can send the pictures to you, I would be very grateful...
It would make Sundays easier. No pressure though. I don't know when I can send pictures anyway...
Thank you for everything. You are doing great things. I wish I could see it for myself. but I know it's good. Love you!
Press forward with steadfast faith in Christ.
Best wishes,
Elder Jones
2014 Touchy topics in Asia
Discretion
is the better part of valor, or so Shakespeare wrote long before the
first business traveler stumbled up against the Chinese preoccupation
with “saving face.” In Asia, discretion is the better part of a way of life.
The
same blunt speaking that works in the West can lead to roadblocks in
the East. Getting things “off one’s chest” may enhance team building in
New York or Newcastle but upset harmony in Nanjing. “Free speech” as
defined at Hyde Park corner can be construed as foul speech in a Beijing
boardroom.
There
are always sensitive topics — political, religious, cultural — best
left unexplored when foreigners want to make the best impression. Yet
defining those topics can be challenging. Most Asian nations are far
less homogeneous than they may appear, with a mix of competing ethnicities and religions.
But
take heart, serial foot-in-mouthers and frequent “faux pas” flyers.
Here are the top ten commandments, some country-specific, some general,
for how to muffle and ultimately muzzle those no-nos of chitchat that
can derail East-West deals.
1) Thou shalt not let things get critical.
If
you have something negative to say about the work of a new Asian
colleague, always couch it in the positive. “In Japan I saw an
American’s key relationship with a government official deteriorate
because he publicly told the fellow, ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’,” said Mark Michelson, chairman of the Asia CEO Forum
in Hong Kong. “In any culture, you don’t want to embarrass anybody;
it’s better to be constructive. But in Asia, raising your voice or
pointing a finger can be especially disadvantageous.”
2) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain (especially when it is not your Lord).
In other words, do not criticize another’s
god. “In India, there are three opinions about religion: strong,
stronger and strongest,” said food critic Marryam Reshi.
In some Muslim regions, such as parts of Malaysia, some religious authorities say dogs are unclean and contact can be sinful. The sponsor of a recent initiative for Muslim Malays to “touch a dog” was greeted with death threats.
3) Thou shalt not press hot buttons.
No matter how youthful the translator, or how hip-looking the chief executive officer in China,
“remarks about the three “t’s” — that’s Tibet, Taiwan and Tiananmen —
will be construed as foreign interference,” said Mike Chinoy, a senior
fellow at the US-China Institute. In addition, “don’t praise Japan in
Korea or praise China in Japan,” wrote Micha Peled, the director of
China Blue and other documentaries, in an email. “In the Philippines,
don’t joke about the food or the Pope.” For South Korea, “mention of
North Korea is not advised either,” e-mailed Nicholas Tse, general
manager of the Seoul JW Marriott.
4) Thou shalt be politic about policies.
“It’s
probably best not to mention the laws about caning in Singapore,” said
Mitchell Farkas, head of China-based production company FarFilms. "An
American once remarked against the Bumiputra (Malay) allocations
enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution, forgetting the Native American
reservation system is similar,” recalled A Najib Ariffin, director of
Kuala Lumpur’s Nusantara Academy of Development, Geocultures and
Ethnolinguistics. “This upset the
hosts, who responded by simply retreating from any business with him.”
Another hint e-mailed by filmmaker Micha Peled, “In India, don’t tell
people the caste system is backward or ask why they don’t make peace
with Pakistan already.”
5) Thou shalt not be irreverent.
In Thailand, never make comments that could be construed as negative about the current king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, or former royalty.
Show respect at all times. “If you are prompted, just say he is a great
man,” said Peter Muennig, an associate professor at the Mailman School
of Public Health at
New York’s Columbia University. Even before a royalist military coup,
laws banning lese majeste were seriously imposed. Anything perceived as
an insult may offend your hosts, and could put you in Thai prison.
Women wear hats with pictures of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. (Chumsak Kanoknan/Getty)
6) Thou shalt not ‘appear’ insensitive.
Ideas
of proper looks and colleagues’ best features may vary greatly. “Never
remark about a Japanese businessman’s hair,” warned anthropologist
Meyumi Ono. “No jokes about baldness, toupees or thinning hair combed
forward — what the Japanese call a ‘barcode.’ Also don’t bring up how
people smell.”
7) Thou shalt not presume when making compliments.
The
most annoying thing for Marriott’s Tse, who has Chinese heritage but
was raised in the United Kingdom, is when people say, “‘You speak such
good English!’.” After all, the Asian across the table may have been
born in the US or UK, or extensively educated there. “Condescension is a
big problem,” said Michelson of Asia CEO Forum. “People should try not
to generalise about ’them’ when talking with Asians.”
Don't take the last steamed dumpling. (Thinkstock)
8) Thou shalt mind your manners.
Flattering
words in a toast can be undone because of poor form. “Make sure when
clinking glasses, that you keep yours lower than your superior,”
reminded anthropologist Ono. This is true in China, in particular. It
is also important to “never refuse a delicacy offered,” Ono added.
Yet
show some restraint when it comes to certain food choices, said
US-China Institute’s Chinoy, who has had much banqueting experience.
“Don’t be the one to take those last few dumplings off the plate — your
hosts will curse you for having to order more.” Don’t leave chopsticks
sticking upwards in rice. In Korea and elsewhere, that looks like
incense burned for the dead. But loudly slurping soup, points out
Michelson “is viewed as a compliment.”
9) Thou shalt not take “yes” for an answer.
In the end, the biggest problem may be less what you've said
than what your Asian partners have left unclear. “I heard of an
executive who ultimately lost his job because he thought a Korean
company had said ‘yes’ to selling a 51% share — when the ‘yes’ only
meant they understood the issue.” said Chinoy, “In China, a quick “no”
usually means they want you to offer more, either officially or
unofficially.” But in Japan, Thailand and most Asian lands ‘no’ is a
word never uttered. Instead, delays and excuses are considered more
polite. Sometimes the problem can be just getting an answer. “In
Thailand, secretaries and assistants feel it’s their job to always
‘protect’ bosses,” said Briton Ian Semp, brand director of Bangkok’s
Pacific Beer & Beverage Co. “I've been told — even when I can see them at their desk — that they aren't in the office.”
10) Better yet, thou shalt hit the mute.
In
Hong Kong, where loud mobile phone conversations are the norm, the main
problem may be shouting your phone conversation over others. But in
Japan, “any conversation on a mobile is considered a rude invasion of
the public space,” said Ono. As in business conversations, silence is
often preferable. “Westerners always think they have to fill that
awkward pause,” Michelson said. “But ultimately, things left unsaid have
more value than what’s said.”
To comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Capital, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.
From:
BBC Asia Story 29 Oct 14
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)