Is slavery in the Indian DNA?

We have heard on several occasions, not just by the Americans, the English, the German, the Dutch, even the Chinese, that the biggest problem they face working with an Indian is not the accent, or crisp manners. It is the habit to over commit, kill their peace, and deliver. If the case was that of over commitment and under delivery, India would have never been able to effortlessly adorn the title “Queen of Outsourcing”. But, what problem could a client possibly have with over commitment and delivery that exceeded expectations. It is the problem of projecting the team or the organisation as a bunch of robots, which will be available at any deadly hour, 30 days a month, 12 months a year. My German client in one of my many former organizations once told me, “When you taking a vacation with your family?” Now that would depend on how much work he gave me, and also my father’s clients gave him. Not to forget my mother’s ever demanding boutique clients, who thought a wedding trousseau takes less than 48 hours to be finished. Client commitment takes precedence to all commitments in an Indian’s life. And if the client is white, speaks a language we do not understand, the only way to make our point that “Do not judge us by our skin”, is by killing ourselves to work. Forget the skin, after a few continuous weekends at work my mirror marshals me for a stranger. In each cross cultural training I have attended (which is many, due to the frequent job hopping; another DNA in my folks), a lot of emphasis is given on our inability to say no. And yes, we refuse to say no each time over and over again. What we do not understand is that we are educated, clothed, well groomed, and mentally fit slaves. All we need is the bait, and we are rearing to go. We do not think of changing locations twice before we accept a new job. Yes, similar to Africans who were pulled off their homelands (forests and anacondas). The only difference is that, before someone chains us, we chain ourselves. Now, that is the “Slave mentality” transiting to “Slave DNA”. So when you didn’t tell your teacher as a child that you have to visit the toilet, she assumes that you don’t need to. In case you pee in your place, you have boys laughing at you and your teacher writing to your parents, who slap you. So by being sincere to wait for lesson to get over or too scared to ask for a washroom break, all you get is wet pants and a slap. If you don’t tell your clients about your needs, for the fear of losing them or annoying them, all you get is a life where your only companion is an apple. Your life can give the best Japanese robots a run for their money, and you a run for your life. If you are good, your clients wouldn’t leave you for anything, and if you are genuine, they will feel a part of your work-life. Go talk it out. Share your woes and your smiles. “Being Human” always works better than “Being just Professional”.