sábado, 11 de junho de 2011

Salário mínimo X Jetta / Minimum salary X Jetta

Há muito tempo algo vinha me intrigando sobre a diferença entre salários mínimos pagos em alguns países, e poder de consumo dos seus cidadãos.

Resolvi fazer a comparação entre quatro países: Estados Unidos, Inglaterra, Alemanha e Brasil.
Peguei como comparativo de produto de mesma qualidade o carro Jetta da Volkswagen, modelo mais básico.

Nos Estados Unidos o salário mínimo é ganho semanalmente, sendo 40 horas legais. A média de valor pago por hora é cerca de $7,50 dólares, sendo assim, se calcularmos 40 horas semanais pelo valor pago por hora, em 1 mês teremos cerca de $1.200,00 dólares (minimum salary).

Na Inglaterra paga-se cerca de £5,93 Libras a hora de trabalho. Lá é legalizado trabalhar 48 horas semanais. Calculando teremos um salário mínimo de cerca de £1.138,53 libras.

Há uma grande discussão sobre salário mínimo na Alemanha. Em geral, não existe por lei um mínimo valor que o trabalhador receba por horas trabalhadas. Mas existe uma média e o valor que se obtém é de cerca de €1.277,00 euros.

No Brasil, as horas de trabalho são pagas por todos os dias do mês, não é pago semanalmente como em outros países. O valor pago por hora nesse país é de R$ 2,48 reais, sendo o dia trabalhado calculado no valor de R$ 18,17, sendo o salário mínimo de R$ 545,00 reais.

Agora vamos considerar o preço do carro Jetta da Volkswagen, modelo mais simples de linha, sedan, 2011, nos três países.

Nos Estados  Unidos o modelo fica em torno de $15.995,00 dólares. O mais caro sai por $ 23.000,00 dólares.

Na Inglaterra o modelo mais básico sai por £16.960,00 libras e o modelo mais caro custa £ 22.320,00 libras.

Na Alemanha o modelo custa em torno de €20.900,00 euros.

No Brasil o mesmo modelo de Jetta, o mais básico custa cerca de R$65.750,00 reais e o top de linha custa R$ 89.520,00 reais.

Nos Estados Unidos, um trabalhador precisaria economizar 13,32 meses para comprar um modelo de Jetta básico.

Na Inglaterra o trabalhador levaria em média 14,90 meses para adquirir um modelo desses. Estamos então falando em pouco mais de um ano.

Na Alemanha, seriam necessários 16,37 meses para comprar o modelo básico.

Já no Brasil...ahhh Brasil, meu Brasil brasileiro, o trabalhador aqui precisaria economizar 120,64 meses. Isso mesmo! Cerca de 10 anos!

Todos somos trabalhadores, todos ganhamos, mas veja a diferença. Temos diferença paga nos salários, que são ínfimos se comparados com os outros três países. E levamos muito, mas muito mais tempo para poder usufruir de um mesmo bem oferecido lá fora. Impostos, taxas, vários nomes justificam o valor do carro no Brasil.

E mesmo sabendo de tudo isso, não reclamamos, não reivindicamos, apenas nos enforcamos para comprar.

Bibliografia


Minimum Salary Versus Jetta

For a long time something has been intriguing me in the difference between the minimum salary paid in some countries, and the purchasing power of their citizens.



I decided to compare four countries: United States, England, Germany and Brazil.
I chose as comparative of product of same quality the Volkswagen Jetta car, sedan, basic model.


In the United States the minimum wage is weekly paid, 40 legal hours legally. The average amount paid per hour is about $7.50 Dollars, that is to say, if we multiply 40 weekly hours by the value paid per hour in a month we will get about $1,200.00 Dollars (minimum salary).


In England it is paid about £5.93 Pounds the working hour. There it is legalized to work 48 weekly hours. Multiplying the working hours by the amount paid in a month we will have a minimum salary of about £ 1.138,53 Pounds.


There is a great debate on minimum salary in Germany. In general, there isn’t one by law. But an average found is about €1,277.00 Euros.


In Brazil, the working hours are paid for every day of the month. There is no weekly payment as in other countries. The amount paid per hour is R$2.48 Reais. In a day it is paid R$18.17 Reais, being the minimum salary of R$545.00 Reais.


Now we will consider the price of the Volkswagen Jetta car, basic model, sedan, 2011, in the four countries.


In the United States the model costs around $15,995.00 Dollars. The most expensive comes out for $ 23,000.00 Dollars.


In England the car costs £16,960.00 Pounds and the top model is about £22,320.00 Pounds.


In Germany the model costs around €20,900.00 Euros.


In Brazil the same model of Jetta is sold for R$65,750.00 Reais and the top model costs R$ 89,520.00 Reais.


In the United States, a worker needs to save 13,32 months of salary to buy Jetta.


In England the worker needs about 14,90 months of salary to afford the same car. One year of salaries is necessary to be able to afford the basic model of Jetta.


In Germany, it is necessary to save 16,37 months of salary to buy the basic model.


When it comes to Brazil... ohhhh Brazil, my very Brazilian Brazil, the worker needs to save 120,64 months of salary. Quite so! About 10 years!


We are all hard-working people, we all earn our salaries, but see the difference. We have difference paid in salaries, it is pitiful if compared to the other three countries. And we take a lot, but a lot of time to afford it. Taxes, fares, several names to justify the value of the car in Brazil.


And even knowing all this, we don’t complain, we don’t claim, we just get into debt to afford that.



quinta-feira, 9 de junho de 2011

Porque ter um certificado TOEIC

O Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) é um teste de inglês para comunicação internacional, mede a habilidade de um estrangeiro da língua inglesa de falar o idioma e também o seu uso, principalmente em um ambiente de negócios (Business English). Foi criado pela ETS (Educational Testing Service), maior centro educacional privado do mundo também responsável pelo teste TOEFL.
É o teste de maior reconhecimento mundial utilizado anualmente por mais de 4,5 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo.
Quem precisa do TOEIC?
  • Profissionais na área de negócios;
  • Recém formados que buscam uma ótima posição no mercado de trabalho;
  • Candidatos a vagas em empresas, multinacionais, que querem se destacar;
  • Candidatos em processo de treinamento que precisarão saber inglês;
  • Alunos, profissionais, que queiram testar sua habilidade no uso da língua inglesa para o mercado de trabalho.

Há dois tipos de TOEIC: Listening & Reading, e Speaking & Writing. O mais procurado é o Listening & Reading.

Esse exame compreende 200 questões sendo 100 questões de compreensão auditiva e 100 questões de leitura. O exame tem duração de 2horas, sendo 45 minutos para o Listening e 75 minutos para Reading.
Há um preparatório para o teste. Existem 2 níveis de preparatório: Intermediário e Avançado. A prova consiste em avaliação por pontuação. Compreende entre 10 pontos (mínimo) até 990 pontos (máximo).
Acesse o link para mais informações (site em inglês) http://www.ets.org/toeic
Comece já a se preparar para o futuro.
Venha fazer o Preparatório para o TOEIC.

Ligue para 11 9809-6431 para mais informações ou mande um email para barbaracrissd@hotmail.com

segunda-feira, 30 de maio de 2011

Blonde jokes (piadinhas de loiras)

A blonde is overweight, so her doctor puts her on a diet. 

"I want you to eat regularly for two days, then skip a day, and repeat the procedure for two weeks. The next time I see you, you'll have lost at least five pounds." 

When the blonde returns, she's lost nearly 20 pounds. 

"Wow, that's amazing!" the doctor says. "Did you follow my instructions?" 

The blonde nods. "I'll tell you, though, I thought I was going to drop dead that third day." 

"From hunger, you mean?" said the doctor. 

"No, from skipping," replied the blonde.

quarta-feira, 11 de maio de 2011

Guys and Dolls

I read an article about a guy and his doll on Metro Newspaper (free on the UK tube) and that shocked me. Why? Well, can you believe a man named Dave Hockey leaves his wife at home and hang around with a doll weighing 40 kg???





Her name is Bianca, she looks young, she doesn't speak, so she doesn't complain! 
Mr Hockey has taken her skydiving. He said: "It is pleasant to not have someone screaming in my ear!"


He has traveled around the USA with his plastic company. He also spent £16,000 (about R$44.800) on travel and outfits (FOR HER!!!!!!!), including £1.270 of lingerie (about R$3.500).
As I researched this issue on the net I found out there is a community just for dolls lovers – iDollators – these people prefer dolls over a normal human relationship.
There is a documentary video BBC made and you can watch a short segment clicking on the link below.
What do you think about people that have this kind of relationship?
Do you think it is just for sex or these people really see a good company in those dolls?
I think it’s Freaky!!!!

segunda-feira, 28 de março de 2011

What is the ideal company to work?

Hello Everyone...

Due to the competition for jobs, especially in Brazil, we are facing several job opportunities. Sometimes, we can think: What is the ideal company to work? What is necessary to analyse?

Check below some tips:
  •  First of all, you should be looking for a company that is related to some things you like; 
  • Pay attention: Sometimes the smaller company is better than a bigger one;
  • You should verify if the company has conditions to grow financially;
  • It is important to verify what the company image is in the city;
  • What the plans are that the company can offer you;
  • If the salary conditions are according to your necessity;
  • What do you expect from this company?
  • Finally, you are prepared for the interview! Go ahead and good luck!!
Click on the useful link below and do the Quizz: How satisfied are you with your job?



Written by Caroline Andrade

segunda-feira, 21 de março de 2011

Faith

God is the one that planned our lives, otherwise we wouldn't be here at this moment.

I believe in God, and all people in the world have their beliefs . So, you can't argue about religion, because that's the way I think it should be.

You must have your belief, and that will be the way you think. Therefore, I don't argue.

Live your life and don't care about others thoughts, even though you're in a difficult situation, otherwise, you'll be who THEY want you to be, not who YOU want to be.


Written by Luiz Passos

sexta-feira, 25 de fevereiro de 2011

What is the number?

My student, Luiz Passos, came up with this tricky math problem some days ago. And guess what? the answer is my birthday. I found that very interesting.

So, do you think you can solve that? The first person to come up with a solution will have the name posted here.
Tente achar a resposta das frações acima. A primeira pessoa que chegar a solução correta terá seu nome postado aqui no Blog.

Uma dica: para colocar a resposta no seu comentário, você poderá utilizar o excel para te ajudar a digitar os números.

A próxima vez que alguém perguntar o dia do meu aniversário, eu darei estas frações e o mês de Janeiro em seguida.


Boa Sorte!


Very Good! Now we have the answer.

The first person to show it was Leonardo Dorathoto as you can see on the comments.

The second person was Caroline Gomes.

Both were correct. The answer is 7 and the solution was right.

Congratulations!

terça-feira, 15 de fevereiro de 2011

J'aime Paris!


Depending on the intonation you put on the title above, you can really mean that in French, or trying to bring that to our Portuguese, it will have a different meaning, something like '' never more''....

Well, the city is really worth the visit, but there is something I want to tell you about.

French people love dogs! I can tell! You can see this love on the streets, lots of poo all over, ran over by cars, stepped, or still intact!

Most touristic sites have a machine that cleans the street, but if you go far a little, there comes the poo! Watch your step!


I found this sign on the internet that means kind of "if you love your neighbor you will take your dog's poo with a tool, if you don't you'll pay a 150e fine." But I don't think it works, once I had to pay attention to my way, and stop to admire the landscape, 'cause it's impossible to look up the sky and walk at the same time.

Another thing that shocked me was the subway. Gosh! What the hell was that? At first I thought they were refurbishing everything, but NO! It is there for a long time. Not to mention the graffiti on the walls, and trains, and tunnels....


One thing that I liked is shown in this photo, just one car! Different!
















Yes! For me it wasn't a romantic city at all. Unless you just take a taxi and stay near the hot spots everything will be perfect, otherwise you will see the dirty side like all big cities.

segunda-feira, 3 de janeiro de 2011

Soon...

Coming up soon articles about my new trip to Europe, the details, where to eat, stay, what to see and do.

See you guys.

domingo, 14 de novembro de 2010

Emotional Intelligence - EI

Are you the kind of person that are very good at numbers and charts, but can’t get over being dumped? You know you are intelligent, but when it comes to relationships you realize you put the horse before the car most of times.

How can you improve your EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE - EI? Well, if I had the answer, I could be a better person.

I’m about to read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, PhD. This book drew my attention went I went to Saraiva last week and decided that I wanted to buy a book with “real content”, not that fiction ones… I have to confess that I don’t have (or don’t want to spend) money on therapy, so I went to the Psychology section and started to read all beautiful covers with the hope to find the solution to my needs.

It is not that easy. It is difficult to change your inner self when it’s there for decades. But you should give it a shot, at least give it a try.

My research in this issue, before I start reading the book, is that EI describes your ability, capacity to deal with your feelings and/or other’s. It is your self control of your emotions, or can be your ability to handle a difficult situation among you and others in a group.

Perhaps you never paid attention to the types of intelligence you have, but be aware that your EI can affect your job, your family and your relationships.

There are 2 aspects that show if you have a strong EI:

  • Understanding yourself, your goals, intentions, responses, behavior…
  • Understanding others, and their feelings.

There are 5 domains that show if a person is emotionally strong:

  1. Knowing your emotions.
  2. Managing your own emotions.
  3. Motivating yourself.
  4. Recognizing and understanding other people's emotions.
  5. Managing relationships like managing the emotions of others.

Paying attention to your feelings is a big step. Being aware of what your strengths and weaknesses are helps you to understand your emotions and deal with problems better.

If you’re feeling down, think to yourself:

“What is the real reason?”
"Why am I feeling like this?”

No apparent reason means you may suffer from depression. Perhaps a professional can show you the way to get over it.

Take the quizz and know your EI. Just 5 to 10 minutes!

Português: http://www.checkup.med.br/colesterol/en/teste_im (teste estará logo abaixo do quadro rosa, o ultimo teste está por assunto logo no RODAPÉ.)

Mine was a low number, but I’m sure something will change after I finish the book.

Everyone has their own issues, habits, problems, thoughts, but what makes us better people is the willing to change for better every day.

P.S. In some weeks I’ll post a conclusion according to Daniel Goleman’s book.

terça-feira, 5 de outubro de 2010

A Strong Taste

Coffee is considered the third most consumed beverage in the world. People across the globe have incorporated coffee in their daily routines and they believe it is a strong drink that can give them energy or heart diseases. There is much debate if coffee is a benefit or harmful to people's health. It was first planted in Ethiopia, then the cultivation spread to Saudi Arabia, Europe and then to the Americas.
There are two most common beans known as coffee arabica and Robusta. They are blended and roasted to give different flavors and smells.
Cultivation and production consist in planting twenty seeds in the same hole, but just a few of them will sprout.
Bushes can reach 1,50 meters high and the harvest happens 12 months later.
The beans are picked, processed and dried. The bean of arabica has a smoother taste, however, the robusta has a bitter or acid taste. That is why 75% of blended coffees are arabica and just 25% are robusta.
The beans are firstly washed to remove the layer of mucilage. Then the seeds are dried. The next step is roasting. The temperature can reach 200°C, but even this can change the aroma and flavor. Coffee after being roasted is labeled as light, medium light, medium, medium dark and dark, or very dark.
Lighter roasts have more fiber content and stronger flavor, more acidity. Darker roasts have less fiber content and a more sugary flavor.
Once it is roasted, its storage must be properly done to preserve the fresh taste.
Last year, Brazil was the world leader in green coffee production, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia and Colombia, and it is still the largest coffee exporting nation. Although Brazilian coffee is found around the world, barists and experts claim that Colombian coffee is the best.
It is impossible to discuss about coffee and not mention its pros and cons.
According to most studies, the regular consumption of coffee reduces the Alzheimer, Parkinson and heart's diseases. It prevents free radicals from damaging cells. Coffee prepared using paper filters remove an oil that can cause coronary heart disease.
Coffee is rich in caffeine, which is considered a stimulant, and carbohydrates. The green beans are rich in vitamin C, but it is lost when heated in high temperatures.
On the other hand, scientific studies show that the consumption of coffee causes heart disease, headaches, irritation, insomnia and raises blood pressure.
While there is not a clear understanding of the pros and cons of coffee, coffee followers can be found in every corner in different countries. Cafes are gaining their space, they are becoming more sophisticated, and they offer varieties of coffee flavors and their mixtures.
It is also combined with whiskey in Irish coffee and many others sophisticated coffee beverages.
Sitting down at a cafe and watch people walking by and, at the same time, savoring an espresso is something really good that everyone should try.

sexta-feira, 17 de setembro de 2010

Whisky - Different types

The meaning of whisky remotes from Gaelic. It is originated from a compound old Irish word 'uisce' that means WATER and 'bethad' that means OF LIFE. So, literally, the meaning of whisky is WATER OF LIFE.

The distilled beverage began with the Babylonians, but it was very different from the one people drink nowadays. The destillation process at that time was poor and in its infancy. By accident, the whisky forgotten in a cask was found in the 16th century, revealing a smoother taste.

Around 1700 taxes were high, so distillers were forced to hide the drink in coffins, altars, etc, and produce it late at night, where the darkness would hide the smoke coming from the stills. For this reason, the drink was known as 'moonshine', which means: 'illegal spirit (illicity-distilled liquor).

Whisky became a primary liquor in markets in the 1880s, when the French brandy was devastated by a pest that ruined the crops. Whisky is produced in different types, differing in quality, percentage of alcohol and the product. Two main ingredients are malt and grain. The first one is entirely from malted barley and distilled in pot stills. The second one is made of wheat and corn. It is produced in a coffey still. These 2 ingredients can be combined in various ways. The most common types of whisky are:
  • Blended Whiskies - they are described as Scotch or Irish Whisky. The most famous brands are Chivas Regal, Michael Collins, Jameson, Blue Label (JW) and J&B.
  • Vatted Malt - it is a blended whisky without the grain, just malts (pure malt), they are Teachers, Green Label (JW).
  • Single Malt Whisky - it comes from a single distillery, but sometimes different casks and different years, so it has different blenders. Example: The Glenlivet.
  • Pure Pot Still Whiskey - it is distilled in a pot still from mash of mixed malted and unmalted barley. It is exclusive to Ireland; Red Breast.
  • Bourbon - American. It consists of at least 51% corn. Common brands are Jack Daniel's, Barclay's Bourbon.
  • Malt Whiskey - it is made from mash that consists of at least 51% malted barley. They are Wild Turkey and Bushmills.
  • Corn Whiskey - it consists at least of 80% corn. Some brands are Gold Stake, Georgia Moon.
There are also other whisky nationalities like Canadians, Janapese, but the main ones are from The USA and Ireland.

quarta-feira, 28 de julho de 2010

How technology has changed people's lives.

Technology is the application of mental and physical effort in order to achieve something. It involves 3 stages: tools, machines and automation. The evolution of technology is the substitution of physical labour into machines resulting in a development of production.

This technology has changed people's lives in different aspects. Work is a lot easier and, as a result, people have more free time.

Culture has been changing over the years because of the inventions. Modern gadgets connect everybody to everything, like iphones, internet, to name just a few.

The Internet is the main source of communication and information around the world. People can follow the news and events in a click. Students can do their school researches. Also, another benefit as a result of the Internet is that it helps people find old friends through networking websites like Facebook, Myspace, etc.
The discovery for new technologies seems to have no end. Every time each year people are faced with new inventions, new robots, machines and gadgets that are considered 'must-haves'.

We can predict that the ending of this cycle will regress of people's hearts. Perhaps, someday in the future people will probably miss the old times, when life seemed to be less complicated and simpler.

segunda-feira, 22 de fevereiro de 2010

3-D MOVIES - AVATAR

In the future, Jake, a paraplegic war veteran, is brought to another planet, Pandora, which is inhabited by the Na'vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture.



When his brother is killed in a robbery, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora.

Well, well, well, watching this 3D movie is unique, really something, it is worth the visit to the cinema. But the plot is kind of naive, kind of "let's save the world". If you watched it, did you like it? Post your comment.

terça-feira, 5 de janeiro de 2010

Floods in Brazil









I was searching for news about flooding in Brazil and I found quite many in foreign papers. The regions were in flood of heavy rains and mudslides and killed several people. But then I realized they were news about the last year. If you type ‘flooding in Brazil’ on Google you will find a lot of about past years.









Every year we are struck by heavy rains and floods and mudslides and deaths. And it seems that it catches us by surprise. I see people on TV crying and complaining about furniture they have lost and nowhere to go. It's a pity because every year we watch the same news on TV. But I think it's getting worse.

When Autumn comes rains go.









And like magic, no one remembers what they have been through during the summer, moving on with their lives, just waiting for another rainy season.

Will it have an end?


domingo, 13 de dezembro de 2009

MERRY XMAS!!!



Christmas or Christmas

Day is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

But, nowadays, popular modern customs of the holiday

include gift-giving, music, exchange greeting cards, Secret Santa (amigo secreto), church celebrations, a special meal, and various decorations.

The holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. It has grown over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Talking about gifts, what would you like to get as a present?

Run out of ideas? CD’s, DVD’s, clothes and shoes are boring? So here you have some options that can be very unique:

  • customize gifts, show that you put special thought into your purchase. Customized gifts are guaranteed to be unique – one of a kind.
  • a magazine subscription for any interest. What’s your favorite? Or you can find out the favorite one of your friend.
  • a beautiful painting is a different and classy gift idea. But it can be a sculpture, any piece of art.
  • Pet puppies and kittens are classic Christmas pet. Well, be sure parents won’t be mad at you!
  • One day in a spa, beauty saloon, or massage sessions. Women will love it.

Below you will find sites you can surf in order to find your friends’ Christmas gifts.

http://perfumes.sacks.com.br/site/categoria.asp?id=1

http://www.americanas.com.br/

http://www.livrariacultura.com.br/scripts/cultura/index.asp

http://www.submarino.com.br/