Pardon Her French!

I was curious about this new #Netflix series, which was quite a hit right after it released. Finally, got myself a comfy time and give it a go! Well now need another season of #EmilyinParis !

Not only the series is so well crafted, as the epic Sex and the City, but also touches upon a major lost in translation issue: the so called work ethics and/or ‘perception’ between different cultures. Here obviously the creators are showing off the best well known conflicted cultures of all times, Français vs American. But I found it quite a wide issue, maybe even after moving in London, in terms of American vs European. Some of you may agree or disagree. I found it quite personal and right on spot.

To be born and raised in a country gives one pair of lenses to looking at the world. However, I find it quite impressive the ways in which we format ourselves. The schools we are going to, the friends we hang out with, the very first professional experience we have and so forth. Especially, if we are lucky enough to explore the world from another corner, different than the one we were born and raised. I moved to LA following my graduation from college. Little that I knew about the world and the work ethics, I was hoping to add on to my skills and to work in a pure American company. Lucky me, I got to realize my dream. I finished my studies, and even before finishing up I found an internship in a pure American company and got hired right after my graduation. Here I want to pause and give a little explanation, I was born and raised in Istanbul, and finished my studies in LA and had my very first professional experience in LA, in probably the best company I worked for #RPA ♡ No surprise I then built up all my ‘perception’ and/or so called work ethics around what I experienced and how I experienced in a very American way: set up your goals, see your options and do it! Not only I loved all my co-workers, my sups but also I love what I am doing! I wouldn’t mind living in it. This was my dharma, I found it and was extremely happy with it! I was also getting recognized and appreciated, cherry on top!

A few years later I have decided to return back Istanbul and explore my know-how and all my enthusiasm. I wasn’t aware I was going to have a major crush! I couldn’t fit in! I was pointed over enthusiastic, supper communicative and somehow annoying if you will. I was that shinning super star back in LA, now I was this ‘Americanized girl’ who does she think she is, coming from nowhere! I hit on lots of politics, lots and lots of reservations but to do what I love to do! Here I want to pause again and highlight/underline that this was my perception of what was going on.. I was crucified for being myself? But I knew I was that persona of communication and insight. So, I used my secret tool to move on. It was hard to adjust, as I never belonged to where I was born and raised.

Few years back, I have decided to move to London, following a job opportunity. What a city! It is magically beautiful, yet rapid. The first day of work, I was half an hour early for my meeting, on purpose off-course. I waited, waited, waited.. Somehow found in the lobby and got to the floor where I was going to work. Perfect! As expected, the work, the environment, the workplace everything! I was hoping to not get the back home experience here, as my major client was an American tech giant. Well not so soon.. With my huge smile on my face, which is my best-known mimic, I was so ready to ignite, get to know my co-workers, get socialize yet help and explore! No good mornings, no meeting invites, no nothing.. a very cold office go through and that was it. I was sitting on my desk, waiting to get something going, felt so miserable and down to be honest. Just like Emily and her very first day at work in Paris.. Everyday I was going to the office, with my huge smile on my face, and hoping to get recognized, blend in.. I started to think of myself way too much if I was doing something wrong.. I started to explain myself way too much as I was being a bit annoying to everyone.. Then I found my new magic tool: Let it go. All of a sudden, everything started to aligned. I was getting hello’s, goodbye’s, I was getting chit-chats, I was getting asked for! I was again living in my dharma!

In the fully globalized world we live in, now more than ever, I strongly believe what makes companies unique is to celebrate diversities. If we ask anyone to compromise, are we fully appreciating his or her abilities? I don’t think so. We can round our edgy corners. In my situation it took a little time, but why not faster than later? As now is the best time to unite, companies can moderate and organize it to happen: unite and not divide.

Photo credit: @thenewspocket