The immodest Indian

Disclaimer: I have not had the privilege of reading Dr. Amartya Sen's master piece and I have no idea what Dr. Sen talks about in the book. But, this article is not about the book, and other than the title, it does not borrow any inspiration from it.


Remember the Reader's Digest poll which rated Mumbai as the worst behaved city of the world? I was among those who rejected the poll as ridiculous and believed that with the values instilled into us from our childhood, nothing could be more distant from truth. But, the last three months at Parsons Brinckerhoff has forced me to change my opinion. Here are a few incidences:

When was the last time you remember washing your own coffee cup? I haven't; at least for a year. But, today, in the washroom, I was completely stumped when I saw Peter washing his own coffee cup before returning it to the pantry. Okay, good question!Who's Peter? Peter Wright, the Project Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff for DIAL (Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd.) project is an Australian expatriat, around 60 years of age. And yup, I call him Peter - not "sir", Peter. Same is the case for Saskia, Cliff, Thongchai, Gita, Andrew, Eric, Michael, and all the others. But, with the top Indian bosses, "sir" is the word. And yup, they prefer to ring the pantry guys to serve them coffee (or tea). Washing cups? You gotta be out of your wits!

My work at Parsons primarily involves drafting letters and doing a few Change Orders (don't bother thinking, even I do not understand what they are). What is not part of my job profile (and what I do more than what I'm supposed to) is searching and finding various correspondence on an issue. Now taste this, 3 months and I'm still waiting for a "thank you" from any Indian even 5 yrs senior/elder to me. What I've got though are a few brickbats for not having done what I was instructed to (at a couple of times, this was followed by a quick reminder -not apology,reminder - that I was asked to look for something that was never there). On the other hand, the expats throw in so many "Thank you"s and "I will greatly appreciate"s that I start feeling embarassed. Its not that they are bound to express gratitude, nor do I say that it forms part of the "good manners" we were taught at primary school, my only logic is that it makes me feel good when someone uses those words. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction for two reasons, one, doing my work well (although, as I mentioned, this is not part of my work profile but, I cqn never be satisfied with it...never!) and two, helping someone do one's work well. Unfortunately, Indians have not been kind enough.

Shouting inside the office premises for work undone or maldone (I'm pretty sure the two terms don't exist, but, can't think of anything better,please bare with me) is a common site at the DIAL project office. And, who makes the most noise? Yup, unsatisfied Indians. Indian bosses show no restraint in venting out their sweet words, be it a compatriot or an expatriat facing their wrath. On the other hand, when I goof up and its an expat I have to face, I'm sure to be told "not to panic" or that "mistakes are a part of learning" or that I'm "getting there". Who minds a boss then?
I may be completely wrong in my assessment in this entry, it might just be that co-incidentally, with Indians, i was always at the wrong place at the wrong time and vice-versa for the expats. But, trust me, one thing that I now understand more than ever is - why do people refrain from returning to India once they leave it? Brain-drain, or whatever it be termed,cannot be stopped only by a booming economy. What is needed is that, as Indians, we learn to be more modest and encouraging.