Tale of Americanised Indian Techies

Ever wondered how long it takes a Hyderabadi tecchie to shed his Indian trappings after touching the shores of the United States of America? Just about two weeks, and a month at the most is the answer.

It could be perhaps because of the great melting pot that America is but the overnight transformation from the metaphorical ugly duckling to the sophisticated swan, but it also explains one of the reasons why Indians are such a great demand there.

Like Xavier Augustin, CEO of Y-Axis.com, a H-1B vertical portal, explains, unlike any other offshore assignment, life is different in America: "You can never become French, or British, or Spanish, but you can get Americanized in no time."

"It's the society of the individual. In the U.S., the techies discover their individuality and assert it," Augustin says, adding that in the 2nd week of landing itself, the change is clearly evident.

Indian immigrants first face a challenging time in the U.S. and bigger companies often have distinct methods and practices, not to speak of specialists, to help them assimilate into workplaces, if not society. But smaller firms and bodyshops have none, or only some crude ones, says Bala Murali Krishna, who works with California-based India-West newspaper.

"I know a CEO of a small consulting firm who once told Inc. magazine he first gave new hires from India body deodorants - His idea of orientation for new hires," he adds.

The work atmosphere brings in a metamorphosis that's manifold - physical appearance, food habits, work ethics, civic sense, social and business etiquette, and attitude and mannerisms.

First comes the change in physical appearance and lifestyle - food habits, dressing sense. The mustache (considered archaic in U.S.) is snipped off; formal are out and denims, khakis and casuals are in. But, before all this come the sneakers.

"Guys take to the footwear first - Reebok or Nike. And khakis, jeans, and designer T-Shirts and shirts, dark sunglasses come on pretty soon. And of course, shorts in summer. Even though Indian men hardly have the best looking legs they persist," Venkat Dhulipala, a student at the University of Minnesota says.

"As far as food is concerned, they become less of rice/roti eaters. They eat out more often, mostly junk food. They learn the appropriate dining etiquette - eating with forks and knives," says Augustin.

Rajeev Nair, working with an IT firm in Silicon Valley, agrees: "I was very used to Indian food, specially what mom used to prepare for me. Here, I have even learnt cooking. I would say Pizzas are one of favorites now."

Also, thanks to large pay packets and easy access to places otherwise considered "for the rich" in India, the H1-B techies adopt a consumerist lifestyle - buying things for the sake of buying, and seeking out various forms of entertainment.

"The biggest difference that occurred to me was when I began to have weekend plans. We form a group and plan our weekend for entertainment. Over here I am enjoying more than I used to in India, where I didn't have enough time. I have seen most pool parlors, casinos, discos etc. within 100 miles radius", says Nair.

Similarly, Sreedhar Babu, working with Sun Microsystems in San Jose, plays tennis and watches movies - either at home or in theaters. "We visit theme parks for entertainment. If we get a long weekend we go out of the city," he says.

There is also a massive shift in attitude, mannerisms and behavior. "Techies develop an aggression, their tone changes; there is a heightened sense of individuality and independence, and assertion of these qualities. Their whole demeanor changes, along with accent and communication skills," says Augustin.

Sreedhar Babu agrees: "I am more individualistic now. My attitude has changed a little bit as I follow some of the formalities. My English speaking skills have considerably improved, though accent is almost the same."

Nair, however, says: "I think in India I was not quite as confident as I am now." He adds that in the U.S., unlike in India, communication comes first in priority than skills sets.

He finds his language and accent changing: "I find our way (Indian way) of speaking is quite different. In India, guys normally speak fast. Over here, people talk slowly."

But, despite these changes, the techie is said to remain very much Indian at heart.

"They imbibe US culture and practices because they have no other go. They cannot afford not to change and acquire the appropriate business etiquette to fit in with the work culture," he says, adding that their family and societal values don't change.

As Sharmila Rao, Business Manager, Mousetrap Careers. says, they might get used to a better lifestyle and become gizmo freaks, etc., but, deep down they still remain Indian: They in fact, become more patriotic. They begin to respect individualism and every form of labor. "Their need to identify with India becomes more pronounced. They try to celebrate it. There is a constant yearning to return home," says Augustin.

Says Sreedhar Babu: "May be I'm in a different kind of environment, but inside I am the same Indian. Only when we get to compare two cultures do we realize which is better. And obviously I feel our culture is far better."

However, paradoxically, upon return home, the techies begin to compare the two lifestyles, often finding fault with everything here. They begin to look at India as an outsider.

Like Dhulipala says: "In a way the life of a NRI is a life between two worlds and a very uncomfortable one at that. Don't feel at home here, home feels somewhat strange too. The last time I came to India I realized how much I was looking at it from the eyes of a tourist. The Chinese have an ancient curse. It says May You Live in Interesting Times. I guess people like us are living that curse."

Augustin says this comparison does exist: "It can go to the extremes - beginning with jam bottles, or even a dislike for wet bathrooms. Early on, it happens due to snobbishness.

But, the comparison is just a manifestation of their need for quality services, which they get used to in the U.S.: "The H1-B, which is only next to winning the Kaun Banega Crorepati, brings in a jump in economic status, thus better access and appreciation of comforts, lifestyle and culture."

"The H1-B trip is not about discovering the U.S.; it's a discovery of oneself, of India," he adds.

However, Dr. Vidyasagar, Executive Vice President, TCS says the generalisation that techies change soon after landing there is a stereotype, and not meaningful. "Some people do change, some don't. Change applies to everybody and it's random."

"In fact, techies change less than graduate students who go there," he says, adding that IT is a field that doesn't bother with a person, but his work.

Augustin, however, argues that any other migration, for example, from a town to city, brings in a change, but the systems within which you change remain the same. However, in the U.S., the exposure to an entirely new system, which is designed for individuality to blossom, forces an entire transformation.