Friday, September 17, 2004

Encounters

In contrast to my earlier post about working with foreigners, I now have a happier account on meeting foreigners. Remember when Homer Simpson does something wrong, he always say "dowp!" or something similar? Insert the same expression while reading the story below...

I was out conducting a survey for our group work at the International Center when I chanced upon a Filipina looking chick who turns out to be Japanese. I tried my luck and asked her if I can bother her with the survey we are currently conducting. Apparently she has finished doing that survey through my groupmates, so I just asked her if she can help me distribute more survey forms to her friends. She told me that she doesn't have that many friends since she is only an exchange student at the Third World Studies program. After chatting for a while we parted, and at the back of my mind I asked why I didn't follow up that part where she said she doesn't have that many friends, where I can be her friend. (Insert expression here).

I went back to the I.C. to conduct the same survey, and upon entering the lobby I was surprised to see the same Japanese chick again. So we had a little chat again, and I asked her what places she has gone to so far here in Manila. I then suggested they go to Eastwood, and she said she'll try if her friends can accompany her.
You know what happened next? You guessed it right. (You can now insert the expression here)

Oh well, maybe the third time we meet will be much better. That is, if we can meet at all again. But we have a project at the Third World Studies Center. Hmmm...I think a site inspection is in order.

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Another encounter with foreigners is when we went on an inspection at the Faculty Center. I was not aware of the department we were going to assist, and it turned out to be the Department of European Languages. And before I knew it, we were talking to a foreign faculty member.

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Maybe fate read my blog and decided to check if I am indeed who I thought myself to be.


Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Maybe

I have a problem working with foreigners. It's not the language barrier, or is it religion, nor physical attributes. I just can't understand their work ethics, how they tend to pass the blame easily and get away with it. They get the credit, and they pass the work to the hardworkers, and they get to laugh at the poor Filipino.

I know I have to be exposed to these people for me to be competitive in the international arena. I have to be adept to varying work ethics and standards.

Maybe I'm generalizing. Maybe I'm racist?