Day 85: Let the bribing begin!

There's a class here at INSEAD that deals with Business Ethics and one of the main topics discussed in the first period is the issue of bribery. While most of us agree that it's unethical to offer and accept bribes when doing business, all that goes out the window when it's time to canvass for votes for National Week Bidding! ;)

The countries bidding this year included:

1. USA
2. Canada
3. Latin America
4. Iberia
5. Dragon (Chinese)
6. Korea/Japan
7. Italy
8. Israel
9. Iron Curtain (former Soviet countries)
10. Heart of Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)

Right from the morning, the 10 national groups competing for 6 spots set up their booths to "win" our votes by sharing with us with all manner of food and drink. This was only the beginning though as the highlight was to be in the evening when they highlighted their culture and presented their proposed National Week activities in a short presentation. To aid their cause, there were people dressed up as a brown bear (Iron Curtain), a panda (Dragon) and a bull (Iberia) to ensure that their efforts stuck in our minds. The festivities then continued in the courtyard where they really pulled out the stops in a last ditch attempt to "convince" us that they had what it takes to host the most amazing week. We had ice sculptures that served to chill vodka shots, smoked meat sandwiches, falafels, bulgogi, Jägermeister, Red Bull, beer funnels, Jack Daniels, tapas, paella, caipiroskas (due to the lack of cachaça), pizza, nutella, dumplings, whiskey/green tea. 

Needless to say, all the groups knew exactly the right buttons to press. ;)

This is probably the most fun I've had on campus at INSEAD and truly a day not to be missed if you ever get the chance to experience it. The results of the voting will be out tomorrow!

THIS is how you have a shot of ice cold vodka, INSEAD style