Category Archives: society

My Stories, Your Pages, and Our History

culture, personal and social development, Societal Issues, society, Values and Principles

A couple of weeks ago, on my way to the grocery shop, I spotted a poster about a photography exhibition at our city’s Centre de Lierre. Since it’s just a short walk from my home, I decided to stop by and was glad I did. The exhibition, running from March 7 to April 7, features the work of Michel Muller, showcasing beautiful photographs of people reading books in various settings, situations, and weather conditions. It is a wonderful reminder of how delightful it is to read outdoors, especially now that the weather is turning sunny and summer is just around the corner.

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body”. – Richard Steele

Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor and philanthropist, attributes his success to his lifelong habit of reading books and newspapers. Apparently, Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, reads around 50 books a year. Barack Obama, the former U.S. president, is a passionate reader and often shares his book recommendations. Oprah Winfrey is an avid reader and has created her own book club.

Reading regularly offers tremendous benefits to people from all walks of life. When we were living in Australia, I would take my son to the library for the weekly book reading sessions. His face would light up as he listened to stories, and we always left with a stack of books (the maximum allowed to borrow). I believe this sparked his imagination and fostered a love for reading, which remains with him to this day. More than 20 years later, he still carries a hardcopy of a book wherever he goes and, every year, he gives me a book as a Christmas gift.

Although I don’t buy books often, I make a point of exchanging, lending, and borrowing them regularly. Just last month, my student lent me a book written by her grandfather, which turned out to be a gem.

Her grandfather was a lawyer and reserve officer who commanded the Ligne Maginot (named after French Minister of War André Maginot), a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles, and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to prevent a Nazi German invasion. He served there from 1939 to 1940; then, defended resistance fighters before the occupiers’ special tribunal, and also advocated for those wrongly accused as collaborators during the liberation by American and Allied forces. This personal story is set against a backdrop of fatality and heroism in places I’ve been to, including where I now live.

Sadly, even with a book like this — detailing sufferings, deaths, and tragedies — it seems those in power never learn from history. Greed, expansionism, modern-day imperialism, militarism, and the rise of totalitarianism persist, even in countries that consider themselves democracies. (Really, democracy? Perhaps anocracy – part democracy and part autocracy/dictatorship.)

Books are a uniquely portable magic. —Stephen King

The Bandwagon Effect in Books

culture, personal and social development, society, Values and Principles

Two weeks ago, my writing buddy emailed me her thoughts on a book I had mentioned to her. “The characters are reduced to their nationalities; most of them are just clichés. This isn’t my idea of multiculturalism,” she wrote. A few days later, a freelance journalist acquaintance shared a similar perspective, detailing her concerns, which were not only about the book’s portrayal of diversity. Yet, this novel has received overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Positive professional and public reviews can encourage authors to write more, refine their craft, and take bold risks in their storytelling. However, a single negative review can feel like a devastating blow. As an author, I find this unsettling. What should we do when we strongly disapprove of how a book handles its subject matter?

These recent discussions about books led me to think more deeply about the bandwagon effect and its influence on literary reviews.

The bandwagon effect is a psychological phenomenon in which people adopt opinions or trends simply because others do. In literature, this manifests when a book gains popularity due to hype rather than its intrinsic quality. Bestseller lists, social media trends, and endorsements from celebrities or friends can propel a book to success, sometimes overshadowing lesser-known works that may be equally (if not more) deserving of attention.

Book reviewing plays a crucial role in counteracting this trend. Thoughtful and balanced critiques shed light on a book’s strengths and weaknesses, including any stereotypes or biases it may contain. This, in turn, encourages readers to think critically and form their own opinions instead of blindly following the crowd.

Reviewers must approach their task with perceptiveness so that they do not fall prey to the bandwagon effect. Their goal should be to offer diverse and enriching perspectives, allowing high-quality books to shine regardless of their commercial appeal or the stature of their authors and publishers.

As Haruki Murakami, the renowned Japanese author, wisely said: “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”

March 15 & 16, 2025 at Lux Expo, Kirchberg, Luxembourg. See you there!


March 21 is the UN-Declared International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Are they/we good neighbours?

personal and social development, Societal Issues, society, Values and Principles, ,

Recently, my former student Ben helped organise an “invitation to dinner” event in his village, Tontelange, which involved hosting neighbours they didn’t know. I was impressed, as I believe that this kind of gathering fosters a supportive, enjoyable, and thriving community.

Neighbourhood interactions help people feel more connected to the places they live, fostering a sense of belonging. We’re more likely to look out for each other when we know the people who live next door, resulting in a safer environment. This is demonstrated by Neighbourhood Watch, a voluntary crime prevention movement that brings neighbours together to share information about local safety issues, assist in emergencies, and address transgressions.

Neighbourhood activities contribute not only to collective well-being but also help reduce loneliness, particularly among retirees, the elderly, and isolated individuals. These gatherings also provide opportunities to discuss and take action on local matters and projects, like cleaning up parks or maintaining vegetable gardens (as my French friend in Yutz does).

As Ben has observed, their gatherings have created a support system where neighbours can offer help, advice, or assistance, especially during difficult times. He said, “Being good neighbours is key when new inhabitants arrive in town. It was the case for us 15 years ago when we received gifts from neighbours. We were even invited to our street party two months before we moved into our newly finished house. It also helps to establish roots, as the majority of Tontel residents come from other parts of Belgium or even from further afield. One of the newest arrivals is a lady from Quebec who moved to Tontelange after 20 years in Luxembourg. She told me last week that she feels like she’s back home 😊.”

Local gatherings can also serve as professional networking opportunities, as they have done for me. I got my first European work experience through the mother of a secondary student at my son’s school. As volunteers, we were stuffing election ballots for the Parents-Teachers Association when she noticed I was speaking only English to my toddler. The rest is history.

For Ben and his friends, these neighbourhood gatherings are not only enjoyable but offer a refreshing break from their usual family and professional routines.

Have you invited newcomers in your neighbourhood for snacks or meals?

Are there enough opportunities in your town or city for people to get involved in neighbourhood or community projects? If we want more participation, we need to create more varied activities and spend time addressing barriers to involvement (e.g., busy schedules, the cost of entertaining, etc.).

“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” – Margaret J. Wheatley (American author and teacher)

Marie-Pierre, a former student who has become a writing pal, recently gifted me a book, Le Secret de Noël (The Secret of Christmas), a collection of 50 short stories, including hers (“Secret Santa”). Guess who’s the Secret Santa? A neighbour!

In closing, I wish you and your loved ones peace, good health, and joy throughout 2025. Take care.

Verbosity is inarticulate communication

language, personal and social development, Societal Issues, society

(November 1 is “All Saints’ Day” – a public holiday – in Western Christian countries. Initially, this was a celebration of those who died as martyrs. These days, it is a commemoration for all those who have passed away. I wish it to be a day of your liking.)

Three weeks ago, I bumped into my Irish friend on the bus home. It was such a delight to be sharing information about here and there. I told her I had used “monicker” (variant of moniker) in class, and my students didn’t have a clue what it was. I went to great lengths explaining to them that it’s not synonymous with “alias” (a false name in place of a true name to stay anonymous or mislead people) but a descriptive or familiar name. Napoleon Bonaparte’s soldiers called him “Le Petit Caporal” (The Little Corporal) – his moniker. I shouldn’t have used moniker, as it’s slang; “nickname” would have been easily understood.

Early this year, there was an informative article posted on Linkedin that had long sentences; each with five lines of over 50 words. I commented, “Can someone please write this in Plain English”. To date, no one has responded, which surprised me because the articles had many likes and several hundred readers followed its source (i.e. website).

Verbose writing utilises more words than necessary that can make understanding difficult. Whereas, Plain English is straightforward and clear. It uses simple words and short sentences to convey ideas and avoids slang and jargon.

Verbose writing: “It is with great pleasure that we announce the commencement of the public hearing about business dominance, which is scheduled to take place on November 5, 2024 in the confines of Chamber C at the hour of ten o’clock in the morning.” Plain English: “The public hearing on business dominance will start at 10 a.m. in Chamber C.”

Clarity is the remedy for confusion. — William Zinsser (American writer, 1922 – 2015).

The world’s best speeches are in Plain English:

Martin Luther King Jr.: “I have a dream…”

Winston Churchill: “We shall fight on the beaches…”

John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

Nelson Mandela: “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Barack Obama: “Yes, we can.”

Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Angela Merkel: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Using complex or verbose language and jargon doesn’t make us sound smarter or more sophisticated. We should communicate or converse to understand and be understood, and not to impress.

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do. – Thomas Jefferson (3rd US President, from 1801 to 1809).

What are awards for?

personal and social development, society, Values and Principles

Companies, organisations, and educational institutions give awards to associations and individuals in various fields, e.g. arts and entertainment, business, sports and hobbies, science and technology, and community service. On 27 April 2024, I received an award from my undergrad alma mater. I’m always for the underdog and sceptical of who gets noticed and who doesn’t; thus, I had to soul search throughout the ceremony. I looked for things which probably weren’t there, such as subjectivity and bias; were deserving candidates overlooked and less deserving ones chosen? The criteria and decision-making process read that evening didn’t avert my thoughts from the observation that most recipients were doctoral degree holders.

I regretted not nominating our dance troupe teacher for the Arts and Culture Award, which didn’t have financial value but would have given her the recognition she merits. I still remember her words over four decades ago – “back straight, hands in a lateral position, smile, and move gracefully”. She inspired me to choreograph and dance at the Queensland University’s International House functions years later.

Returning home to France from the Visayas State University, there was an email from an acquaintance whom I had helped many times with his work and personal projects. I immediately thought, “Oh no, not him again; he didn’t even buy one of my books, either as a token of his appreciation for my help or to improve his English”. Then, I remembered the award, which is meant not only to inspire others to strive for excellence but to remind us that success should be based on service to others without expecting something in return. Yes, we – humans, are vulnerable to quid pro quo (something in return for what we have done, i.e. a favour for a favour) that should not be! This award is an additional guide to my behaviour.   

Awards provide commendation and encouragement for individuals and groups. It’s primordial for the selection process to be transparent, fair, and devoid of self-nomination. Though the latter indicates self-determination and high self-esteem, it can taint credibility and promote self-gratification.

We shouldn’t wait for award ceremonies to give recognition to colleagues, employees, students, volunteers, etc. For instance, saying thank you for a job well done is a form of recognition that encourages motivation and efficiency.

“One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” – John F. Kennedy (35th president of the United States).

How are you? I’m Busy!

Societal Issues, society, Values and Principles

The year 2024 has started with challenging projects and deadlines for me. Like many people who wear several hats, I wish I had more than 24 hours in a day or more than two hands. Thus, last week, I had difficulty responding to “How are you?” It would have been easier and simpler to reply “busy”. Since I felt it was a bit unfriendly, I said, “Alright, and you?” Did they really want to know how I was or what was going on with my life? 

Benoit has told me he doesn’t respond to “How are you?” because it’s just a greeting and doesn’t mean something. If that’s the case, why say “How are you” when you can do it with “Hello” or “Hi”? 

When I say “How are you?”, I mean it as a greeting and wanting to know if the person is well or happy. Therefore, I’m pleased with any of these responses: I’m well, I’m great, I’m okay, I’m alright, and I’m fine. Most people are polite and continue the conversation with “How about you” or “And you?” The chatter can prolong depending on your relationship with the individual (colleague, neighbour, friend, etc.). 

I’m glad I didn’t respond “busy” to “How are you?” because what does being busy mean? Busyness is a choice; you are either busy or not. It’s a relative word and can be positive or negative. Merriam-Webster defines the adjective “busy” (ˈbi-zē) as engaged in action (occupied), full of activity (bustling), foolishly or intrusively active (meddling), or full of distracting detail. (https://www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › busy).

“Busy” can sound more negative than positive, and if you believe in the law of attraction, it’s one of these words that should be used with care and in moderation, plus the tone. According to the law of attraction, negative thoughts bring negative results into a person’s life, and so with positivism. It is based on the belief that thoughts are a form of energy, and positive energy attracts success in all areas of life, including health, finances, and relationships (Scott, E. 2022. What Is the Law of Attraction? How Your Thoughts Can Influence Outcomes in Your Life. Https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-using-the-law-of-attraction-3144808).

Therefore, instead of “I’m busy”, why not “I’m working on/I’m involved in/I’m tied up”? I sometimes say, “I’ve lots to do but not snowed under”. If someone wants you to do something, try this phrase — “I’m afraid I don’t have time to do it now” or “Yes, when I have a minute”. 

Saying you’re busy can be a writing on the wall or a self-fulfilling prophecy. Busyness (noun; busily – adverb) can lead to self-negligence, unrealistic goals, anxiety, and fatigue that may cause burnout. It can become an addiction, and any form of addiction is toxic. 

No one should be busy not to engage in self-care, i.e. having sound and enough sleep, eating nutritious food regularly, exercising, participating in group activities, etc.

“Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed”.  – Saint Francis de Sales (Https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/busy-quotes).

(Before getting up every morning, while still lying down, I focus on a particular object or subject for calmness – this is meditation for me. We don’t need to be seated on the floor with our hands resting lightly on our legs to meditate. It can even be done standing).

Prioritisation of tasks prevents busyness.

Summer is gone; here comes autumn

personal and social development, society, Values and Principles

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started”. – Mark Twain

The school year in Europe starts in September. In France, people exchange greetings, “Bonne rentrée”. ‘Rentrer” (pronunciation – Rahn-tray) means ‘to return’. Although it originally meant “reprendre l’école” (back at school); these days, we also use it to refer to work after the summer holiday “reprendre ton travail” and not only “reprendre tes études” (studies).

Jorge Liboreiro even started his EuroNews Briefing article with: “The first week of September marks la rentrée in the Belgian capital, the synchronised comeback of freshly energised, glowingly tanned eurocrats to their spotless offices” (sic).

Not everyone is motivated to resume or start studies or work. Those with low levels or no motivation depend on external rewards (e.g. high grades, money, promotion, or material things) to get involved, known as extrinsic motivation.

The highly motivated ones are nudged by the sheer satisfaction of being part of the activity or process. They are challenged, curious, or praised. Pundits call this intrinsic motivation. Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan’s theory of extrinsic and intrinsic was developed in the 70s-80s. While extrinsic is a trigger (initial boost), intrinsic is sustainable.

Intrinsic motivation is long-lasting, whereas extrinsic motivation is short-term; both are relevant to personal development.

Perception, judgment, or approval of others can be detrimental motivating factors, particularly in our modern Internet and social media society. Instead, we should focus on positive intrinsic reasons, such as wellbeing and mindfulness, connection with people and our environment, and enjoying what we do.

“Whatever anyone else says or does, their words and their actions are truly about themselves. Don’t take it personally when they rant, even if they direct their unhappiness in your direction. Their negativity is basically selfishness, and their selfishness is about them, not about you”. – Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Reading is brain-picking; writing is formalised thinking

culture, personal and social development, society

Two weeks ago, I gave a talk on “The interplay between reading and writing in our global village” at the EU Inter-institutional Libraries’ event. We live in a global village (i.e. our world is a community connected by the Internet/computers, trade, entertainment, etc), so we share ways our social realities are formed and interpreted. The formation and interpretation happen through the stories we tell each other, stories we read and write.


Reading is a social activity. You might be alone, tucked under a cosy blanket next to a bedside lamp, but you look deeper into the author’s mind and subconsciously connect with other readers.


Writing connects us to ourselves, and it’s formalised thinking. As William Faulkner had said: “Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.” (1897-1962, American writer and Nobel laureate).


We read what we like to write and write what we have read or want to read.

 When we read or write, we:
 exercise our brain,
 improve our focus,
 improve our memory,
 improve our ability to empathise,
 improve our communication skills,
 improve our mental health,
 gain knowledge and ideas, and 
 get entertained (reduce stress). 
 In short, we become better individuals and live longer.

One of the event organisers is a co-author of “Pour en finir avec la passion: l’abus en littérature” (To End the Passion: Abuse in Literature), which is about the evolution of cultural and literary conceptions of passion – love – in French society and questions why love remains inseparable from suffering.


One of the participants commented on the novel “Future Perfect”, which he had recently read, posing, “Has her past been erased by a mistaken computer click or simply shelved for no reason?” The main character’s resilience leads to encounters in Asia, America, and Europe that bring back memories of love and devotion half a century earlier. It has a global theme.

Online Gatekeeping

immigration and multiculturalism, personal and social development, Societal Issues, society, Values and Principles


Gatekeeping is a process of selecting and then filtering items that can be consumed within time or space. A gatekeeper is a person who controls access to something; in Facebook groups, this can be an administrator or moderator.

I’m writing this because I posted a message on our FB book club two weeks ago about a culture and immigration festival that included book exhibitions, reading novels’ first pages, etc. After the event, I contacted the administrator enquiring why it wasn’t approved. She apologised and explained that it’s pending (not disallowed) because she’s busy managing other activities and suggested emailing her directly when I have a post.

Gatekeeping has pluses and minuses. Unrelevant and offensive messages are filtered out. On the other hand, it’s toxic when it bars people from participating in a group or community or discussion based on narrow criteria or questionable reasons.


Why and how do administrators and moderators have this gatekeeping power?


Administrators appoint or remove a moderator, manage group settings (such as changing the group name or settings), approve or deny membership and participants’ requests, approve or reject posts, delete comments on posts, ban people from the group, and pin or unpin a post (i.e. positioning – e.g. move to the top of the page.)


Moderators approve or deny membership and participants’ requests, approve or deny posts, remove comments, and ban people from the group.


Do administrators and moderators own the group when they have started or created it?

How can we ensure administrators and moderators don’t use the group for their sole gain?


“The words of the tongue should have three gatekeepers: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?” – Arabian Proverb


My pending, obsolete post is history. However, the success of the festival – organised by the Comité de Liaison des Associations d’Étrangers ( CLAE) and one of Luxembourg’s most important annual events – lingers on. There were about 30,000 visitors to its 400 stands.

Ethics on gift giving at work

personal and social development, Societal Issues, society, Values and Principles

The holiday season of giving and receiving is coming, and you may wonder whether you should give presents to your supervisors and colleagues. Is there a general rule of thumb regarding workplace gift-giving? I have heard that it should be a top-down flow, i.e. from bosses to floor personnel, rather than the other way around. Giving presents to superiors depends on the circumstance. For example, staff can collect money to purchase a present for a manager who is leaving or getting married. This gift and the accompanying message should be professional in style. Is cash an acceptable gift to superiors? Of course, not, but a voucher can be justifiable. There should definitely be no gift-giving during the appraisal period or the annual performance review.

Employees can exchange gifts with each other. However, giving to receive is a no-no. If you feel like you’re losing something by giving, you are not genuinely giving; you’re sacrificing, which can lead to disappointments or regrets later. Not everyone has the means to buy presents for colleagues or contribute to a gift collection for a boss, particularly at this time of economic crisis and insecurity. The good news is that non-material presents often last longer, and these can be a compliment, attention, time, or patience that builds relationships or maintains peace.

When living in Australia, my co-worker’s daughter-in-law distributed boxes of curried rice to all her colleagues, friends, and family as Christmas presents. I don’t have a signature dish, so I won’t do what she did, but I will go the extra mile to come up with something creative and valuable (I’ll tell you what in my next post). 

My students have told me they are not allowed to receive presents worth more than 50 euros from external collaborators in their organisation. For gifts that cost less than 50 euros, they must share these with their colleagues.

How about doing random acts of kindness at work and elsewhere? For instance, saying hello to a co-worker you haven’t spoken with for ages. How about sending emails, text messages, and cards with cheerful greetings and messages? A few months ago, my ex-students invited me to lunch. One of them said that the birthday card I gave her more than 10 years ago is still in her drawer, and she smiles every time she sees it.

My memorable gifts in 2020 were the five-star book reviews on Amazon that have had a positive snowball effect on me. I don’t know and have the contact details of these generous readers, so I haven’t thanked them. I hope this message reaches them (better late than never): I appreciate what you have done and wish to return your kindness one day. “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston S. Churchill.

“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa