Working it, working it

Two weeks ago I participated in a national seminar, where we had a very interesting session about the Czech culture, both in general as well as business life. This session was very enlightening and gave answers to some things that I have been wondering about. First when I started here, it seemed that there is really a lot of Indian influence in the corporate culture. Now I have noticed more and more of the little Czech bits that stand out. Sure the company is Indian and it does show, but in the daily routines it is the Czech way of thinking that prevails. I will give some examples. Many typicalities in the Czech living are still reasoned by the communist heritage. In the past the work ethic was all about obeying rules that were communicated from higher authorities. People had to stay at the work place for certain hours. In case there was no work, people had to act like they were busy. Also, questioning the working methods was not a sign of healthy critical thinking and initiative of necessary change process but basically a violation against the might authority, often with consequences. Hence, people did not get used to voicing their opinions and giving feedback. Some of this influence can still be sensed. In this company we are expected to sit tight even if the systems sometimes are not working or there is nothing to do. Luckily though here the individual opinions are not suppressed but people can actually have their say about things.

Generally if something will suck in a company, one of the most likely issues is internal communication. Here in the CZ this seems to be even more a burden, which is something that I have come a cross in various occasions. In some cases people just do not seem to care about if the receiver actually gets and understands the message, as long as it is posted somewhere. Another notion is the lack of honesty concerning some cases. For example if something agreed is forgotten (e.g. a meeting) a white lie (such as technical problems) is told rather than the truth. In my opinion honesty is an essential corner stone of any business and it should be reflected in all levels of work.

However, I am happy to see the young generation embrace the modern leadership paradigm. This country is opening up to global influence; people travel, learn and bring in the best methods. But change needs time and depending on the deepness of the issue, often several cycles of education.

Daily living

Time passes...and no matter where, one always develops the daily routines. Mine are more or less the following: Around 7:30am I get up, shower, eat some breakfast kind of stuff that I manage to find from my modest storage and leave for work. I am usually at work around 9:00am (Depending on whether I catch the 8:43 buss that delivers me on time. Otherwise I take the 8:53 and am a bit late.) Then I try to keep myself occupied for the next 8,5 hours. It has been a bit hard lately though. I do not have that much to do as we are in the process of getting one project started, but as usual these things take time. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that the pace will speed up. Otherwise I'll have to conduct a serious motivation talk with my supervisor Oh, and she is now on sick leave at least for 1,5 weeks, cause here in CZ it is something like, the more you stay home the more you will earn some compensation, so a short few days sick leave makes your poor ass suffer even more! But nay! This is not me complaning. It is all ultimately part of a cultural experience.

So, after a day of "work" I come home, eat something and see if there is something cool to be done. Like drinking beer or smth. Lately I have even been considering getting a hobby, like gym or smth. Now though, I have to postpone that as well cause I am feeling a little sick. I gues I am all worn out because of the weekend extravaganza we had with a bucnh of trainees in AIESEC CZ national conference, which was held on a really beautiful site. (Pics here). Of course, there was again a lot of beer drinking...

Weekends have been not that numerous by far, but I have managed to do some traveling. Tomi was here and we went to Praha and Vienna, which are only like a reindeer's piss away. Other daily routines include little household thingies like laundry. And I was just few seconds ago reminded about this fact in the form of all my dirty clothes falling over me from on the top of my closet where I keep them.

As I have told before we are five in the flat, which I've come to notice is damn many. So practically, in the morning the place is buzzling as an early morning fish market, when all of us try to get ourselves ready. Luckily, to ease the rush hour, there are various little tricks one can do, like keep the toothbrush outside the bathroom so that you can brush your teeth also in the kitchen. So all in all, it is not that bad. And I am sure, that being alone will feel weird and I'll be missing all the hassle.

So this is my life for now. And I am liking it! :)

Heja Sverige!

Thought of addressing a subject that is very close, yet often remains very unknow for us Finns. This is Sweden, our former ruler and now more or less belowed neighbor. Thanks to the historical heritage of this western buddy, Finnish students automatically posess a second language (or third, after English) from an early age on. Indeed, Sweden is to thank for various things, like hmm... establishment of universities, fine arts and other minor marks of a civilized nation. Even today, a small minority (~6%) of Swedish speaking people remain within the country. They are stereotypically merry and educated people, and hence the backbone of Finnish urban living. Whereas the aboriginal folks stay in the countryside whining how all possible hardness of life is focused on them. But like said, these are just stereotypes and in the real life we are all a happy family. Heja, heja, heja! Och helan går!

However familiar one would think Sweden is, I still found some things that struck me as unfamiliar as I visited Stockholm for a week's on-shore training. Firstly, Stockholm seems very posh. Compared to us on the otherside of the gulf, Stockholm "killar och tjejer" seem to know their way around the wardrobe. Damn! Had I had more time (and...ahem, money)I would definately have done some shopping myself. I haven't been to Stockholm in ten years. Last time was on 9th grade when we made a class trip. Anyway, the weather was miserable and we as minors were more interested in how to manage the boozing on the ferry. For sure, when back in Finland (+ the time and money)a shopping trip to Sweden will be arranged. Another example, that actually sort of relates to the previous, is the amount of design and trademarks Sweden seems to produce to the world. Something for us Finns to be very envious about. I knew that most of the fashion/utility stores in Finland are Swedish (Why is it so god'damn hard to produce own brands??!!) but that so many other brands as well... Like Vagabond shoes! Hell! Third example is a bit less superficial. The people. I have always thought that Swedish people are annoyingly friendly and smily folks. Nope, they are not (Well of course the capital is always maybe a bit more extreme). They seem to be friendly enough just to make you relax and feel somewhat comfortable, and that's where it ends. I have always understood that when talking about the Scandinavian coldness it is often referred to us Finns, but I'd say that Swedes are even worse. I chatted with a Greek kiosk guy and he was complaning about the people saying that Finns are better. Also I heard that in the opinion of an foreign student the best thing in Sweden was his Finnish friends. So definately a justified change to "vetää kotiinpäin" (pull it homewards).

Now that I have generally labelled all the Swedes as cold and overly posh people. I might as well acknowledge that I do not know a single Swede. But I'd really like to, cause I am sure that despite of these stereotypes there are many lovable people to get to know to. So in case any of you read this, please contact me and let's become good friends :)