Do you own a resort in Goa?

Every once a while, a seemingly casual conversation with someone can turn into an important moment. A year ago, RM told he would retire with his family to Goa as soon as he could save enough money; he would own and manage a resort there. He told me it could be a good business to manage a resort in Goa, serving many visitors from Europe. For sure it would be a completely different and perhaps more fulfilling career than the demanding high-tech management job, working with colleagues from twelve time zones away every day.

RM’s dream stirred up my imagination about my life and retirement plan for my family. What was my plan? Was I sacrificing too much for my job responsibility? Did I spend enough time with my kids? Should I think about more important things?

Did I have my own resort in Goa?

RM was a colleague of mine from Gurgaon, tall, slim, and charismatic. Although a dedicated family man, he had never missed out on any fun. A chain-smoker and food lover, he could cook delicious food and know all the good local restaurants. RM always kept a cool head when things appeared to be out of control. But what impressed me the most was his dream for a resort in Goa.

Life is short. I may not have a five year plan of semi-retiring, but I should have a resort in Goa for me and my family today. Always remember why I’m working, and make time for the important people.

I don’t know how close RM is with his plan. Wish him success. Maybe I can invest in his family resort and get to visit there soon…

So, do you own a resort too?

Indian in Szechuan restaurant

R is a colleague of mine from the Delhi office. He is a hard working hard driving manager and chain smoker. He can be up for several days in a row with very little sleep. Sometimes I wonder if he is in the right business as a software programmer. He is more suitable as a union leader or in a rock band. When I visited India, R used to show me around and take me to restaurants. We stayed up very late and I always drank and smoked with him.

R loves spicy food. When he visited the Bay Area last year, I took him to a Szechuan restaurant in San Mateo for lunch. This restaurant had a reputation of serving very spicy food. I thought he would be satisfied. We ordered cold noodles, fish in tofu and another seafood dish. All three were marked with red peppers on the menu. When the dishes came, R didn't think they were spicy enough, he kept on pouring hot sauce. I and the waiter were both surprised. R was sweating but pressed on.

As much as he liked the spicy dishes, R disapproved the cold noodles. "Why do they serve the food cold?" I guess it's not normal to serve cold dishes in India.

If You are Filthy Rich, what will you do?

John asked this question to everybody during a group lunch. He asked the same question during a trip to India and everybody gave him the same answer, and he wanted to compare the answers.

• Y: I take some time off and travel around the world. There are many places that I haven't visited and I want to go.
  
• Z: I will retire and live in an island. (We asked what kind of island. He said an island with beautiful views and beautiful girls.)
  
• B: I will open a homeless shelter and help the needy people.
  
• J: I will open a research center and help small companies to be successful.
  
• U: I will go back to school and study business. (Everybody asked why do you have to study business for, you are already rich!)
  
• My answer was: I will keep on working in the high tech industry. I may retire in ten years, but not now. I may take some risky jobs if I'm rich.
  

We spent several minutes guessing what the answer from our India colleagues is. Finally U said that helping the poor (U is from India).

Even this simple question reveal the culture and social difference between the US and India. In India, there are so many poor people around the middle class people. They still need help. I'm so proud and moved that every one of our colleagues have the tender heart to help the underprivileged.

What will you do when you have enough money to last a lifetime?