In post-World War II Germany, the Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle) established a sense of economic stability and order. The retail sector embraced fixed pricing as a symbol of reliability and transparency, contrasting with the more volatile economic environments in other countries. This cultural backdrop reinforced the idea that fair pricing was predetermined and not open to negotiation. Germans came to view price bargaining as an unnecessary disruption to the established order.
Troubled by supply chain woes, German firms diversify and relocate
November 2021. Reuters. More than half of German companies doing business abroad are suffering severe problems in their supply chains or logistics, pushing them to diversify suppliers, shorten delivery routes and even relocate their own production, a survey showed on Tuesday.
The German economy has boomed on the back of globalisation over the past decade. But pandemic-related disruptions in the worldwide network of supply chains that used to turbo-charge its growth engine are now proving a critical weakness.
USA – Rich vs Poor
Infographics on the distribution of wealth in America, highlighting both the inequality and the difference between our perception of inequality and the actual numbers. The reality is often not what we think it is.
YouTube comments:
“Campaign finance reform is the solution. Until we elect people who arnt brought and paid for nothing will change.”
Two success stories
Warren Buffett shares two stories about women who started from nothing and sold their businesses to the legendary investor. This is one of the greatest speeches Mr. Buffett has ever delivered and he also gives really good advice to all entrepreneurs in the audience.
Warren E. Buffett is an American long-term investor, philanthropist, business tycoon, and the chairman & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He is considered one of the most successful investors in the world and has a net worth of over 100 billion dollars.
Buffett was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He developed an interest in business and investing in his youth and made truly incredible stock market returns over his career.
Typical Bavarian
The Bavarians are very proud of their regional heritage. In fact, many, perhaps most, Bavarians see themselves as Bavarians first, then as Germans.
U.S. Cities With the Friendliest Neighbors
From Florida to Hawaii, these cities take care of each other.
Do you have good neighbors? While some people out there barely see or speak to the people dwelling in the next house or apartment, there are some places in the U.S. where community and neighborliness is paramount.
A recent Housing and Urban Development study showed that while neighborhood crime rates are lower in the U.S. than they’ve ever been before, strong community bonds are closely associated with safe neighborhoods where people have a sense of community well-being.
So, where can you find these safe, friendly neighborhoods? A storage company called Neighbor, which is basically the Airbnb of storage companies, recently analyzed and compiled a list of the top 25 cities that pride themselves on looking out for each other, doing favors for one another, and generally acting like good neighbors in a traditional sense.
Volunteerism and US Civil Society
Everyone in the public and nonprofit sectors has a role to play in fostering volunteerism, and engagement can pay dividends for all.
As a former public sector leader now working in the social sector, I have witnessed the tremendous impact volunteerism has on American society—on both the people providing social services and the people receiving them.
These altruistic interactions often serve a broader purpose: They bond together neighbors and communities in a common cause, and enable us to see and appreciate each other’s humanity.
When we recognize the humanity in each other, we lay the foundations of understanding, empathy, and compassion. These then form the building blocks of a healthy civil society in which citizens are more likely to focus on what unites us than what divides us.
virtue and effort
The Protestant work ethic, brought to America by early Puritans and other settlers, reinforced the idea that hard work and economic success are signs of divine favor. This theological perspective aligns closely with capitalist ideals, suggesting that market success is a reflection of personal virtue and effort. Consequently, prices determined by the market are perceived as just rewards for one’s labor and entrepreneurial skill, rather than as fixed, objective values.
verbal vs. written
In the United States, a verbal agreement can be legally binding under certain circumstances. Contract law in the U.S. is governed by state laws as well as the principles outlined in the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and common law precedents. For a verbal agreement to be legally enforceable, it must meet specific criteria, including offer and acceptance, consideration, and mutual intent to enter into a binding agreement. However, the enforceability of verbal agreements can vary based on the nature and value of the agreement.
Certain types of agreements, however, must be in writing to be legally enforceable. This requirement is based on the Statute of Frauds, which mandates that certain contracts must be in writing to prevent fraud and misunderstandings. Examples of such agreements include contracts involving the sale of real estate, agreements that cannot be performed within one year, contracts for the sale of goods valued over a certain amount as specified by the UCC, and agreements to pay someone else’s debt.
While verbal agreements are generally enforceable, proving the existence and specific terms of such agreements can be challenging. Courts may require clear and convincing evidence to substantiate a verbal contract. Testimonies, witness statements, and other forms of corroborative evidence can be considered, but the lack of written documentation often complicates enforcement.
Culturally, Americans may be more open to negotiating and entering into verbal agreements than in some other countries. However, in business and legal contexts, written contracts are typically preferred to minimize ambiguities and provide a tangible record of the agreed terms. While the law may recognize verbal agreements as binding, written agreements remain the standard practice, particularly in high-value transactions or complex contractual arrangements.