Topics

Nov

In the Kitchen with OIC: “Pan” Cultural Cuisine!

by Joyce McGreevy on November 23, 2020

In lockdown? Don’t flip out—flip a pancake instead!
Gilaxia/ iStock

Easy Pancakes from Around the World

Rembrandt sketched them. Shakespeare wrote them into his plays. Sweden established an academy in their honor. They’ve starred in ancient tales and modern movies, inspired mad dashes and dashes of spice and color.

They are pancakes. For many of us, that means a common breakfast food that takes minutes to cook, seconds to eat, and hours to walk off. In fact, that little circle on your plate connects to a multitude of ingredients, shapes, languages, and traditions. Oh, I see: Known by hundreds of names and varieties around the world, this food encompasses a rich “pan” cultural cuisine. Read more...

Joyce McGreevy 4 Comments

Cultural Diversity/Cultural Heritage & Traditions/The World's Chefs/Worldwide Sites

Sep

It’s a Math World After All

by Joyce McGreevy on September 8, 2020

Schools & libraries minus students times pandemic = many variables in where we learn.
Andrew Tan/ Pixabay

Math Connections Across Cultures

Every September, billions of students around the world go back to school. But in 2020, “back to school” favors logging on from home. Fortunately, remote learners can still enjoy everybody’s favorite subject—math.

Oh, it’s not your favorite? Well, before you count math out, please join me on a virtual math field trip. No masks, no calculus required.

We’re off to discover how people have made math connections across cultures. We’ll count on traditional number systems and weigh in on the world’s most unusual units of measurement. We’ll even collect souvenirs—cross-cultural math tips that quickly translate equations into solutions. Read more...

Joyce McGreevy Comments

Cultural Diversity/Worldwide Sites

May

Cultural Sayings or Quarantine Quotes?

by Joyce McGreevy on May 26, 2020

A gate in Istanbul evokes the Turkish proverb, "Kind words can unlock an iron door,” a reminder that in the context of the pandemic, cultural sayings have take on a new relevance as quarantine quotes. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

“Kind words can unlock an iron door.”—Turkish proverb
By doing our best for one another, we’ll get through this.
© Joyce McGreevy

Old Proverbs Help Us Cope with the Pandemic

Anonymous, that endless font of wisdom, once said, “There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.” This contemporary proverb appears in busy workplaces and hectic households, wherever humans gamely endeavor to keep life on track—even in crisis.

Anyone experienced a crisis lately? A calamity that’s disrupted your schedule for months? Raise your hand. Oh my, 7.8 billion of you? I thought it was just me. Read more...

Joyce McGreevy 2 Comments

Cultural Diversity/Proverbs & Sayings/Secrets to Life/Worldwide Sites

World Views: