I think I've been Jinxed - 20th August 2007

Hey people, Well, what a week!!

I think the best part of being here is meeting people from all over the world.

Oh Indepedance day was interesting …. I went to the place where Gandhi's wife died. But, the highlight of the day was receiving a message from my friend in Mumbai saying - 'Happy Independence Day - We sure kicked some English B+tt', oh and the other classic was ' You british killed my brothers and sisters'. Well, I get that a lot with my friends, we do have our friendly arguments about the India versus England thing.

Anyways, the recruitment is seriously hard work, and my accent doesn't help. LOL. Its so draining because several of the candidates don't understand me, so I have to repeat what I say several times, but also attempt to say the same thing in many ways - until they understand. You know you are failing though when you say - 'So, can you describe your current role?', and they just say - 'Ok Ma'am, Yes Ma'am, Ok Ma'am', and then that’s the end of the conversation!! (Right - so you never understood me, you just think that if you say ok, and yes - I'll be fine!!!). Aahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! …. Man my head hurts!!

Well, the real estate is booming here big time. There are new complexes being built everywhere, and the prices are rising like mad, and in many cases the rates are similar to the west. Its interesting when you speak to people who have lived in Pune all their life, and they just see the city turning into a concrete jungle with appartment blocks, business parks …. But the demand is obviously shooting up fast, and the growth in the country is incredible. Many of the shopping Malls, have the high street shops we are used to like - Mango, M&S, La Senza, Levi, Morgan, Apple etc.

But, it always seems that they never plan …. Hence the infrastructure (roads, electricity, water etc) here is awful, and is not really coping with the increased demands. I suppose a good illustration of the indian approach is - traffic jams, you get them everywhere, people driving at each other from all angles, then they get into a mess, and people instead of slowing down to let the situation sort out, they just decide that they will also drive in because surely they wont get stuck in it!!! Yeah right - then obviously the horns start …. And no one can move anywhere …….. Its mad!! Its very much, I won't think, right up until the point I have to …….. By the way, if you decide to use your initiative and not drive straight into a car that is already squashed between 5 other cars, then you will regret it - because you are not doing it right - just drive right to his bumper anyways …. Whats wrong with a 6th car joining in. Remember - we stick together in India!!! Ha ha ha

Well, I was invited to my first work party - dinner, drinks, music and dance (and yes the indians are not shy in that way). But, hey I didn't really gate-crash, besides I even offered to give a presentation to them about me, my role and the UK side of things. I'm not sure how I managed to get myself into that one. I think there are approx. 150 -200 people working in that particular dept, but me being the performer, I managed to get quite a decent audience reaction. Although I did start the presentation by saying, 'Hi, apologises if you don't understand my accent, but I've had quite a mad day explaining things to candidates over and over again, so if you need me to repeat anything then please put your hand up, and I'll beat you up afterwards'. LOL. I did boast about how good we are at in the UK. Ha ha ha …… but it did go very well, and it was a very effective way to introduce myself to so many people in one go …. So I had quite a lot of them talking to me afterwards, interested in more detail.

But, the weekend …… was stressful, and a little upsetting. I went to mumbai, and someone stole my new Nokia N95 mobile phone. They didn't take the rubbish work phone I have … obviously. But, I've lost all the numbers for all my friends and families around the world. So, I was really stressed and I couldn't get hold of anyone in the UK, and obviously it’s the personal side of things (all my phone numbers, friend's details, pictures, videos, birthdays etc) that is very upsetting. So, I was in panic mode (most probably because I'm in a different country)…. I eventually got through to Orange UK to cancel my simcard and blacklist my phone, but I can't really do anything more until I get back to the UK now. So, I had to visit an Indian police station to report my phone as stolen for insurance purposes (although not sure if it covers international). The police station was an experience, my friend told me to be strong and not get intimidated by them. Well, after the mood I was in, if they said anything to me, I was ready to give them a few black eyes. It was very much like the movies, the police just sit back, chilled out, and bribing is the thing. Well, this weird looking police man, told me to take a seat and relax while he just cruises along doing his job …. At that point I was ready to give him a punch and say ' Will you just F++kin get on with it - u idiot'. As you can see, I'm still not over it just yet!!!.

Of course, Saturday just wasn't my day ….. Following this, my bank declined all my ATM and credit card transactions. So, I had to, for the first time in my life, walk out of a shop because I didn't have any money to pay for the goods. So, as usual … the bank thought it was fraud, and for security reasons stopped the use of my cards. At least they do their job right. Oh and to top it up, the hotel refused to check me in, because I left my passport in Pune, and it is against the law to let a guest from another country stay in your hotel, without their passport details ….. Of course I know that - but I forget to carry it with me. So, that was just great!! Well, luckily I have friends in mumbai ….. So I didn't sleep on the roads along with half the other population of the city.

So, Saturday night ended with lots and lots and lots of Barcardi ….. I nearly did them all neat!!!

Back to the drawing board now!!!
Bindi.

Pune Part 2 - 13 August 2007

So Guys, The story so far … I must admit this recruitment business is quite a challenge. Ha ha - But, its quite interesting how they are conducted here. There is a strong incline to really accessing the personality of an individual, so the questions are also directed in that way. They are trying really hard to focus on getting the right type of people, to make sure the department is built in the right direction. So, although skills are key, the person's attitude is also on the same par.
In the interviews I've attended, there has been some interesting candidates though. By the way, presentation is not seen as an important factor. People will not come to interviews in a shirt and tie. In fact the first one I attended, the candidate was wearing jeans and trainers. So, the UK business attire feel is totally out of place here. LOL. By the way, apparently a couple of guys in the office (don’t know who) said that the dress I was wearing in the office was too short (it was to my knees - oh god!!).

They don't have a receptionist here. Its just two or three security type guards that look after the reception area, making sure everyone signs in etc. But, its really interesting that they all stand-up when you walk in to greet you. That treatment however is only given to foreigners here. I guess I am lucky, because I usually don't get that, because many people will assume I'm indian not british - skin colour!!! I must admit I do like to use it to my advantage, and be British when I want, and Indian when I want.

Well, its independence day on Wednesday. Time to celebrate freedom and the disappearance of the British Rule. History is still present even today, and it is surprising how many people still feel passionate about their freedom from the British. But, I guess you get that all the time with all cultures. Social Front?? Still things to sort out. And nothing moves fast in india. Time is not of importance (that’s hard to get your head around, coming from the society that we live in). So, it gets a little frustrating sometimes. Many people have moved here with families so the settling down process is a little easier for them. But, I must admit sorting things out, and the process of moving countries has not been smooth. Well, lets see how things shape up.

By the way … passion for company is shown in the office, with company cups on everyone's desks, oh and some people even wear a nice white polo shirt, with the company logo. I'm going to bring some back for you guys. We are one big family and we will show it to the world!!!
Ha ha ... Cheers Bindi

Starting my Journey to Pune .... 6th August 2007

From Rain to Rain

Hi Guys,
Well, leaving the rains in the UK, and then arriving in India to be greeted by the monsoons. But, hey it is just the only thing similar to England, cos everything else is a complete contrast.
Well, apart from the airport delays in dubai, the journey wasn't too bad. Still feel jet-lagged, so my brain isn't in full focus. Just finished an hour session with the local dev manager here, woooo ….. Forgot what work was like after 3 days travelling.
So, anyways I picked up my cup as I was leaving the room (as Leah would expect, place them in the dishwasher or else - LOL), and the guy said to me, leave it, someone will come and pick it up and clean it - you are in India now!!! Maybe we should hire tea boys in the UK!!!

Anyways, the journey, (as Neil told me) from mumbai to pune was a rollarcoaster ride. I just closed my eyes and tried to listen to my ipod. Of course my music was remixed successfully, with the sound of the horns, everytime the driver decided to slam down on his brakes every few minutes as he tried to aviod a collision with a lorry (we were on a highway, or a motorway as we call it - so it was quite a speed). Anyways, apart from a few road rages and arguments with lorry drivers, the driver got me to pune, and checked me into what I don't call a hotel. Gotta shift soon ……

LOL. What fun!!! Anyways, might be sitting in on an interview this afternoon ….. That should be interesting. Thomas this could be our QA lead. Fingers crossed!!!

The offices are quite nice here, the company colours and logo are plastered all over. But, if you thought our UK office was quiet, then you should come out here. Its so quiet. I think I'll have to change that soon. The view from the office - not much different from sheffield. LOL. We are in the middle of a building site, with lots of construction going on. A 5 star hotel being built on one side, and something else on the other.
So, this is where the fun begins I guess, will keep you posted on things.
Catch you soon.
Bindi