Art Nouveau was a sudden and relatively brief artistic movement of the late 19th century, in reaction against the sprawling industrialization. It is characterized by its curved lines, colorful ornamentations, nature motifs, and dense, arabesques forms. The French term Art … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: May 2012
Italian Business Etiquette Part 2: Communication, Appointments, and Time
Communication: Italians are extremely expressive communicators. They tend to be wordy, eloquent, emotional, and demonstrative, often using facial and hand gestures to prove their point. Appointments: They are mandatory, must be in writing (in Italian), and be scheduled one to … Continue reading
Living Language Apps are NYT and Wired Approved!
The reviews are in: Living Language apps are fun, easy-to-use, and effective for learning new languages. Recently the New York Times and Wired praised the app for its overall quality, innovative games, and comprehensive instruction. Bob Tedeschi of the Personal Tech section … Continue reading
Toasting To Mom In Multiple Languages
This Sunday, May 13th, we’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day here in the U.S. Since we have our mothers on the brain, we asked our e-tutors how they greet their moms. Perhaps you’ll greet your mother with one of these beautiful … Continue reading
Alles Gute zum Muttertag: Happy Mother’s Day in Germany
Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries in the western world, including German speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Many famous German poets and authors have written something about Mother’s Day or maternal love such as Goethe, Kurt Tucholsky and Erich Fromm to … Continue reading
“Latin America’s Literary Outlaw,” Roberto Bolaño’s Best Novels Found Post-Mortem
The summer of 2003 was a sad time for Spanish literature lovers; Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño sadly left us. He spent his last days in Spain in a small town near Barcelona, the setting of one of his last books, … Continue reading
Ten Survival Phrases for Travel to Japan
If you find yourself looking forward to a trip to Japan but feel anxious about speaking the language, here are ten absolutely essential phrases to help you have a great time! Hai. (Yes.) Iie. (No.) Konnichi wa. (Hello.) Konban wa. … Continue reading
Vespasiennes: The Ancient Street Urinals of Paris
In the streets of Paris, public toilets called sanisettes have replaced the old, smelly vespasiennes. The modern public urinals were first installed in 1980; since 2006, a couple hundred are found throughout the city, and their use is now free. But among some, … Continue reading
Italian Business Etiquette Part 1: Personal Touch and Appearance
Personal touch: Italians prefer face-to-face contact, it is therefore critical to spend time in Italy and with your potential business partners developing relationship. Trust is key for Italians. Your Italian business colleagues needs to know something about you as a person … Continue reading
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! ¡VIVA México!
It is widely believed that Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s independence, this however, is a misconception. Mexico celebrates its independence from Spain on September 16th. The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the … Continue reading
