Behind the screen: Chrissie Noordally

In this issue: Chrissie Noordally, Key Account Manager

 

• What are the most difficult words to translate?

The German word “Fremdschämen” is essentially impossible to translate into English without a long descriptive detour. It expresses the feeling you have when someone else does something stupid or embarrassing, and so you feel shame on their behalf. It would be interesting to know whether any other languages have a single word for this concept ­­– or whether it says something about us Germans that we’re the only ones to say it in one word.

 

• What is your preferred workspace like?

What I really need is a meaningful task and for the people I work with to treat me and each other with trust and respect. Apart from that, I’m delighted that I can work from home, because it lets me strike the right balance between my job and my child. If I wasn’t allowed a home office, that would be really tricky.

 

• What do you like most about your job?

I love the fact that it’s so varied. Each project is different from the last, and some of them are a real challenge. But it’s such a great feeling when everything goes off well and the customer is happy. I also find it exciting to see how our still very young company is growing and succeeding.

 

• Dogs or cats?

I don’t have anything against cats, but if I were to get a pet, it would probably be a dog. In my experience, dogs are lower maintenance and extremely loyal. My sister’s dog had really human qualities; sometimes you could just tell it was jealous or embarrassed. I kind of like that.

 

• Audiobook or paperback?

Paperback, or Kindle. Audiobooks just put me to sleep; I can’t be doing with them.

 

• Tea or coffee?

I like both. It’s only about three years ago that I developed a taste for coffee; now I look forward to a cup every morning. And an evening mug of milky black tea is a ritual that’s stayed with me ever since I lived in England many years ago.