"Of course much has changed in our work culture because our work force is more balanced between men and women. I remember an editor whose daily ideas were fueled with a liquid protein -- something acceptable back then. Or, what it was like when people commonly smoked at their desks, on public transportation and anywhere they liked.

Cultures are always changing -- bit by bit, story by story. And there are segments of every culture that resist that change. In Spain some argue that siesta is important because long lunches build relationships. They don't like the idea of Spanish culture becoming more European (or, some say, more American).

Then, there is cultural change that comes far too slowly. Last week I read a disturbing story from the Allai Valley region of Pakistan. A 14-year-old boy tries to help his aunt regain control of her house -- one badly damaged by the earthquake."

Get the Story:
Telling stories molds our culture (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 1/8)

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