Comments for Global Adjustments Blog

Comment on Oops…Don’t make this mistake by Ranjini Manian

Ranjini Manian — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:41:39 +0000

I like this blog Neil, as I myself has made this faux pas, and suffered the foot in mouth disease, by thinking I could guess a nationality from an accent and asking a Korean if she was Japanese, she didnt like it one bit. it is always better to ask “which wonderful part of the world do you come from” instead of “are you korean” ‘are you japanese’, this is what I now practice!

Comment on Upworldly Mobile in Bangalore by Anand

Anand — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:04:37 +0000

Hi Anita and Ranjani,

I had been wanting to send out this email earlier – but forgot about it…. I had gone through the book “Upwardly Mobile” in full. IT is excellently written. The best part of the book is that, most of the examples are taken from real-life scenarios and very typical scenarios – not some rare occurrences. It makes it that much more easier for the reader to associate with the situations being narrated.

And, another aspect which I feel strongly about it is, that this book would serve as a hand-book for any traveler. It is not for a one-time read like many other books.

Though I do not claim to have exhausted all the books in the market today, still I am a very active reader. There are articles here and there covering certain aspects of Cross-cultural communications and behaviour – but I have not come across one book that is so exhaustive and focused just on this aspect. In today’s world, traveling and interacting with people of other cultures or expats coming over to India are increasing exponentially. In such a situation, there is dire need for a book of this kind, that can help in avoiding misunderstandings arising from cultural issues.

I have been a regular follower of Ranjani’s articles in Hindu Business Line. This book is very much in line with the tone and nature of her articles – very relevant in the work places today.

Thanks a lot for giving me an opportunity to read this book soon after its release.

With regards
Anand.

Comment on Watch out! An expat speaks out by Laura Bode

Laura Bode — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:39:53 +0000

Absolutely great stuff Ranjini! I like the way you write using a person’s experience as an example, instead of just writing what we should be doing differently. Makes it fun to read as well as instructive.

Comment on Upworldly Mobile in Bangalore by Global Indian

Global Indian — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:36:09 +0000

I believe its a combination of colonisation and gurukul that led to hierarchical behaviour. but I rest my case, I think you have a good point to make, Jonson, though I might call it “Indian” rather than Hindu as you can see it in Christian and Muslim parts of India as well. This idea of surrender to a master is still strong in many areas of life in India.

There are other areas the British colonized that didn’t develop a subservient attitude. Of course, many of those are British-heritage people in another land, so maybe that contradicts the point.

Did the British create a subservient attitude in India? Maybe not. Did they exploit it and reinforce it? Maybe.

Comment on Upworldly Mobile in Bangalore by Neil

Neil — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:45:04 +0000

I think you have a good point to make, Jonson, though I might call it “Indian” rather than Hindu as you can see it in Christian and Muslim parts of India as well. This idea of surrender to a master is still strong in many areas of life in India.

There are other areas the British colonized that didn’t develop a subservient attitude. Of course, many of those are British-heritage people in another land, so maybe that contradicts the point.

Did the British create a subservient attitude in India? Maybe not. Did they exploit it and reinforce it? Maybe.

Comment on Upworldly Mobile in Bangalore by Debashish

Debashish — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:31:45 +0000

Congratulations Ms. Manain. Your firm’s and your expertise leveraged very ably through this book shall help millions in crossing the cultural boundaries to limitless opportunities & success.
My best wishes.
Dr. Debashish Sengupta
Chair-Professor, Alliance University,
School of Business, Bangalore

Comment on Upworldly Mobile in Bangalore by JONSON

JONSON — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:44:41 +0000

Hi Ranjini,

Today (Feb 21, 2012) I attended your session “Behavior and Business skills for the New Indian Manager” in Cognizant, MEPZ facility.
I strongly disagree with one of your points that you made during the session.

You claimed that the Indian’s behavior of saying “YES” is because, British people colonized even our minds.
But the root cause for this behavior is Hinduism. In Hinduism, a disciple has to obey the master/guru. In the same way,
children have to obey their parents irrespective of what is the outcome. In India, When someone disobeys elder people/guru/master,
that is considered as a great sin. This is in the culture of Hinduism.

I can quote several examples from the Hindu teachings, traditional books and holy books.
“Surrender yourself completely to the master, no questions” is the mantra of most of our philosophies. I strongly believe that you know this very well!

I hope, you will revisit your explanation.

Thanks,
JONSON.J

Comment on Upworldly Mobile in Bangalore by Global Indian

Global Indian — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:15:01 +0000

Naresh, the book should be available at Crossword Mumbai, otherwise you can order it online: http://www.flipkart.com/upworldly-mobile-0143068032/p/itmczyrpfzqyqc26?pid=9780143068037&_l=gWxQa0snNjHUHKJhnj_y0w–&_r=nAlUKvwPwKsMSS2AD9Ufnw–&ref=1bf273e2-b5e7-4160-9c3c-1b7a3d3793b2

Comment on Upworldly Mobile in Bangalore by Rajeev

Rajeev — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:07:34 +0000

As always there’s always something to review and understand and be enlightened about. And to improve oneself upon.
Going beyond that: Communication links go beyond words and technology. If we understand each other, it’s the most wonderful thing.
In my talks with Japanese, I am taken aback at lack of communication that exists. In technology, I find emphasis on Fax nos whereas I would expect them to reflect their email addresses upfront. And we discarded our fax machines long back. And of course I have learnt to speak English very very painfully slow on phone; so that they understand.
Yet they understood our Buddha so well, who probably spoke so little. And then Zen, where one needs patience, silence and depth.
Cultural identities are different; that is why the world is so colourful. As it is with globalisation and with onset of multinational brands we almost all will tend to look alike, sound alike and live alike. The tongas (and the culture with that lifestyle) are gone and metros are in.
But metros are almost the same in all countries. But as part of cultural reflection in Hongkong recently, I noticed the escalators at metro stations moved faster carrying people faster reflecting their faster outlook and way of life . . . . . The streets were full of girls who wore same tights, same blacks and same style of cigarettes . . . . Youth tending to imitate each other

On a vist to USA I must have taken some twelve flights, all very orderly, seeing Americans travelling in an orderly, mannerly way of life. When it came to flight to India at Chicago, it was same old jostling to get into the aircraft, as one sees for Blue line buses in Delhi . . . .

Comment on Upworldly Mobile in Bangalore by naresh sharma

naresh sharma — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:57:21 +0000

Hi Ranjini,

Congrats on the book launch, will it be available at Crossword Mumbai. I could pick up a copy there.