When he first arrived in India, nearly three years ago, Jean-Marc Dalle was in for a major cultural shock. “It is very different from Europe, both at the personal and professional level. It took me some time to adjust, but now I am enjoying my stint a lot.”
Marc feels that initially most expatriates would find themselves facing adjustment problems. “I was taken aback by the noise, the diversity and vibrancy. I took time to get used to it.”
Now, after these many years that he has spent here, he realises India is too huge a country to have homogeneity. The beauty of the country lies in its diversity and the fact that it has managed to keep its culture and traditions alive, even as it is emerging as an economic superpower, he feels. As far as the sports goes, Marc is a football fan and has watched a few games of cricket. However, he is not very enthusiastic about cricket. “I feel that it is too slow. It is not as fast paced like football. However, I am amazed by the popularity that the sport enjoys in the sub-continent.”
Getting used to local cuisine and food is an issue that most expatriates struggle with initially. However, Marc faced no such issues. “I was never very particular about food. I enjoy Kashmiri and Kerala food. I enjoy the rich flavours of Kashmiri food. I enjoy seafood and Kerala food since it is high on flavours and low on spice. I like North Indian food as well, but it is a bit too spicy for comfort.”
He enjoys the weather in Bangalore, but like many others, he often loses his cool due to the constant traffic snarls and increasing pollution levels, apart from the constant power cuts. “Commuting is a major hassle in the city. However, public transport facilities have improved over the years. I feel that once the Metro project is completed, things will be much better.”
Marc enjoys travelling, especially to beaches, and has toured Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai extensively. “I make frequent weekend getaways and have always had a blast. Only when one travels across the country, does one develop a better idea about the land and the people.”
He contends: “India is a country that grows on you slowly, and then leaves you enthralled.”
