People grow up...

I enter my new office building. All anxious and excited. This was my 4^th job. I entered the ODC after all the security formalities. My manager who was escorting me introduced to few people with whom I was supposed to be working.

First and foremost, I was introduced to a girl Sripriya (name changed for security reasons). Even she was a new employee. My manager showed me a particular desk and told to be seated there. After a few minutes, my new colleague Sripriya came to me.

Sripriya: Hi

Me: Hi

Sripriya: You are from which place?

Me: Hubli

Sripriya: How many years of experience you have

Me: 4years and a few months.

Me to myself: oh oh! I just joined, take a chill pill.

Sripriya: Which company??

Me: wep solutions

Then both of us decide to go for lunch as she was the only person I knew. At the table -

Sripriya: So you also working on web methods?

Me: No, I have joined here as a process consultant

Sripriya: You don’t know web methods at all?

Me: No

Sripriya: OHHHHH…. (looked as if it was never going to end)

Me: ya

Sripriya: What is your CTC?

Me: Sorry??? Do I need to answer that?

It was the end of our conversation…

After lunch my manager introduced me to another team member Kailash who was suppose to give me the knowledge transfer. He was to take me to the Facilities Department to get me an ID card etc. When we were walking towards the lift, he started the questions -

Kailash: Which company??

Me: wep solutions

Kailash: How many years of experience??

Me: 4years and a few months.

Me to myself: oh no.. Not again…

Kailash: From which place?

Me: Hubli

Kailash: Do you have experience on web methods?

Me: No

Kailash: what is your CTC?

Me: Sorry (as if I didn’t hear that and then I started talking on the phone to myself)

I had to put the fake smile to show I am all fine with whatever you asking. After some time again I am introduced to a girl – Keerti, who is suppose to help me out with system login etc.

Keerti: How many years of work experience??

Me: 4years and a few months.

Me to myself: God save me…

Keerti: Ohhhhh… I thought you were a fresher.

Me: A big smile (Is it a compliment? Which could possibly mean I look younger or do I look naïve & innocent?)

Keerti: From which place?

Me: Hubli (What difference does it make, anyways you will talk to me in English)

Keerti: Do you have experience on web methods?

Me: No (I am not from web methods, plz plz leave me…)

Keerti: How much hike you got?

Me: x%

I carried my fake smile and made an excuse that I got a call before she asked me more on my salary.

The worst thing happened when I was going to work in the company cab. I was the only person in the cab. And fortunately or unfortunately I know Kannada (I would always say fortunately but at times when you need to make the other person shut his mouth, its better you don’t know his language). The driver started talking about roads, government, elections etc etc. I thought poor guy, let him vent out his frustration. Then came the signal where we stopped and he turned to me and started his round of questions –

Driver – Since how many years are you working in this firm?

Me – I joined just 2 days back

Driver – Oh is it?? So how many years of experience you have?

Me – 4 years (I wish I could jump out of the car)

Driver – where were you working before?

Me – TCS ( I thought the driver would not have heard of wep solutions so told the name of my first employer)

Driver – How much salary they give you here?

Me – (This was the limit. What has he to do with my salary??) I don’t know, I am working as a trainee.

Driver – BE which branch?

Me – Not BE, MBA (Thank god, he paused here)

And before he turned towards me and opened his mouth, I put on my earphones pretending, I was listening to the radio.

Why have to people ask these questions first time they meet someone. It is like if you don’t meet whatever is in their resume, you belong to the alien community. People grow up…