An Accurate Portrayal

"Texans Heed Call: Go East to India"

A reporter from the Dallas Morning News wrote a small piece on Americans in Bangalore. Being one of the resources he quoted for the article, he tried to have me approve a quote that sounded something like "It's so cheap here the cost- everything is 1/5 the cost in the US," to which I couldn't agree with.

A few email battles later debating ego and integrity, he revised the quote to a more palatable and truthful line.

Unforunately, the other American's didn't come out so well. Talking about how you're spoiled, rich and can't stand the massive poverty and chaotic streets is so uncute. And, its probably not the best way to further your professional career when your company name is mentioned in conjunction with your narrow-minded comments. Enough with the stereotypes!

Nailing the "India is cheap, lets all exploit it" story is prime-time entertainment. It's so juicy, it makes the American media news machine salivate over the thought of stranded expats roughing it out in a backwards nation... exploring the "other side" of outsourcing.

When India has arguably more relevant and pressing stories (say the Indian Universities' ability to produce globally competent employees, the disillusioned rural youth, or the newly consumerist middle class) its frustrating that the same old "Look! Isn't Third World is Backwards!" theme gets more painful replayed coverage than Janet Jackson's Superbowl Nipplegate.

Everyone wants in on this story too. A reporter came down from the NBC Nightly News who again tried to manipulate my words. On camera, I was casually prompted 3 different times to off-handedly agree with the reporter, Campbell Brown, that India was "dirt cheap" and the cost of living- and quality of life- is "practically zero."

Instead I went waxed on and on far too long about the cultural learning, international trade flows, and the benefits of Microfinance. But this is showbusiness. My idealism, truthfulness and perfected coiffed hair were nicely edited out of the piece.

However, it seems to be that you need to shamelessly talk about yourself and your "resume-building" in order to be quoted.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8004316/ = Nightly News in Bangalore.

Its fine to be career-oriented, but it becomes a problem when its the only thing you're ever quoted on. And its a bad message to send to the public and the world. Is this to say our foreign presence is adding zero value to our company? That our sole purpose in being here is to beef up our Resumes?

As 2005 teen pop sensation Stacie Orrico would say- "There's gotta be more to life."

Granted, reporters endlessly try to goad us into agreeing to very biased, leading questions that would paint a perfect picture for their story. Sure, its can be intimidating. You want to be quoted. But at what coast? Fight the urge to say something canned and belittling to your journey here-- you're representing your character.

As a tribute to all our "Friends With Resumes".... I present TS Eliot's "The Hollow Men"

We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats' feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar

Shape without form, shade without colour,
Paralysed force, gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death's other Kingdom
Remember us -- if at all -- not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men
The stuffed men.