Here at F, the line between work and private life is not clearly delineated. People from all around are bringing in different work cultures and it can really get confusing.

I (we) have to consider the hierarchial culture of the Japanese, the formal Germans, the ueber friendly Spanish and the casual American. And since I am born to assimilate well (naks!), by virtue of the culture I was born into, I become this confused Filipina chameleon at work.

However, when it comes to having social activities outside working hours with these diverse group, it is almost always funny. We get to show our normal, social selves and revel in our differences.

Like last Thursday when our department went out to have some authentic Japanese food. We spent a big part of the evening talking about the differences in how each culture “translate” animal sounds. 3 days after that, I found myself (with J and JP in tow) playing softball for the company; with 32 Japanese companies located in Frankfurt participating in this yearly competition. We played and lost 2 games. Our play was a disaster, compared to all the other companies who had uniforms and practiced/played well. We had fun, nonetheless. And J and I witnessed Japanese social hierarchial behaviour.

Last night, the whole F (2 european companies under 1 japanese holding company) had a beach party at the King Kamehameha Beach Club. Majority of those who attended were German so it was, well, kinda like the normal environment for me.

Too bad, the summer is just about over. There will be a long lull in social activities at work and I would have to continue my desk job and become a confused chameleon once again.

TAGALOG WORD OF THE DAY:
“talo kami” - we lost
in German, “wir haben verloren”