The habits of old are worth dirt

[mrswdk]

Old culture, old ideas, old customs and old habits are a brake on society and on individuals, keeping people's mentality and outlook trapped in a century that no longer exists. They leave people unable to change, unable to adapt, and blinkered by a world view that insists on interpreting everything through the lens of a time gone by.

The world changes and evolves, and those who want to succeed need to learn how to change with it. The tools of the past will not help you do that.

Destroy the old, embrace the new.

[subtleknifewield]

*Yawn*

One should not simply reject the past because times have changed. It should still be remembered so that we can at least attempt to learn from its mistakes and try to avoid making the same ones in new guises.

[mrswdk]

One should not simply reject the past because times have changed. It should still be remembered so that we can at least attempt to learn from its mistakes and try to avoid making the same ones in new guises.

Tangent.

[subtleknifewield]

Not really. You just wish it was.

[mrswdk]

Not really. You just wish it was.

Learning lessons from the past and continuing to uphold behaviors and approaches from the past are two different things. I'm talking about the latter.

[subtleknifewield]

Then re-title the thread to reflect this, it's really implying quite the opposite, whether this is your intention or not.

[mrswdk]

Or just read the OP.

[notyou2]

grey or is it gray?

[waauw]

No need to get rid of old culture, old ideas, old customs and old habits purely because they're old. Many of them provide strong economic advantages in some way or another.

[mrswdk]

No need to get rid of old culture, old ideas, old customs and old habits purely because they're old. Many of them provide strong economic advantages in some way or another.

Eagerly awaiting examples and evidence of the economic advantages they bring.

[notyou2]

Eagerly awaiting for you to see colour and realize the world isn't all black or white.

[waauw]

No need to get rid of old culture, old ideas, old customs and old habits purely because they're old. Many of them provide strong economic advantages in some way or another.

Eagerly awaiting examples and evidence of the economic advantages they bring.

• American economy is dependent on attracting the brightest minds from all over the world, in this american culture plays a big role as many people look up to american lifestyle. A bit naively, but still.
• What made many top tier products in europe the best in the world was a cultural mindset towards certain products. It's because the italians like to wear fashion clothing so much that they have so many top fashion brands. It's because the french consider wine as a piece of art rather than just another product, that they've become so proficient at making wine. Etc.
• It's because of the cultural mindset to fear loans and to hamster money on their savings accounts rather than invest it, that the belgian housingmarket didn't collapse. We had enough money saved up to keep paying our bills.
• It's because of chauvinism that Germany and Belgium were able to shield their markets from foreign beers. We drink local beers as a matter of national pride. In fact, both are the only countries in the world that Heineken has consistently failed to penetrate succesfully. (drinking Heineken is considered a public disgrace)
• etc.

[mrswdk]

• American economy is dependent on attracting the brightest minds from all over the world, in this american culture plays a big role as many people look up to american lifestyle. A bit naively, but still.

They look up to American money, same as the people who flock to Singapore, Shanghai or Dubai.

• What made many top tier products in europe the best in the world was a cultural mindset towards certain products. It's because the italians like to wear fashion clothing so much that they have so many top fashion brands. It's because the french consider wine as a piece of art rather than just another product, that they've become so proficient at making wine. Etc.

What enabled Europe to start making lots of top-tier products from an early point in time is that it was rich and had a lot of people who were interested in those products.

I mean, take this list of the world's top luxury brands. Four French, three Italian, one Swiss, one British and one American. China is the biggest market for luxury goods in the world. So why doesn't China, with its 'cultural mindset towards' luxury goods comparable to any developed country, dominate that list?

• It's because of the cultural mindset to fear loans and to hamster money on their savings accounts rather than invest it, that the belgian housingmarket didn't collapse. We had enough money saved up to keep paying our bills.

wat

• It's because of chauvinism that Germany and Belgium were able to shield their markets from foreign beers. We drink local beers as a matter of national pride. In fact, both are the only countries in the world that Heineken has consistently failed to penetrate succesfully. (drinking Heineken is considered a public disgrace)

Either German and Belgian beers are better than foreign competitors, in which case they have protected themselves by being of superior quality, or Belgian and German beers are worse than foreign competitors, in which case pig-headed nationalism is propping up a flaccid industry that ought to be allowed to succumb to the competition.

[waauw]

• American economy is dependent on attracting the brightest minds from all over the world, in this american culture plays a big role as many people look up to american lifestyle. A bit naively, but still.

They look up to American money, same as the people who flock to Singapore, Shanghai or Dubai.

The american life is a concept that holds a certain allure to rich europeans as well. It's more than just money.

• What made many top tier products in europe the best in the world was a cultural midset towards certain products. It's because the italians like to wear fashion clothing so much that they have so many top fashion brands. It's because the french consider wine as a piece of art rather than just another product, that they've become so proficient at making wine. Etc.

What enabled Europe to start making lots of top-tier products from an early point in time is that it was rich and had a lot of people who were interested in those products.

I mean, take this list of the world's top luxury brands. Four French, three Italian, one Swiss, one British and one American. China is the biggest market for luxury goods in the world. So why doesn't China, with its 'cultural mindset towards' luxury goods comparable to any developed country, dominate that list?

Customer demand, especially for luxury goods, is culturally rooted. Just as business climate and attitude is also culturally rooted.
And I never said culture was the only variable the equation, obviously wealth is as well.

• It's because of the cultural mindset to fear loans and to hamster money on their savings accounts rather than invest it, that the belgian housingmarket didn't collapse. We had enough money saved up to keep paying our bills.

wat

Many northern european countries have a culture of saving money rather than spending it, which is one of the reasons northern europe is stronger than mediterranean europe who have a more 'carpe diem' attitude.

• It's because of chauvinism that Germany and Belgium were able to shield their markets from foreign beers. We drink local beers as a matter of national pride. In fact, both are the only countries in the world that Heineken has consistently failed to penetrate succesfully. (drinking Heineken is considered a public disgrace)

Either German and Belgian beers are better than foreign competitors, in which case they have protected themselves by being of superior quality, or Belgian and German beers are worse than foreign competitors, in which case pig-headed nationalism is propping up a flaccid industry that ought to be allowed to succumb to the competition.

In my opinion german and belgian beers are superior, but that's not the only factor at play here. I can give you a first hand account that belgians and germans consider beer as a product of national pride. Don't try and lecture me on my own culture.

[Bernie Sanders]

The Chinese have far more culture than Germany and Belgium!
Did the Germany and Belgium have a "Cultural Revolution? NO! China did!
Rest my case...

[mrswdk]

• American economy is dependent on attracting the brightest minds from all over the world, in this american culture plays a big role as many people look up to american lifestyle. A bit naively, but still.

They look up to American money, same as the people who flock to Singapore, Shanghai or Dubai.

The american life is a concept that holds a certain allure to rich europeans as well. It's more than just money.

Rich Belgians, maybe. The only people I've met who think it would be awesome to go to America are from developing countries, but they would also be just as happy to go to Europe or Australia/NZ.

• What made many top tier products in europe the best in the world was a cultural midset towards certain products. It's because the italians like to wear fashion clothing so much that they have so many top fashion brands. It's because the french consider wine as a piece of art rather than just another product, that they've become so proficient at making wine. Etc.

What enabled Europe to start making lots of top-tier products from an early point in time is that it was rich and had a lot of people who were interested in those products.

I mean, take this list of the world's top luxury brands. Four French, three Italian, one Swiss, one British and one American. China is the biggest market for luxury goods in the world. So why doesn't China, with its 'cultural mindset towards' luxury goods comparable to any developed country, dominate that list?

Customer demand, especially for luxury goods, is culturally rooted.

'Wanting to look rich' isn't really specific to any one culture or time.

• It's because of the cultural mindset to fear loans and to hamster money on their savings accounts rather than invest it, that the belgian housingmarket didn't collapse. We had enough money saved up to keep paying our bills.

wat

Many northern european countries have a culture of saving money rather than spending it, which is one of the reasons northern europe is stronger than mediterranean europe who have a more 'carpe diem' attitude.

I mean, the reason Norway is stronger is because it is sat on enormous amounts of oil.

• It's because of chauvinism that Germany and Belgium were able to shield their markets from foreign beers. We drink local beers as a matter of national pride. In fact, both are the only countries in the world that Heineken has consistently failed to penetrate succesfully. (drinking Heineken is considered a public disgrace)

Either German and Belgian beers are better than foreign competitors, in which case they have protected themselves by being of superior quality, or Belgian and German beers are worse than foreign competitors, in which case pig-headed nationalism is propping up a flaccid industry that ought to be allowed to succumb to the competition.

In my opinion german and belgian beers are superior, but that's not the only factor at play here. I can give you a first hand account that belgians and germans consider beer as a product of national pride. Don't try and lecture me on my own culture.

All you're doing is repeating your original point and ignoring what I said.

[Fudd]

There is nothing new under the Sun. It has all been done before.

[WingCmdr Ginkapo]

I mean, the reason Norway is stronger is because it is sat on enormous amounts of oil.

Thats not why they will remain rich for a long time though.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/ ... 0U20140108

Its cultural.

[waauw]

The Chinese have far more culture than Germany and Belgium!
Did the Germany and Belgium have a "Cultural Revolution? NO! China did!
Rest my case...

Looool, nobody argued the opposite. Don't you have some bullshit legislations to go pass?

[waauw]

Rich Belgians, maybe. The only people I've met who think it would be awesome to go to America are from developing countries, but they would also be just as happy to go to Europe or Australia/NZ.

There are more than just Belgians I'm certain, not as many as in developing countries of course. Many europeans do enjoy studying abroad, or dream of living in another country, and the US is simply one of the countries that holds the largest allure.

'Wanting to look rich' isn't really specific to any one culture or time.

People in different countries hold different standards. The italians put more effort in being well-dressed, the germans love investing into cars, the japanese have high standards for electronic devices, etc. Technological hubs don't sprout on random locations.

I mean, the reason Norway is stronger is because it is sat on enormous amounts of oil.

I said many, not all.

All you're doing is repeating your original point and ignoring what I said.

Of course I am. I actually live in Belgium, have been to Germany multiple times already and read german newspapers from time to time. I KNOW what people here are like. I don't have to rely on a personal opinion(except for the part on which beer is superior).

Belgians and Germans love consuming their own beers, which is good for the local economy as it puts local businesses in a stronger competitive position. Ergo culture has a positive influence on local businesses. =economic advantage

[mrswdk]

I mean, the reason Norway is stronger is because it is sat on enormous amounts of oil.

Thats not why they will remain rich for a long time though.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/ ... 0U20140108

Its cultural.

What's any of that got to do with culture?

[mrswdk]

People in different countries hold different standards. The italians put more effort in being well-dressed, the germans love investing into cars, the japanese have high standards for electronic devices, etc.

So which racist stereotypes are responsible for the economic successes of these countries:

America
Singapore
New Zealand
Sweden
Netherlands
Korea

?

[mrswdk]

Of course culture is important for a country to succeed! Asian people love maths and so Singapore has become really rich!

[waauw]

People in different countries hold different standards. The italians put more effort in being well-dressed, the germans love investing into cars, the japanese have high standards for electronic devices, etc.

So which racist stereotypes are responsible for the economic successes of these countries:

America
Singapore
New Zealand
Sweden
Netherlands
Korea

?

go bullshit someone else troll...

[mrswdk]

Go come up with a valid rejection of the points I make in OP, Mr Radio Free Europe.