Knapp Model of Relational Development (by Mark Knapp) - explains the development of a relationship as a series of 10 stages in 2 phases; namely, Coming Together and Coming Apart.
So apparently, it is true. Mariah is married, AGAIN. This time to a guy 11 years younger than her! I didn't know that till my friend had to tell me!
Anyway, in Singapore or Asia, this happens rarely. Apparently not in The States, Europe and HOLLYWOOD. Its so predictable that they're going to divorce in less than 6 months or a year, because the "honeymoon" period usually lasts from 3-6 months.
True enough, they're now going through troubled times, and will most probably get a divorce, soon. This goes to show how they could not get along. Sources said that Nick could not conform to her whims and fancy, and he was constantly at her beck and call. Well, I guess Mariah's really high-handed and high maintainence.
Divorce rates are getting higher and higher nowadays and I must say that's quite appalling. Don't get me wrong now, I don't have anything against divorce. In fact, I'm cool with it. In my opinion, if a couple can't get along well, it's useless no matter how hard they try, because it will only agrievate the situation and their relationship might turn sour.
I guess the reason for such acts of divorce is because couples commit, without thinking twice. No doubt there are many things to consider, but I generally feel that interpersonal communication is the most important factor. Without understanding the other half, one might just go crazy once married. Take Nick for example, they knew each other just for a week, and dated for 2 months, then got married instantly. I feel it's too big of a jump!
The Knapp's Relational Development Model is a good model to look at.
In Singapore and many Asian countries, we were brought up in a high context culture. Asians tend to be more conservative, the usual lady-like etiquettes. How not talking, being demure, no-one-will-say-u're-dumb-if-you-not-talk "saying" and only dumb people talk alot.
In my opinion, I feel this is irrelevant to any etiquettes. Different people have different perception and we can't force our perception onto them.
I prefer low context culture, because it is more lively. It gets me in my mood. A happy and lively mood because there is always something to say. American can never run out of things to say. I feel that's amazing because how can anyone talk so much without repeating any of their stories twice?
I also know for a fact that people who are brought up in a high context culture (or vice versa) can't get along with the other party.
Okay, this video is really funny right? If this situation happen to me for real, I bet I'll probably just start laughing like nobody's business. Then again, I do not think we'll see this situation for real, because this is from MadTV (Some funny video company, something like Ameica's funniest home video.
I was with my friend in the toilet a few days back, and this other girl walked in. She went up to my friend and complimented my friend's outfit in a way that didn't seem quite right. We could see her facial expression when she commented on my friend's outfit. Obviously, she was beening sarcastic. So, my friend and I gave her back a BIG fake smile and said "thanks".
So happens this week's topic is about encoding and decoding messages. I was thinking back, and I wondered if my friend and I didn't get her sarcastic comment, what would the outcome be? Would we be labelled as dumb? Well, I definitely think so. There's the quote that says, "Language gives us the power to affect others. But language also exerts power over us.". Well, I so agree with this quote! The way we speak, the tone and volume affects us in a way of how we're feeling, and it sends the vibe to the other party. The other party decodes the message to know what we're feeling. Sometimes, we send the wrong vibe, but sometimes, the other party decodes the message wrongly too. Language is like a symbol/ tool, and only people of the same educational level and frequency can understand each other. Thus, able to decode the message how we're trying to put it across. Of course, we have to encode the message properly too!
Hence, I feel that the lessons every week helps me have a better idea of communications and it stimulates my mind by making me ask questions to myself.
