This is a funny ( and embarassing ) incident that happened to me during my initial days in Singapore.
My official laptop had arrived from the client's place in US and for some reason, I couldnot login with the password I was given. To rectify it, I called the local helpdesk at S'pore office and they promptly told me to go to the floor they were in, with my 'notepad'. And I did so.
The person gave me a look and asked "Where is the notepad ?" and I lifted up the small paper 'notebook' in my hand and said "Here !" ... and in an instant had realised my mistake ...
geez ! and I just turned back and ran before I could catch the change of expression on his face ! ;-)
Well, how was I supposed to know that laptop was called 'notepad' in this part of the world?
So much for being a techie !!
The confusion of notepad being finally resolved in my mind, the next few months were quite uneventful with regards to my computer. When the time came to take leave, I had to send it back to the US , and so , had to do a bit of running-around to arrange courier through office.
All done, I carried that huge box ( am not exaggerating, the laptop was an antique piece , quite heavy and came with a huge box ) to the mailing section. The person incharge there was of Indian origin. He asked me what I was sending in the box and I said " A notepad and some docs" , he looked doubtful but said ok. As I went about sealing , he tried a different question -
"Is there something to be declared ?" and I said "Yes , the computer". And the poor guy almost jumped out of his skin.
"But you said it was a notepad !"
"Yes, its a laptop/notepad !!"
No wonder then that he was wondering why a notepad would need such a big box.
Oh great ! so I had come a full circle from laptop to 'notepad' to laptop , all in the matter of nine months.
Names change , understandings change ... and they change back. Its really a funny world out there.
