Work in Accra Vs. San Francisco

Here is a post I wrote on October 29, 2001, about working in IT in Accra compared to San Francisco (this appeared on the www.geekhalla.org site):

There are similarities and differences between working in IT here in Accra as compared to San Francisco. Sometimes when I'm sitting at my computer in the air-conditioned Africa Online office, with employees IM'ing each other, opening Photoshop, and searching on Google, I feel right at home. However, during each workday there are reminders that um...well, as the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz puts it: "Dorothy, you're not in Kansas anymore." Here is an attempt to begin to spell out some of the differences:

IT Work in San Francisco	IT Work in Accra
HTML to music: Aphex Twin, Sun Ra, Pink Martini, or Yo La Tengo	HTML to music: gospel, "Shake the Booty that Jesus Gave You", Air Supply, Amakyee Dede highlife, or one's favorite pastor preaching on JOY FM
use of headsets	office sing-along
T3 connection	33K connection down for the day
office dog	lizard running up wall
storage room filled w/ reams of paper for the printer	boss locks 10 pieces of paper in a drawer, print with permission on special occasions
personalized computer monitors decorated w/ toys: Pez containers, Slinkies, mirrors, anime stickers, etc.	shared computers
miniskirts, noserings, t-shirts, jeans	crisply-ironed shirts and ties, batik suits and high heels for women
order groceries online with credit card	order office servant to go down the street to buy Fantas or roasted plantains (ask friend from US to order online with a credit card, as they are illegal here)
surfer slang	Twi, Ga, Ewe, pidgin, the King's English
burrito at desk	kenkey (fermented corn mush) and fish from a chop bar
call directly out from co. phones	ask the receptionist to make a call for you
employees get right to work	employees greet each other: "Good Morning"
Starbucks	Nescafe
air-conditioned server room that engineers sneak into to be alone	air-conditioned server room with 13 engineers working in it fulltime
have work meeting w/ new client, then go to lunch	have lunch w/ new client, eventually go to work
look at monitor while someone is conversing with you, since work is more important	look at person while someone is conversing with you, since it's rude to keep working
leave early to go windsurfing	leave early to get ready for a funeral
IT bust	IT boom