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East vs West

This was a usual mail that I received nth time on the differences between East and West. I am not a great researcher who claims to have done extensive studies on either or both.

However, this question keeps coming back especially when we are in business discussions that keeps many completely foxed.


I recall an evening with my English boss and South African white senior discussing the frustrations of living/working in India. My boss just could not understand the meaning of completion of work "जल्दी ही " or "soon". He always said that the outcome could be from a few seconds to a few months. So how does one understand the word "soon"? South African senior would give two answers - a white man's answer and a black man's answer. And I, being typical Indian, would agree with all that would frustrate my boss even further.

DEEKAY, how could all contrarian thoughts be agreeable by you?

Therein lies the difference. Indians are used to living in a multi pronged life where everything is true because it is circumstantial and contextual. A spicy starter with bland main course and a deep fried dessert are all great dishes worth enjoying and possibly in the same meal. The problem that an Indian has is when the point of view narrows down to just one "truth" or way of working.

So an Indian working in a western environment would believe in a way of working and be completely at home with a chaotic style. This more of a rule than an exception.

I found a nice talk on a similar subject on TED.

http://www.ted.com/talks/devdutt_pattanaik.html
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