Is your boss travelling to Sri Lanka? Whether they’re going there on business or for leisure, these facts are sure to come in handy.
Without further ado, here are 7 things about Sri Lanka your boss should know.
Sri Lanka’s National Sport is Cricket, Right?
This can be a great conversation starter. Why, you ask? Many assume the answer is cricket. Sri Lanka is an island full of cricket fanatics, after all. And there’s no sporting event held in higher esteem in the country, than the 1996 Cricket World Cup (Sri Lanka won that year).
But what actually is the national sport? It’s none other than volleyball!
This juicy titbit is a good way for your boss to break the ice with a new colleague. And they’ll sound smart while doing so! A happy boss equates to a happy you. So it’s win-win all-around.
Should You Visit Sri Lanka in Spring or Summer?
That’s a trick question, of course. The island only experiences monsoon seasons. This is something you’ll learn about Sri Lanka when researching its climate.
During this time, your boss would do well to keep an umbrella by their side and cancel any beach trips. Red flags are sure to be flying high by the swelling ocean waters.
Which Country Elected the World’s 1st Female Head of Government?
If your boss is a female, she’ll love this one. Sri Lanka, a humble island in South Asia, did.
Scarcely bigger than a teardrop in the Indian Ocean, this tiny island beat the more progressive Western nations to it!
Hats off to Sri Lankan culture for its forward-thinking notions regarding women in positions of power.
All the Holidays in the World
Sri Lanka is often touted as having one of the highest numbers of holidays found anywhere in the world.
So tell your boss to be prepared to enjoy more time off than they’re used to. Conversely, he/she may need to get used to their employees having more time off as well!
It’s OK to Get Your Hands Dirty
If your boss genuinely wants to do as the Romans do, tell them to attempt eating with their hands.
It’s the norm in Sri Lanka when it comes to local food like rice and curry, string hoppers, pittu and the like. Some islanders would even swear that the food tastes better that way.
However, in corporate and formal settings, your boss can take it easy. Western etiquette is usually called for and cutlery such as forks, spoons and knives come into play.
What’s Sri Lanka Famous For?
Sri Lankan tea has been hailed as some of the best in the world. It’s grown in the refreshingly cool hill country in near towns like Nuwara Eliya and Kandy.
If your boss seems the sort to want to escape the heat, advise them to book a stay in Kandy. It’s one of the country’s major cities, is very scenic, and has plenty of cultural attractions in the vicinity.
There’re also many budget hotels in Kandy to choose from if your boss is spending out of pocket.
Get Down with the Lingo
English is widely used in the corporate sector and in major commercial hubs around the country. However, if you want to charm the pants off the locals, learn the local lingo.
A few useful phrases will suffice. The expression for ‘thank you’ in Sinhala is ‘sthoothi’, pronounced like so and in Tamil it is “nandri”.
Here’s a useful survival guide on Sri Lanka
