Wow – where has the time gone? I can’t believe we have been away for 2 months. It’s been awhile since I have added a post to the blog so I thought I would share some of my experiences and observations from my travels the last few weeks. Since arriving in London, I have travelled to Shanghai, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome and Madrid for work. I have learned so much from each visits – taking in the cultures, learning traditions and understanding local behaviours. Here is a summary of it the highlights...or lowlights:
Germany – The first night that I got to Germany, the leader had planned a team outing. We were going bowling! I showed up to the bowling alley and there were all kinds of American symbols such as football helmets and Budweiser signs. I knew immediately that I would not be getting good German cuisine for dinner that night. And I was right...the menu was full of pizza and cheese burgers. There were about 20 employees there and nobody had ever bowled before. And to be honest, none of them were really interested in bowling, most of them preferred to play pool.
Overall, there is not much in Frankfurt but it is considered the financial capital in Germany. I really didn’t have much time to see the sites but I did get some good sausages before I left.
In Germany, business relationships are very formal – well at least at MoneyGram. One of the leaders was explaining to me that there are 4 different formal ways to address somebody in the workplace (In the US, I guess you consider we have 2 ways – first name only or “Mr./Mrs”) . By default, employees in Germany use the most formal approach with their boss, until they are told differently. If leaders address some employees less formally, it is offensive to the other employees who are still being addressed more formally. I was told that employees get used to dealing with American companies and as a result, they will follow my lead based on how I introduce myself. For example, because I introduce myself as Ann, they will introduce themselves with their first names but as soon as I leave they go back to the formal names. Very different.
Paris – My trip to Paris was pretty quick and I was primarily in meetings. I did learn that employees get a lot of fringe benefits such as vouchers for lunch and reimbursement for transportation to work. The vouchers are worth 8 Euros each, and the employee only contributes 3 Euros worth. They can use to them whenever and wherever they would like. If they want, they can save them and use them to pay for an expensive dinner with their spouse!
I had two wonderful French lunches whilst I was in Paris but I really struck-out with my dinner. It wasn’t necessarily bad but when I got back to the hotel room with my take-away, I realized they didn’t give me utensils or napkins so I had to eat with my fingers. I was exhausted and hungry so I really didn’t care!!!
A trend that I have noticed is that when I am with the MoneyGram leaders or employees for lunch or dinner, they take me so some exciting and good restaurants. However, when I am alone, I am tired and just want something fast, so I am usually lazy and get room service or some quick take-away from a local cafe/shop. So I am usually less than satisfied. But I can say that I have been enjoying at least one or two local cuisine meals during each trip, so I can’t complain. I am sure for those of you who regularly read our blog, you can see that Kevin and I are foodies. We base our trips and tourist activities around food and drink!!! So, if you are ever looking for recommendations in any of the areas, let us knowJ
Rome - From a logistics/lodging perspective, this was a great trip. I was staying at a posh hotel and I was in heart of Rome. Each day during my trip back and forth to the office, I was able to take in the incredible sites including the Colosseum. Looking at these sites never get old.
I typically have drivers that pick me up and take me to my destinations. This is usually cheaper and more reliable than taxi drivers. The Italy drivers were not very good English speakers. My driver who picked me up from the airport was trying to have small talk with me. The weather was incredible that day and the sun was shining. Just as we were driving by the colosseum, I thought the driver asked me about the weather. In response, I said, “it’s beautiful, how long is it (weather) supposed to stay?” He responded, “Oh, it’s been around for thousands of years.” He was not talking about the weather, but rather the colosseum!!!!! I am sure he was thinking, “Stupid American - she doesn’t even appreciate or know the history of the colosseum.”
I had some great Italian meals, vino, gelato and coffee. After my trip to Rome, I decided that I could get used to drinking Espresso. At least the Italian way – which is where they stir in one sugar packet, sip and enjoy. The coffee beans are definitely a different quality there.
Madrid –Spanish people are passionate and they love to socialize and eat late. Typically employees work from 8 to 5ish but they don’t take lunch until 2PM and they eat dinner at 10PM. I don’t know about you all, but Kevin and I are usually in our PJs and in bed at that time!!! It’s pretty crazy how quickly your body adjusts to the different habits and routines. One day, I went to lunch with 6 of our leaders...now, they don’t do this every day but they made a big ordeal on this lunch. We left at 2 and didn’t get back until 4:15. They all ordered in Spanish so I was shocked when the waiter came back with my Coca-Cola Light and their beers and bottle of red wine!!! I had noticed the day earlier, when I was at lunch with my employee, that all the tables had some sort of alcohol – I just figured none of them where with their bosses. Obviously, I was wrong and it just a custom to have alcohol during business lunches. Our lunch was about 6 courses – 4 tapas, one entree which was a filet and dessert – finished with coffee. I was so tired and exhausted after such a big meal. I was also so full that I didn’t even have dinner that night.
I also learned about the last name (or Sur name) tradition in Spain. Spanish people typically have two last names. The first one comes from their father’s last name and the second comes from their mother’s last names. Then when a couple marries, they don’t change their last names. When they have a baby, the baby takes the first last name from the father and the first last name from the mother. Essentially, families they have 3 separate last names so it is hard to tell who belongs to who!!!
So, now I am back in London and I think it will be a few weeks before I travel again for work. I have had a blast but I am looking forward to having a routine for a few weeks and to have a husband againJ Poor Kevin has had to maintain all the household chores – but as we all know, this fits well with his anal personality!!!!!
Hope you are all well. Miss you.
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