The sun is shining in Sweden and the temperature is just right to bring down the tempo and get in the holiday mood.
I am off between w29 and w.33. Was planning to take a trip to India with family but it is rainy season and no fun to be, at least in Mumbai. So it will be some other country. Haven’t planned anything as yet but seaching. Let see where we land.
Have a great summer vacation and see you all in aug-september. Take it easy 
Got in a discussion about indian consultants given training before coming onsite, the training encompasses, among other things, taking a shover and getting dressed after having breakfast and not before. This to eliminate “curry” smell.
My question was, “Are you not offended”? The consultants did not find it offensive and understood the consequences onsite.
Are we ready to take such training? Smoking is no longer cool and neither people reeking of smoke. Will smoker be offended if sent on such a training?
Why promise something when you are not able to carry it out? Is it kind to say that I can help when I cannot? OR is it kind to say that I cannot when I cannot? I have been there time and again and get frustrated when people promise and cannot deliver.
For e.g. my husband called up and spoke to my parents in India. He mentioned that he wanted help in India. My mum gladly said she will do it. Even I know she cannot since it means travelling far and she is getting old. My mum was being kind but Fredrik took it as a promise.
Another example, on our visit to Wayanad last year, for a wedding, we found the area very interesting and wanted to look at some property. Our newly married-in-relative, working in real estate promised to show us an interesting plot at 10 a.m the next day. My brother Rolland warned me that the broker is just being kind and has no intention of showing us the property but I did not believe him. We were at his doorstep sharp 10 a.m ready but our broker-relative was dressed for another wedding.
How can Rolland read his intentions or should I say non-existing intentions and I cannot? Have I lost my touch? Rollands explanation, ‘You am no longer street smart’.
Yes, I know I have a problem when I say we. Where do I really belong? India or Sweden? Born in India and lived in India for 23 years. My family is still living in India. Have been living in Sweden for last 16 years. My new family is in Sweden. Where do I belong? I might never know?
For the first 8 years in Sweden I thought in English, translated in Swedish and lived in my imagination in India.
For the last 8 years in Sweden I have thought in Swedish, translated in English (when needed like now) and have been actually living out in Sweden.
Our indian colleagues, in the projects, are not saying “yes” to everything, they are coming with own views and suggestions. Don’t all Indians say “Yes” to everything? Don’t I say “Yes” to everything? I have in one of my projects asserted and got my wish through. Is it growing up?
Indian companies are hirarchial and often decisions taken higher up. Thereby employees are used to saying “yes”. So is also the case in families. We grow up learning to respect our elders and teachers. We often listen to our elders and not go against their wish, since they know better. They are wise due to their age!
It’s so easy to generalise a whole population of god knows how many. My advise is to give our indian colleagues freedom to express and we will be surprised how much feedback we will get.
Projects don’t fail due to lack of technical knowledge. It is due to communication.
I have had a fun week. Started this blog, lots to do at work, great projects and great colleagues. Shall see Slumdog Millionaire in the weekend. What a way to end a week
