Money and power, plus qualities such as happiness and good health, were mentioned as important when Epoch Times reporters from Brno to Singapore asked locals this week, “How do people define ‘success’ in your culture?”
Danny Ciani, 29, Craftsman and ice cream shop owner
Personally, success in life is when we arrive at any purpose that we have placed in our lives, purpose in our work, family, etc. Maybe set aside some money. Not all here think the same. In our culture now, people think that success is only having money, or success is only having power and control of all the situation; having success with women, etc. I don’t agree.
Rachael MacGregor, 21, Cardiac Technician and Rehab Assistant
I think that people, lots of people, these days define success as how much you earn and how other people see their job, but I think it should be more of whether you’re happy or not.
Raphael Fiori, 23, Computer Technician
In my country, most people attribute their success to the possession of money and exposure in the media. And the feeling of personal success is manifested when the individual sees the dream for which he has strived throughout his life come true.
Maisara Shazali, 24, Teacher
Success in Singapore’s culture would comprise having a good education, a stable job, a happy family, and achieving both worldly and spiritual attainment.
Ilchoo Kim, 22, Military Service, Office Worker (Compulsory two-year Korean military service working in university administration)
They have a happy family, and they earn plenty of money. If they have [all this and] a good car as well, Koreans call this success.
Anna Paszko, 27, Junior Regulatory Specialist
In my culture success is a financial independence in conjunction with our ethical integrity. The aim is that we could spend quality time with our family and develop our passions.
Sneha Utmani, 40, Home Maker
Success is defined by reaching a satisfactory position in life. It is basically a wholesome blend of financial power, respect in society, and power (one whose word is considered the ultimatum).
Michal Tretter, 22, Manager
Success! Man who is satisfied and happy. Money is also important. People would like to earn big money. But I think they are quite useless without good health and happiness; so the importance of money is secondary.
Rosario Caubin Hernandez, 65, Psychologist
Success in my culture usually goes attached to three aspects: power, money, and fame. For me, somebody successful in life is the one who, while being in this world, follows a non-egotistical path; and because of that takes others into account, and tries their best to live according to good moral values.
Jerrol Suitela, 22, Student of Business
Success is the achievement of set goals.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What do you expect from your political leaders in the coming year?”
