The Migration of Ladies and Lhasa Apsos

Topic: Globalization, Localization

Source:

Cultural Anthro, Richard Robbins (p. 71- 81)

Conformity and Conflict, James Spradley and David W. CcCurdy, (p. 146 - 155)

Central Bark, Dog Park.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lhasa_Apso

Relation: Globalization is the spread of culture throughout the world driven by economic means. The exchange of cultures has increased even more rapidly with the development of the internet and aeronautics. The globalization has also brought new commodities to foreign lands. Some of these commodities are accepted by the local people. This is localization.

Description: It was approximately 7:33am when I closed the door and locked it behind me. Higgins, my roommate’s dog, needs to be walked. He is a curious Lhasa Apso. As we walked to Central Bark, we saw a variety of other dog breeds and owners.

The breeds of the dogs varied greatly. The most recognizable dogs were a shih tzu, and a Polish lowland sheepdog. Many of the other dogs I saw were mixed breed dogs that I did not recognize. The dogs varied from small to medium (5 lbs – 25lbs).

With the exception of the 40-50-year-old, male, jogger balancing a dog leash, cell phone and a cigarette, the majority of dog walkers were female. Many of them appear to be young professionals in the age range on 25-40 years old. One of the women was walking her dog just before going to work. It was obvious because she was dressed in a black skirt and a blazer. Several of the women wore casual clothes. A few were joggers, wearing workout clothes.

Commentary: I have done this nearly every day since moving to Irvine in late December. Today was the first time I have really stopped to observe my fellow walkers. Part of that is because I was retraining Higgins. But even after retraining Higgins, I never really stopped to look at people. I am a college student and this apartment complex is primarily inhabited by young professionals.

I found it interesting that the primary group of dog walkers is in fact young professional women. It made me think of the reading by Ehrenreich and Hochschild. Women in the first world have progressed significantly even when challenged with such adversity. But I doubt I would see any third world nannies in this part of town.

I also began to think about how the “purpose” of women has changed recently. In the past, men were the breadwinners. Women took care of domestic work. It was a woman’s objective to find a man, marry, and have a family. They have become quite independent.

I also began to think about Higgins. After we returned from our walk, I went online and did some research on Lhasa Apsos. Lhasa Apsos were originally bred in Tibet as guard dogs, sworn to alert the monks of intruders. My apartment is not a Buddhist Temple, but that doesn’t stop him from alerting me that there are people walking around outside my door. Higgins is a living, breathing example of globalization. It is only a matter of time before he becomes localized.