INDIA IS THE BEST
Two weeks update:
Day 1: My apartment was booked and the advance was paid one week before I coming to US but when I reach here and reach the leasing center, they say that they could not find the document sent by me. No details have been entered in the computer so they cannot verify it and the lady to whom the advance and the documents were sent, she has quit the company. Finally when they got the documents, they say that the apartment assigned to me had been leased out way back in Jan 2006 and so it is not available and they offer me other apartments. Finally another lady came and she said that the apartment has been booked and we can move in. She gave us the key for the apartment and took the sign on the leasing document. All this happened because of pressure put from my PM else even this would not have been possible. Then when we checked the apartment, it did not have power. When we called them up to inform them that there was no power in the apartment, they said they will take care of this and inform us back when the power is switched on. After one hour, when we called back and asked as to how much time it would take for the power to come, she said that she is not sure but she has messaged the concerned person to take care of it. So it all depends on him.
Day 2: Got my bank account created in Bank of America. The service offered was very good, very fast and very friendly. We had reached the bank at around 3.50 and the closing time was 4.00 but they stayed back to get the account open.
Got my client Id card processed.
Called up Gexa Power Plan for the power since the power supplied by the apartment people is only temporary and only for 10 days.
Day 3: Filled the Benefits USA form (I9) for insurance and mailed the I9, I94 and passport copies back to office id. http://www.infosys.benefits-desk.com.
Confirmed my trip in Payworld.
Booked for landline and AT&T yahoo High speed internet at att.com
Booked for mobile at wirefly.com
Day 5: Did some shopping. Also went to an Indian store. Felt nice to see the cashier over there wearing a T-shirt printed 'EAST OR WEST INDIA IS THE BEST'. Truelly, You feel the importance only when you are away from it.
Day 6: Gave the move-in condition form in the leasing center. request for mailbox keys.
Day 11: Applied for SSN in Social security Administration office.
Made an online id for Bank of america,
Order for check book (11$ for 50 checks).
Day 12: Rent for the apartment.
Got the new mailbox key.
Seriously, I did not like the culture over here. Everything looks to be so made up. You must have seen that advertisement, “Definitely Tea Drinkers” where they say, “How are you” and the other person says, “oh very well thank you. How kind. “
It is the same thing here. People talk with so much sweetness that its somewhat hard to tell if they are really polite or just behaving like that.
I believe I will also start speaking like them soon.. Coz I also don't drink tea. I drink Coffee. what say?. :D
Even at morning 8, you don't see anyone roaming around. Only cars and vehicles. Walking on the street is actually scary as it feels so deserted.
Even the beggars over here follow the formal attitude. They just keep a board and do not shout or trouble people. Only if someone opens the car window to pay them, they approach them for the money. Everyone smiles at the other person even if they don’t know them. One thing that makes us self-conscious, it becomes difficult to recollect if we have met them before or not.
One more thing is there is a box of chocolates near my desk in the office. So I can have them anytime in the day that I want to have it. Isn’t that cool?
Whatever it is: EAST OR WEST INDIA IS THE BEST
Day 1: My apartment was booked and the advance was paid one week before I coming to US but when I reach here and reach the leasing center, they say that they could not find the document sent by me. No details have been entered in the computer so they cannot verify it and the lady to whom the advance and the documents were sent, she has quit the company. Finally when they got the documents, they say that the apartment assigned to me had been leased out way back in Jan 2006 and so it is not available and they offer me other apartments. Finally another lady came and she said that the apartment has been booked and we can move in. She gave us the key for the apartment and took the sign on the leasing document. All this happened because of pressure put from my PM else even this would not have been possible. Then when we checked the apartment, it did not have power. When we called them up to inform them that there was no power in the apartment, they said they will take care of this and inform us back when the power is switched on. After one hour, when we called back and asked as to how much time it would take for the power to come, she said that she is not sure but she has messaged the concerned person to take care of it. So it all depends on him.
Day 2: Got my bank account created in Bank of America. The service offered was very good, very fast and very friendly. We had reached the bank at around 3.50 and the closing time was 4.00 but they stayed back to get the account open.
Got my client Id card processed.
Called up Gexa Power Plan for the power since the power supplied by the apartment people is only temporary and only for 10 days.
Day 3: Filled the Benefits USA form (I9) for insurance and mailed the I9, I94 and passport copies back to office id. http://www.infosys.benefits-desk.com.
Confirmed my trip in Payworld.
Booked for landline and AT&T yahoo High speed internet at att.com
Booked for mobile at wirefly.com
Day 5: Did some shopping. Also went to an Indian store. Felt nice to see the cashier over there wearing a T-shirt printed 'EAST OR WEST INDIA IS THE BEST'. Truelly, You feel the importance only when you are away from it.
Day 6: Gave the move-in condition form in the leasing center. request for mailbox keys.
Day 11: Applied for SSN in Social security Administration office.
Made an online id for Bank of america,
Order for check book (11$ for 50 checks).
Day 12: Rent for the apartment.
Got the new mailbox key.
Seriously, I did not like the culture over here. Everything looks to be so made up. You must have seen that advertisement, “Definitely Tea Drinkers” where they say, “How are you” and the other person says, “oh very well thank you. How kind. “
It is the same thing here. People talk with so much sweetness that its somewhat hard to tell if they are really polite or just behaving like that.
I believe I will also start speaking like them soon.. Coz I also don't drink tea. I drink Coffee. what say?. :D
Even at morning 8, you don't see anyone roaming around. Only cars and vehicles. Walking on the street is actually scary as it feels so deserted.
Even the beggars over here follow the formal attitude. They just keep a board and do not shout or trouble people. Only if someone opens the car window to pay them, they approach them for the money. Everyone smiles at the other person even if they don’t know them. One thing that makes us self-conscious, it becomes difficult to recollect if we have met them before or not.
One more thing is there is a box of chocolates near my desk in the office. So I can have them anytime in the day that I want to have it. Isn’t that cool?
Whatever it is: EAST OR WEST INDIA IS THE BEST
posted by Tabassum | 1:07 AM
4 Comments:
Updated ur blog with all the inputs for a fresher to onsite, hahaha
Yep, now whenever someone leaves for onsite, HR just needs to send them my blog link, no need of separate travel sessions.. :D
hi.. just your nice comment on our blog... thanks.
we thought you were around here somewhere but checked your blog to find out you're far, far away... but kabaad is everywhere and there is much for all of us to do...
much love
Thanks for writing this.
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