The Character Case

1. The character I choose from the clip would be Todd. Mid America Novelties call center has been outsourced to Mumbai, India. In order to keep his job, Todd forced to relocate to India. At the first of story, Todd is reluctant to accept Indian culture and foods. He hesitates to choose and eat the Indian foods during the lunch time. He chooses to join and lunch with another American who is Charlie. However, throughout the story, he starts willing to accept Indian culture and foods. In the second lunch time, Todd's plate is full of different variety of Indian foods. He stands at canteen and decides where to sit. He looks at his team, then at Charlie. He says to Charlie, "For morale!" and sits with his team. I also perceive Todd as a kind-hearted boss. In the story, he learned from his boss that the sales are down and someone need to be fired. Todd refuses to fire someone no matter Rajiv how to persuade him. He has decided he will train the person with lowest sale who is Manmeet.

2. a) Todd explains to Manmeet that in America, they can date until they find the right person. Manmeet wants and admires that. This is because in India, once they date with someone, they need to get marriage with them. For Indian culture, they have no rights to find someone they love.

b) In India, cows are adored spiritually. They are allowed to roam freely. They are not allowed to be eaten or sell. However, for Todd, cows are actually just a source of foods.

c) Todd was puzzled of the Indian head movement which is "head bobble". For Indian, "head bobble" is something they do when they do not really want to answer a question. It can be meant either yes or no.

d) Indian usually has stereotypical spicy, curry looking dishes as meal. However, For Todd, burger and lamb are his favorite meal.

e) For Indian culture, it is disrespectful sign when someone makes fun of turban and head scarves. In fact, turban and head scarves are holy items.

3. a) Interpersonal communication - Todd returns from training programme and finds that his call centre empty. His boss, Jerry tells him to save money, the company has decided to outsourced the call centre to India. Besides that, he assigns Todd to go to India and run the center there. At first, Todd refuses to relocate to India. But at last due to save his jobs, he decided to go India.

b) Intrapersonal