The Students

The students I had this week were an interesting mix. They are all quite young, the average age is around 22 and are well educated. All of them speak English, some have stronger accents that others but all know English well. They are so smart, they are not allowed to take paper and pen onto the floor with them so they have to rememember everything the customer tells them. Even if they have a complicated itinerary or a major issue they cannot write down any notes. Oh yeah and in a foreign language as well of course.

There is alot of variety in the way they dress, in their religious background and even in their appearance. There was a guy in the first class I was with from the far north east part of the country who looked more Asian than Indian. There is more ethnic diversity here than I expected. One of the guys in my class spoke with the most beautiful accent, oddly he sounded like he was from New Zealand more than India, I couldn't figure out a way to find out why without coming across as a Nosy Nellie. Most dress in a very western style. Except they seem to think it's cold enough for sweaters in this weather, it is afterall still winter but the temperature has been in the 60's most of the week. There was one girl in class who dressed in a more traditional way and one guy who wore the full beard and head wrap of the Sikh sect. Historically the had the warrior role as defenders of the faith. Sikh men do not cut their hair or shave. They wrap their hair up and wear a kind of knot in the front. There was also a guy in class who fasts for his faith every Thursday, he does drink but just doesn't eat. Part of me thinks it would be easier to fast if I was still drinking water, but I am still glad that I am not asked to fast once a week, I think once a month food and beverage is better. There are some in the office who were not in my class who wore saris, more of the United/IBM people wore Shalwar Kameez or western clothing. I didn't see any men in the office in traditional garb.

It seems that just like any major city in the US there is lots of variety in Delhi, our employees come from all over the country. They come here to study at the universities, to get jobs, gain experience and make their way in the big city just as they might go to New York, LA or another major city in the US. Those from outside of the Delhi area tend to live in apartments with several friends all trying to get by and send money home to help their families. At work they must place their cell phones etc..in lockers before they go to the floor, but everytime I am on the metro I see young people here glued to their phones and I-pods.