It’s been a while that I wrote something, and it was nice to be reminded recently that I should continue doing so. I wouldn’t dare to say people missed my writing, but it always is a ‘feel-good-moment’ to get asked about it. Below is the funny story that I started writing maybe couple of months back but stopped several times – heck! life, adulting, you name it, gets in the way.
Hope you like it, and maybe just maybe, it will teach you a thing or two about Indian culture and mannerisms. So, here it goes.
It was the summer of 2012, and I had just landed the promotion of a lifetime. No, seriously, it felt like I had just won the lottery – I was now the proud Department Manager of a larger team, and to top it off, I had an office! Not just any office, mind you, but a spacious office that practically screamed, “I’ve made it!”
My newfound kingdom was only a couple of offices away from where the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), the big cheese himself, used to reside. This was my chance to rub shoulders with the corporate elite, and I was determined to make a lasting impression.
On the inaugural day in my new office, the CMO spotted a fresh face and graciously extended a morning greeting. Seizing the opportunity, I sprang into action. As soon as our eyes met, I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm. With an agile leap, I catapulted out of my chair, traversed the office space, and warmly reciprocated with a cheerful, “Good morning, Pat!” while extending my hand for a friendly shake. He gave me a nod, a faint smile, and continued on his way. Success, I thought. But little did I know, this was the beginning of a three-day comedy of cultural errors.
The second day rolled around, and there I was again – ready to leap to my feet like a jack-in-the-box the moment the CMO appeared. This time, he looked a bit puzzled but still acknowledged my morning greeting with a polite smile. I was on a roll, or so I thought.
By the third day, the CMO couldn’t take it anymore. As I sprang from my chair for the umpteenth time to wish him good morning, he stopped me in my tracks, staring at me with a bemused expression.
“Mandar, you don’t have to stop doing what you’re doing and get up to wish me good morning every time I greet you. You can say good morning from where you are” he said, trying to hide his confusion.
Feeling a tad sheepish, I summoned the courage to unravel the mystery behind my peculiar actions. “Oh, no, sir. I’m not trying to pull off some over-the-top theatrics here or that I’m trying to impress you or anything. In Indian culture, we have this thing where we show our admiration to elders by standing up when they walk into the room – kind of like a ‘I respect you’ type of acknowledgment. And if they’re our parents or close relatives, we might even throw in a feet-touching gesture, but don’t worry, I’m not about to break into a foot-fandango with you.”
I hastily added, “I’m not stereotyping your age or anything; it’s just our way of showing appreciation. So, the whole leaping-out-of-the-chair routine was just my enthusiastic way of giving you a hearty ‘Good morning!’ and it came out of respect for your seniority and, well, age.”
I must say, it was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek moment for me, and I had no clue how he would react.
The CMO, looking both bemused and entertained by my cultural crash course, chuckled, and nodded in understanding. “Well, Mandar, I appreciate the sentiment, and I’m relieved to know that I’m not in danger of getting my feet tapped anytime soon. 😁 Keep the good mornings coming – from your chair, of course.” We both shared a laugh, and from that day on, our morning greetings were a tad more seated but no less heartfelt.
And just like that, my daily acrobatics came to an end. The CMO continued to walk by my office each morning, and I continued to wish him a good morning – this time, from the comfort of my chair. We shared a laugh about the cultural nuances, and surprisingly, it became a running joke in the office.
In the end, my sincere attempt at showing respect through a cultural quirk turned into a lighthearted exchange that bridged the gap between hierarchy and tradition. As it turned out, laughter truly is the best icebreaker, even in the corporate jungle.
Do you have any funny anecdotes like this? I didn’t know it back then, but this incident was a huge leap for me embracing my own uniqueness, cultural diversity, and be vocal and proud about it.
I love #IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access). Do you?
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