Flit(ter)

Ever noticed how a bee 'flits' from flower to flower? It astonishes me everytime I see a bee in action - moving ahead with so much 'goal orient' (edness). There is no such word as orientedness, but you get the point !

Such is the case of a focussed businessman or an opportunistic employee or a clever and conniving student. They are so focussed and move on with intent. They waste very little time on anything that is not 'fertile' - be it people or information.

This is exactly how I have felt about some types of businessmen - i call them flit(ters); my opinion about them is always 50-50 or comme ci comme ca. I feel 'like' and 'hate' towards them all at the same time. You don't want to be around them for too long, yet you want them in your midst. So confusing !

They are not particularly 'perfect' in what they do. But they get it done anyways. I am not sure if I want to emulate them, but would like to internalise the secret to their success. More often than not, these are very successful individuals in their own right by virtue of their own ways - lame or not. The types who don't waste time pondering - they are all about action or better still, sealing a deal - fast and furious !

Several years ago while in Canada, one afternoon, I had a similar encounter at a restaurant (this was during one of my business trips in Nova Scotia). I was waiting to be served and recognized another customer across me from me who I had befriended that morning. Turns out he was Indian, born in France and is a Franchise owner/operator for a French establishment.
A successful entrepreneur in his own right, he makes quick eye contact and stops to enquire"You want ..errr...speak French ...errr...very very quickly?" This was in response to the casual interest I expressed in learning French, that morning. My company (at the time) had several clients in Montreal and Quebec city and therefore was on the attempt to boost the number of French speaking employees to serve those sites.

He talks as though he is on 'fast forward' mode, makes a few mental notes and then spits out translations in English. He continues "In PEI....err....there is a biig biig place....errr......a previous hotel sold to man from Belgiaaam. He has 'agence' for peeple from Denmark...errr....et so many many autre countries. I know one man - no speak English , las premiere semaine, but en 10 jours....his english....very very gooood. The name of 'agence' IFL .

Being a Malayali, I could not help but read into this 'opportunity offered' (that too by a fellow Indian) without a little cunning of my own. So, I put him to a little test. I replied that I was aware of IFL and that I had already discussed with my company and that my request was turned down on the pretext that IFL's in house courses/programs were too expensive for the company to carry. I enacted 'expensive' by briskly moving my right forefinger against my right thumb.

I waited.

And Voila ! I saw it - the look of disappointment that escaped his face like a blink of an eye ! The change in expression was so subtle - invisible to the dull mind.

T calls me "tigress" because he says that when I put out a heavy sigh, I close with a 'purr' - like a 'big cat'. It would be totally out of place to call me "pussy cat" - that's how mallus refer to cats. I like to think that I am rightfully compared to a tigress because I can read the faintest of expressions and sniff out deeply buried truths. I am reminded of one of Rajnikanth's hit movies in which he croons "ATTACK LIKEA TIGAAAA" like Appa would say ' in tamilshingam style" (jokes aside).

If I were to agree to the IFL program, how much of a cut would he get? was my instant thought. He wasted no time, but flitted away with the charm of an expert. His closing statement, "Err....Je nais se pas....program expensive???? hm..." with a quick change in direction, he disappeared towards the lounge.

What am I supposed to make of this? 'What to do?' like T would respond. ' Oh Well !

I continue with my preparations for my next site visit until my food arrives.