Is your city your brand?

Think a little bit about it.

Have you ever thought that your city — or your origin — is a problem for your profile status? Have you ever thought that others might create the wrong impression of you because of that? By saying “others”, I mean people from a different city or a different country.

Well, that’s a long conversation. I sometimes believe that, and sometimes don’t. It is true actually, but everyone can wrip it down. In lots of cases, we’ve seen someone judging somebody else because of the place he/she is from. Even in our countries happens that. I mean that, one is from “the” city and the other is from “the” village, and the first one is a modern person and the second an old-fashioned. Sometimes might be true, but not always. That is happening with countries, too — yes, the same thing.

Can we change that stereotype? I bet on the “yes”.

All of us could do that, but we have to be more accurate to what we say and do. Meaning that we have to act professional, and not only act, but be as well. Let me give an example. In my country — Greece — , if somebody is late for a little while (5 to 10 minutes) it is fine. We won’t get mad, we will accept an apology listening to the reason of the lateness. From a friend’s experience, this isn’t going to work on abroad. Another example for make it clearer, is that if one friend from the “crew” is going to be late and we have to catch up the bus at 6.00 o’ clock, we, probably, stay behind to wait him/her, rather than go with the 6.00 o’ clock bus to our destination. We would think that something might have happened, we are people afterall. BUT, that wouldn’t going to work on abroad.

To make myself clear, I do not judge it. Actually, I prefer that we have the same thinking, too. When we arrange something, we must be on time. Indirectly here, I’m implying that we (greeks) are rumored for our lateness — yes, me too. However, I’m trying to break the rule and that stereotype. Maybe somewhere else, might rumored for something else, etc. BUT, we can be the exceptions.

Let me make a clarification. When I say cities, I mean those in the same country, or those who are in different one.

Coming back, I will share my opinion with you. It is a major thing for me, as I mentioned earlier, to be professionals. To simplify it, I believe that we have to be responible, consistent, serious and authentic. Being yourself means a lot. Others will estimate and value what they really see. And if someone made the wrong impression, think that you can always change it. Afterwards, not only will they respect you for who you really are — without thinking anything else — , but you will tear down those stereotypes, as well.