You know a service is for rich Western tourists when: in a non-English speaking country the name of the service is in English, the website is only in English and prices start at $3,500. Their video-promo has nice imagery but is full of clichés and sounds like a monologue for retards. Welcome to Brazil’s first luxury train service: The Great Brazil Express.
The website still lacks information, but we know that its first 7-day tour begins on April 23: from Curitiba (capital of Brazilian state
Whether you are a Bond fan or not, you’d probably agree the locations they pick to film the movies are often a huge part of their appeal. The Times has asked two authors o pick their favorite Bond locations. Here they are. Gareth Scurlock’s top five locations: Ginny McGrath’s top five locations: I think I would have to go with Monaco myself. Bond and the Mediterranean simply shake well. Picture: Ursula Andress and Sean Connery in the James Bond film Dr No, shot on location in Jamaica. A researcher on poverty and development and a professor at Yale, Chris Blattman is the man behind a terrific blog that focuses on the political, economic, and cultural goings-on in the poorest countries in the world. Yesterday, Chris tackled an interesting ethical question from a reader: What are the ethical implications of Westerners who are living in a poor African country hiring domestic help? Are there negative culture or economic implications to employing locals to work around the house, and doesn’t it seem a tad “imperialistic” or exploitative? Chris’ answer, sensible as always, is a resounding NO! Says Chris: “In my experience, the local job options are nasty, brutish and short. The chance to work indoors, at relatively light labor (cleaning, washing, guarding) is highly sought after.” Exactly right. My advice on the matter would be this: If you view your household workers as essentially “servants,” you’ll probably feel as if you’re simply exploiting them for cheap labor. And if you treat them like servants, maybe you should. But a more sensible approach is to think of them as employees– which is exactly what they are. You’re paying them to provide a service, and more than likely, they are no less than thrilled to be in your employ. Treat them like employees– or better– and there’s nothing to worry about. Rather than be paralyzed by guilt, splitting hairs over whether this is properly called employment or exploitation, put yourself in the position of your would-be worker. Now, do you want the wealthy Westerners to hire you, or don’t you? Chris adds that “the bias against hiring help seems to be peculiarly Western. Why is that? Perhaps because the wage paid to domestic servants in the U.S. and Europe is often below the average unskilled wage. Not so in many poorer countries.” Finally, not only is it permissible to hire help if you’re relatively wealthy, you may well be obligated: “What’s more, in most places I have worked, the wealthy (especially Westerners) are expected to hire help, principally as a means to share wealth. To not hire help is at best odd and at worst improper. Help often become part of the family circle, and employers may help them with children’s school fees, emergency loans, and health problems.” New “whole body imaging” (or millimeter wave machines) to be set up at JFK and LAX can tell what’s under your clothes. Talk about motivation for clean underpants. The Transportation Security Administration has been testing the machines in Phoenix and is all set to expand to other airports. But don’t worry — travelers at JFK who wore their grannies and don’t want anyone to know have the option of a pat-down instead. Travelers at LAX will pass through regular security and then be randomly chosen for the body scan. A survey conducted by the TSA in Phoenix revealed that 90% of passengers preferred the whole body imaging over a pat-down. Which would you prefer? Britain’s first Islamic pub “Halal Inn” recently opened its doors in Oldham. It’s being marketed as a “pub” that offers everything any pub would, except alcohol. So…urrr…it’s a cafe, no? A cafe where you can play pool, listen to Islamic music, eat Asian food. So it’s a cafe targeted to the Muslim population in Oldham. Fine. It’s great to have hangouts that adhere to certain cultural/religious rules, it offers diversity — I’m happy that people are building places catering to specific lifestyles. Non-Muslims may not understand how significant this place may be for Muslims, but why can’t they market it like that then? I mean: it’s not a pub (so don’t call it one); it’s not for non-Muslim people — if it was an open establishment welcoming everyone who wants to go out and not drink, they would not call it “Halal Inn”; the article says that although everyone is welcome, the crowd is predominantly male. So to rephrase: Britain has opened its first Islamic cafe for Muslim men. Good for them. But why is this place being glorified to deceive? It’s not a novel concept, in fact, it’s not even a clear concept. Instead of trying to modernize and open a clearly Islamic idea by tagging it an “pub”, they would have been better off (and more successful) if they made it into a full-fledged cultural cafe, perhaps more “Arab” style than Muslim. Sheesha, Arabic music, ethnic decor, typical Islamic food, Arabic tea from a big mud pot, etc; then it would have a concept, serve the Muslim population, and be of cultural interest to a much wider audience. Top 10 James Bond locations
Is it wrong for Westerners living in poor countries to hire local “servants”?
The TSA knows you’re naked under your clothes
Halal Inn — Britain’s first Islamic pub. Huh?
