ACTUALLY LIVING HERE (No. 2)

So, urm…. no epic tales of misfortune to report on since the last post really, which I think makes this the first one that I’ve had the dilemma of what to include in the details rather than what to leave out.

An unofficial blog was an idea of mine at some point although a very bad idea after considering a split second longer!

I’m glad to say that as I’m now posting again it means that I did find a job that didn’t involve organ donation / human testing or any other task that only one as desperately needing employment as myself would consider.

My initial approach to securing a job (wear you don’t wear need to wear a badge) was to get some temporary work and then look for something long term from there. What a sensible plan, maybe I am ready for all this routine and slotting back into society again, good work.

Jobs are everywhere here apparently (rings a bell that line) so imagine my delight at several publications reading “backpackers welcome!, no experience necessary, admin roles paying great $$$”

Awesome! Exactly what I’m looking for, and the “great $$$” bit is exactly what I’m talking about!!

So imagine the initial horror when applying for jobs with replies to my e-mails such as “Thankyou for your electronic application for the role of ‘admin b*tch’, whilst your application was of a high standard, unfortunately…….”

Are they having a laugh?!

Whilst I know that I might not perhaps be ready for a consultancy position or after months of alcohol abuse, a free membership to Mensa – I thought my credentials at this point worthy of punching holes in paper, looking busy and making tea. I know I make a killer brew anyway.

So, in between of googling what organs a human body can sell and still stay alive and the value of such, I started looking for longer term positions and basically sent my CV around to anyone that would listen, probably bordering on the point spamming!

And after my Shanghai job hunt debacle I also made sure that any subscriptions to employment sites that had their own inboxes were checked regularly. Perhaps the first SBE avoided rather than fully embraced?

Anyway, after a few ‘opportunities’ coming and going and an interview at perhaps one of the biggest nerd fests of a company, I accepted a role with Alcatel within procurement. And there ends that fest, thereby avoiding any corporate bingo to explain anything in more (and less interesting) detail.



So now I’m in employment I’m back in the closest thing resembling life before I left UK, although I’ll only know how one compares to the other after some time once all the shiny new novelty factor has completely work off.

Reckon a week should do it, or just a Monday morning.

I must admit, having only having had one job closely related to the word ‘career’, arriving for the first day of work in my new suits, shirt, shoes etc. all acquired from my trip, it did very much feel like I was about 8 again at my first day of ‘big school’, with new pencil case, ruck sack and uniform.

Thankfully the corporate equivalent of getting my arse kicked for my dinner money hasn’t materialised so far and I haven’t worn any holes into the knees of my new trousers either.

As I’m getting into my routine a little bit more now I’m now expanding the circle of people I actually interact with on a daily basis (given financial constraints limiting me to the life of a hermit initially) meaning that combined with the more time I spend here the more of the subtle (and not so subtle) cultural differences I notice.

First one is the swearing, every woman, man child, dog and cat pretty much uses any and every word of the English language without remorse!

Now, I’m a young(ish) person and I enjoy the odd expletive here (not on the blog of course – family friendly and all that) or there to emphasise my point but seriously, over here you can call anyone anything you like and it is pretty much accepted.
Phrases I know that would get my head caved in, in any bar or club in the UK pass as a friendly greeting!

It kind of makes me wonder what actually passes for an insult here, although I do like my head sat firmly on my shoulders so I won’t be taking this thought any further into a practical experiment!

Although that does bring me onto the other observation of Aussie guys in general. Whilst Sydney without doubt has the biggest gay scene in the whole of Australia (a better on than London apparently!?!) typical guys are just that, blokes – not much in the way of ‘metro-sexual’ tendencies like in Western Europe, and pretty much the worst insult to a male would be to suggest that he bats for the other team, both teams or the English cricket team!

Like I say, not pursuing it to make sure.

Which also rather neatly brings me onto the lack of political correctness in general life out here, being used to the “you can’t say that” culture it has been quite nice – and in a country the size of China and the population of Belgium it probably won’t be changing anytime soon!