Petrosh ??? What the Hell !!!

People have always had problems in pronouncing my name for the first time, not only pronouncing, but also writing and reading. But it’s always the first few times. In two or maximum three attempts they manage to get it right. When I landed in Mexico a month back, I faced the same problem. I had to complete a lot of formalities in the new office and for that I had to fill up many forms. The written part was comparatively easier, at least people can take their time to read my name and then pronounce the way they like. But when it comes to telling them verbally, it is really was a problem.

It started when my manager asked my name. I replied “Pratosh”. He asked back, “What? Petrosh?”. I patiently replied again, “No Jorge, its ‘Pratosh’”. He fired back,”Yeah, that’s what I am saying, ‘Petrosh’”. I understood it’s no use convincing him. So I gave him a frustrated smile and just laughed away the matter. But I never knew that that will be the way people will start calling me from that day onwards. Most surprisingly, all Mexican people who meet me, pronounce my name in exactly the same way. Also, each of them has the same question after hearing my name. “Petrosh is a Russian name right” And each time I think that there is no use telling them that its not “Petrosh” and also its not a Russian name.

I always had a feeling that people find it difficult pronouncing my name, but Mexico has given an entirely new dimension to that thought. I am afraid that by the time I leave this place, my ears would have been so much used to “Petrosh” that “Pratosh” will sound like some stupid “Russian” name.

Friday evening FUN

Friday evening is a time to relax. Somehow we get into a joyous mood and suddenly all the tiredness of the whole week is gone and we start planning for things to be done during the weekend. We usually think that we’ll utilize the Friday evening to the fullest. We’ll watch movies or hang out somewhere or maybe just chill out with our friends at night.

Here in Mexico I think the people have comprehended this thing very well and are using it to promote their business better than anyone else anywhere in the world. It was the same happy Friday evening when I started for my hotel from the Volkswagen facility in Puebla, Mexico. I had just come out of the main gate when I saw around three to four girls standing in the open area in the front of the office. They were holding some papers in their hands and were giving out some cards to the people passing by. I had no idea what it was but was really surprised that such beautiful girls were given a work like this. When I crossed one of them, she handed over two cards to me and said something in Spanish which I couldn’t understand. But her way of dressing and all the makeup she had put on, really amazed me. Her dressing was impeccable and she was looking damn sexy. I took the card and walked away after giving a smile, the smile conveying that I didn’t understand a word of what she just said. Just have a look at how the card looked.

I was so amazed that how these things can happen right in the open. Maybe this was the first time that I was exposed to such stuff or maybe I was overreacting. But I really appreciate the mid behind this idea. People are usually in a mood to enjoy and relax when they are coming out from the office, especially on a Friday evening and that guy has taken this fact to such an advantage of his. I’m sure that if not all, then 4 out of 10 people would fall for this, because most of them are living in hotels and are working away from home. My friends who are doing their management degrees can use this instance as a case study for their business discussions.