Each month in Home From Home we ask someone to compare Dublin with another city in which they have lived. Sometimes they are Irish who have lived (or are still living) abroad, sometimes they are expatriates in Dublin. This month we spoke with Heather Burgess about South Carolina, where customer service is king, and why Dublin has everything you could want in a city.
You come originally from the south of the United States and have travelled and worked in different countries around the world. For you, what are the most special or particular characteristics of the Irish workforce?
The workforce is very diverse. For example while I was in the Philippines, everybody in the office was from that country and here you have people from all over the world. Every possible culture is represented just in my office! It’s been very interesting for me, navigating through so many cultures and the communication difficulties this can bring, making sure everybody understand the message in the right way. The hierarchy is also different here, in comparison again with the Philippines where everyone calls their supervisor “boss” whereas here with people from different European cultures where the hierarchy is very horizontal and things are asked in a more direct way, they will approach you as a colleague not as a “boss.”
What can both South Carolina and Dublin learn from each other in terms of culture, daily live of simple social behaviour?
For Dublin I think they could learn more from our Southern hospitality! At times, though not always, you try to pay your bill or order something and the staff can be rude but then again with so many cultures coming here and working, these situations can happen. In South Carolina the service is more personal and hospitable, like “Hey darling, what can I get ya?” South Carolina can take the open mindedness and interest in other cultures people in Dublin have. Back home they are more used to a certain group of people; there is not a lot of diversity and they are used to doing things their way as opposed to being open to new cultures and different people.
Starting in the USA, you’ve lived in continental Europe, Asia, South America and now Ireland. Will you be flying away again soon or is Dublin growing on you?
Yes, actually! Out of all the places that I’ve lived, this is the first place where I can see myself staying for an extended period of time. I’m not sure why, but Dublin has everything that you would want in a city: Lovely people, great places to go visit, is close to the rest of Europe and relatively close to the East Coast of the US so is easy to travel. The weather might not be great but there are no extreme temperatures or crazy weather moments so I am actually pretty happy here!
Words: Yahaira Reyes
