Tuesday, May 26, 2009

We are like this only

In our line of work we have a lot of European/American clients coming to Hyderabad for projects. We give them a cultural load-down before they come in. Here are snippets of what we tell them.

A) Racial Abuse
Talking in English: Most Indians in urban India understand English. If the urge to racially abuse the locals hits you, make sure you communicate in your native language. Americans have a tough time as English is all they speak.

B)Language
Word translations: Indian to Rest
a. "Our period's lasted 60 mins = "Its a 60 min class"
b. Flat = Apartment
c. 2 into 2 = 2 times 2
d. Rubber = Eraser
e. Lift = Elevator
f. A hot looking girl = Item
g. Bill = Cheque
h. Bisleri = Bottled water

C. Travel
Looking for street name: Directions in India are meant to be asked not figured out. Generally one cannot give you an exact address without a "landmark".
Always get pre-paid taxis or autos. If you can find someone who agrees to charge by the meter, jump in.

This lame-ass post has been put up as I am in no mood to write but want to stay in touch.

4 comments:

ripul said...

Okay = I have heard it
Fine = I have heard it
Right = I have heard it
Tomorrow = End of calendar day tomorrow OR sometime in future
Yesterday = Sometime in the past
Day after tomorrow = Never
Friend = Acquaintance, Someone met on a street for 2 minutes, neighbor, colleague long time back, etc.
Brother = Friend, Cousin (first, second, third...)
Cold drink = Soda
Soft drink = Soda
Chai = Tea with milk and sugar
Coffee = Coffee with milk and sugar
Phone = Mobile phone
Cell = Mobile phone
Landline = Land phone

as_him said...

Check this out. We are also this too :)
http://www.htp.gov.in/Campaigns-Photos.html

Satyajit said...

Ripul:
Thanks for contributing

Ashim:
Awesome snaps. Those pictures acts as a complete cultural shock for goras.

Jack said...

We're like, like this, like, only

In our line of work we have a lot of Indian clients coming to Boston for projects. We give them a cultural ho-down before they come in. Here are snippets of what we tell them.

A) Racial Abuse
Talking in English: Most Americans in urban America understand English. If the urge to racially abuse the locals hits you, make sure you communicate in your native language. Englishmen have a tough time as English is all they speak.

B)Language
Word translations: American to Rest
a. "Our period's lasted 60 mins" = "We've taken too much birth control medication"
b. Flat = Ugly
c. 2 into 2 = 2 divided by 2
d. Rubber = Condom
e. Lift = Illegal in Maryland and New Jersey
f. A hot looking girl = where?
g. Bill = Clinton
h. Bisleri = Gesundheit

C. Travel
Looking for street name: Directions in America are meant to be figured out not asked. Generally one cannot give you an exact address without "Google Maps".
Always get post-paid taxis or autos. If you can find someone who agrees to charge by the meter, reload.