A crisp Australian accent, voiced shipping wisdom, something that I barely understood back then........17 years on, Shipping is not new, but a call from country code +61 still feels daunting..
That was Jon! My opening memories to foreign accent, a realization, that knowing English alone doesn't suffice...His Canadian counter part-Eddy, was easier to comprehend. But before I could gear up clinching deals with Eddy, Eddy retired.
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| Jon, his wife & me @ a wedding in Kolkata. Nov 2019 |
But calls still happened, in person meetings followed. We toured the lanes of Mumbai, meeting clients, Coal conference encourters became regular...
Gradually to me, shipping became familiar, and his accent clearer. We now speak the same vocabulary, react to the same market conditions. A month from now he retires....
5 comments:
Reminds of what Kapil Dev said. When he went to Australia for the first time someone asked home "did you come to Australia to die". He said he came to play cricket. His senior Venkatraghavan told him that he was asking if he came today.
Very true, knowing English alone doesn't suffice! Your post highlights the unexpected hurdles one can face in international business. Interesting how something as fundamental as accent can be a significant barrier!
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Hahaa... it took me 2 readings, who understand this :) :)
It is a special feeling to have such long association at work.
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