The first two days in the office were generally very pleasant. Having the advantage of already knowing quite a few people and the company itself really helps. Of course there will be quite a bit of work coming up and I already noted that things do work a little differently over here but I think I'll be able to live with that. So far the most difficult part is getting used to Lotus Notes again - HATE that program already, but then again- what can you do? And I'll also have to learn how to use a Blackberry or Crackberry as my boss called the evil device today...
But anyway- something really weird happened today. I had my first negative experience with an American. After grabbing a quick lunch I passed by the Chase bank booth as I'll have to get a bank account sooner rather than later. The lady was really nice - if obviously only because of the commission she was expecting- but when she asked me for identification I told her all I could get her for now is my passport. So she asked if I wasn't an American citizen and where I worked - so I said I am German and am working at Allianz upstairs. That second a middle-aged guy passed by and said something along the lines of: "don't give the Nazis anything here"...
It took me a few seconds to understand what he had just said and the lady at the counter was actually more pissed off than I was. But having thought about it now I think it may well have to do with the reputation our company has here and I was reminded of that time in Oklahoma where I was asked whether we still have Hitler images up our walls in Germany... Anyway, doesn't bother me too much, but it sure was an interesting experience...
Now off to see the most expensive bedroom in a shared flat I could imagine... But it's in a nice area in Tribeca so fingers crossed...
Pictures of my very American cubicle to follow...
But anyway- something really weird happened today. I had my first negative experience with an American. After grabbing a quick lunch I passed by the Chase bank booth as I'll have to get a bank account sooner rather than later. The lady was really nice - if obviously only because of the commission she was expecting- but when she asked me for identification I told her all I could get her for now is my passport. So she asked if I wasn't an American citizen and where I worked - so I said I am German and am working at Allianz upstairs. That second a middle-aged guy passed by and said something along the lines of: "don't give the Nazis anything here"...
It took me a few seconds to understand what he had just said and the lady at the counter was actually more pissed off than I was. But having thought about it now I think it may well have to do with the reputation our company has here and I was reminded of that time in Oklahoma where I was asked whether we still have Hitler images up our walls in Germany... Anyway, doesn't bother me too much, but it sure was an interesting experience...
Now off to see the most expensive bedroom in a shared flat I could imagine... But it's in a nice area in Tribeca so fingers crossed...
Pictures of my very American cubicle to follow...
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