On any given day, the life of a analyst for a management consultancy is terribly interesting stuff. Your brain goes on hyper drive, switching from reading about different industries, conducting field interviews, and briefing your boss on multi-billion dollar industries and competitor strategies. I like that kind of stuff. It’s not the money, but the scale of movement that is so exciting. It’s the momentum of watching the world’s most populous country move from an agrarian society to the 21st century. It’s the idea that at 23 and being a mere slip of a girl, I’m somehow part of a bigger process, a little potato in a big sack of highly trained, problem-solving potatoes that tackle problems in economics, strategy and competitiveness.

And there are moments like these, where you’re stuck doing the mundane – calling local vendors for prices and finding that people are less than pleasant, and sometimes, plain moronic. Coming back to Asia is generally a great relief when it comes to dealing with people, compared to a bustling and often brass city such as New York. Customer service is emphasized much greater here, which all in all, makes being the client a far more pleasant experience. You also find that on the whole, people spend a lot less time angry (on both sides), pissed off, or generally grouchy. There isn’t any yelling on the streets (try bumping into a New Yorker during rush hour – you’ll be lucky if your head isn’t bitten off) whereas people just keep walking – no biggie, accidents happen. Shrug.  Keep walking.

Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by the standards of service. The last day and a half, I’ve had to resist the urge to reach through the phone line and strangle the vendor. Or at least give them a good, hard, shaking. It also doesn’t help that this current assignment leaves me in tears – it’s so far from what I’m interested in. I’m determined to adopt a positive attitude, especially since I’m new. Take one for the team has virtually become my motto on this project.

Still, I can feel the level of tension and frustration building up. Maybe it’s time for a walk before butting heads with more of these vendors.