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Korea (South)1897 Posts
Reposted by Requests
'Up in the Air' Quick & Dirty Guide to Biz Travel MightyAtom, Aug 31 2010
I will write a series of three, starting now finishing today (please, I hope I will) based on a comment brought about by TL user 'zatic' in that his life and my own to some degree are reflected in the movie 'Up in the Air' in that we travel so damn much that we pretty much are uber gosu at just business travel.
This shares my personal know-how on business travel and how I deal with or get by.
Now, in the movie, 'Up in the Air', George Clooney, plays this management consultant who's job it is to 'can' employees of different companies when these companies have opted to 'downsize'. So he travels the entire US, which is huge and he travels like 340 days of the year (which is really excessive). I think it is a pretty accurate movie, in terms of his 'travel tips' but its not universally applicable. He makes day trips, in that his duties are only 1 or 2 days in a location; while other consultants make trips that are three weeks or even six weeks in a single location. He is only based in the US, so he only takes regional flights (what a pussy, just kidding), so the procedures can be different. His schedule is quite set up in advance, I've had a 2 day trip extend to three weeks, seriously. So the tips of this guide are from my experience with being with PwC and what I've picked up from over the years. It is in no particular order so here goes:
1. Jet Lag is for noobs: Whenever I hear some corporate international wannabe complain about jet lag and then other other noobs also join in and ask how do you deal with it, I don't participate in those discussions, I automatically realize that they are entry level noobs. Why? because if you really do travel internationally from continent to continent and you really are that busy: 1. You don't sleep very much anyways, maybe 4-5 hours a night or whenever you can get it (usually on the plane or taxi ride to and from the airport). 2. So, you're never jet lagged because you're always fielding emails from Asia or EU or Americas, 3 and if you are jet lagged off the plane that means that you didn't sleep on the plane and you ate the food and wine and watched all the movies, because you love the feeling of being in business class and like to flirt with the stewardesses because you think that they think you're a young hot shot flying in business, but they know that you are just an entry level noob because the really powerful guys are either lights out the entire trip or much older and are flying out for meetings not to work.
2. The sexiest stewardess in Asia are on Korean Air, Asiana and Eva Air and I guess Singapore Airlines is not bad as well. Unfortunately, I fly mostly Cathay Pacific because I use Hong Kong as my main hub for most flights and to the UK, it is very hit & miss. While you do sleep, having these stewardess around, just make sleep all that more comfortable.
3. Focus on one airline loyalty card system, and try to get as many 'platinum' credit cards as possible. If you spread out your loyal air miles to a number of different airlines, you'll never get good service and by good service I mean they actually hold up the plane for you by 10 mins when you are mad driving to the airport, that kind of good service. Also with Visa or MasterCard, you can get a lot of discounts, such a car rentals, air port lounges, free pick up, drop from the hotel. Once you achieve a level of air miles status, the 3 hour rule does not apply to you, its more like 1 and a half rule because you have no line up. So after you achieve your gold status or whatever, even if you are not flying business class, you still can just pass the line up with your card and even if you are in economy for a short haul flight, they will usually ask if you want to get your food first so you can eat then sleep right away. Also, the higher up you are, whenever the flight is fully booked in economy, you always get bumped up to business first to make room for the economy passengers on stand-by.
4. Hotel service can be pretty standard and well known, but REPEAT service where they know you are a repeat customer varies a lot. I don't care if its the W hotel, 6 star, if they don't remember that I've been there 3 times in the last 5 months and just treat me like I'm a first timer, even if is such unbelievable service. The service I'm looking for is ultra ultra quick check in and check out with zero hassles. They know me, they have my passport on file, my phone number, by business card, my room preference. I don't give a crap about the rose and fruit they leave on my bed or how many times during the day they clean my room (at the better hotels, every time you leave the room, they remake it). I just want to be able to check in and out as quickly as possible, so there rarely is any information on being a returning customer that is recognized as such. If you've gone to hotel more than 3 times in half a year and they still don't know who you are or don't' try to make things quicker, then don't' bother going back.
5.When in packing, always pack less then you need on a trip, except for socks and underwear. If you are on a business trip, pack light, but don't' under pack. I'm not a big fan of just carrying a 'carry on' for my trips, I plan on trying to go to the gym and at this point I have friends in every city I visit so I will go out socially. So I'm all for check-in luggage, but you need to pack the essentials. 2 ties, 2 pairs of cuff links and 3 white shirts, and 1 suit with 2 pants, your cologne and hair products (any one looking like a scruff while travelling to show how wore down they are are should take a vacation or stay at home) and everything dry cleaned before the trip. Next, for every day you'll be out, that many socks and underwear plus 3. There is NOTHING more terrible than having to wash your socks/underwear on the road, because if you know if you've run out, you always run out at the worst time and its Asia, you will take off your shoes at one time, meetings will run longer than expected and if you have been wearing the same suit for week without cleaning, dirty socks and underwear will make it unbearable. But in terms of casual clothes, always bring one set of gym clothes and running shoes and 2 sets of going out clothes.
But key to this is: whenever you finish your meetings, or going out for whatever, whenever you get back to your hotel room, take off all your pants, suit and hang it up immediately and just be in your underwear or bathroom in the room. Never stay longer in your 'outside' clothes longer than you have too, and NEVER fall asleep in your clothes, no matter how wasted you are.
6. You need to be strategic about your dry cleaning of your clothes. Now hotel dry cleaning can be expensive but it is 100% expense when it is express service like 25 dollars a pair of pants and you can't expect miracles. Find out what is the dry cleaning policy, do they do it in the hotel, do they send it out, etc.
7. EMERGENCY HAND CLEANING AND DRYING INSTRUCTIONS: These instructions are copyrighted by me, so if you use it,( and one day, you will) its because you weren't strategic about your dry cleaning and you didn't pack properly or your flight got delayed and now you don't' have time cause you just got in a 3am and your meeting is at 8:30 am and this is your 3rd city in 5 days. You don't' have any clean underwear, socks, or shirt, everything you have smells and you expecting to do some express dry cleaning, but now you can't cause you got in at 3am instead of 1pm that day. Don't worry, I am your guru, but you must promise that when you use this you say, "Mighty Atom is my Diamond level guru of business' lol. Ok. Noob what to do.
FOR ONLY 1 DRESS SHIRT, 1 T-SHIRT, 2 Underwear and 2 pairs of socks. DO NOT EXCEED AMOUNTS!
(a) when you check in, tell them to bring an ironing board and iron to your room immediately.
(b) turn on the hot water in your sink or bath tub, make it hot for one and make it warm for another.
(c) before you turn it on the water, take out a bar of that hotel soap and put it at the bottom of each sink/tub you are using, then turn on the water.
(d) as the water is running throw in your clothes, whites in the hot water and colours in the warm water and then swish them around with your hand so they get wet as quickly as possible. then find the 'shower gel' and put it under the running water of each tub/sink so that it becomes all foamy immediately when it hits the water. Now..if you have stains, then put the shower gel directly on the stain first before putting it in the water and rub it in hard, then toss into the water.
(e) put enough water as to just cover over the clothes completely.
(f) now swish it all around with you hand for about 3 mins and then take the wet clothes and rub me against each other under the water for about a minute.
(g) now go wash your hands, and set up your lap top and internet and do some emails and work to prepare for the meeting tomorrow.
(h) after about 20 mins, go back to the clothes and drain. The water will be either grey in the whites, or dark blue or whatever in the colours (colours always bleed in the warm water, don't' worry about it and even if you mixed it in with the whites, unless it was brand new colours, it will be fine).
(i) now rinse your cloths by putting everything the tub and washing with cold water, separate all the clothes and just press the water out, and twist gently for the dress shirt and hard for the socks and underwear.
(j) now fill the tub up again with cold water, until its covers the clothes again and go back and start working again.
(k) now after 10 mins, swish the clothes around to get as much as the dirty water out for 30 seconds, then drain the water out of the tub and twist the crap out of the socks and underwear by grabbing as much as you can first then twisting that, then half as much, then leave them on the side of the tub with one side longer than the other. After 10 mins, more water will pool to the longer side and you can twist it again.
(l) Now with the dress shirt, DO NOT TWIST IT hard, just FOLD it up nicely until its quite thick, then gently twist it unless there is no more coming out, then open it up and snap it as if it was a wet towel (but using both hands) out in front of you. You should manage to get water spots all over the mirrors and walls of the wash room and keep doing it until there is no more mirco water drops coming off of it.
(m) OK DAVE, this crap is pretty obvious. YEAH NOOB I know, but here is the patented corporate process....Ok, everyone knows, its drying that is the bitch and the beast, so now you have your socks, underwear and shirt. Now what most people will do is: twist the absolute crap out if, then using a hair drying to dry or or using a dry iron. BOTH OF WHICH WILL TAKE YOU AN HOUR OF YOUR TIME AT LEAST. What you need to do is: get all the bathrobes and clean towels together.
Lay flat, 1 long bath towel on the bed, then lay flat your wet dress shirt on the towel for the full length, then lay 2 wash towels over it that as as sandwich, then proceed to tightly roll up the towel shirt sandwich from the bottom until it becomes this single roll of a thick towel sheet, then you put it on the floor, then you STEP ALL OVER IT, putting your full weight on it, until the towel's surface becomes completely wet through, then it should look like a slightly flatten roll. Then take out, and do it again, but this it, it is likely, it won't soak all the way through, now find the driest place you can find the room,by the heater or whatever and leave it there. Repeat for the socks and underwear. The pressure from your body weight and the absorbency of the towels will make it as absolutely dry as possible, just simply damp, but let the towel continue to suck out the moisture. DO NOT USE TOILET PAPER or PAPER TOWEL, the toilet paper will dissolve and the paper towel's fibres will make you itchy like hell. yes, true insider info, lol.
Now go to sleep for 2 hours because without sleep you'll look unprofessional, like shit and you need sleep for your brain to function. Its now 4:30, get a morning call for 6:00 AM, set the room alarm for 6:05 and your phone alarm for 5:55, 6:00, 6:15, 6:30 & 7:00 am. Now sleep you poor pathetic bastard.
(n) As soon as you wake up from the phone alarm, you may not be completely awake, but now its enough to 100% take the morning call and hit snooze on the hotel room alarm clock and your phone. Don't' think, just go into the shower and turn it on and before you pass out, wash your hair first, then pass out. Now you'll hear your 6:15 alarm, get out, and use the bathrobe to dry yourself with, shave and brush your teeth immediately, and put on the semi-wet bath towel and set up the ironing board and iron.
(o) LOOK AT THE IRON, IS IT AN OLD ONE, DOES IT HAVE WHITE CALCIUM STAINS IN ITS STEAM HOLES, IS THE FACE OF THE IRON CLEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DoN'T forget this to check. Take your hotel tooth brush and just check it (use the brushes over the steam holes), and make sure all the old water is out of it. Then turn it on and do a test run on one of the semi-wet towels from the night before, if its fine, then great, if not, then by running it on the semi-wet towel, will clean the face.
(p) Set the Iron to its highest setting and then take out the dress shirt. and wow, its almost dry, just a bit damp (MightyAtom=demi-god) and now you just iron it as you normally would, but do it slower in your movements, unless you see with every pass steam coming out, when by the 3rd pass, the steam is much less, then your done, now quickly air out the dress shirt, put it on a hanger and let it hang. You think its still wet, but it's not, just a bit damp, but the heat of the iron will still be evaporating the last of it, STOP WASTING TIME NOOB, the clock is ticking. The 6:30 alarm as gone off 10 mins ago, and its now 6:40. Take out the socks and underwear and just put the iron on top of it and PRESS HARD. then repeat, then flip over the socks/underwear and repeat on a dry part of the ironing board, and PRESS HARD until there is very very little steam coming off, air it out one by snapping it around in the air, and do it one last time, ONCE, then air it out and put it on. 'But its still damp MightyAtom' well you have no choice noob, it will dry out on your body and its clean and you are clean.
(q) now you're still in your bathrobe, sit down and check your email and crap like that and now your alarm goes off, its 7 am, the bottom of your bathrobe is now a bit from the dampness of your underwear, but now it not damp enough to make any mark in your dress pants.
(r) Now put on your shirt, its a bit cool, but after your body heats it up, it is virtually dry, and now your pants and jacket, now go down starts and with your iron shirt and clean socks and underwear and eat a light breakfast of juice, coffee and a chocolate croissant with your stinky loser of a senior manager and know one day very soon you will over throw his rule or get transfer to a better division and pass his loser ass behind.
DAMN I thought I was gonna run out of alphabets!
8. When possible, give cash for hotel deposits or the minimum. Signing for stuff in theory is good if you are going to be there a while, but if you have multiple trips, what the is going to happen is your credit card will be maxed out, even if you don't' actually spend the credit limit. Why? Because when the hotel holds an amount for deposit, if you haven't exceeded the deposit, then that hold from the hotel on that amount will stay on for a period of 3 to 7 days. So even if haven't spent all the credit, you're credit is being held by the previous hotels anyways and you might get into some embarrassing situations. So, ask them, what is the minimum, can I use cash, can you phone the credit card company now to take off the hold, etc.
9.Your credit cards are your life line. now it goes without saying, but, YOU SHOULD NEVER EVER FUCK YOUR CREDIT CARDS UP. NEVER. NEVER!!!!! If you have, try to get one approved, by anywhere and cherish that card and NEVER, let it get into default. Meaning, if you dumb-ass are just paying the minimum on your credit cards a month, then you are not suitable for professional business whatsoever. You should be paying off all your credit cards to zero every month or a plan to do so when your expenses come in. So getting back to this: for personal finances, just one or two credit cards are good. But for corporate travel, if your firm hasn't issued you a corporate credit card then you need at least 3 cards, 2 Visas and 1 MasterCard or 1 Visa, 1 Amex, 1 MasterCard. Just having an MasterCard or Amex will fuck you, you may be able to get away with 1 Visa. Try to use just 1 card up first at a time; that way you can keep mental track of everything but having 3 cards will be enough because sometimes, you might have all the credit in the world, but the restaurants or hotel's machine can read one of your cards! Ridiculous I know, and it looks embarrassing as well, but since I keep track of my credit (well my wife does and she gives me a daily update, when I'm on the road) if it rejected, then I tell them straight out, 'fix your machine, here is another card'; I don't' tell the to try it again, because if it didn't' work the first time it wont' work the second time. But sometimes you need to physically put in a pin number nowadays, or your own card company will have blocked the payment because it is in another country and at a weird time. Make sure, if you know you will be travelling a lot, then call them ahead of time, a bitch to do so, but it will be worth saving you the embarrassment afterwards when you are trying to close a multi-million dollar deal over a steak and wine and your card seems to get rejected. Wtf bad beat.
10. Never mix up your own personal expenses and the company expenses; even if was not intentional, once you look like you are using your expenses for personal fun, you will have a bitch of a time getting them approved fast and quickly in the future and you will never ever get promoted first because you simply can't be trusted. Keep all receipts, and I never do this, but you should, every night, input your receipts in either the company record or in your excel file. Travel expenses are a bitch to go through.
11. Different currencies; ok, I'm the worst at this, but #1. try to change your cash at a branch that knows you and then ask them for a good rate. Of course there is a posted rate, but they can always do better. #2 Try to use as much as the change as possible because you can't exchange change back. #3 know what is the appropriate rate for tipping, if they don't' tip, you don't' tip, if they do tip, you tip a bit more (actually I always over tip everywhere I go) #4 when you using your credit card, if you get the option, make the payment in your home currency. Unless the cash is for show, try not to exchange too much, but NEVER leave yourself without at least 100 USD dollar buying power in your pocket when travelling in a foreign country. Your ATM cash card may not work in domestic machines, or even if it does, it may not be available or even if it is, it may have a ridiculous limit like 50 USD. 100USD plus your credit cards will be fine.
12. Keep your passport with you, close to your body whenever possible, or in the hotel safe. Never just leave it open in your hotel room or in your bag if it is not close to you. In most foreign countries you go to, if you are a foreigner you need to keep your passport on your body always anyway, but always be wary about it, and yes, i've had my passport stolen out of my hotel room once.
13. Keep track of your hotel food, it’s all tasty, but try to just eat a single main course without any appetizers or wine every second day at least. If it a business dinner, no choice, but if you are just eating with colleagues, keep it light because it is naturally heavy (I obviously don’t follow my own advice lol)
14. Ok, custom lines: ALWAYS take the Line NEXT TO THE DOMESTIC Line, because the domestic line will always go 5 times faster and then the customs officer will wave you over.
15. If a new line is about to open in customs, then just make a quick break for it, don't' run, but do not be polite about this in that you think you need to wait your turn in line, if you have a chance to go through faster, then take it don't' worry about it, you're a foreigner anyway.
16. Be polite with the customs officer, present him with your face full on, take off your hat until he confirms your identity. Always, always, unless you are coming for an international conference just say you are coming in for leisure or just a business meeting for possible joint business. DO NOT GET INTO further detail than that because you will get yourself into some hot water if it looks like you are going to be actually working in that country. Some countries have some mega strict rules about it. And don't be witty, just say the answer, don't explain it, and if they ask more, say what you need and no more. And if it a young attractive female customs officer, don't stare at her chest, if she frowns you could get fucked (not that it’s ever happened that I know of, but don't' ever be stupid at an entry point); just if you want to, smile at the end and be done with it.
17. When going into mainland China, do not stand behind the white people, they give the White people and especially the Americans a very hard time on purpose. When going to Korea, stand behind the Japanese, HK, Malaysian or White people (you can see their passport), always judge the real line size, see how closely they are standing together or side by side, it does make a difference.
18. Before going through the metal detectors, sometimes I set them off, and sometimes not and I am virtually wearing the same time every trip, so I do believe at times it is random. But just be ready to pull out your lap top and put your cell phone and wallet in your bag while you are waiting. Never follow old auntie like women who are not carrying expensive hand bags, they always #1 never follow the instructions properly, #2 always have water or liquid in their carry on.
19. Always travel with a proper set of luggage. If you are leaving through customs and its final check, things to get you checked 100% (meaning after you pick up your luggage and you're like 3 steps away from freedom is: Not looking straight ahead, looking and down and using your cell phone at the same time, having a weird set of luggage and staring directly at the custom's officer with any kind of expression. Now I'm not trying to give you tips in how to smuggle things through, this is for me always a case where it’s just one less hassle to avoid as I am never carrying anything I shouldn't be.
20. Well obviously, don't' carry anything for anyone unless it 100% your other team mate and you packed it yourself. Now in the case of drugs, IF YOU ARE A FUCKING DUMB ASS RETARD DUMB FUCK and do try to takes drugs with you, in Asia the penalty in most cases is DEATH or instant imprisonment without trial or appeal then deportation whenever they feel like, Don't be a fucking retard.
21. Use the hotel pick up, but usually nowadays most Asia countries have a really great public airport transit system, so usually a bus or express train can take you into the city or even to your own hotel, but here is basic run down off the top of my head:
Flying into Tokyo: unless you have someone to pick you up, fly into Narita airport and take the express train to Ueno and get someone to pick you from there or taxi to hotel (Japan FREAKING Expense taxies); if you have someone to pick you up, book for Haneda Airport. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER take the hotel buses from Narita, it will take you at least 2.5 hours to get to Tokyo through the traffic, while the express train is like 30 mins or so.
Flying into Seoul: it’s actually Inchon west of Seoul; just take an express bus to any destination in Seoul,(like 8-14 bucks depending on) or even a regular taxi which is reasonable at 70-80 usd if you are with someone. No traffic, just 45 minutes, traffic, sorry you screwed at least 1.5 hours.
Hong Kong: Omg the best, take the MTR (subway), just by a ticket from the dispense machine 100HKD for one way and it will take you right into the center of the three main districts of Tsingli, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. And you can even check in at the Airport Express at the IFC building (international finance center).
Singpore: Not that far, from the city (Singapore small), but actually I've only been picked up, but for sure there should be some airport buses at a very reasonable rate, and as I recall, the hotel pick up should be available also taxi fare should be very reasonable.
Taipei: Just take the taxi, very reasonable.
Macau: You can basically take a casino bus if you are getting off at the ferry or most likely their shitty taxis, but make sure you also know the chinese name of the casino hotel you are going. Taxi service in Macau is usually so bad, but the taxis are sooooooooooo cheap.
London Heathrow: Just take the express train, so super quick to Paddington station, but it’s a walk to get there from where you exit the airport, and take a hotel car, than taxi back to the airport, much cheaper.
There are a few more I could go on with, but most of the time you should get picked up; Ah, Manila, Philippines 100% use the hotel car or force your clients to get a car for you. THIS IS NOT A SAFE PLACE and people have been robbed by taxi drivers. I love Filipino people and working with them, but it is not a stable environment, nothing bad has ever happened to me, but it has to a lot of people I know.
Oh and just remember some airports have an airport tax when you are leaving the country (a form of gov't extortion on travelers, lol) just make sure to ask, so you have some local currency left.
And last but not least:
22. Even if you are in a foreign country and some very attractive women says she wants to be your girlfriend and date, she has done this about 20 times before and the fact that she speaks English in a country that normally doesn't and she is not part of the company you are meeting and you meet her at an ex-pat bar, don't be a noob and believe it for a second.
Conversely, if you go to a native bar, don't go hitting on all the chicks, you will possibly get hurt or stabbed, stick with your company people and get to know the customs, etc. And no matter what, no matter where, never assume that a girl is a working girl. You could get into some world of hurt. And if you already have that mindset that all natives you meet are usually working girls, then you're already part of the low end of the ex-pat crowd and you should definitely get some new friends to hang out with on your trips.
So good luck and remember that no matter how long or crappy the trips are, you are still one lucky mofo.
^^
ps. sorry for any spelling errors of locations, this is just off the top of my head, no offense to the natives!
ah, edit, on last thing, when you need to buy some article of clothes, don’t buy at the hotel, go to local department store, force them to take you!
New edit:
1. always make sure your passport has at least 6 months left before it expires, most countries won’t let you fly in if its less than 3 months unless you are a permanent resident there.
2. true flat bed (full 180 degrees) bed in business will make any flight pleasant, but anything not totally 180 flat will make you annoyed even though you have lots of space, cause it still isn't comfortable. If you fly economy, always ask if the flight is full, if not, ask them to book you in the middle where there is no one sitting and if you are a frequent flyer with some clout, then they may block off the remaining seats. Sleeping across 3 or 4 seats is almost the same as business class (seriously it is) simply because you can actually sleep. Of course its not the most comfortable, and you may wake up with sore neck or one arm completely numb, but for the price difference its quite good, and in terms of being able to work right away after getting off the plane.
If you can't get that, then get the most front seats where it is either an emergency exit or in front of the cabin dividers and take our your hand carry luggage (when the flight is on route) and use it as a foot stool. Makes a hell of a difference for any trip over 8 hours.
3. Nowadays I always fly economy unless I get upgraded cause I work from my own companies, so I usually try to fly as little as possible mainly because I hate flying, hate being away from the family and already have a lot of strong networks so that I don't need to meet new people. But I tell ya, as soon as things are more stable, damn, I'm gonna love getting back into business class.
Cheers, I may repost a couple of other posts that have nothing to do with what I'm doing nowadays, no promises though.
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United States32432 Posts
god damn, how many times have you gone through that emergency hand cleaning routine? I would believe it if you said you made your fortune on laundry technique o_o
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On August 31 2010 14:25 Waxangel wrote: god damn, how many times have you gone through that emergency hand cleaning routine? I would believe it if you said you made your fortune on laundry technique o_o
ahahaha I actually skipped over that part as it had the same sort of tone as army basic.
What do you mean by "working-girl"?
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Awesome post!
On August 31 2010 14:03 MightyAtom wrote: 14. Ok, custom lines: ALWAYS take the Line NEXT TO THE DOMESTIC Line, because the domestic line will always go 5 times faster and then the customs officer will wave you over.
My favorite tip. I gotta try that.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 14:25 Waxangel wrote: god damn, how many times have you gone through that emergency hand cleaning routine? I would believe it if you said you made your fortune on laundry technique o_o
Many, when I was working as an entry level guy and I had no control over how tight my scheudule was, but you gotta do what you can when you moving up ^^
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 14:28 Entropic wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 14:25 Waxangel wrote: god damn, how many times have you gone through that emergency hand cleaning routine? I would believe it if you said you made your fortune on laundry technique o_o ahahaha I actually skipped over that part as it had the same sort of tone as army basic. What do you mean by "working-girl"?
Well, in Asia, you normally won't use the term prostitute, usually ex-pats will, but professional who working in Asia and are native to the country, we generaly say, working girl because when you say prostitute, the western connotation is a street walker, but in cases were it is HK or Singapore, its legal, so thus the term 'working girl'.
^^ I never want to meet any of your mother, girlfriends or wives, please and thanks and if you meet my wife dont' say to her, 'you know your husband taught me what the term 'working girl' was'...
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Ares[Effort]
DEMACIA6550 Posts
I watched Up in the Air couple weeks ago and it made me think a lot about everything basically it was such a great movie imo. Also this guide is very informative, ty.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 14:35 thedeadhaji wrote:awesome stuff as usual. It's quite humorous b/c a lot of the things you mention have been passed down to me by my dad (esp the towel/bathrobe drying bit ) over the years. FWIW, my preference for Tokyo travel is Narita -> Narita express train to Shinagawa or Tokyo Station, then to wherever. If you are transferring to the JR line, Shinagawa's walking distance is much shorter and simpler than the labyrinth that is Tokyo Station. I guess if your stop over is the subway, then either would work? The ONLY time I would consider using the Hotel Bus is if you have massive amounts of luggage (ie you're on some long term family travel or something).
haji are you back in Japan now? Im in Tokyo from the 5th to the 8th, lets go out. ^^
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Ouch, sounds like you move around al ot. Hope this is never me.
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On August 31 2010 14:37 MightyAtom wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 14:28 Entropic wrote:On August 31 2010 14:25 Waxangel wrote: god damn, how many times have you gone through that emergency hand cleaning routine? I would believe it if you said you made your fortune on laundry technique o_o ahahaha I actually skipped over that part as it had the same sort of tone as army basic. What do you mean by "working-girl"? Well, in Asia, you normally won't use the term prostitute, usually ex-pats will, but professional who working in Asia and are native to the country, we generaly say, working girl because when you say prostitute, the western connotation is a street walker, but in cases were it is HK or Singapore, its legal, so thus the term 'working girl'. ^^ I never want to meet any of your mother, girlfriends or wives, please and thanks and if you meet my wife dont' say to her, 'you know your husband taught me what the term 'working girl' was'...
Ah though so, just wasn't sure.
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I would just die if I had a job like this..
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Osaka26924 Posts
On August 31 2010 14:38 MightyAtom wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 14:35 thedeadhaji wrote:awesome stuff as usual. It's quite humorous b/c a lot of the things you mention have been passed down to me by my dad (esp the towel/bathrobe drying bit ) over the years. FWIW, my preference for Tokyo travel is Narita -> Narita express train to Shinagawa or Tokyo Station, then to wherever. If you are transferring to the JR line, Shinagawa's walking distance is much shorter and simpler than the labyrinth that is Tokyo Station. I guess if your stop over is the subway, then either would work? The ONLY time I would consider using the Hotel Bus is if you have massive amounts of luggage (ie you're on some long term family travel or something). haji are you back in Japan now? Im in Tokyo from the 5th to the 8th, lets go out. ^^
No he is a dope and abandoned me. Let me know if you come to Osaka though. I'm a bumpkin
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That emergency cleaning thing was insane.
I don't know about you, I fly a lot too and I've never once set off a metal detector, that shit isn't random, unless you swallowed a god damn bolt theres no reason you should and shouldn't set it off sometimes, maybe your jacket has something that i don't knwo about
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Your blogs are ridiculously intense and hardcore O_o It certainly sounds like you've been through a lot.
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wow this was such an interesting read.
On August 31 2010 14:32 Random_0 wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 14:03 MightyAtom wrote: 14. Ok, custom lines: ALWAYS take the Line NEXT TO THE DOMESTIC Line, because the domestic line will always go 5 times faster and then the customs officer will wave you over.
My favorite tip. I gotta try that. also my favorite line haha. everything in the blog makes so much sense when you think about it... but you never really do think about it haha.
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Wow what a read It sounds like you are overworked though. Crazy.
BTW- are you fluent in all the asian languages? If not, how do you get by?
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This is super interesting. What is it that you do exactly?
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On August 31 2010 15:42 Seraphim wrote: This is super interesting. What is it that you do exactly? He balls for a living i believe. He has a phd in ballering.
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Very good read. I'll remember/bookmark this if I ever need to do an emergency laundry run.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 15:17 cestatoi wrote: Wow what a read It sounds like you are overworked though. Crazy.
BTW- are you fluent in all the asian languages? If not, how do you get by?
No not fluent in any of them, but since i'm a specialist in negotiations and business strategy, I always have simutaneous interpreters with me or good translators, but in Asia, things are not always so verbal, its a lot of protocool and specifically for business, I would say the average Japanese or Korean in their own country, if they don't do corporate business won't know the business protocol, so just lots of exposure, but I'd say, if your clients are convinced you could make more money for them by they hiring you, then you could just quack and bark and they'd still work with you. ^^
That being said, if you are entry level, you need to be bilingual for certain if you start as entry level here in Asia, but I do speak Korean at a conversational level. But, its the protocol and a lot preparation that help me, at times, I'll ask the translator to translate and note the reaction of the client and if it's not the one that I expected, I know the translated didn't translate properly, and that isn't psychic, its just good preparation.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 15:05 ZlaSHeR wrote: That emergency cleaning thing was insane.
I don't know about you, I fly a lot too and I've never once set off a metal detector, that shit isn't random, unless you swallowed a god damn bolt theres no reason you should and shouldn't set it off sometimes, maybe your jacket has something that i don't knwo about
That's why I think its random, because purposely travel not to set off the metal detectors, but do at times, I mean I'ved tested my theory out, I think some countries have it on random like South Korea.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 14:58 Manifesto7 wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 14:38 MightyAtom wrote:On August 31 2010 14:35 thedeadhaji wrote:awesome stuff as usual. It's quite humorous b/c a lot of the things you mention have been passed down to me by my dad (esp the towel/bathrobe drying bit ) over the years. FWIW, my preference for Tokyo travel is Narita -> Narita express train to Shinagawa or Tokyo Station, then to wherever. If you are transferring to the JR line, Shinagawa's walking distance is much shorter and simpler than the labyrinth that is Tokyo Station. I guess if your stop over is the subway, then either would work? The ONLY time I would consider using the Hotel Bus is if you have massive amounts of luggage (ie you're on some long term family travel or something). haji are you back in Japan now? Im in Tokyo from the 5th to the 8th, lets go out. ^^ No he is a dope and abandoned me. Let me know if you come to Osaka though. I'm a bumpkin
lol yeah he pm'ed me, I've never been to Osaka, but I hear the food is great, but I only know one company that I work with in Osaka and they moved to Kyoto. I'll drag Rek along if we go to Osaka, we know this poker player there as well, she has lots of model friends, so we should be able to check out some trendy places.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 15:48 ShaperofDreams wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 15:42 Seraphim wrote: This is super interesting. What is it that you do exactly? He balls for a living i believe. He has a phd in ballering. lol, thanks, but actually I have a phd in liver damage, but former management consultant and recently retired Director of Asia for PokerStars (biggest UK based poker company) for business development and marketing. But I'd say, my experience is really no different than any management consultant and senior executive, I guess the difference is that they don't publically write statements or blogs with curse words, curse accoryms, noob, uber and gosu or play SC2. keke.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 16:00 thedeadhaji wrote:My friends tell me the "working girls" in Osaka are decent quality edit: fuck I forgot they're racist there TT
lol no comment, but I know exactly what u mean by 'racist' in that context, but luckly I have outs or in's. lol Haji why woud you write that here. LOL. ROFL.
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thedeadhaji
39470 Posts
I'm not claiming to know anything!! ^_^
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this was really fun to read i wish i got to travel that much haha
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I am really enjoying your blogs, MightyAtom. You are really churning these things out at a beastly rate
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number 21 says pubic instead of public, dont ask me how I noticed that, i've no idea t.t
crazy read though, I had NO idea about that emergency cleaning routine, thats brilliant though. definitely bookmarked for future emergencies.
this is the kind of thing u print out and stick away in your wallet ^^
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 16:37 Elegy wrote: number 21 says pubic instead of public, dont ask me how I noticed that, i've no idea t.t
crazy read though, I had NO idea about that emergency cleaning routine, thats brilliant though. definitely bookmarked for future emergencies.
this is the kind of thing u print out and stick away in your wallet ^^
thanks for the all the comments in general, and Elegy, um, i'll change that right now, thanks! keke
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Zurich15205 Posts
Nice blog as always. Let me add a few things that people might find helpful also on private trips:
1. seatguru.com Use. This. Site. They have every commercial airplane on the planet registered there and have the details for every seat easily accessible. If you can pick your seat, always check seatguru first for a good choice. This has made so many flights better for me. I used to think I knew planes and could pick good spots but seatguru taught me better. Now I always check this site for good seating.
2. Hotel Loyalty programs are the most beneficial but also the hardest to get. This year I am Platinum at SPG and it's basically the best thing ever. More than once did this change a "I am sorry we are fully booked" to a "How about a 2 room suite?". At reception of a good hotel I get a full menu of free stuff, open bar, wine and unlimited snacks on the room, free breakfast, takeaway, internet etc. You will only be able to get that many nights on long term projects though.
3. ++++1 on MA tips on credit cards. It's ridiculous how dependent you are on credit cards as a frequent traveler. I was once on the road while my credit cards got locked (not my fault) and I was basically completely screwed. Luckily I had coworkers who did handle stuff for me but I would have been lost otherwise. Try getting a car without a credit card. And yes, get a Visa and a MasterCard. They are the only ones accepted all over the world. Don't even show up with Amex in Europe people will go what? American express is better but also not accepted everywhere. Get a program that scales your limit with your CC transactions and, as MA said, always always always pay up on time. They'll quickly love you. I have now 15k limit on my main card and 6 weeks+ payment terms. You won't need cash deposits with CC terms like this.
4. A lot of the scenes in Up In The Air are very close to reality. Airport security for example. I had to laugh out loud when George Clooney goes through security, and how every step he does is routine and efficient to the maximum because everything was so familiar. Also, his tip to get the line behind the Asian business men is so good as well. I always look out for potential security fail people. Don't get in line behind old people, large families, overly styled and dressed women and anyone who looks like they don't fly very often. Then there are a lot of regional things to look out for. I have been traveling the middle east and Arabia a lot and came into the habit of staying away from Indians as far as possible. I have nothing against Indians but Arabs seem to hate them and they are treated like animals at Airports. Lining up behind a Indian family is asking for a long wait time while security is harassing the poor guys. Same applies for Arab looking people on US flights.
Speaking of the US they have the worst security on this planet (well, after Saudi). Maybe I had too many bad experiences but I always wonder if they make an effort to appear as unwelcoming as possible to innocent travelers. Again, as MA said, DON'T BE WITTY, do not make any jokes, don't even laugh. At best smile, answer all questions (they'll ask you a number of random questions like what is your sister's name) straight up and be done.
5. Airport security scanner DO set off randomly, on purpose. They are programmed to give a number of random false alarms so the personnel does not get into a habit of letting anyone through who looks legit and stays focused. There is nothing you can do, sometimes the scanner will just go off on you.
6. Airport tax. Yeah that is a real bitch. I try to avoid avoid having much local currency (Euro(pe) owns btw) but airport tax is often screwing me over. Especially when the ticket says in big letter "ALL TAXES PAID" and then they won't let you though unless you hand them over another 20 bucks. Always have a bunch of USD with you for those cases. If you don't have local currency they'll usually accept USD (at a rip-off rate obv but better than missing your flight).
7. Look what kind of convenience programs your airline offers. Being German I always try to fly Lufthansa and they have some neat features (as do most airlines by now). Like I check-in and print my boarding pass myself at home or the office, or get it with my train tickets going to the airport. Or just put my CC in one of the Lufthansa ATMs and it will print it out for me. I don't ever get in line at the check in counter anymore if I can avoid it. When I get to the airport they text me gate and departure time to my cellphone, which is a huge plus at airports where the gates change frequently and where the announcements are unintelligible (Hi Bahrain international).
8. About meeting women. What you are describing MA seems to be an Asian thing. In Europe I'd say go for it if you can. You have few enough chances to meet girls as it is if you are on the road all week.
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I think everyone that travels have their own way of doing the bathtub laundry, it seems an issue that everyone faces. I've travled mainly in Europe and I have just one thing to add, bring your own damn soap! I was in Poland got ready to do the bathtub trick. (it's a bit diffrent from how you do it but I won't go into the boring details) So get my shirt pans and everything in there, and the damn soap disintegrates my shirt, as soon as I pick it up I see holes in the fabric, pick up the pants and socks and they have big blotchy spots on them, so had to toss it all, needless to say it was rather stressful getting a whole new set of clothes and I did some bad things to get them.
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thedeadhaji
39470 Posts
I think an advice that applies more to the casual traveler than the business traveler is "carry a pen at all times"
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Zurich15205 Posts
On August 31 2010 17:11 thedeadhaji wrote: I think an advice that applies more to the casual traveler than the business traveler is "carry a pen at all times" OMG you are right this is so important! I was once stuck for 30 minutes at security because no one would give me a pen to fill out the stupid immigration form. Never ever travel without a pen!
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On August 31 2010 17:16 zatic wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 17:11 thedeadhaji wrote: I think an advice that applies more to the casual traveler than the business traveler is "carry a pen at all times" OMG you are right this is so important! I was once stuck for 30 minutes at security because no one would give me a pen to fill out the stupid immigration form. Never ever travel without a pen! And if you have rampart nordic beard growth like myself never leave home without a fully charged electric razor (You used to be able to carry around normal ones but apparently only terrorists does these days). I don't know how many times I've had to shave myself in the weirdest of locations (not locations on my body <.<) not to look like a bum when I turn up to a meeting.
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thedeadhaji
39470 Posts
On August 31 2010 17:16 zatic wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 17:11 thedeadhaji wrote: I think an advice that applies more to the casual traveler than the business traveler is "carry a pen at all times" OMG you are right this is so important! I was once stuck for 30 minutes at security because no one would give me a pen to fill out the stupid immigration form. Never ever travel without a pen!
I usually force myself to finish the immigration form while on the plane so I end up using the stewardess call >_<. When I travel on "business" I obviously have tons of pens/papers with me so it's not an issue but this got me often while I was still a student.
oh ALSO! If you travel business and/or have lounge access at the airport, taking a shower before your flight is the absolute nuts.
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On August 31 2010 16:03 MightyAtom wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 15:48 ShaperofDreams wrote:On August 31 2010 15:42 Seraphim wrote: This is super interesting. What is it that you do exactly? He balls for a living i believe. He has a phd in ballering. lol, thanks, but actually I have a phd in liver damage, but former management consultant and recently retired Director of Asia for PokerStars (biggest UK based poker company) for business development and marketing. But I'd say, my experience is really no different than any management consultant and senior executive, I guess the difference is that they don't publically write statements or blogs with curse words, curse accoryms, noob, uber and gosu or play SC2. keke.
While reading this I thought it was very much like a 2p2 "ask a x anything" thread. Nice write-up
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thedeadhaji
39470 Posts
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On August 31 2010 15:53 MightyAtom wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 15:17 cestatoi wrote: Wow what a read It sounds like you are overworked though. Crazy.
BTW- are you fluent in all the asian languages? If not, how do you get by? No not fluent in any of them, but since i'm a specialist in negotiations and business strategy, I always have simutaneous interpreters with me or good translators, but in Asia, things are not always so verbal, its a lot of protocool and specifically for business, I would say the average Japanese or Korean in their own country, if they don't do corporate business won't know the business protocol, so just lots of exposure, but I'd say, if your clients are convinced you could make more money for them by they hiring you, then you could just quack and bark and they'd still work with you. ^^ That being said, if you are entry level, you need to be bilingual for certain if you start as entry level here in Asia, but I do speak Korean at a conversational level. But, its the protocol and a lot preparation that help me, at times, I'll ask the translator to translate and note the reaction of the client and if it's not the one that I expected, I know the translated didn't translate properly, and that isn't psychic, its just good preparation. As you seem well travelled in the Asian world and have experience with translators. I'm going to China in November as a translator, I'll be translating for workers from two diffrent companies, one Chinese the other Nordic. It's my first time translating in China and is there any mannerisms or behaviour that is expected of you? I know how to deal with the Nordic people but I'm not sure how the Chinese like their translators to act.
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Dude, you are amazing. I have been doing a crude version of your laundry routine when traveling since I was young, but you have made me realise that I am but an ant to your gosu-ness. Also, am I weird for finding that sort of life incredibly appealing?
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 19:36 RisingTide wrote: Dude, you are amazing. I have been doing a crude version of your laundry routine when traveling since I was young, but you have made me realise that I am but an ant to your gosu-ness. Also, am I weird for finding that sort of life incredibly appealing? Man, just surviving, but I mean I got into it because I thought was going to be incredibly appealing and I have no regrets and it has been great, but just a lot to sacrifice, but the gains are well worth it, no matter how much I complain about my dying liver. But there comes to a point where no matter how much you love it, you love your family and your health more. ^^ I'm not one for a balanced life. But Jack Welch was asked if he thought if his life was so difficult and how did he endure the 'hardship' and he says, 'come on, lets get real, I took my family skiing in Aspen each year ^^'.
Loving da cash and keeping it real. keke.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 16:57 zatic wrote:
4. A lot of the scenes in Up In The Air are very close to reality. Airport security for example. I had to laugh out loud when George Clooney goes through security, and how every step he does is routine and efficient to the maximum because everything was so familiar. Also, his tip to get the line behind the Asian business men is so good as well. I always look out for potential security fail people. Don't get in line behind old people, large families, overly styled and dressed women and anyone who looks like they don't fly very often. Then there are a lot of regional things to look out for. I have been traveling the middle east and Arabia a lot and came into the habit of staying away from Indians as far as possible. I have nothing against Indians but Arabs seem to hate them and they are treated like animals at Airports. Lining up behind a Indian family is asking for a long wait time while security is harassing the poor guys. Same applies for Arab looking people on US flights.
.... 5. Airport security scanner DO set off randomly, on purpose. They are programmed to give a number of random false alarms so the personnel does not get into a habit of letting anyone through who looks legit and stays focused. There is nothing you can do, sometimes the scanner will just go off on you.
....
8. About meeting women. What you are describing MA seems to be an Asian thing. In Europe I'd say go for it if you can. You have few enough chances to meet girls as it is if you are on the road all week.
Damn zatic, i didn't wanna get into the racial profiling (you are absolutely right though), but I'm not going on any public record for calling them out for each country that I know, with the exception of the Americans going into China LOL.
AND I KNEW IT, those bastards just wanna have an excuse to touch me with that WAND!
zatic, you're right is definately an Asian thing, I'd say I could show you around in Asia to meet girls, but honestly, not being bias, Korea is the best for that if you have right guide like Rekrul here, I'll just tag along Kakakaka. *^^*
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 17:02 Hynda wrote:I think everyone that travels have their own way of doing the bathtub laundry, it seems an issue that everyone faces. I've travled mainly in Europe and I have just one thing to add, bring your own damn soap! I was in Poland got ready to do the bathtub trick. (it's a bit diffrent from how you do it but I won't go into the boring details) So get my shirt pans and everything in there, and the damn soap disintegrates my shirt, as soon as I pick it up I see holes in the fabric, pick up the pants and socks and they have big blotchy spots on them, so had to toss it all, needless to say it was rather stressful getting a whole new set of clothes and I did some bad things to get them.
um that is such a sik beat...wow Poland.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 19:10 Hynda wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 15:53 MightyAtom wrote:On August 31 2010 15:17 cestatoi wrote: Wow what a read It sounds like you are overworked though. Crazy.
BTW- are you fluent in all the asian languages? If not, how do you get by? No not fluent in any of them, but since i'm a specialist in negotiations and business strategy, I always have simutaneous interpreters with me or good translators, but in Asia, things are not always so verbal, its a lot of protocool and specifically for business, I would say the average Japanese or Korean in their own country, if they don't do corporate business won't know the business protocol, so just lots of exposure, but I'd say, if your clients are convinced you could make more money for them by they hiring you, then you could just quack and bark and they'd still work with you. ^^ That being said, if you are entry level, you need to be bilingual for certain if you start as entry level here in Asia, but I do speak Korean at a conversational level. But, its the protocol and a lot preparation that help me, at times, I'll ask the translator to translate and note the reaction of the client and if it's not the one that I expected, I know the translated didn't translate properly, and that isn't psychic, its just good preparation. As you seem well travelled in the Asian world and have experience with translators. I'm going to China in November as a translator, I'll be translating for workers from two diffrent companies, one Chinese the other Nordic. It's my first time translating in China and is there any mannerisms or behaviour that is expected of you? I know how to deal with the Nordic people but I'm not sure how the Chinese like their translators to act.
If the Chinese are your clients, just do your job, but try to get across their actual meaing, but do not over elaborate in speaking too long because they may think you are overstepping your translation license. But try to have a meeting with them on break and make sure you get their trust and understanding of what they want to say, but just follow their approach, but if you think there is a major communication issue, you can volunteer it if they ask for it, otherwise, if you are just translating, don't get invovled. But if you are actually part of one of the companies, well it is a lot more difficult. In terms of deal making, the Chinese are the best because there are very good at making the other side confused to what is important. They may make something look important, but then shift focus after they have 'tested' the waters on some insignificiant issue. As a negotiatior, its fair game to call bullshit on them, let them walk away and then come back. But this is for a business deal, not on working in a partnership, in a partership you need to be very careful never to embarras your partners and for that you need a full local to assist you.
Good luck, keep it simple and straight and always say you love everything Chinese and for good props teach your side to speak some phrases in Mandarin. keke.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 16:24 Bobo_XIII wrote: I am really enjoying your blogs, MightyAtom. You are really churning these things out at a beastly rate
Thanks, this is therapy for me. keke.
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Thanks Mightyatom, great read.
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No offense, but if you someone needs a guide for travel and laundry, i.e. the 2 most mundane things in life, they are probably not only unfit for business world, but for pretty much everything else.
And for the love of your health, lay off whatever stimulants you're taking, especially if its stronger than coffee.
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On August 31 2010 20:00 MightyAtom wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 19:10 Hynda wrote:On August 31 2010 15:53 MightyAtom wrote:On August 31 2010 15:17 cestatoi wrote: Wow what a read It sounds like you are overworked though. Crazy.
BTW- are you fluent in all the asian languages? If not, how do you get by? No not fluent in any of them, but since i'm a specialist in negotiations and business strategy, I always have simutaneous interpreters with me or good translators, but in Asia, things are not always so verbal, its a lot of protocool and specifically for business, I would say the average Japanese or Korean in their own country, if they don't do corporate business won't know the business protocol, so just lots of exposure, but I'd say, if your clients are convinced you could make more money for them by they hiring you, then you could just quack and bark and they'd still work with you. ^^ That being said, if you are entry level, you need to be bilingual for certain if you start as entry level here in Asia, but I do speak Korean at a conversational level. But, its the protocol and a lot preparation that help me, at times, I'll ask the translator to translate and note the reaction of the client and if it's not the one that I expected, I know the translated didn't translate properly, and that isn't psychic, its just good preparation. As you seem well travelled in the Asian world and have experience with translators. I'm going to China in November as a translator, I'll be translating for workers from two diffrent companies, one Chinese the other Nordic. It's my first time translating in China and is there any mannerisms or behaviour that is expected of you? I know how to deal with the Nordic people but I'm not sure how the Chinese like their translators to act. If the Chinese are your clients, just do your job, but try to get across their actual meaing, but do not over elaborate in speaking too long because they may think you are overstepping your translation license. But try to have a meeting with them on break and make sure you get their trust and understanding of what they want to say, but just follow their approach, but if you think there is a major communication issue, you can volunteer it if they ask for it, otherwise, if you are just translating, don't get invovled. But if you are actually part of one of the companies, well it is a lot more difficult. In terms of deal making, the Chinese are the best because there are very good at making the other side confused to what is important. They may make something look important, but then shift focus after they have 'tested' the waters on some insignificiant issue. As a negotiatior, its fair game to call bullshit on them, let them walk away and then come back. But this is for a business deal, not on working in a partnership, in a partership you need to be very careful never to embarras your partners and for that you need a full local to assist you. Good luck, keep it simple and straight and always say you love everything Chinese and for good props teach your side to speak some phrases in Mandarin. keke. Thanks, It's hard when you are in untested waters. Alot of people just asume you can read their mind and know exactlly the way they want it. Some almost invites you into their families some just see you as a faceless tool. I really hope they go for the Interval-translation instead of a flowing one. Flowing translations are hard as hell to do
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this is a good search engine parasite
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I cannot imagine having the time to watch in-flight movies etc. I'm either sleeping or working on the plain always (I fly 6hrs twice a week; weekends at home mon-thursday on site wherever).
Here's my contribution: The best sleep aid for people like me who have a hard time sleeping while sitting up or next to a child or whatever else a plane does for you is XANAX. The sleep that you get is actually refreshing and you dont get that 'nyquil-ey' feeling after waking up that you get from crap like unisom etc, or that 'drunk' feeling you get from getting drunk.
And yeah, hotel loyalty programs are the fucking bomb. Never had a 'hotel tooth brush' though lol o.O
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Haha, awesome points made by Atom and Zatic.
I've become gosu at going through airport customs and airport security. It took a lot of failed attempts to get it right though. I once spent 45 minutes being interrogated at the Singapore/Malaysia border, basically 2 people asking the exact questions back to back trying to see if I would give different answers. After asking a thousand questions and going through all my stuff, they let me go and said. "random check".
Seatguru is awesome, I use it more to avoid bad seats, rather than try and get good ones. I always try and get, even if I have to pay extra, exit row aisle seats, unless it's business than it doesn't matter.
That emergency laundry tip is awesome.
I have a question, perhaps more anecdotal than anything, I have had situations where I have gone out drinking way too late and have had to get 2-3 hours sleep if anything, one or two times I have got back to the hotel at 5am forced myself to throw up, drank copious amounts of water and coffee with head ache pills and just sat in the shower. I have yet to miss a meeting or a day of work because of this, but I know one day I will, do you have any advice on what to do when that day comes, how can I finesse my way out of it?
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On August 31 2010 20:48 Hynda wrote:Show nested quote +On August 31 2010 20:00 MightyAtom wrote:On August 31 2010 19:10 Hynda wrote:On August 31 2010 15:53 MightyAtom wrote:On August 31 2010 15:17 cestatoi wrote: Wow what a read It sounds like you are overworked though. Crazy.
BTW- are you fluent in all the asian languages? If not, how do you get by? No not fluent in any of them, but since i'm a specialist in negotiations and business strategy, I always have simutaneous interpreters with me or good translators, but in Asia, things are not always so verbal, its a lot of protocool and specifically for business, I would say the average Japanese or Korean in their own country, if they don't do corporate business won't know the business protocol, so just lots of exposure, but I'd say, if your clients are convinced you could make more money for them by they hiring you, then you could just quack and bark and they'd still work with you. ^^ That being said, if you are entry level, you need to be bilingual for certain if you start as entry level here in Asia, but I do speak Korean at a conversational level. But, its the protocol and a lot preparation that help me, at times, I'll ask the translator to translate and note the reaction of the client and if it's not the one that I expected, I know the translated didn't translate properly, and that isn't psychic, its just good preparation. As you seem well travelled in the Asian world and have experience with translators. I'm going to China in November as a translator, I'll be translating for workers from two diffrent companies, one Chinese the other Nordic. It's my first time translating in China and is there any mannerisms or behaviour that is expected of you? I know how to deal with the Nordic people but I'm not sure how the Chinese like their translators to act. If the Chinese are your clients, just do your job, but try to get across their actual meaing, but do not over elaborate in speaking too long because they may think you are overstepping your translation license. But try to have a meeting with them on break and make sure you get their trust and understanding of what they want to say, but just follow their approach, but if you think there is a major communication issue, you can volunteer it if they ask for it, otherwise, if you are just translating, don't get invovled. But if you are actually part of one of the companies, well it is a lot more difficult. In terms of deal making, the Chinese are the best because there are very good at making the other side confused to what is important. They may make something look important, but then shift focus after they have 'tested' the waters on some insignificiant issue. As a negotiatior, its fair game to call bullshit on them, let them walk away and then come back. But this is for a business deal, not on working in a partnership, in a partership you need to be very careful never to embarras your partners and for that you need a full local to assist you. Good luck, keep it simple and straight and always say you love everything Chinese and for good props teach your side to speak some phrases in Mandarin. keke. Thanks, It's hard when you are in untested waters. Alot of people just asume you can read their mind and know exactlly the way they want it. Some almost invites you into their families some just see you as a faceless tool. I really hope they go for the Interval-translation instead of a flowing one. Flowing translations are hard as hell to do
I'm not a translator or a business men but I've being in situations like this before so my advice is that if you are not a native then say everything very very slowly (not retard slow.), I always cringe hearing white people speak Chinese cause 99% of you butches it.
There are so many god damn dialects so don't expect every one to speak standard mandarin, if you don't understand them, ask them to say it in standard mandarin (but don't just say it, rather you ask your question in standard mandarin, they will get the hint.) If the guy can't speak standard mandarin, he shouldn't be dealing with you but this shouldn't happen that often, most likely you have get people that speak mandarin with a twist, so just get use to it. I will bet that at significant portion of your translation will involve English.
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Korea (South)17174 Posts
In Asia, do not attempt to hit on the female stewardesses unless you're really feeling it.
Instead, simply befriend a male one and get his digits to hang out, then it will be as if you know every single female stewardess.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 22:10 Energies wrote: Haha, awesome points made by Atom and Zatic.
I've become gosu at going through airport customs and airport security. It took a lot of failed attempts to get it right though. I once spent 45 minutes being interrogated at the Singapore/Malaysia border, basically 2 people asking the exact questions back to back trying to see if I would give different answers. After asking a thousand questions and going through all my stuff, they let me go and said. "random check".
Seatguru is awesome, I use it more to avoid bad seats, rather than try and get good ones. I always try and get, even if I have to pay extra, exit row aisle seats, unless it's business than it doesn't matter.
That emergency laundry tip is awesome.
I have a question, perhaps more anecdotal than anything, I have had situations where I have gone out drinking way too late and have had to get 2-3 hours sleep if anything, one or two times I have got back to the hotel at 5am forced myself to throw up, drank copious amounts of water and coffee with head ache pills and just sat in the shower. I have yet to miss a meeting or a day of work because of this, but I know one day I will, do you have any advice on what to do when that day comes, how can I finesse my way out of it?
um...sorry I can't help you because I do the samee thing LOL. I don't go back at 5 am, if I'm really messed up, I will excuse myself, go to the hotel, throw up as much as possible and sit in the shower with the water hitting my face and then pass out in a fetal position until the hot water turns cold or until I sober up enough and drink as much water as I can force down with 3 vitamen B complex supplements( or my liver). If you are able to do this on regular basis, you obvious are still in your early/mid twenties. If your consitutiton is strong enough, it will last unitl you are about 32 max, then everything that you abused your body with will start to affect it.
The only suggestion I have, and its completely serious is...get senior enough to not have to wake up early or have staff that can go first or be influential enough to push a meeting to the afternoon if you know you are going to have a bender the night before. Honestly from 33 now, that is how I deal with it, because my body can't handle that any more.
There is 1 Korean remedy and that is, drink a serving of peptobiz (you know that stuff that covers your stomach for heart burn) before you go drinking. It not the anti-acid, it is the stomach coater, what it will do, is drastically reduce the in take of the alchol aborbstion from you stomach, akin to eating a lot, BUT I've never done it and I have no idea what digestive side effects there could be afterwards. So that preventative, but again, to fitness your way out of it...eventually, when you just can't do that any more, you have to slow down or....get married and stay married ^^
haha, cheers!
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Bookmarked.
Awesome, awesome blog.
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Thanks for the awesome read!
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United States32432 Posts
Ahhh so you retired, I was wondering what inspired you/gave you the time to write these blog posts :O
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United States4126 Posts
I'm definitely keeping this in mind if I ever become a businessman :D
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Interesting read even though I probably take 10 flights a year maximum, I'm sure it will still come in handy.
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I wished you covered this in more depth. But for those people who think all credit cards are equal. They are not. AMEX is your friend. Fuck Visa and MC. AMEX will settle disputes so quickly that its not even funny. Just buy stuff with AMEX and no one fucks with you unless they want their transaction voided/suspended. #1 customer service. However, retailers will hate your ass if you use AMEX, fees are the highest in the industry.
Also, I'm not sure why you recommended checking-in luggage (unless I read that wrong). I always travel with carry on and if theres no room, make them put it under the plane. I have been on flights where they get canceled and I dont get access to my luggage but there is route available with another airline. I know they will deliver your luggage, but if you have time for waiting around for your luggage, then you are not in the right game.
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What job do you do that requires this much traveling? Also, how did you get into this career (what qualifications etc.)?
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This is such a sexy post. I totally envy you Mightyatom. Very very cool and thank you for posting all your tips.
I just have one tip. If you have to check in luggage make sure it's a soft cover type, that way it's put on the top mostly so it comes out quick during the wait at the belt. If you have put a hard case and have luck like mine, it'll be the last fucking piece of baggage coming out.
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I'm an ex-consultant, traveled every single week for my last job, and have done domestic US business travel by plane, train, and car, and some minor international travel. A couple of thoughts:
On September 01 2010 08:33 itzme_petey wrote: I wished you covered this in more depth. But for those people who think all credit cards are equal. They are not. AMEX is your friend. Fuck Visa and MC. AMEX will settle disputes so quickly that its not even funny. Just buy stuff with AMEX and no one fucks with you unless they want their transaction voided/suspended. #1 customer service. However, retailers will hate your ass if you use AMEX, fees are the highest in the industry.
Also, I'm not sure why you recommended checking-in luggage (unless I read that wrong). I always travel with carry on and if theres no room, make them put it under the plane. I have been on flights where they get canceled and I dont get access to my luggage but there is route available with another airline. I know they will deliver your luggage, but if you have time for waiting around for your luggage, then you are not in the right game.
Not to mention that there's travel insurance built in some AMEX plans, especially corporate AMEX cards.
To the OP's point 5: I always brought at least an extra pair of underwear, socks, and undershirt. Just makes things easier.
Point 11: Look at your bank's ATM exchange programs, if they have some. I have Bank of America, and they have free ATM reciprocity with banks in 5 or 6 foreign countries.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On September 01 2010 08:33 itzme_petey wrote: I wished you covered this in more depth. But for those people who think all credit cards are equal. They are not. AMEX is your friend. Fuck Visa and MC. AMEX will settle disputes so quickly that its not even funny. Just buy stuff with AMEX and no one fucks with you unless they want their transaction voided/suspended. #1 customer service. However, retailers will hate your ass if you use AMEX, fees are the highest in the industry.
Also, I'm not sure why you recommended checking-in luggage (unless I read that wrong). I always travel with carry on and if theres no room, make them put it under the plane. I have been on flights where they get canceled and I dont get access to my luggage but there is route available with another airline. I know they will deliver your luggage, but if you have time for waiting around for your luggage, then you are not in the right game.
on the Amex I generally agree but when you get to infinity or diamond for either visa or MasterCard then the service is much better.
I also agree for 3 day trips just carry on is fine. But my trips will be at 5 to 10 day minimums and after a while you just feel like a non human by just wearing the same clothes or not having cologne or other grooming products with you because you can't check them through the hand luggage. I'd say the first 8 months of constant travel I just carried hand carry. But afterwards feeling like a human was more important. No mater how clean the clothes are if you just have a couple of each, you still feel like a corporate slave.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On September 01 2010 09:01 GrayArea wrote: What job do you do that requires this much traveling? Also, how did you get into this career (what qualifications etc.)?
I did get in quite late relative to many of my peers. For me what opened a lot of doors was doing my masters in business from a good school then I worked like a muthafuker ^^ you ll get your opportunities then. Cheers
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On September 01 2010 13:48 MightyAtom wrote:Show nested quote +On September 01 2010 09:01 GrayArea wrote: What job do you do that requires this much traveling? Also, how did you get into this career (what qualifications etc.)? I did get in quite late relative to many of my peers. For me what opened a lot of doors was doing my masters in business from a good school then I worked like a muthafuker ^^ you ll get your opportunities then. Cheers
may i ask what school? i'm about to graduate now and im going to start my applications to grad schools. did u go also consider schools in Asia, US, Europe?
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First of all, great post.
Kind of a random question, but any advice on how to sleep on planes?
I can never fall asleep in any kind of vehicle, even if I am tired as hell I can never quite fall asleep, so I end up just resting my eyes and feeling really out of it by the end of the trip =/
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Props to a fellow accountant!
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On September 01 2010 17:44 mel_ee wrote:Show nested quote +On September 01 2010 13:48 MightyAtom wrote:On September 01 2010 09:01 GrayArea wrote: What job do you do that requires this much traveling? Also, how did you get into this career (what qualifications etc.)? I did get in quite late relative to many of my peers. For me what opened a lot of doors was doing my masters in business from a good school then I worked like a muthafuker ^^ you ll get your opportunities then. Cheers may i ask what school? i'm about to graduate now and im going to start my applications to grad schools. did u go also consider schools in Asia, US, Europe?
Korea University, more than sufficient for me in Korea (its equivalent to the 'Yale' of Korea, Seoul being the 'Harvard' and Yonsei being the 'Princeton'). I had special consideration because I was also accepted on their professional rugby team so my room and board was free when I was playing on the team.
But any reputable business school will be sufficient according to your funds and whether you want to work for a domestic firm or international, just graduate with top markets.
Now, this is not the only way to get your foot in the door, it was just my way, but a lot of the things that I learned wasn't in School, but rather afterwards, this was more of way to get in. During school, I had 'private family friend tutors' plus I was doing a gov't agency internship (which eventually became full time senior position) so when I did graduate, I graduated 1 year later than most of my class because I took a year off to keep working at the gov't agency and I'd say I was significantly ahead of my peers for business knowledge.
Even just getting into a great company as a free intern (if that is what it takes) and getting recognized and given opportuntities, well that is maybe all it takes. I have heard a lot of my peers, when I was in grad school say, 'I'd take the internship, but they don't pay at all, so screw that, I'm not going to waste my time' and I'm like, in my head, 'wtf? you have pride, you really think you are worth something right now because you go to a good business grad school?.'
I picked my grad school not because of its program actually though, its because I could play the most beautiful and excellent sport that Man has created which is most reflects the world's greatness and the potential for human's future, Rugby Union. keke.
But honestly, the most important thing, if you are not going to a super top reputable school, and just a good one is your GPA and your internship experience. Don't settle for less than the best marks and get whatever internship you can in a field you like or that you'd think would be good to be exposed to.
Cheers.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On September 01 2010 22:37 FuRong wrote: First of all, great post.
Kind of a random question, but any advice on how to sleep on planes?
I can never fall asleep in any kind of vehicle, even if I am tired as hell I can never quite fall asleep, so I end up just resting my eyes and feeling really out of it by the end of the trip =/
I think some other people posted on this, I personally dont' take any sleeping pills because I was always in a sleep deprived state- but there is that natural meletonin or something; but I bet you its because of your sleeping/sitting posture. I don't do this either, but you may want to try those pillows that wrap around your neck and provide support for your head to sleep slightly upright without any neck strain. Sorry, I'm not the oracle of life, but at least I'm trying here. keke
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On September 02 2010 00:36 Shaithis wrote: Props to a fellow accountant!
sadly I was one of the few non CPAs on my team as a consultant and negotiator, but I have to say, the experience with working the CPAs has always been a positive one and I think in my general outlook towards business, I am more systematic and realistic in my budgets and forecasting because of it. ^^
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On August 31 2010 20:24 Sadistx wrote: No offense, but if you someone needs a guide for travel and laundry, i.e. the 2 most mundane things in life, they are probably not only unfit for business world, but for pretty much everything else.
And for the love of your health, lay off whatever stimulants you're taking, especially if its stronger than coffee.
I didn't miss this post or didn't want to reply, but I wanted to think about it for a bit and of course I got your other reply in the other recent post on the 'Michael Clayton' one, so I know that this post wasn't your personal cup of tea.
I think the main point of my writing is that knowhow of what I want to pass on to this community and for one day, quite far away, for my son to read, with the cursing and all.
Now I want to write my blog and guide in how I have trained or would train my juniors and staff and ultimately my own son. This particular post I think is good on a couple of levels: its more introductory and besides the points about travel and laundry, it really sets a scope of the work load, intensity and schedule.
Have my own juniors praised me for my insight while doing on the job training, yes, I still get msn message from interns even from years ago saying that I was their best trainer in that I put them with the right mind set to filter out a lot of bullshit? But more importantly, its those little things that showed them that whenever I do a job, anything from checking in to geting on the right bus or buying the right travel luggage, I am adding value to every part of the job always, I never stop trying to do my job better. And it is the little things that do add up like which credit cards to have or not going to a meeting with a unclean shirt on which will wreak your confidence when your French counter part looks like he was born fully groomed, and it all does matter when months of you life have been preparing for a single final meeting.
I also want to step away from a writing style that is 'puffed up', not that I am writing to sound humble or some false modesty, but rather, I want to write in a way and tone that says, 'look, you many not be enaged in professional business, but I want to say, what makes you professional isn't some form of ettique but your performance via a focus and competitive ambition to be the best.' So to summarize my OP has just a guide into travel and laundry, would be to miss the intention of the post, which I think is very appealing as a light introduction into this type of business lifestyle and approach.
So I reckon that is quite clear for my own points in writing; now in the case of your concern for my health, I don't really even drink coffee as a simulant, my health has been fucked up because I put it second to work, my firm and my peers. Which ultimately means that when I'm fucked up, the people who get hurt the most is my wife and son, because even if I do this all for them, in the end, what is money if I don't get enough for them to live the way I tried to achieve for them or enjoy it with them? For me that is what I want for them, but I also know that in business you do, at one point in your professional life, got to work that hard to know what you can really achieve and have that confidence carry with you.
So in some ways I have already taken your advice, I've taken off six months of work which is my ultimate stimulant. Once I joined this dating service for consulting reserach project hwne I was single, so that I could map out its applicant process so I really didnt' care and wanted to just get it done, so I just put down the first and most honest things that came to mind. My profile was something like this: I am a workaholic, I love to work late and I can't stop working during weekend and holidays, that being said I love to party hard and after I make my first 10M USD, I will take at least 5 days off to celebrate. While I ended up getting a few replies from some golddiggers, at the time it was absolutely true. But i'll say this: for two years, I took off a total of eight days off when I didn't work or touch an email or take a call. I worked all 722 days and I'm not talking 30 mins days, I'm talking about having zero sleep routine and being in a constant state of napping during travel and working through the day and napping between meetings and sleeping a full 8 hours once every three weeks or so. I'd work till 3 am, then take a nap until 7:00 am and continue to nap in the shower, nap during breakfast then completely focus for a meeting and work the rest of the day and when I had a 30 min break, I'd go for a nap, etc. The eight days I took off where after long business trips and it was because I passed out when I got home for a period of 24 hours straight (meaning that I didn't eat, drink, go to the washroom, or move for 24 of constant sleep) And I did what no one has yet to do and is pretty much scared shitless to even try in my industy which is one of the most profitable industries in the world. And for all that sacrifice and cost on my health, if I can recover enough now, then I have no doubt that by the end of the next five years I will have further accomplished such another feat, but hopefully with my health intact. But, I'm also willing to put that on the line as well.
So I wanted to respond to your post because normally, if you had this attitude in meeting me as one of my new staff or even a peer or a senior, I don't think I'd bother having any further discussions with you because you're not someone who could value the insight or who could understand my obssession with being the best of the best. I'm not looking for my friends, my peers, my juniors or my son to be a cookie cutter of me or of what people think is a professional business man, as long as they are insightful, focused and a true competitor, then that is all I want to contribute to. If people want mundane detials on how to do something, go read a text book while you do your presentation in your stinky socks and your single corporate credit card gets rejected because their machine doesn't work during the biggest deal of your career.
^^ but thank you for your other comment in my other post, and I would assume that this post here was more about expecting something more 'significant' in what business can be. Now I write this reply because of that other post's comment; that this post, again, wasn't your cup of tea.
If I really felt as though you didn't get anything out of posts, then I wouldn't have posted this reply, because I would have rathered you thought of me as someone who is writing this as some egotistical fool doing a lot of back patting and receiving geek worship than for you to continue to read my posts and have any benefit whatsoever from my own experience which I did earn and nearly led to a divorce and who I would only share with my son or my staff who I thought were worth my time and attention. Now that may sound also quite arrogent as well, and if it does, then please chalk up as such and peg me as that. But if you get where I am coming from, then I hope you'll take whatever insight from me and make it your own and really rock whater you do and share that knowhow with whoever you feel is 'worthy' in the future as well.
Wasn't trying to be melodramatic or anything, just wanted to be clear as to why I'm writing. Cheers.
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On September 02 2010 00:50 MightyAtom wrote: I picked my grad school not because of its program actually though, its because I could play the most beautiful and excellent sport that Man has created which is most reflects the world's greatness and the potential for human's future, Rugby Union. keke. Here is where you are definitely wrong. That is football (American or Canadian). Canadian football has a superior set of rules, however, lacks the same calibre of players, which is why it is a tossup atm.
PS - Love your blogs. Keep them up! I'm in Engineering atm, but it's definitely enjoyable to read.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On September 02 2010 02:06 Impervious wrote:Show nested quote +On September 02 2010 00:50 MightyAtom wrote: I picked my grad school not because of its program actually though, its because I could play the most beautiful and excellent sport that Man has created which is most reflects the world's greatness and the potential for human's future, Rugby Union. keke. Here is where you are definitely wrong. That is football (American or Canadian). Canadian football has a superior set of rules, however, lacks the same calibre of players, which is why it is a tossup atm. PS - Love your blogs. Keep them up! I'm in Engineering atm, but it's definitely enjoyable to read.
I'd still say it is the second best game in the world, but a very close second ^^ but I absolutely love watching NFL, but I have absolutely no idea what is actually going on haha.
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How good is Korea in union? Every world cup you see Japan + random Maori dudes representing and gets absolutely smashed by just about everyone else.
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What is it you actually do, Mighty-Atom? Can you explain without a wall of text what it means to be a corporate fixer?
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
On September 05 2010 05:17 Sadistx wrote: What is it you actually do, Mighty-Atom? Can you explain without a wall of text what it means to be a corporate fixer? You read the other post already, it should have been sufficient. cheers!
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United States22883 Posts
What kind of serious traveler checks in baggage? Best case scenario, you sit around for an extra hour hoping no one steals your stuff. Worst case scenario, someone steals your stuff or the airline loses it. You'll get credit to buy more stuff, but if you're on a business trip, you don't have that kind of time and it's just a pain in the ass.
Carrying the passport close is good. I recommend a neck pouch and keep it in your shirt.
Travel clothes are a good idea. You can wear your blazer on to the plane, but it's good to have a light weight decent looking collared shirt that's easy to wash and can be worn on the plane. Those kinds of shirts have a relatively short lifespan, but it's ok. They make travel pants as well, but I usually just wear a pair of Dockers.
Jet lag is real and it's not because of sleep deprivation. But there's specific sleep systems you can use to counter it, that work by limiting the amount of light you receive. I don't get it yet, so I don't really bother.
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United States22883 Posts
On August 31 2010 15:05 ZlaSHeR wrote: That emergency cleaning thing was insane.
I don't know about you, I fly a lot too and I've never once set off a metal detector, that shit isn't random, unless you swallowed a god damn bolt theres no reason you should and shouldn't set it off sometimes, maybe your jacket has something that i don't knwo about Some airports pick up things like belts, others don't. It depends on the system, obviously. It's often better to just not have one for the flight.
Yeah, it's a good idea to know what plane you're flying. If you're always in first class, it probably doesn't matter, but if you have to be in coach, it's useful to know what the bulkheads/emergency row seats are like and how much storage they're going to give you.
Pack your clothes by rolling them (except for dress shirts, obviously) and use air compressed bags if possible.
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Korea (South)1897 Posts
bump, reposted by request
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