How Culturally Different are Countries in 2006?

A US Programmers Life

As a software engineer living in Orlando, FL, I would be making between $75,000 – $100,00 a year and probably reside near Pine Castle off Orange Ave. and shop at the Florida Mall, rarely cook at home instead eat at several great restaurants in the area if not around Florida Mall there is always International Drive nearby not to mention Universal, Sea World or Disney.  All of which are also entertainment such as Moonlight Serenade on the roof at the Hilton Hotel on I-Drive, Mid Evil Times, Wet-N-Wild, Outlet Malls on I-Drive as well. When I go grocery shopping I normally shop at Publix.

My greatest worry is completing the latest software project on time without bugs or multiple updates to fix any unforeseen glitches.

A Chinese Farmers Life

In the farms surrounding Beijing, China you will find more fruits and vegetables than rice and wheat also fresh water crabs and saltwater shrimp are farmed in this area of China. In recent years, meaning less than 10 years, dairy and chicken farms have increased rapidly especially with the new repeals of the farm taxation.  The governments new subsidizing of certain crops are also increasing the income of farmers, which allow them to afford purchasing products besides what they grow locally.  Also Beijing area is known for it’s fish farms as well.

Living in this area allows the local farmers a bigger variety in diet than in other provinces. Locally  blueberries, grapes, pears, peaches, apples, strawberries and cranberries are the highest yielding fruit crops.  With corn and soybeans the top grains produced.  All types of vegetables are grown as well. 

Everyday products can be bought at a small village store but clothing and other household items can be purchased at Wal-Mart near the city. There are over 20 Wal-Mart’s in the Beijing area alone.   It saves time by being able to find everything in one building and we can also find the latest movies and music at affordable prices. 

Music and movies are our biggest form of entertainment on the farm since most days are spent tending the gardens and livestock from sunup to sundown an hour or two of music or a movie is all that is needed before bed.

The biggest worry for farmers in Beijing is increasing crop production so they make a profit for all their hard work instead of just getting by with surviving on what they grow. 

An African Parents Life

A parent living in Cape Town, S. Africa depends on if you are colored, white or black as to what the answers are to each of these questions.  If you are black you will be hard pressed to earn enough to by enough rice to fill your belly let alone any children you may be responsible for taking care of and raising. Groceries and other household items are acquired at the local open market or made from local materials.  Entertainment consists of visiting neighbors and relatives. The greatest worry of a black parent in Cape Town is making enough money to feed my children and myself.

If you are colored you might have a low paying steady job and be able to actually buy a small house for yourself and family.  You would also buy most of your groceries and household articles at the local open market although you would be able to afford more than just rice.  For entertainment you might have a radio or CD player and there is always local entertainment.  Greatest worry for a colored or mixed race is making sure they keep the job they have or finding a higher paying job if they have acquired skills in there present job.

If you are white, you shop in an air-conditioned shops or grocery stores. You have a high paying job and the latest technology available for entertainment worldwide.  Your biggest worry is where to take your next vacation.