tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post185166169471413232..comments2023-09-22T07:47:54.317-04:00Comments on EF'M: The Life of an FSO Spouse: Finish the Job Already!David L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16507045630471874296noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-41789346598227849642010-08-31T13:01:25.357-04:002010-08-31T13:01:25.357-04:00Ah, different perspective, then. Whenever I hear,...Ah, different perspective, then. Whenever I hear, or use, "puritanical work ethic" I don't think credit, I think blame. As in an unhealthy emphasis on work for its own sake, or work for its redemptive or salvationist aspects. Which indicates, to me, at least, why the US always ranks up in the top two or three of nations in terms of vacation days given/used - cultural holdover from our founders. Though we're usually second to the likes of Japan, occasionally South Korea, who have their own unique cultural justifications for extreme levels of work. imho/ymmv, of course.<br /><br />Side note - some attribute, though not sure how well it's merited, the distinction between the work ethics in Northern & Latin America to the culturally different interpretations of the value of work re: salvation in the difference between the Protestant and Catholic theologies.<br /><br />Thanks for responding...Rob Pughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355643989278053777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-12133569771696419062010-08-31T11:54:41.895-04:002010-08-31T11:54:41.895-04:00Rob, I'm just not sure why the Puritans get al...Rob, I'm just not sure why the Puritans get all of the credit when it seems to me that almost every immigrant group had as much if not more success in carving out a living here. If anything deserves credit, I think it is the American Dream: the belief that the only thing standing between us and success is ourselves. (And I don't think the Puritans came up with that concept.) Everyone came here looking for a new chance and they worked hard or they starved.<br /><br />Now if only New England was flourishing and the rest of the country was lagging behind, then I suppose a case could be made for Puritan heritage leading the way.David L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16507045630471874296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-51816608061018704482010-08-31T05:26:02.992-04:002010-08-31T05:26:02.992-04:00"Some would say it is our Puritan heritage, b..."Some would say it is our Puritan heritage, but I wholly disagree."<br /><br />Late to this post, but be interested to hear why you say that.Rob Pughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355643989278053777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-27246995009572026632010-08-17T21:41:58.506-04:002010-08-17T21:41:58.506-04:00I feel for you. I hope your mood improves.
Cultura...I feel for you. I hope your mood improves.<br />Cultural adaptation chart:<br />http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uN-j2EfcQyw/S7dxfhjWRlI/AAAAAAAAAH4/zqSZPOJoT0g/s1600/culturaladaptationUof-Calgary.jpgI'll Take Mine...https://www.blogger.com/profile/12422853320873218506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-61968110682504375642010-08-17T12:13:18.419-04:002010-08-17T12:13:18.419-04:00I can totally relate! It took our contractors a mo...I can totally relate! It took our contractors a month to repaint our cabinet/closet doors in our tiny apartment here in Indonesia! First they tell us that Low VOC paint does not exist, next they ask for more money, then they don't do it properly so the paint peeled like sticker. We basically had to tell them exactly how to do them do their jobs (they are professional painters for godsakes) and then keep a close eye on them so they wouldn't do short-cuts. For an entire month.<br /><br />I want to blog about it, but I am still too emotional so I'm letting some time pass, else I might "insult our host nation" for sure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-44719716727459446202010-08-17T10:32:35.447-04:002010-08-17T10:32:35.447-04:00Hoping it is resolved soon. I would say say welco...Hoping it is resolved soon. I would say say welcome to the FS buit at this point others have beaten me to the punch and you are probably sick of it by now. Fingers crossed for a dry spell.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110115324050851439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-87429719401694963152010-08-16T22:51:00.353-04:002010-08-16T22:51:00.353-04:00Getting our A/C's installed was quite an ordea...Getting our A/C's installed was quite an ordeal. I feel for ya brother.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01741222609583042393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-23123846270662967212010-08-16T19:46:20.324-04:002010-08-16T19:46:20.324-04:00We had a bad kitchen faucet in Iceland. It had a ...We had a bad kitchen faucet in Iceland. It had a hot handle and a cold handle (the old fashioned metal kind). Hot water in Iceland was boiling (and I mean BOILING hot). I repeatedly asked for a new faucet, since I burned my hand turning it off each time. I also offered to pay for faucet AND installation. Nothing doing. "It's in the works..."<br /><br />One day, I turned on the water and the faucet exploded. It just blew off entirely and the next thing I knew, the kitchen was covered (as well as me) in an inch of boiling water. Got a new faucet the next morning.<br /><br />The GSO made some snide comment about how I "must have really wanted that new faucet". Somehow, he is still living and breathing after that comment, but thankfully very far away from me.<br /><br />Sigh, as Jill said, welcome to the FS. And if you have a relative who knows anything about house issues...invite them down for a 'vacation'...it might be the only way anything is fixed (unless you guys end up w/a huge pot of money at the end of the fiscal year..then magically, truly big repairs may actually happen!).<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14545024934754374573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-38174335708744733772010-08-16T14:04:21.160-04:002010-08-16T14:04:21.160-04:00Your Google ads on this one are very appropriate. ...Your Google ads on this one are very appropriate. Perhaps you should suggest that the Consulate/landlord call one of these other services instead?Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186113760588444851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6549445053733095568.post-50581397249798938482010-08-16T12:48:04.408-04:002010-08-16T12:48:04.408-04:00AHHHHH yes..... Welcome to the FS! There's ab...AHHHHH yes..... Welcome to the FS! There's absolutely nothing more I can do except chuckle, tell you I totally know where you're coming from, and nod with a small smirk on my face.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16493268452074516009noreply@blogger.com