8 - Decoding cultures - Languages, India, France and lost in translation moments

In this episode, I talk with Kusshaal Polepally from Bangalore, southern India. He works for a big tech company and we connected via a common friend. His story is a fascinating one. We talk about how Kusshaal learnt to navigate and understand cultural differences when he worked in the hospitality business. He now collaborates with colleagues from everywhere. He also shares how learning French completely changed his perception of languages and cultures.We also explore the cultural differences between India and France and some lost-in-translation moments.Finally, Kusshaal shares great advice for anyone coming to India for work. Expect warmth, curiosity from the people you meet, and a culture where community always comes first.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:56 The Journey of Learning French05:37 Cultural Discoveries Through Language09:38 Exploring Indian Culture12:21 Work Culture in India14:07 Lost in Translation: Communication Challenges21:12 Cultural Differences in Hospitality22:38 Adapting to Global Communication Styles25:44 Advice for Working with Indians30:46 Conclusion and ReflectionsNavigate Across Borders is a podcast where you hear about the real-life stories of ambitious professionals and expats from different countries. Whether they’re working with international teams or living with someone from a different culture, they will explain how they build cross-cultural connections. Who am?I’m Dotty, a French expat & global educator who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. I’m now based in Bangalore, India.This podcast is on all major podcast platforms & YouTube. Access here:https://lnk.bio/navigate_across_borders https://linktr.ee/navigateacrossbordersSupport the show