Ok no bit
ch session on this entry..... who am I kidding, time to bitch. I just returned from Korea on Wednesday. I've been to Korea twice in the past two months and I think it is a very nice place. So what's the problem? Well gentle reader, my problem is not with the country, but the circumstances that seem to follow me like a fly on a pile of poop. Need more? Let's continue. I was asked to assist Duracell with the qualification of a piece of equipment that was being made by a Korean company. The program involves members of a Chinese battery company that was purchased by Duracell a couple of years ago. The problem is, that my Chinese friends spoke very little English. Coupled with the fact that the Koreans spoke no Chinese and yes, very little English, made for an interesting time.
Wait there's more
Someone, who shall remain nameless, decided that it was a good idea to have my Chines
e counterpart, we'll call him BOB, arrange all the travel and hotel details for them and myself. Strike One. Oh, did I mention that BOB was also the main contact person with the Korean's and that I couldn't contact the vendor directly? Strike Two. Weeks go by and I get no information from BOB. I can't call him because I don't have an email, telephone number or FBI Most Wanted Poster. Nothing. Strike Three. A week before the trip to Korea and no information from BOB. I have no choice but to call someone from Duracell to get his number. I call BOB with the assistance of Linda a Chinese co-worker and the conversation goes something like this:
Me: Hi BOB. It's Tony. We're suppose to be meeting in Korea in a
ch session on this entry..... who am I kidding, time to bitch. I just returned from Korea on Wednesday. I've been to Korea twice in the past two months and I think it is a very nice place. So what's the problem? Well gentle reader, my problem is not with the country, but the circumstances that seem to follow me like a fly on a pile of poop. Need more? Let's continue. I was asked to assist Duracell with the qualification of a piece of equipment that was being made by a Korean company. The program involves members of a Chinese battery company that was purchased by Duracell a couple of years ago. The problem is, that my Chinese friends spoke very little English. Coupled with the fact that the Koreans spoke no Chinese and yes, very little English, made for an interesting time.Wait there's more
Someone, who shall remain nameless, decided that it was a good idea to have my Chines
e counterpart, we'll call him BOB, arrange all the travel and hotel details for them and myself. Strike One. Oh, did I mention that BOB was also the main contact person with the Korean's and that I couldn't contact the vendor directly? Strike Two. Weeks go by and I get no information from BOB. I can't call him because I don't have an email, telephone number or FBI Most Wanted Poster. Nothing. Strike Three. A week before the trip to Korea and no information from BOB. I have no choice but to call someone from Duracell to get his number. I call BOB with the assistance of Linda a Chinese co-worker and the conversation goes something like this:Me: Hi BOB. It's Tony. We're suppose to be meeting in Korea in a
couple of days and I still don't have your itinerary. When and where will
we be meeting the vendor? What hotel will we be staying at and how will we get there?
BOB: Oh, Tony, I... ah... I ah... (changes to Chinese)
Linda: (translating)- He said that he will send you his itinerary today.
BOB: Oh, Tony, I... ah... I ah... (changes to Chinese)
Linda: (translating)- He said that he will send you his itinerary today.
He has arranged the transportation and hotel with the Koreans.
Me: (thinking to myslf): Boy, I misjudged BOB, he had things under control afterall.
Three days go by and no email from BOB.
I have no choice so, I book my flight to Korea. I heard a rumor about
Me: (thinking to myslf): Boy, I misjudged BOB, he had things under control afterall.
Three days go by and no email from BOB.
I have no choice so, I book my flight to Korea. I heard a rumor about
their itinerary, so I make the same arrangement. Two days until the flight I call BOB.
Me: It's Tony. I have not heard from you so I booked my flight.
I've sent you my itinerary by email. Is everything correct?
BOB: Tony, oh... ah...oh,
(I ask Linda for help)
Linda: He said that the time is good and that Mr. Byoun will meet
BOB: Tony, oh... ah...oh,
(I ask Linda for help)
Linda: He said that the time is good and that Mr. Byoun will meet
you at the airport and drive you to the factory. Oh and by the way,
they have not yet received their visas yet, so they may not go.
Me: WHAT? (veins pulsating on my forehead)
Linda: He said that they should receive the visa today.
BOB r
eceives his visa and the trip is on so I sent my flight information to Mr. Byuon. Now, there is something you should know about Korea. They have their own mobile frequency, which means that no other mobile phone in the world will work in Korea. So I have no way of contacting Mr. Byoun when I arrive at the airport. But that's not a problem because he has my itinerary, I think.
By the grace of GOD or the fact that I stick out like a sore thumb, we all find each other. The plant is 3 hours away from the airport. This was the quietest ride I've every experienced. I slept most of the way. I hope that I didn't drool or talk in my sleep, not that it would matter because no one spoke English. We check into a Motel. You know the type that you pay by the hour. Now what would people need an hourly hotel for? All I can say is yuck!
Of course I am taking some dramatic license here but, not too much. We ran the trial. BOB would ask my opinion on something and then not understand what I was saying. It was like talking to a mental patient.
It's Tuesday and we finish the trial. Tomorrow we would have a wrap up meeting and I would take the long trip back to the airport. I find out the BOB has changed his plans and decided to see another vendor and would be returning to China on Friday. Okay, no skin off my nose. I arrange my transportation back to the airport with Mr. Byoun. There is a heavy exchange of rapid fire Korean and then he says:
Mr. Byoun: Okay. We leave for the airport at 1:15 pm.
Me: What about BOB? How is he going to get to the vendor? (Not that I really cared).
Mr. Byoun: We will drive BOB to see his vendor.
Me: And what about me?
Mr. Byoun: You will take the bus.
Me: Huh? Bus? You mean car- different letters and it starts with a C.
Mr. Byoun: No No, they have bus to the airport. Takes 3 1/2 hours.
Me: Wait- Mr. Byoun aren't there two airports in Korea?
Mr. Byoun: Yes.
Me: How would I know I am at the right airport?
Mr. Byoun: No Problem.
Me: Great- No Problem. Here we go again.
So we have a quick lunch at the bus terminal. As in most Asian countries, people don't
understand how to wait on line so as soon as the bus doors open there is a mad rush. By the time I get in, the only remaining seat is in the back over the engine. An hour into the ride, I start smelling something cooking, maybe pork, no, wait it's me. As it turns out, the bus does stop at both airports but luckily for me the signs are in English.
The flight home was uneventful. I've had enough Kim Chi to last me a life time. When I arrived home, I ask Susan what she wanted to do for dinner. She tells me that she was thinking about having Korean food ...... everyone's a comedian.
Me: WHAT? (veins pulsating on my forehead)
Linda: He said that they should receive the visa today.
BOB r
eceives his visa and the trip is on so I sent my flight information to Mr. Byuon. Now, there is something you should know about Korea. They have their own mobile frequency, which means that no other mobile phone in the world will work in Korea. So I have no way of contacting Mr. Byoun when I arrive at the airport. But that's not a problem because he has my itinerary, I think.By the grace of GOD or the fact that I stick out like a sore thumb, we all find each other. The plant is 3 hours away from the airport. This was the quietest ride I've every experienced. I slept most of the way. I hope that I didn't drool or talk in my sleep, not that it would matter because no one spoke English. We check into a Motel. You know the type that you pay by the hour. Now what would people need an hourly hotel for? All I can say is yuck!
Of course I am taking some dramatic license here but, not too much. We ran the trial. BOB would ask my opinion on something and then not understand what I was saying. It was like talking to a mental patient.
It's Tuesday and we finish the trial. Tomorrow we would have a wrap up meeting and I would take the long trip back to the airport. I find out the BOB has changed his plans and decided to see another vendor and would be returning to China on Friday. Okay, no skin off my nose. I arrange my transportation back to the airport with Mr. Byoun. There is a heavy exchange of rapid fire Korean and then he says:
Mr. Byoun: Okay. We leave for the airport at 1:15 pm.
Me: What about BOB? How is he going to get to the vendor? (Not that I really cared).
Mr. Byoun: We will drive BOB to see his vendor.
Me: And what about me?
Mr. Byoun: You will take the bus.
Me: Huh? Bus? You mean car- different letters and it starts with a C.
Mr. Byoun: No No, they have bus to the airport. Takes 3 1/2 hours.
Me: Wait- Mr. Byoun aren't there two airports in Korea?
Mr. Byoun: Yes.
Me: How would I know I am at the right airport?
Mr. Byoun: No Problem.
Me: Great- No Problem. Here we go again.
So we have a quick lunch at the bus terminal. As in most Asian countries, people don't
understand how to wait on line so as soon as the bus doors open there is a mad rush. By the time I get in, the only remaining seat is in the back over the engine. An hour into the ride, I start smelling something cooking, maybe pork, no, wait it's me. As it turns out, the bus does stop at both airports but luckily for me the signs are in English.The flight home was uneventful. I've had enough Kim Chi to last me a life time. When I arrived home, I ask Susan what she wanted to do for dinner. She tells me that she was thinking about having Korean food ...... everyone's a comedian.
