I heard on the news that there is a new plan to cut binge-drinking and reduce the amount of drunks lingering around town in the early hours of the morning. Apparently it involves eliminating ‘all you can drink’ offers, drinking games as well as free drinks promotions aimed at women. In addition, pubs and clubs will have to provide free tap water to customers as well as provide an option of using a large or small glass.
Some of these changes are to come into effect in April and others in October.
However, I personally don’t believe that any of these measures will prevent persons from drinking to the point of complete and total intoxication.
Drinking lifestyle
I have discovered since moving here, that alcohol is the focal point of a night out, especially for students. First they pre-drink before they leave home, and these drinks are bought from the local supermarket at a very cheap price, and then they will go to a bar before going to the club for another round of drinks. So by the time they get to the club, they have already consumed a substantial amount of alcohol, and will not hesitate to purchase drinks at the bar regardless of the price. Not to mention the peer pressure they face from other heavy drinkers.
So honestly, eliminating drink offers and drinking games will have little or no effect on the amount of drunken persons around. People will drink if they want to, and just because water is on offer at a bar, that doesn’t mean anyone has to request it.
And although it is illegal to serve alcohol to someone who is drunk, do you think bartenders really check to see if the person they are serving is drunk? Unless the person is completely intoxicated, I think that the constant flow of customers at a bar would prevent the bartender from spotting the drunks. His/her job is to serve as many drinks as possible to as many customers as possible, not spot drunks.
Police support
The police are fully supporting this new plan in an effort to curb alcohol-related crime. Last year alcohol-related crime cost the UK £7.3bn. This is because people become irresponsible when they are under the influence and officers have to spend too much of their time trying to control the confusion caused by drunks.
In my opinion, some of the only options for lowering the high number of binge-drinkers are raising the drinking age to 21/22 when people can be more responsible and banning supermarket bulk buys.
However, I don’t believe that this practice of total inebriation will stop anytime soon. It has become too important to the lifestyle of many people and unfortunately some people will continue this as they mature.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Saturday, 23 January 2010
More to life than iPods and Facebook- Are children caught in the madness?
After reading an article in the Leicester Mercury, I felt the need to add my views to this opinion.
The article was talking about the differences between growing up 10-20 years ago and growing up in this day and age. The main difference in my opinion is all the technological advancements.
As a 24-year-old, I have come across some stark differences between childhood experiences now and those that were characteristic of mine 10-15 years ago.
I grew up going to school and looking forward to lunch and break time so that I could run around with my friends and play tag. Hand games and jumping rope were also some of the highlights. We would literally rush through our lunch or in some cases, not eat it at all, just so we can physically play. Any conversations we stopped to have were generally about visiting each others homes on weekends, an extra-curicular activity we shared after school or something that happened in class.
Today however, things have changed. With the increase in technology, children spend lunch-time texting each other, listening to music on their iPods or playing games on their Nintendo DS.
In addition, recreational activities at home no longer involve playing house with dolls, fixing puzzles or board games like monopoly. Most girls today seem to love Hannah Montana and spend their time trying to be her carbon copy. And this involves playing her dance move games on Nintendo Wii, being part of her ‘learn-to-sing’ sessions on her website or learning to strike her poses on youtube. These are the things that appeal to children today. But has technology for children gone too far? Are children being deprived of important childhood developmental lessons because of this new technology?
Children today have fallen victim to the texting craze as well as instant messaging. Most of them have probably never even written a letter, bought a stamp or know where the post office is.
Facebook friends or enemies?
And of course, there is facebook. Unfortunately, children as young as 8-years-old now have a facebook account. Yes, I said 8-years-old! And this has caused more harm than good.
Back in my day when my mate and I couldn’t get along, we would argue at school or give each other dirty looks, but one of us would eventually apologise and we would be friends again by the end of the week. However, with the use of facebook, upsets and fall-outs between friends grow to mammoth proportions, and subsequently, more and more children end up being bullied on facebook. They get nasty messages on their wall and all of their secrets are exposed. And because of the networking nature of facebook, these upsets last far longer and then no apology could possibly fix it.
Expensive technological gifts for children?
In my opinion, children are no longer given the opportunity to be children. At Christmas, all I wanted was a nice toy/doll. Today Xmas gift requests range from things like an iPod or blackberry to a Nintendo Wii. What would a seven-year-old do with a blackberry?
I personally believe that all of this is too much. I think children are literally missing out on the best part of growing up with the use of all this technology.
If you ask me, children should be taken back to being children again, and reminded that they have plenty of time to grow up!
Friday, 22 January 2010
Online support for the people of Haiti
As you all would have heard, Haiti was victim to a vicious earthquake on Tuesday 13th January. This was said to be the strongest earthquake in more than two centuries to rock this Caribbean nation. Words cannot begin to describe the shock in the wake of last week’s tragic events in Haiti.
Across Haiti, dozens of buildings have collapsed and thousands of people are feared dead. This catastrophe has left residents shaken, with some unable to cope.
Moreover, some Haitians have expressed feeling very abandoned and alone at the moment, which is mainly due to a lack of aid supplies. The rescue effort and the promised help are now desperately needed, but so far the fresh supplies of water, food and medical equipment are still in short supply.
Little do they know that there are major relief efforts in progress. But I am not only referring to those massive relief efforts by governments and international authorities, but I must highlight the massive efforts being launched on social media sites like facebook and twitter, to name a few.
Social media platforms have been overloaded since last Tuesday with some groups formed to make donations of food and clothes, others to help overseas family members searching for missing relatives and some for condolence postings. These groups also provide members with up-to-date information on the situation in Haiti. For example: http://alturl.com/beet
Unfortunately, communication is down in Haiti, so residents would not be privy to these efforts, but they will be extremely beneficial to them later. So as much as residents may feel alone at this point, they are being heavily supported!
I would suggest paying a visit to these groups to see the worldwide concern and support for victims of this tragedy. It reinforces the practicality of using social media platforms in wide scale public relations plans. Furthermore, it demonstrates the rapid acceleration of social media as a fundamental communications strategy in any situation.
Across Haiti, dozens of buildings have collapsed and thousands of people are feared dead. This catastrophe has left residents shaken, with some unable to cope.
Moreover, some Haitians have expressed feeling very abandoned and alone at the moment, which is mainly due to a lack of aid supplies. The rescue effort and the promised help are now desperately needed, but so far the fresh supplies of water, food and medical equipment are still in short supply.
Little do they know that there are major relief efforts in progress. But I am not only referring to those massive relief efforts by governments and international authorities, but I must highlight the massive efforts being launched on social media sites like facebook and twitter, to name a few.
Social media platforms have been overloaded since last Tuesday with some groups formed to make donations of food and clothes, others to help overseas family members searching for missing relatives and some for condolence postings. These groups also provide members with up-to-date information on the situation in Haiti. For example: http://alturl.com/beet
Unfortunately, communication is down in Haiti, so residents would not be privy to these efforts, but they will be extremely beneficial to them later. So as much as residents may feel alone at this point, they are being heavily supported!
I would suggest paying a visit to these groups to see the worldwide concern and support for victims of this tragedy. It reinforces the practicality of using social media platforms in wide scale public relations plans. Furthermore, it demonstrates the rapid acceleration of social media as a fundamental communications strategy in any situation.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Personality or Education? Which is actually necessary to practice public relations?
In completing some research for an assignment on the professionalisation of public relations,I discovered that some of the conditions for achieving professional status include a code of ethics, an overall governing body as well as standard educational criteria to enter the field.
However, Jacquie L'Etang indicated in Robert Heath's Handbook of Public Relations that there are arguments to suggest that there is no specialist knowledge required to work in public relations, but rather a specific set of personal skills and qualities. Jacquie L'Etang lists some of these qualities as “creativity, lateral thinking, flexibility, articulateness, persuasiveness, common sense, and integrity.”
And although the public relations profession has evolved, with more and more practitioners becoming suitably qualified through undergraduate degree programmes, postgraduate degrees and others, these specific personality traits still remain an acceptable ticket into the field.
Furthermore, after speaking to several persons here in Barbados who work in public relations, I have discovered that many of the veterans do not possess any particular qualifications, but instead, they have a passion for the field.
They either started their business or began their career because of a love for the practice and never believed that there were any specific educational requirements. However, most of the younger persons employed in these organisations are well- qualified, and have completed degree programmes and even vocational programmes. They explained that academic qualifications were pursued as a result of an interest in the field, and believe that simply possessing characteristics such as those mentioned above was not sufficient.
Personally, I agree that specific personality traits are a necessary element of a successful public relations practitioner but I believe that these should be supplemented by specific academic qualifications. Not only would it bring public relations a step closer to achieving full professional status, but it would also ensure that well-trained individuals enter the field and enhance public relation's reputation.
However, Jacquie L'Etang indicated in Robert Heath's Handbook of Public Relations that there are arguments to suggest that there is no specialist knowledge required to work in public relations, but rather a specific set of personal skills and qualities. Jacquie L'Etang lists some of these qualities as “creativity, lateral thinking, flexibility, articulateness, persuasiveness, common sense, and integrity.”
And although the public relations profession has evolved, with more and more practitioners becoming suitably qualified through undergraduate degree programmes, postgraduate degrees and others, these specific personality traits still remain an acceptable ticket into the field.
Furthermore, after speaking to several persons here in Barbados who work in public relations, I have discovered that many of the veterans do not possess any particular qualifications, but instead, they have a passion for the field.
They either started their business or began their career because of a love for the practice and never believed that there were any specific educational requirements. However, most of the younger persons employed in these organisations are well- qualified, and have completed degree programmes and even vocational programmes. They explained that academic qualifications were pursued as a result of an interest in the field, and believe that simply possessing characteristics such as those mentioned above was not sufficient.
Personally, I agree that specific personality traits are a necessary element of a successful public relations practitioner but I believe that these should be supplemented by specific academic qualifications. Not only would it bring public relations a step closer to achieving full professional status, but it would also ensure that well-trained individuals enter the field and enhance public relation's reputation.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Is it more difficult for an international student to get a work experience placement?
As part of my post-graduate course I am required to complete four weeks of work experience in a public relations position and I honestly believed that it would be difficult for me – an international student- to find a work placement.
This belief was mainly due to information I got from another international student searching for work experience in the UK. She has been studying in the UK for the past two years, and as a mandatory requirement for completion of her undergraduate, she was to get some work experience for two weeks in her required field. However, after sending out numerous applications, she was either not responded to or she was denied the job.
Let me explain also that her first language is English and she has been doing exceptionally well on her course, but somehow, she was denied several placements. She had explained to me that the main reason given for her being denied these placements was that she was an international student and may not ‘fit in’ well in the organisation. Well, this made me a little concerned about getting a work experience placement.
I was trying to understand why she wouldn’t ‘fit-in’ and was getting worried that I would be told the same thing.
I mean, being an international student myself, I know that there are significant cultural differences in terms of food, dress, speech and many other things, but does that mean that I am not suitable for a position? I honestly believe that an international student has a lot to offer. Although we would be there to gain experience in a particular field, the company that employs us can also learn a lot from us. They would be exposed to our culture and subsequently, differing thought-processes, and that way they would have a wider scope for ideas when brainstorming.
So honestly, I hope that if I am denied a work placement, it is for a reason other than my international status.
This belief was mainly due to information I got from another international student searching for work experience in the UK. She has been studying in the UK for the past two years, and as a mandatory requirement for completion of her undergraduate, she was to get some work experience for two weeks in her required field. However, after sending out numerous applications, she was either not responded to or she was denied the job.
Let me explain also that her first language is English and she has been doing exceptionally well on her course, but somehow, she was denied several placements. She had explained to me that the main reason given for her being denied these placements was that she was an international student and may not ‘fit in’ well in the organisation. Well, this made me a little concerned about getting a work experience placement.
I was trying to understand why she wouldn’t ‘fit-in’ and was getting worried that I would be told the same thing.
I mean, being an international student myself, I know that there are significant cultural differences in terms of food, dress, speech and many other things, but does that mean that I am not suitable for a position? I honestly believe that an international student has a lot to offer. Although we would be there to gain experience in a particular field, the company that employs us can also learn a lot from us. They would be exposed to our culture and subsequently, differing thought-processes, and that way they would have a wider scope for ideas when brainstorming.
So honestly, I hope that if I am denied a work placement, it is for a reason other than my international status.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Rachel Adedeji going home on Xfactor
I am so sorry that Rachel was sent home, and I do wish that Simon had chosen her as opposed to leaving it to the public vote because I really like her.
However, as much as I do believe that she was the better singer and should have remained in the competition, I understand why Simon didn't just chose her.
This would have been either the second or third time that she was in the bottom two, and that demonstrates that she is not popular with the public. And obviously, if this is the third time that the public has voted against her, she can't possibly get far in the competition. It just means that they would have eventually voted her out anyway.
Furthermore,if the public doesn't like her, she would not make money in the entertainment industry, because that is all about popularity and likability. And if she has neither, she can't possibly progress.
However, as much as I do believe that she was the better singer and should have remained in the competition, I understand why Simon didn't just chose her.
This would have been either the second or third time that she was in the bottom two, and that demonstrates that she is not popular with the public. And obviously, if this is the third time that the public has voted against her, she can't possibly get far in the competition. It just means that they would have eventually voted her out anyway.
Furthermore,if the public doesn't like her, she would not make money in the entertainment industry, because that is all about popularity and likability. And if she has neither, she can't possibly progress.
The twins lingering presence on Xfactor
On Sunday night I sat and watched as a really good singer was sent home while Jon and Edward (the twin) went through to the next round of competition. And honestly, I was in such shock that these two have gotten this far in the competition. But then I realised that it was because they are entertaining.
They may not have the best vocal ability, but they bring a certain essence to each show that you just can't do without. However, I also realised that their popularity is as a direct result of excellent Public Relations.
Their PRO has taken the route of social media for promoting them, and it has proven extremely successful. If you go on YouTube, their performances have so many more hits than others and they have hundreds of followers on Twitter and their fan list on face book has just reached the thousands.
Moreover, their media coverage has been explosive. I read an entire article in the Sunday edition of News of the World on their life, explaining their early interest in entertaining. Also, they are constantly the topic of conversation on radio shows and televison programmes.
So, it is clear that there is some great PR at work here, and so the public will continue to love them and they will probably get really far in this competition. Because even though they may not be the strongest singers, they are definitely the most popular competitors, whether it is for positive or negative reasons.
They may not have the best vocal ability, but they bring a certain essence to each show that you just can't do without. However, I also realised that their popularity is as a direct result of excellent Public Relations.
Their PRO has taken the route of social media for promoting them, and it has proven extremely successful. If you go on YouTube, their performances have so many more hits than others and they have hundreds of followers on Twitter and their fan list on face book has just reached the thousands.
Moreover, their media coverage has been explosive. I read an entire article in the Sunday edition of News of the World on their life, explaining their early interest in entertaining. Also, they are constantly the topic of conversation on radio shows and televison programmes.
So, it is clear that there is some great PR at work here, and so the public will continue to love them and they will probably get really far in this competition. Because even though they may not be the strongest singers, they are definitely the most popular competitors, whether it is for positive or negative reasons.
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