So here I am, sat in the year 2015, a grown-up. When I was about eight, I had a vision of what I'd look like as a grown woman. I was getting out of a car, beside a semi detached house, I was wearing a buff-coloured suit and I had short hair. Today, I'm sat on a plane, sporting a navy suit jacket with print pants, a short haircut. I don't own a car though I do have a cute house I describe as a "workers terrace built of stone ". As an eight year old, I didn't envisage kids and I'm not even sure I desired a husband - read into that what you will.
I feel the most adult when I'm travelling for business. Maybe it's because someone thought my presence in a far off land important enough to pay for it, maybe it's because films and TV teach us that business travellers are wise, or worthy. Maybe it's because it's just one way to play at being grown-up.
I've learned a few things travelling overseas with work
- Colloquialisms and humour don't travel. I have a different way of speaking when I'm in an international scenario and it seems to work. It was telling, at the end if a few days in Delhi, once I'd finished the project meetings and I sat at dinner with my UK colleagues. I could hear my voice and my language change. I had taken off the verbal suit and was in my jeans after a long wait.
-On airlines, you pay more by increments to have your feet closer to 180 degrees and eat from a china plate.
- Business class hotel rooms are worth it for long trips. The strain of being away from your comfort zone, your loved ones and familiarity, is well ameliorated by plush furnishings, willing staff and free fizzy wine. I hope whoever you work for appreciates this.
- A firm handshake and a warm smile is always a good starting point
- Put a belt on any outfit and it'll look more formal. Believe it or not, it took me til this year to learn this one!
- If people believe in you, you can wing it. I used to say this to young waiting staff in my employ, when they were nervous about serving high -stakes customers. "you're the one dressed as a waiter, they will belive in you ". That holds true for radiologists, pilots, gardeners, whatever. Confirmation bias at its most reassuring.
- you work harder then you want to, and sacrifice things you don't want to. You make up for this by chucking your earnings at hobbies and holidays, which make you smile wider than you thought you would, and bring you close to people you needed to meet.
I feel the most adult when I'm travelling for business. Maybe it's because someone thought my presence in a far off land important enough to pay for it, maybe it's because films and TV teach us that business travellers are wise, or worthy. Maybe it's because it's just one way to play at being grown-up.
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| Grown-ups get to drink on rooftop bars |
I've learned a few things travelling overseas with work
- Colloquialisms and humour don't travel. I have a different way of speaking when I'm in an international scenario and it seems to work. It was telling, at the end if a few days in Delhi, once I'd finished the project meetings and I sat at dinner with my UK colleagues. I could hear my voice and my language change. I had taken off the verbal suit and was in my jeans after a long wait.
-On airlines, you pay more by increments to have your feet closer to 180 degrees and eat from a china plate.
- Business class hotel rooms are worth it for long trips. The strain of being away from your comfort zone, your loved ones and familiarity, is well ameliorated by plush furnishings, willing staff and free fizzy wine. I hope whoever you work for appreciates this.
- A firm handshake and a warm smile is always a good starting point
- Put a belt on any outfit and it'll look more formal. Believe it or not, it took me til this year to learn this one!
- If people believe in you, you can wing it. I used to say this to young waiting staff in my employ, when they were nervous about serving high -stakes customers. "you're the one dressed as a waiter, they will belive in you ". That holds true for radiologists, pilots, gardeners, whatever. Confirmation bias at its most reassuring.
- you work harder then you want to, and sacrifice things you don't want to. You make up for this by chucking your earnings at hobbies and holidays, which make you smile wider than you thought you would, and bring you close to people you needed to meet.
 |
| Grown-ups spend a fair bit of time sat on transport |
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