 |
| Sophie, Finnian and Claire |
At the end of my first week at the
Geological Survey of Ireland I soon realised this when, after work, nearly half of the 80 staff could be found in the
Beggars Bush and I never heard so much chatter in all my life, over the course of the evening.
Unlike the English civil service, where a student intern could never dream of socialising with one of the directors, everyone spoke freely and frankly and in those 7 months I didn’t hear a single word said in reproach about anyone’s “indiscretions” on any day after the very many nights, when the Guinness flowed and flowed.
I was a bit taken aback by the way that I very soon felt able to talk to just about everybody freely and easily. Whether it was at the bus stop, where I met a jolly Dutchman with whom many an intelligent conversation was shared - on the top deck of the bus - or standing in the well heated area at the back of the Porterhouse North, there was always an amusing story to be told.
Unlike the English civil service, where a student intern could never dream of socialising with one of the directors, everyone spoke freely and frankly and in those 7 months I didn’t hear a single word said in reproach about anyone’s “indiscretions” on any day after the very many nights, when the Guinness flowed and flowed.
I was a bit taken aback by the way that I very soon felt able to talk to just about everybody freely and easily. Whether it was at the bus stop, where I met a jolly Dutchman with whom many an intelligent conversation was shared - on the top deck of the bus - or standing in the well heated area at the back of the Porterhouse North, there was always an amusing story to be told.
 |
| The GSI trade exhibition stand at the Dublin Stone Show |
 |
| Matthew and Niamh |
It took me a full 6 months to accustom myself to the way of life in
Ireland – especially at work – where, as long as you turn up and do your fair
share of work during the working day and commit yourself to the task in
hand, everything is grand!
By then, it was nearly time to come home. But a great lesson in life had been learned – how to talk to people in an open an honest way and how to take well meant criticism when you have done something to deserve it. After all, everyone makes mistakes.
I like to think that I played my part well, when working for the Geological Survey of Ireland. As well as carrying out my work in the Heritage and Planning department, I organised the Dublin Stone Show stand for the GSI and designed and produced all of the display panels and associated publicity material. The director, among many others, considered it to be a great success.
By then, it was nearly time to come home. But a great lesson in life had been learned – how to talk to people in an open an honest way and how to take well meant criticism when you have done something to deserve it. After all, everyone makes mistakes.
I like to think that I played my part well, when working for the Geological Survey of Ireland. As well as carrying out my work in the Heritage and Planning department, I organised the Dublin Stone Show stand for the GSI and designed and produced all of the display panels and associated publicity material. The director, among many others, considered it to be a great success.
No comments:
Post a Comment