Comments on: Things I Wish I had Known 20 Years Ago http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/ Make it Happen For Yourself and for the World Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:36:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Arvind Devalia » Education dashed to ashes - Time to Make Things Happen http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-226 Arvind Devalia » Education dashed to ashes - Time to Make Things Happen Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:03:40 +0000 http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/#comment-226 [...] Earlier this year I visited my old school after almost 20 years and delivered a few workshops to students about to mak... [...] [...] Earlier this year I visited my old school after almost 20 years and delivered a few workshops to students about to mak… [...]

]]> By: gareth http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-225 gareth Sat, 17 Mar 2007 14:47:35 +0000 http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/#comment-225 I wish I'd known more about language. For some reason we tend to teach useless language. French is not relevant outside of France yet we push it on our kids. Maybe learning to say hello, please, thank you in say 10 languages is better than learning a poem about a French cat (something we had to do). On my travels I always try and learn those basics before I land. It has paid dividends too, not only does it break the ice and show respect it has helped me in that inital first impression that is so important in business. I learnt how to say 'monikom' when I was working in Chennai and lately I have used some of my very limited Tamil at a new restaurant in Changhcun, China. The Indian guys who opened it where gobsmacked and it earned me a VIP discount card - now that is useful. I wish I’d known more about language. For some reason we tend to teach useless language. French is not relevant outside of France yet we push it on our kids.
Maybe learning to say hello, please, thank you in say 10 languages is better than learning a poem about a French cat (something we had to do). On my travels I always try and learn those basics before I land. It has paid dividends too, not only does it break the ice and show respect it has helped me in that inital first impression that is so important in business. I learnt how to say ‘monikom’ when I was working in Chennai and lately I have used some of my very limited Tamil at a new restaurant in Changhcun, China. The Indian guys who opened it where gobsmacked and it earned me a VIP discount card – now that is useful.

]]> By: GO! Smell the flowers http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-224 GO! Smell the flowers Tue, 13 Mar 2007 14:32:45 +0000 http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/#comment-224 Great post Arvind... The memories camne flooding back...I always remember the 6th formers in school looking like real adults when I was approaching my early teens. Then as that passed - well it was people in their 30's who looked like real adults...nope...make that 50...? It's all about perception - right? A good job 50 is the new 30 - that makes me a teenager and long may my inner child remain whatever society says! Great post Arvind…

The memories camne flooding back…I always remember the 6th formers in school looking like real adults when I was approaching my early teens. Then as that passed – well it was people in their 30′s who looked like real adults…nope…make that 50…? It’s all about perception – right? A good job 50 is the new 30 – that makes me a teenager and long may my inner child remain whatever society says!

]]> By: Arvind Devalia http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-223 Arvind Devalia Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:53:31 +0000 http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/#comment-223 Thank you Amit! It really was a marvelous day in more ways than one. Good luck with your school event :-) Just let me know when we can do a school evnt together! Thank you Amit!

It really was a marvelous day in more ways than one.

Good luck with your school event :-)

Just let me know when we can do a school evnt together!

]]> By: Amit http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-222 Amit Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:50:09 +0000 http://www.arvinddevalia.com/blog/2007/03/13/things-i-wish-i-had-known-20-years-ago/#comment-222 It sounds like the day was truly MARVELOUS! It's great that you got to share your experiences with them, they must have got so much from the day! I've got my next school event in April which is getting the students ready for work experience which should be a lot of fun! :) Congratulations and lets hope that you get to do the same at another school again soon! :) It sounds like the day was truly MARVELOUS!

It’s great that you got to share your experiences with them, they must have got so much from the day!

I’ve got my next school event in April which is getting the students ready for work experience which should be a lot of fun! :)

Congratulations and lets hope that you get to do the same at another school again soon!
:)

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