Awake

Faster than a speeding bullet

Where do we (Americans) learn the cultural value of speedy efficiency and high productivity? This is the question that's on my mind as I have learned that my tutee, who is relatively new to this neck of the global woods, is in danger of losing her housekeeping job because she's not focused enough, quick enough, or productive enough to satisfy the demands of the job. So as her tutor, how can I teach her this value of being super-fast, multitasking, superwoman? Do I make her watch superhero movies where problems are solved in the blink of an eye? (Maybe a few episodes of "Bewitched" are in order?) Sign her up for a community sports team? Teach her how to play "Speed" with a deck of cards? I'm racking my brain how it is that I learned to value speed and efficiency. It's so ingrained in who I am and so pervasive in my culture. But I'm finding it difficult to understand and discern exactly where and how I learned this value and how I could (in a beneficial way) teach it to someone who can impress her boss and keep her first job in the U.S.

Any suggestions?