exit / bahir

 

Hole is Hole

I am working for a German company in consumer goods. And I have this lovely colleague from Thailand, who is an inspector in Quality Control.

So as I have not seen many factories from the inside, yet, I asked her a bunch of questions about productions processes, inspections, techniques and stuff. Since I know Bangladesh a little better after my last stay, I was curious, whether factory owners tried to bribe her or not. She said that this has never happened, but of course they always try to downplay minor mistakes on garments to pass the inspection.

So she told me this fun story about an incident she once had. She was checking garments during an inspection and found holes on the inside of an item. As they were not seen when wearing it and it didn’t have any effect on the overall product, they still were mistakes for quality standards but the factory manager tried to argue his way out of it. Instead of arguing, my colleague just pointed at the hole and asked him to spell what he saw. So he did. As tough and funny as she is, she kindly replied “exactly, hole is hole” and the matter was off the table.

Breaking News

Breaking News: "Wir lieben Lebensmittel" auch in Bangladesh

Hochwasser

If you ever need something to be sewed, the tailors at markets like Taltala, Gulshan or Elephant are the ones to go to. For easy work, like simple stitching, these tailors with their old-school machines can fix anything for a small price (app. 30 Taka). The foot-operated sewing machines even work during power blackouts and a tear is quickly fixed. So why not shorten your pants even if you don't have to? Hochwasser.

This is how I roll!

The opposition called for a national strike today. This is the second time after my arrival, that I had to face "Hartal". Basically most people stay home and only go out, if they really have to. Running errands in your neighbourhood is not a problem but one should prevent from going long distances on major routes. The party protesting easily accuses innocent people of not supporting the strike. If you are in a vehicle, they might smash your glasses. I even heard that they forced people, who were on their way to work, to take off their pants.

This morning we did not drive by car to work, we took a Rickshaw. I arrived at work with my pants on. This is how I roll:

Rickshaw fare from Chowdhury Para to Gulshan-1: 50 Taka.

Suit up at the "Tangail Saree House"

The "Tangail Saree House" at Bailey Road is pretty famous I was told. Well I don't know, since I don't wear any Sharees. And I really didn't have any intention to go there, I just went along for the ice cream afterwards (thanks mama).

A Sharee is a piece of cloth, really colorful with patterns. It comes in differents types of fabrics, colours and types of processing. With a length up to nine meters, the Sharee is wrapped around the hip and then draped over the shoulder. A matching blouse and pettycoat underneath complete the dress, which is typical for women in the South Asian region apart from the Shalwar Kameez. Let me give you some impressions, of how I don't walk around: