Tag Archives: Thought for the day

First look from the window to the sun: refugees crisis in Europe

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I had an interesting call with one of the organizations responsible for funding jobs for refugees yesterday.

Actually, one of our clients had an interest in helping out several qualified people by filling positions in his innovative projects. Therefore, I took the phone without knowing anything about neother HR processes nor visa regulations for refugees in Germany.

Somehow, I expected an excited voice on the other side of the phone – because we were going to do a big thing. We were going to help people out. We were ready to talk about integration opportunities and language courses.

Instead, I got about 10 minutes of a structured professional phone consultation. There ARE language courses, and most refugees who wanted to integrate ALREADY HAVE a B1/B2 level of the German language and are preparing for the next exam. At the same time, they are registered by the unemployment agency like all unemployed Germans are. The only difference is, there are some kind of “state headhunters”, who help companies to find the right profile within the database. No drama, no “saving the day” – just work. For everybody.

I am known for criticizing Germans for overregulating everything – but nobody creates structures like they do. I am glad to see people who suffered getting their window in the local bureaucracy. I hope that Europe will find it’s way through the integration crisis very soon. I don’t want to see talented people in a ghetto.

Sincerely yours,

Russianladyabroad

Dreaming big but doing small

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There are two reasons why people get disappointed with their own dreams not coming true: those dreams are too large and ambitious or too far away to reach. Some people say, one should reduce his expectations to become happier. I strongly disagree with that opinion. In order to achieve a big dream, one should see it not as a light at the end of the road but as a puzzle spread across the road from many smaller dreams. Each time you do a step, you make a small dream come true, which motivates you to go further and inspires to seek new big dreams. You want to start a new life abroad? There are the dreams about passing the English test, getting your papers done on time, getting an invitation, getting a visa…so many small things to celebrate and be happy about each day!

Let the most important dreams in your life be a road, not a destination!

Kindly yours,

Russianladyabroad

Thought for the day

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Me: „I can’t make it to the meeting on time if I go to the jour fix at 10:00. My meeting is at 11:00, and it’s a 15 min. walk.”

Assistant: “No problem! Take the corporate electro scooter (Remark: This is not a usual “Italian scooter”, but the one like you used to have when you were a child!) and you will be up on that hill in no time!”

Me: “You must be kidding. Me staying straight on high heels in an Italian coat on the roller..By the way, how fast can it go?”

Assistant: “Up to 30 km/h!”

Me: “Give it to me right now!!! ”

Thought for the day (I am back from India)

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If I disappear for a while, this usually indicates that I spend time in a country with a veee-eery low-speed internet 😉 Interesting articles about India and the working culture in that amazing, very different from everything I knew before, country will follow soon.

Right now, I am trying to keep up with the politics from the last month while balancing my words in the political circles at my new job.

Here you go – fresh fast food politics for those with some humour!

Business dinner in Europe

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As I told you before, dining culture is extremely important, if you wish to progress in your career in Europe. Unlike casual lunches with colleagues, described in the previous article, dinners might be more of a problem.

In France, the main problem for me was that all the waiters wanted to speak only French, even though they were perfectly able to speak English. Just because they love their native language. One might look strange, showing with his hands that he would like to have a dish with a swimming fish during a business dinner.

In Spain and Italy, I had difficulties to hear my colleagues, because many good restaurants are very loud.

In Netherlands, I had to go for some business breakfast to a cafe next to the trade fair building. Honestly saying, I was ready to cry while paying for my simple “bio” croissant with ham and a small cup of coffee. It was the most precious croissant in my life..

In Germany, you can eat well for a small price or eat so-so for a very high price. It depends. In Hamburg, for instance, one can find 11 Michelin restaurants, and some more, which had a Michelin star before and still have a good kitchen (but much lower prices). As in Germany, some professions require having dinners and lunches with your clients, many companies pay the bills back to their employees if they invited an important client to a dinner – therefore, feel free to accept an invitation from your German business partners.

If you are looking for a very special place to eat with your clients or partners, I would opt for this website:

https://www.viamichelin.de/web/Suchen_Restaurants/

Is will not only show you the Michelin restaurants with a very special kitchen (a good place for a very special date, a proposal, a crucial contract-related business meeting), but also very good restaurants with the approximate price ranges for a meal.

As food is a brilliant opportunity to unite with people and progress in business, I wish you to find just the right place for your occasion.

Kindly yours,

Russianladyabroad

 

 

Thought for the day

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In addition to the most smart phrase about free internet resources like Gmail, free apps, Tweeter and Instagram etc., ““If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product“, I have one more idea to share today.

People, who are posting their travel destinations, flights and pictures and other things clearly showing that you are not at home and then wonder, why somebody broke into your house, are you kidding?!!!

Kind regards,

Russianladyabroad

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