Male Initiation Rituals :: essays research papers

Collective Male Initiation Rituals of the Sambia   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The transition of a boy to a man is very important to the Sambia, of New Guinea. This transition consists of an initiation ritual, which has 6 stages and takes between 13 and 20 years to complete. The first 3 stages are collectively focused, which I will discuss, and stages 4 through 6 are individually focused. This ritual helps to introduce the boys to male society, prepare them for adult responsibilities and is used to transmit culture (Nanda 2002: 132). The beliefs of the Sambia show a â€Å"warriors conception of manhood where men should be strong, brave, and unyielding in the pursuit of all tasks† (Herdt 1981: 50). The first stage of initiation is called Moku and occurs between the ages of 7 and 10. The second stage is called Imbutuand occurs between the ages of 10 and 13. The third stage is called Ipmangwi and occurs between the ages of 14 and 16.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first stage of initiation the boys are taken from their mothers homes and taken to live at the men’s clubhouse. Here boys are given a ritual sponsor who is usually in the third or forth stage of initiation (Herdt 1981: 55). Early in the first stage is the stretching right. â€Å"The stretching rites are the initial stimulus to spur masculinity† (Herdt 1981: 223). In the stretching rites the boys are carried off into the woods by their ritual sponsor and sticks or switches are rubbed against the bodies of groups of boys by the elder males. The boy’s skin is rubbed and perforated. This is said to remove â€Å"sweat and the fine down of the boys cheeks, arms and legs† (Herdt 1981: 222) which are contaminants caused by close contact with their mothers. After this dangerous ritual their sponsor must carry the boys back to the men’s clubhouse.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the most important rituals in the first stage initiation is nose bleeding. This act is the most painful preformed on the initiates (Herdt 1981: 224). In this rite sharp blades of grass are stuck up the nose until it bleeds. This is done to remove any contaminated blood that is caused from extended contact with the boy’s mother (Herdt 1981: 223). This purifies the boys and enables them to move on to rites that will strengthen them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After stretching and nose bleeding the initiate is given the ingestive rights.

Dramatic tension Essay

This then, is clearly contrasted with the language used when describing a life spent as Willy’s has been, selling and buying. Biff speaks off such a life using words such as ‘suffer’ and ‘measly’ and again, the stage directions are clear in indicating his tone ‘with rising agitation. ‘ A dramatic tension is created then, between the different lifestyles, as Biff and Happy are portrayed as struggling with the inner conflict of conforming to their father’s ideals, or obeying their natural desires. The setting is also crucial in conveying dramatic tension. The use of scenery illuminates the attitude of Willy, and the audience is engaged in a sensory experience with the actor. Furthermore, the setting reflects the events taking place and can set the mood and atmosphere that are so important in creating dramatic tension. The house then, is a place of an increasingly dramatic tension. The house is an important part of the setting as it represents Willy’s flawed ambition. Details such as the single ‘silver athletic trophy’ being one of the only furnishings represents the importance of success but also the lack of it due to the bard setting of the home. The kitchen then, shows only ‘three chairs’ at the table. This may represent the absence of Biff as part of their lives. Dramatic tension is woven throughout, hinting at difficulties surrounding the return of ‘the prodigal son’ and the lack of selling success that is soon revealed to be haunting Willy. He built the house as a part of his success however; it has become overshadowed by apartment blocks. The street outside is packed with cars showing that success is now being achieved by many and in comparison; Willy’s small house is now insignificant, as is his dwindling success. Many of the events take place in the house, and most prominently, the family arguments. It is in the house that Biff comes to terms with flunking maths, that Biff and Willy argue about success, that Linda yells at her sons, and finally, Biff produces the rubber piping and confronts his father. These arguments create dramatic tension as what should have been the perfect family set-up and home becomes fractured, and so is Willy’s dream, to the point of suicide. The Garden or Backyard is also an important part of the setting. Willy attempts to plant seeds remarking ‘I’ve got to get some seeds, right away. Nothings planted, I don’t have a thing in the ground. ‘ The garden is a motif then, of Willy’s need and desire for success. It also represents the legacy that that Willy never leaves with his family. Though Willy attempts to plant his garden near the end of the play, this is too little too late. His life then, had already been a failure and he has left nothing remarkable by which to be remembered. This is a very high point of dramatic tension as the audience is very aware that Willy seems to sense the end of his life is incredibly close. Linked to the production of the rubber pipe only moments later, an overhanging reminder of Willy’s contemplation of suicide creates incredible tension. Dramatic tension is also created through the use of stage and sound effects as well as lighting. Miller uses all three methods as mood and atmosphere creators to enhance and create dramatic tension. Miller is very specific when describing the effects to depict the Loman house. Staging effects include transparent walls in order to make to whole house accessible to the audience. Furthermore, it creates a sense of vulnerability and rawness enhanced by the towering blocks surrounding the house. This vulnerability then, creates a sense defence from attack that enhances dramatic tension. Miller describes the Tower blocks as ‘tall angular shapes’ that reflect Willy’s feeling of inferiority and also claustrophobia and then create a threatening presence. Lighting is crucial in creating atmosphere and dramatic tension. The beginning scene is the most prominent example of this. At first Miller uses the ‘blue light of the sky’ to recreate a depressed and sorrowful mood. The dramatic tension arises when this becomes and ‘an angry glow of orange. ‘ This change suddenly shows a threatening and angry, harsh and dangerous mood. Tension is obvious as the two moods seem far apart but are obviously both linked to the events that will unfold in the Loman house. Sound effects are also important at this point and then throughout the novel. At this stage, the music of a lilting flute is described as fragile and small and fine. It can be seen to represent the better times of the family in which Willy was more successful. It also becomes associated with Willy’s self-delusion of success and his dream of fortune. This music is played then at varying points throughout the play, symboling to the audience a flashback or a sad remainder of a once optimistic dream. The dramatic tension is created as music appears before the events, leaving the audience with a sense of suspense. Other characters ‘theme music’ are that of Bens, and that of the boys, described as ‘gay and happy. ‘ Miller uses these ahead of the character appearance to show that they are about to become involved in the plot, creating dramatic tension as the audience wonders how this will effect the unfolding events. Miller uses more than just music to create dramatic tension. Sound effects such as the screech of Willy’s tyres as he commits suicide create vivid, realistic and highly tense moments. Miller also uses voices to create confusion in Willy’s last actions, thereby recreating the confusion and breakdown of Willy’s mental state. The tension is increased, as his next moves cannot be predicted. The voice of ‘The Women’ constitutes much dramatic tension. Upon hearing her voice and laugh, even beyond the ‘Boston Bedroom’ scene, we are then led to consider whether Willy has ended the affair and the consequences the relationship would cast. Combined with the way in which the family seems to further splinter, an incredible tension is created. Moreover, Biff’s growing agitation toward his indicates that he may be ready to reveal hidden affair. ‘The Woman’s’ laugh adds to this dramatic tension by sounding ironic and mocking, and this further exposes Willy’s vulnerability and confusion. Symbolism is also used throughout both to create dramatic tension and to link the past and the future. Perhaps the rubber piping creates the highest point of tension. It represents Willy’s insecurities and contemplation of death, a prospect that is in itself, an incredibly dramatically tense subject throughout as the audience is constantly left to wonder whether or not Willy will commit suicide. Furthermore, Linda knows of its existence but is reluctant to confront her husband. From the point that Biff decides to remove and keep the piping, we are aware that he now has two strongholds over his father, and tension is evident in his conflict between using this advantage over the now weakened Willy, and the reminder of the awesome respect he used to hold for his Father. In this final scene, Biff finally confronts his father by producing the tubing. Linda is horrified; Biff is angry and confused while Willy is left to defend himself. Such dramatic tension is highly powerful as it plays on the volatile emotional and relational ties found linking the characters. Their interactions then, are charged emotional, created by Miller as part of an incredibly tense sense of drama. Miller combines these methods of creating intense dramatic tension and as a result has produced a highly successful play that continues to capture the audiences rapt attention throughout.

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Corporation is a leading software company in the world. Its core businesses include Platform Products and Services Division, Business Division and the Entertainment and Devices Division. It is committed to the long term mission of helping its customers realize their full potential. It constantly updates and improves its products and continuously accelerate new technologies as they emerge serve its customers better. The web site of Microsoft is one of the best developed websites providing a wealth of online information to its visitor. The information includes that of the company, its social initiatives, news, contact details, careers at Microsoft etc. The company provides a number of sites for its products. These sites provide online information about the company products and their features, product upgrades, product downloads and all the assistance required by the customers to use their products. There is a great amount of valuable information on the products site of Microsoft Corporation. The first useful information is the links to Microsoft’s product families including windows, Windows Server Systems, Business Solutions, Office, Developer Tools, Games and Xbox, MSN and Windows Mobile. This information will enable me to easily identify the product of my interest. The next useful information is about the product categories including Home and entertainment, Finance, Hardware and Books and training. There is also valuable information about the more popular products of Microsoft and its key technologies. I can also find valuable information in the link to trial software. The link helps me to get online information about the different trial software of Microsoft that are available in different product families. From each trial software link we can get the overview about the benefits of each product, its main features and support and security features. It provides details about the system requirements. Once we are able to evaluate and decide on the product to be ordered for trial then the site helps is in the procedures that are involved in buying a trial compact disc or downloading the trial software along with the necessary system requirements for the trail download. The site provides information as to how the product of our choice can be ordered online and the retailer through whom we can place the order for our product. If we plan to purchase five or more licenses, information of the volume licensing can be got based on whether our organization is a business or an educational institution. Information of the license agreement is also displayed. Once order has been placed information about how to track the status of the order is also provided. The site also provides the information about how I can use the product information center better using online chat and telephone. The Website Link to Microsoft office word 2003 provides detailed information to me about one of the best selling product of Microsoft Corporation. I can get the overview of Microsoft Word 2003 along with the features of the product like its ability to collaborate using Windows share point services, help control distribution of sensitive documents, create organizational solutions with XML and gather information on MS Word. The site provides information about the requirements of the system with reference to the operating system, processor, memory, hard disk, drive, display, Internet connection and other information necessary to use the product effectively. The site provides the price of the full version of the product and also states the price of the upgrade version. I can use a link on the site to order online the full version or the upgrade of the product. I can check the status of back order using an appropriate link in the web site. The most helpful feature of the site to me is the information provided on the link of Word 2003 tour. It provides information with the aid of pictorial presentations, about how to simplify collaboration and reduce version control issues, control document distribution, control editing and formatting changes, see comments and revision marks more easily, create organizational solutions with XML, use smart documents to reuse data stored in word 2003 documents and customized functionality with enhanced smart tags. The site also provides assistance as to how to find facts easily, get help when needed, read comfortably, mark documents and send faxes by internet. I can also take the online test drive of the latest version of MS Word. MS Product licensing advisor provides an easy-to-use online tool with reference to product licensing. For the small business I am running there is comprehensive information about MS small business edition 2003. The site provides an overview of the product and its benefit like the ease of use and its suitability to help me managing customers and sales opportunities, create marketing material, manage e-mail communications and information sharing. The information with reference to price and system requirements and the procedure to buy online are also provided. Microsoft Corporation has developed an excellent website that provides comprehensive information that enables me to study and buy their products with the utmost ease. References Microsoft. Retrieved November 17, 2006 From http://www.microsoft.com/ Â   Â   Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Corporation is a leading software company in the world. Its core businesses include Platform Products and Services Division, Business Division and the Entertainment and Devices Division. It is committed to the long term mission of helping its customers realize their full potential. It constantly updates and improves its products and continuously accelerate new technologies as they emerge serve its customers better. The web site of Microsoft is one of the best developed websites providing a wealth of online information to its visitor. The information includes that of the company, its social initiatives, news, contact details, careers at Microsoft etc. The company provides a number of sites for its products. These sites provide online information about the company products and their features, product upgrades, product downloads and all the assistance required by the customers to use their products. There is a great amount of valuable information on the products site of Microsoft Corporation. The first useful information is the links to Microsoft’s product families including windows, Windows Server Systems, Business Solutions, Office, Developer Tools, Games and Xbox, MSN and Windows Mobile. This information will enable me to easily identify the product of my interest. The next useful information is about the product categories including Home and entertainment, Finance, Hardware and Books and training. There is also valuable information about the more popular products of Microsoft and its key technologies. I can also find valuable information in the link to trial software. The link helps me to get online information about the different trial software of Microsoft that are available in different product families. From each trial software link we can get the overview about the benefits of each product, its main features and support and security features. It provides details about the system requirements. Once we are able to evaluate and decide on the product to be ordered for trial then the site helps is in the procedures that are involved in buying a trial compact disc or downloading the trial software along with the necessary system requirements for the trail download. The site provides information as to how the product of our choice can be ordered online and the retailer through whom we can place the order for our product. If we plan to purchase five or more licenses, information of the volume licensing can be got based on whether our organization is a business or an educational institution. Information of the license agreement is also displayed. Once order has been placed information about how to track the status of the order is also provided. The site also provides the information about how I can use the product information center better using online chat and telephone. The Website Link to Microsoft office word 2003 provides detailed information to me about one of the best selling product of Microsoft Corporation. I can get the overview of Microsoft Word 2003 along with the features of the product like its ability to collaborate using Windows share point services, help control distribution of sensitive documents, create organizational solutions with XML and gather information on MS Word. The site provides information about the requirements of the system with reference to the operating system, processor, memory, hard disk, drive, display, Internet connection and other information necessary to use the product effectively. The site provides the price of the full version of the product and also states the price of the upgrade version. I can use a link on the site to order online the full version or the upgrade of the product. I can check the status of back order using an appropriate link in the web site. The most helpful feature of the site to me is the information provided on the link of Word 2003 tour. It provides information with the aid of pictorial presentations, about how to simplify collaboration and reduce version control issues, control document distribution, control editing and formatting changes, see comments and revision marks more easily, create organizational solutions with XML, use smart documents to reuse data stored in word 2003 documents and customized functionality with enhanced smart tags. The site also provides assistance as to how to find facts easily, get help when needed, read comfortably, mark documents and send faxes by internet. I can also take the online test drive of the latest version of MS Word. MS Product licensing advisor provides an easy-to-use online tool with reference to product licensing. For the small business I am running there is comprehensive information about MS small business edition 2003. The site provides an overview of the product and its benefit like the ease of use and its suitability to help me managing customers and sales opportunities, create marketing material, manage e-mail communications and information sharing. The information with reference to price and system requirements and the procedure to buy online are also provided. Microsoft Corporation has developed an excellent website that provides comprehensive information that enables me to study and buy their products with the utmost ease. References Microsoft. Retrieved November 17, 2006 From http://www.microsoft.com/ Â   Â  

Gender wage gap Essay

Gender wage gap is defined as difference between the mens earnings and also the womens earning according to hourly earnings, annual earnings or even weekly earnings. Gender wage gap is referred to difference between an average of all male earnings and all female earning in comparison to percentage of the male earnings (Shamie, 1986). In contrary to this gender wage gap may be expressed as gender pay gap. It is identified that the gender wage gap does not consistently accustom to part time workers earnings. It is absolutely 17.5 since this is the current percentage of average earnings that is held compulsory. Reasons for gender wage gap There are reasons as to why the gender wage gap happens. These reasons include the congressional District whereby the state does not administer the stack up of the gender workers hence there are disparities encountered. The second reason explores that, people have been wondering about the gender wage gap whereby men have been getting paid much more payment than women (Hirsch, 2010). There are people perspectives which lay a foundation that women are getting paid less because they choose lower paying jobs as well as working part time than the male. In moral view, within the US a gender wage gap has already been spotted to have affected women of all ages, education levels, different races and also ethnicity. However, women have been experienced the gender wage gap even though some states are worse in gender wage gap than others. The gender wage gap has taken its place in most of the states in a way that its worse for women of color. Probably all women are affected by the gender wage gap but for the women of color are not affected so worse.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Racial Discrimination Essay

A quick review of the current headlines of America’s newspapers, blogs and chat rooms speaks volumes about the advances that African-Americans have made in the quest to gain equality in a nation that proclaims â€Å"liberty and justice for all†, but has sadly fallen short of delivering that promise to minorities in decades past. This, of course, brings to mind the struggle to end racial discrimination, a struggle that owes an endless gratitude to Martin Luther King, Jr, a leader of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Sadly, King lost his life to an assassin’s bullet; ironically, this research will prove that Martin Luther King, Jr. ’s fight and dedication to peace and dictated the way in which he tried to end racial discrimination, and he never used force to reach his end result. Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr? If it is possible to fully understand the mindset of Martin Luther King, Jr. , his mission and methods, it is important to likewise gain a better understanding of who he was as not only a social advocate but also as a human being. A simple quote from the last speech that King ever gave, prior to his tragic murder so early in life, speaks a great deal about his philosophy and faith: â€Å"I just want to do God’s will, and he has allowed me to go up to the mountain† (Dyson, 2000, p. 2) In saying this, what King was trying to convey was that he was not motivated by fame, wealth or personal recognition, but rather that he was motivated by what is right, and that he had been given the privilege of using his wisdom and popularity to gain equality for all Americans, regardless of their race. When looking back on the writings and speeches of King, it becomes apparent that he truly advocated non-violent actions to achieve his goals and realize his dream, but he also realized that it would be necessary for blood to shed, probably his most of all, for the dream to come to life. In fairness, it would neither be fair nor correct to depict Martin Luther King, Jr. as a saint or a supernatural figure, no matter how impressive his actions in his life and the sacrificial nature of his death. In its purest sense, King’s message held that it is legally, morally and philosophically the right thing for everyone to have equal rights, regardless of their race. What he intended was for everyone to have the opportunity to prove their abilities, advance based their hard work and initiative and improve their standard of living as much as anyone else. However, it would seem that King has created a monster of sorts, as his message has been perverted for selfish purposes over the years to indicate that minorities should be given preference because of prior deprivations and disadvantages, something which creates a sizeable level of friction between races in America to the present day. Additionally, it has been alleged by King’s critics that he resorted to grandstanding as a means of gaining attention for his cause (Greenblatt, 2008). Suffice it to say that King, in the final analysis was not a superhero, nor was he all style and no substance. In actuality, he was an intelligent, motivated individual who was driven by zeal to make a difference in the world, eradicate wrongs that he observed in that world, and try to generate harmony for minorities and non-minorities through the promotion of peace between the two groups. Simply put, King was human, but doing everything humanly possible to rise above the limitations of what he saw as an unjust world. Turning Imprisonment into Freedom Perhaps one of the clearest statements of King’s support of non-violent action in order to eradicate injustice and discrimination anywhere that it existed in the United States can be found in his writing that would become known as â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail†. The â€Å"letter† came into existence when King was arrested as a result of his protesting activities in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, which as that time and place was believed by many to be the most racially segregated and prejudiced city in the United States of America. Adding insult to injury, the clergy of Birmingham leveled the allegation that King and his groups of non-violent protesters who came to Birmingham were in fact outsiders who were essentially interfering with matters that they had no business being involved with in the first place. Taking a certain level of offense at this accusation, King addressed his letter directly to the clergy of Birmingham who were making the accusations and managed to cleverly outline his strategies for achieving meaningful change without using violence, the precedent for doing so throughout Biblical texts and secular history accounts, and precisely what he and his many fellow advocates intended to realize in the end after the actions took place (Abcarius & Klotz, 2007). Additionally, some other facets of the letter deserve recognition. King uses terms like â€Å"loyalty† and â€Å"sacred values† to make the argument that the battle to end discrimination is something that is not only of the mind of all people, but also a matter of the heart. Further, he makes the assertion that the level of difficulties that existed in Birmingham made involvement by outsiders not only appropriate, but also necessary. Thus, it can be fairly argued that King was ready, willing and able to selflessly embark on a crusade of freedom, wherever that crusade happened to take him. King’s Death Gave Added Life to His Dream As this research was introduced, the point was made that ironically, a non-violent activist like Martin Luther King, Jr. had his life prematurely snuffed out by a violent act on the part of an individual whose sole motivation seemed to be violence in order to reach his goal (Kukathas, 2008). Adding to the irony of King’s murder is that his assassin intended for the murder to also kill King’s dream of equality for all, but in the final analysis, the exact opposite took place. As tragic as his death was, it seemed to speak a million words, telling everyone that racial hatred is not only wrong, but could also be fatal. When faced with life and death, many soon realized that a better dialogue on the issue of race was necessary. While the road to equality would be slow, it was aided by the sacrifice made by Martin Luther King, Jr. upon his death. King in Context and Conclusion As has been seen in this research, Martin Luther King, Jr. was more motivated than perfect, active than violent. In fact, the point has been made by examining pivotal writings of King and his historic record of activism that he made the progress that he did without ever raising a violent hand to anyone. Therefore, in conclusion, what is seen in King is a non-violent catalyst for change in a world that sadly, was too violent to allow him to continue living in it. While those who would come after him would attempt to twist his words for their own benefit and depict King as something that he was not, over the course of history, it has been proven that the quality of what he offered to the world has withstood the test of time and when it is revitalized and used as he designed it, can continue to be successful in the modern United States of America. Hopefully, it will continue to do so as time moves forward. Works Cited Abcarias, R. & Klotz, M. (Eds) (2007). Literature: The Human Experience of Reading and Writing. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s Press. Dyson, M. E. (Ed) (2000). The True Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: The Free Press Greenblatt, A. (2008). The Legacy of Disadvantage in the United States Kukathas, U (Ed) (2008). Race and Ethnicity. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press

Compare and contrast the key appeal factors of the world's top four Essay

Compare and contrast the key appeal factors of the world's top four receiving countries(arrivals 2005)namely France,Spain,USA,China - Essay Example In other words, to every country there holds its own specialty. People visit different countries for not only trade but to spend their vacations, to take out time to explore the world and its beauty. These migrations benefit the countries in a manner to hold up the foreign exchange along with the enhancement of business of their countries. Most of the countries show up their basic historical culture and tradition to keep it alive among the new generation and spreading it all over the world. It is being noticed that technology introduces a new change in every field of daily use. A person traveling of one's pleasure is known to be a tourist and the process or migrations tourist make till one returns back to the homeland is known to be tourism. Tourist is said to be a name to visitor who travels the t other country to visit it for the cause of business or his pleasure. According to Mathieson and Wall (1982), tourism is "the temporary movement of people to destinations outside their normal places of work and residence, the activities undertaken during their stay in those destinations and the facilities created to cater their needs."8 In simple words, Wall and Mathieson wants to say that visiting a place other than usual places like office, schools, relative homes; a place where person moves to accomplish his personal or business desires. Desires may be to attain mental relaxation from the fast track life or desires may to achieve more trading clients to enhance own assets. Studying more about tourist and tourism, Macintosh and Goeldner (1986) defines tourism i n words like, "the sum of phenomena and relationships arising from the interaction of tourists, business suppliers, host governments and host communities in the process of attracting and hosting these tourists and other visitors."8 This is simple and easy defining the same philosophy of tourism in mould of different words. KEY APPEAL FACTORS Traveling from one place to another was a big major time consuming issue. Its developments were simultaneously acting by the passage of time. On foot traveling was done before 1500A.D when stagecoach was invented. This is a carriage pulled by the horse. It in minority but yet being seen now a day and now it's the cheaper transportation to move from one place to another. Then in England in 1825, passenger-carrying railroads, i.e., trains are developed moving the research on the development of boats and ships which was first sailed in ocean in 1840. This transportation was usually used to move on the land across seven seas through oceans. Automobiles and now the most famous transportation is air travel. Traveling may be done for one or more of the following dimensions: Natural Resources Culture Ethnicity Entertainment Extreme Tourism, which includes adventurous activities. Traveling is just not the reason but a name to live a healthy stay at guest place and enjoy that happy tensionless mood which requires following facilities: Lodging Food & Beverages Support Services Infrastructure, services like communication, water for general use, electricity etc. These all facilities require for the following the visitor or tourist to be filled

Team Building 3 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Team Building 3 - Term Paper Example However, there are a number of various exercises that help to minimize conflicts and get ready to them (Schellenberg, 1996). One of the best team-building exercises to avoid conflicts is a hands-in exercise that helps to distinguish a workplace incivility. It is entitled Are You Part of the Problem? To do this exercise the participants are to answer eight questions and then analyze the results. The questions are the following ones: 1) Did you pay little attention to the information given by someone else or demonstrate little interest in his/her point of view? 2) Did you make demeaning, derogatory or rude remarks about some person? 3) Did you make any unwanted attempts to draw some person into a discussion of any personal issues? 4) Did you make fun of someone at work? 5) Did you make any religious, ethnic or racial jokes at work? 6) Did you curse someone at work? 7) Did you publicly embarrass some person at work? 8) Did you play a mean prank on someone at work? It is recommended to d o this exercise with all employees in the end of every year. This gives an opportunity to analyze the relationship between people and the probability of conflict situations. It is necessary to prepare the cards with questions for this exercise. Each card should include the above-mentioned questions and a scheme for points. It may be printed the following way: Never Often 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 The employees should choose one point for each question and then draw conclusions. The results may be the following ones: 8-16 means good organizational citizen 17-31 – careful, one’s mean streak is showing 32-40 – there is a real social porcupine The above-mentioned exercise is also very helpful if it is necessary to find out if there are any personal conflicts at work. It is rather important to do that as such conflicts prevent people from working more successfully. Moreover, according to statistics, there are about four hundred twenty various psyc hological disorders that may cause conflicts at work. So, the necessity of the above-mentioned exercise is evident. However, it is not very easy to make it a part of team work. That is why it is also important to create some plan or strategy to apply the exercise and motivate very employee to take an active part in it. Every person should understand that he/she should test his/her disposition to conflict situations at work. I suggest the following plan for applying an exercise suggested above. 1) The first thing to do is to prepare an exercise. So, it is necessary to create cards, print questions and scale for analyzing the results on them. It is better to use bright colours to make cards, because this will help to establish friendly atmosphere during answering the questions. 2) Then, it is necessary to prepare the employees to the exercise. This cannot be done spontaneously. People should know when and how they will take part in interrogations. Moreover, they should be aware of the purpose and necessity of the things done by them. So, the employees and the one who is in charge of doing an exercise should have a talk in order to capture the people’s attention to the exercise. 3) It is important to deliver a lecture about conflict before doing an exercise. This will help to understand that it is important to