There are a lot of Indian guys who work in my area at Corporate Behemoth. Most of them are contractors who come over from India for a year or 18 months, then go back home. These are smart guys who know a minimum of 3 languages and then immerse themselves in this weird culture away from their families. I have a lot of respect for them.
That said, there are some cultural differences that are funny, annoying, or supremely horrific.
Horrific? The thinly veiled contempt for women.
Annoying? The tendency to send an e-mail, then come over to my desk to announce you've sent me an e-mail. Or, the tendency to skip sending me an e-mail, but instead come over to my desk and expect me to drop everything and edit something for them on the fly. Because, after all, I am only a woman.
But the funny?
Oh, sister.
There's this one guy who is so young and clean-cut and adorable. He makes me feel old because instead of wanting to get on him, I have an overwhelming desire to make him a sandwich.
I guess this is what middle age feels like.
Anyway, today? Today, Young and Clean-Cut mentioned that he and some of his cohorts are planning a road trip for the long Christmas weekend. They are generally really excited to see everything they can in America - so, they've seen more of the country than many natives. Their Christmas destination? Mount Rushmore.
Oh, Young and Clean-Cut. You're gonna need more than a sandwich.
A bunch of folks were trying to convince Young and Clean-Cut and his posse that there are other, more suitable destinations for the end of December. His initial response was, "But, the Internet says it's sunny right now!"
The guys were being redirected to maybe San Antonio or maybe New Orleans. But then, Fannypack Bruce stepped in.
Maybe you know Fannypack Bruce. He's the older guy who does testing but asks 27 questions an hour. He keeps two Igloo coolers on his desk and wears a fannypack 24-7. And the fannypack strap has a phone clipped to it. You know, to complete the look.
Fannypack Bruce always has something to add. In detail. And today? His addition was a long diatribe about "a swell KOA near Mount Rushmore."
Camping? Most of these guys don't own winter coats but consider anything colder than 50 degrees arctic conditions. Focus, Fannypack Bruce! Stay on message!
That was about the time I left. I can only do so much.
Horrible is me wanting them to go to Mount Rushmore so they can come back, tell you about it and you can tell us..
ReplyDeleteIn fairness to Fannypack Bruce, I have stayed at the aforementioned KOA. What he's not pointing out is that the likelihood of the KOA being open in DECEMBER in SOUTH DAKOTA is slim to none.
ReplyDeleteBwahahaha!
ReplyDeleteI just read about the WEATHER in the Midwest!
Hope they pack a shovel!
This story reminds me of a trip to Belgium where we decided we could take a weekend jaunt to the south of France to see the lavender. A) the lavender was over and B) one does not take the train to southern France from Brussels for the weekend. We went to a travel agent who firmly refused to allow us to go. She just kept saying NO and trying to redirect us, such ludicrous American tourists wanting to travel endless hours to see passed by lavender. She was about 60 and just kept making a slight head nod and saying NO with such finality that we decided to forget it and go to Paris instead!
ReplyDelete