Little India

While yet waiting for cure I realized that I have to accommodate myself with the illness. It took almost 4 years to get me here, hence it cannot be fixed overnight. Meanwhile I need an occupation that I can execute beside my handicap. As currently my ability to concentrate is strongly limited (5 days of chilling allow me 2 or 3 hours of concentration a week), I decided to apply for low skill (and hopefully high fun) jobs for the time being, as the example below.

Regularly my dad comes to me with job adds, that he considers as suitable for me to apply for. While in 95% of the cases his choice is useless, usually right next to the encircled ad I find one worth replying. This is also how I found out that the Indian Embassy in Bern is looking for a receptionist.

Two days ago they called inviting me for an interview. Attending it draw my attentions on minor details that can make the difference:
1) punctuality: while in Switzerland every job applicant is taught that he should arrive for an interview at least 15 minutes too early, in India arriving on the dot can be perceived as rude. I hence chose to arrive less than 5 minutes early.

2) knowledge of the organisation you apply for: I arrived in the Embassy and joint three female applicants already waiting in the entry hall.
"Has one of you ever been to India?" one asked shyly. Two answered "No!", I said "Trice!"
"Oh, this is like a home advantage for you!" one said. I did not dare to admit that I actually had lived there for a year and that I knew the names of the two persons on the photographs hanging in the hall.

3) compatibility with Indian time management: While waiting is considered in Switzerland as a pure waste of time and resources, in India it is meant to be an unavoidable part of the process if not life in general. If you don't have to wait for something it is probably not worth it. One of the ladies became stressed after about 15 minutes and I think actually gave up after less than one hour.

4) The interview: I was the second candidate to be interviewed. The lady at the entrance told me to go upstairs. "Atcha!" (Hindi: ok) I replied. Upstairs an assistant welcomed me and guided me into the office where the ambassador and another assistant were waiting. "Namashkar" (Hi) I said and they obviously appreciated my basic Hindi.
In his lap the ambassador had a copy of my application file:
Ambassador: "We were very impressed by your education, your Master of Arts in political science from the University of Geneva, and your professional experience with TCS in Mumbai." (We spent 20 seconds going through your CV).
While Switzerland is the country of modesty, India is the country of bragging:
Me: "Yes, I finished University and became national responsible of a global exchange program in Switzerland, before moving on to work in a very interesting marketing company and later to TCS in Mumbai, where I had the privilege of working in their company headquarters on the same floor as their CEO, getting a deep insight into the functioning of this 1 lakh company. I of course have a decent understanding of Indian social and working culture. " (Give me that job now! And please do not hesitate to repeat over and over again what you just said about my skills!)
Ambassador: "Why would someone with your qualification and skills apply for such a low profile job with so little salary?" (Are you stupid?)
Me: "Money is not my main motivation, I prefer jobs giving me an exciting and learningful environment." (I am suffering of a life threatening disorder that limits my IQ on hardly half of its capacity for the time being, but I am fed up with pathetic afternoons sitting on the sofa while waiting for cure!)
Ambassador: "We are looking for someone who stays for a longer period like the predecessor who is retiring after 35 years in office. Honestly asked, how long do you think you would commit to this position?" (I don't think this is the right thing for you!)
Me: "My horizon is 6 months!" (I get cured and am so out of here!)
Ambassador: "I appreciate your honesty! (You just killed your application!) We are going to get back to you, but let me already tell you now that I am confident that you are young and smart and I can see that you have a bright future in front of you." (Next one please!)

They actually called me shortly later. As expected they filled the position with someone else, but asked me to conduct a test on my language skills with them next week - to maybe become a translator for French and German.