Service in India

Is there such a thing as service that is "too good"?

I get annoyed with service whenever I travel to India, even though I know it is "better" than what I would receive at most places in Europe or North America.  Part of me feels guilty for not being a gracious recipient of all the attention, but a larger part feels like people just need to be aware of individual preferences and customize their approach accordingly. 

To be honest, I blame the environment more than I blame the service people.  India is unique because locals expect service people to do everything for them.  Most Indians I know employ at least one, if not multiple staff members.  The staff can earn as little as INR 5,000 per month (less than US$100) and many of them cannot even afford a home for themselves.  If they do have a place to live, it generally resembles a tent more than it would a home.  Meanwhile, the people employing them visit restaurants like the ones in my hotels and spend more on one dinner than they pay their staff for an entire month of work.  Do they have any feelings of guilt?  No.  Most people truly believe that they are doing a favor to their staff, who would otherwise have no job at all.  I have plenty of opinions about this, but I'll save them for another time.  

The purpose of this example is simply to illustrate that the majority of professional people in India expect that low-wage workers will always be available to do almost any menial task.  This mindset is heightened in 5-star hotels and restaurants, where it would be unimaginable for guests to refill their own wine glass - even if the bottle is sitting right in front of them in the center of the table.

One day in Chennai, I was eating lunch at an Italian restaurant with 5 other Indians and we decided to share some pizzas, which were all placed in the center of the table.  I almost started laughing whenever one of them wanted another slice and actually called a waiter over to serve it to them.  Without hesitation, the waiter would politely lift a slice of pizza from one plate to another.  As a Westerner,  I would never call a waiter over to do something that I could easily do for myself.  Furthermore, if I made such a request in Europe, the waiter would probably look at me like I was crazy. 

In Western countries, the concept of human dignity includes the belief that everyone deserves a salary that will afford them a comfortable place to live.  As a result, higher wages make it more difficult for hotels, restaurants, and even individuals to hire as many staff people.  Our culture simply forces us to do more things for ourselves and that is reflected in our expectations of service.    

On my first day in Chennai, I went to the lounge for breakfast and began helping myself to the continental buffet spread.  After pouring cereal into a bowl, the waitress asked if I wanted any milk.  I saw a carafe of milk sitting right in front of me, so I responded "Yes, I will just take some of this".  She immediately reached for it, and I said: "No, that's ok.  I will pour it for myself".  As I was pouring the milk, she put her hands on the edge of the carafe, in a continued effort to help me.  

My first instinct was to think: "Does she really think I'm so helpless that I can't even pour my own milk?"  I had to remind myself that the oppressive service is with only the best intentions, but it is still frustrating because it shows that she does not know how to adapt to my preferences.    

Every morning that I ate breakfast there, I could feel the eyes of the waitresses as they watched me eat.  As soon as I finished the last bite on my plate, they would rush over to clear it for me.  If I left anything on my plate, they would ask if it was not good enough.  By the end of the week, I wanted nothing more than to eat a meal without someone watching my every bite.  

Truly exceptional service is difficult to achieve because each customer has different expectations.  Even the same individual can have different expectations based on his/her mood and situation.  Service employees need to be constantly aware of verbal and non-verbal cues and cannot apply a one-size-fits-all approach.

Hotels in India have the added challenge of having to cater to clientele with vastly different expectations.  Western travelers often do not want as much attention, while rich Indians are much more accustomed to having people waiting on them in every aspect of their life.  I think it is important for service people to recognize these major differences.  

Broadly speaking, I think service in India is great for anyone who likes to be treated like royalty.  With such high staffing levels, there are always people available that are eager to serve.  Professionalism is also paramount and I have never once felt like anyone was even the slightest bit rude to me.  I just hope that as India continues welcoming more and more Western travelers, the service can become better aligned with our expectations.   

Mumbai, India

The past two weeks in Mumbai gave me the opportunity to join up with a team from Chicago and it could not have come at a better time.  After almost a month on my own in Chennai, I was ready to be around other Americans.  I enjoy working with people from around the world, but India can be overwhelming and traveling there is not easy when you're alone.  

For my first few days in the city, I worked at our hotel near the airport to get one of my colleagues started on his own project.  He is part of my core group of friends at the corporate office and it was so nice to catch up on everything that had been happening since I left Chicago.  

We went out on Sunday (in a taxi, not a chauffeured car) and walked around downtown on our own.  I love driving through Mumbai because the city just bombards you with things to look at. The streets are filled with tuk-tuks, makeshift tent houses that people actually live in, bony cows just standing in front of temples, and anything else you can imagine.  One of my favorites was when we passed this woman hanging her laundry to dry in the middle of the road: 

Perfect place to hang your laundry

Once we finally arrived in the heart of the city, we did some shopping at a local market, where someone tried selling us shirts in French (apparently we looked French to him), and lots of people tried selling marijuana to my friend (but, oddly, no one approached me to make a sale).  It was fun to just look at the ugly things that people were trying to sell and navigate through the busy streets.  Do you think I'm exaggerating when I say 'busy'?  See below for a typical sidewalk:

All the streets in Mumbai are filled with people.  

Before anyone starts to get too proud of me for being so adventurous, I should admit that we were in probably the most expensive (and safe) area of South Mumbai.  Still, we saw plenty of rats running through the park, beggars asking for money, and vendors selling food that I wouldn't touch with a 10-meter pole.  

For example, I give this guy below a lot of credit for his commitment to healthy street food, but is there really a market for pre-diced vegetables from the sidewalk??

Healthier than most street food, but is he serious? 

As the sun was setting, we walked along Marina Drive (also known as "The Queen's Necklace" because of the curved road, dotted with sparkling street lights).  Both of us were surprised by all the men holding hands as they walked down the street.  Obviously there's no tolerance for being "gay" in India, so I'm still curious about the whole thing.  I certainly don't know any straight men in the US or Europe who would hold hands with their male friends as they walk down the streets.  (If anyone reading this can provide more information, please let me know).  

Here's a shot of the Marina Drive coastline, just before sunset

On the way back to the hotel, we got stuck in a torrential downpour that nearly put our taxi out of service.  The car had only one windshield wiper which moved at the speed of a tortoise and I literally could not see anything except for water pouring down all around us.  Whenever I closed my window, the car would feel like a steam room, so I opted to get wet instead.  

Two days later, we ventured out again - this time with our local consultant to see the trendy suburb of Bandra West.  We all crammed into an auto-rickshaw and tooted around town, passing all the bars and restaurants, and getting out whenever a place looked interesting.  I was really glad to see this area because it was a lot less hectic than the city and most of the bars/restaurants made me feel like we weren't even in India.  We ended our night at this place called Bora Bora, which reminded me of Outback Steakhouse with extremely loud club music.  It was a strange combination.  

The first week of work felt like a whirlwind since I was splitting my time between two hotels.  But, it was nice to have the variety and to work with everyone from Chicago.  On Friday night, those of us that stayed in town went to dinner at the fine-dining Indian restaurant in our hotel, where the chef made a custom menu just for our group.  To say this meal was huge would be an understatement.  I was so relieved when they finally cleared the plates.  Then they put down even BIGGER plates and proceeded to serve a main course.  This was followed by dessert, which was basically soap-flavored ice-cream.  I don't know what it really was, but I will definitely never try ice-cream again in India!

I will never understand why certain chefs feel the need to serve way more food than any normal person can to eat.  It actually makes me angry because I leave the meal feeling overstuffed and uncomfortable, rather than happily satisfied.  I need to throw up half the food I ate just so I can sleep.  (TMI, I know...)

Saturday night was probably the highlight of the trip to Mumbai because I was able to hang out with a friend from grad school that I haven't seen since our semester in Shanghai.  He picked an awesome place called Big Nasty.  Let's be honest - with a name like that, how could it not be a success?

I brought along one of my colleagues and the local consultant, while Rishi invited some of his friends and his new wife (who I hadn't met before).  It was good to chat a bit over dinner before the club got super crowded and everyone started dancing to the awesome music selection.  We finally decided to call it quits at around 1am and head back to the hotel.  It was such a fun way to spend a Saturday night in Mumbai. 

CEIBS reunion in Mumbai

On the way back to the hotel after a fun night out.  

On the last night of the project, we decided to go out yet again - this time for a nice dinner at the Taj Mahal Hotel, which is arguably the most iconic hotel in India.  Despite the long taxi ride to the hotel, the food is good (even though it's Indian) and the photos of celebrities who have been there is like a global "who's who" list.  

We had a great time listening to our hilarious consultant tell stories and enjoying our last night together.  Thinking back on this visit to Mumbai, I was happy that I had the chance to leave the hotel more than any past trips.  I credit my colleagues and the local consultant for proving that there are gems to see in every city - even one like Mumbai.  Even though I don't have any desire to visit Mumbai for personal travel, I am grateful to my team and my grad school friend for ending this trip to India on such a high note.  

Ganesha Chaturthi

India seems to be the country of festivals.  Ever since my first celebration of Diwali during grad school, I have been intrigued by all the lights, colors, and music that come together to create such memorable celebrations.  

This year, I am lucky enough to be in India to celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesha - god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune.  The festival lasts for 10 days and ends with the submerging of Ganesha icons in the water. 

The celebrations started when I was in Chennai...

I joined the local staff for the start of the festival, where the hotel dressed up an elephant statue that sits permanently in a lilly pond located in the courtyard.  

As you can see, it's a pretty stylish ganesha - complete with sunglasses and very seductive pose:

Ganesha gets all dressed up for the festivities...

After a series of speeches (none of which I understood because they were in the local language), the owner of the building passed around a dessert made of shredded carrots that are formed into a ball of sweetness. 

Without thinking, I took the dessert with my dominant (left) hand. Immediately, the Director of Finance told me that it's offensive to receive gifts with your left hand in India.  (Oops!)

Fast forward to my arrival in Mumbai the next weekend.  My colleague from Chicago was excited about a festival and my first thought was: "Another festival??"

I didn't realize that this was just the continuation of the same festival that I witnessed in Chennai.  We were both curious to learn more, so we took a taxi to downtown Mumbai for some exploring. 

Throughout the city, there were so many colorful structures set up for the sole purpose of housing a statue of Lord Ganesha.  It almost seemed like the Indian equivalent of neighborhood street festivals - complete with lights strung up along the street, drummers, music, and dancing.  Definitely a cool atmosphere!

This pandal was set up near the Gate of India

As we walked through a random residential area in South Mumbai, one of the locals even waved at us and invited us to come inside the pandal that was set up in front of his building.  Inside, they were burning incense and, again, there was a large statue of Lord Ganesh, surrounded by colorful and elaborate walls:

Ganesh #2 in South Bombay

We were told that the biggest spectacle of the night would happen along Marina Drive at sunset, where people bring their statues to be submerged in the water.  As we approached the beach, we passed yet another pandal: 

This was my favorite of the day - probably because of all the lights. 

The scene at the beach was almost indescribable.  Large groups of people would arrive with their statue on a small trailer behind the cars.  They would then assemble on the beach - chanting, burning incense, and using colorful paint on themselves.  

Then, one person would carry the statue into the water - either to be immersed individually or to be transported into deeper water on a raft with others.  My colleague and I literally just watched all of the activity in awe - having never experienced anything like it before.  

Pictures barely do it justice, but here's a taste of the things we witnessed: 

This guy is bringing Ganesh towards the water

Here are a bunch of statues, preparing for their immersion

This one gets a private dunk...

And one more, preparing for the immersion

On the way back to the hotel that evening, we passed countless celebrations along the streets - even in the pouring rain!  

The biggest night of the festival was actually on Wednesday (the 10th day of the festival), when the majority of the statues are submerged and partying continues throughout the night.  I was half-tempted to go back downtown for the occasion, but we were told that the traffic would be insane and that it would be almost impossible to move.  

Even though we missed the end of the festival and all of the neighborhood celebrations, it is still a fun time to be in India.  The country is always filled with so many sights and sounds, but festivals like this just add to the sensory overload! 

Guide To Being An International Citizen

There has been a lot of recent interest surrounding The Unofficial Goldman Sachs Guide To Being A Man.  Personally, I think it should be re-titled: "How to be an overconfident New York banker", although it did have some good tips to keep in mind.  For those who want to be more than just a stereotypical rich guy in the Big Apple, I have created another list with more of an international application: 

• Don't compare things to home.  Appreciate the diversity that exists throughout the world.
• Learn a few words in the local language.  You'll be amazed at people's reactions.
• Get your daily news from at least two different international sources.  There are multiple sides to every story. 
• Smile at everyone - especially the service people and anyone who notices that you are a foreigner.
• Start every day with a short cardio workout.  Like it or not, physical appearance is the first thing people will notice about you and it's better to make a positive first impression. 
• Always carry cash...but not too much.  You never know when you may be pick-pocketed and you don't want it to ruin your entire trip. 
• The best public restrooms are in hotels (good advice from the Goldman Sachs list). 
• Don't be afraid to get lost.  The best discoveries happen when you're wandering around aimlessly.  
• Experience nightlife - both the dive bars and the upscale joints.  They will all provide a unique perspective of the city that you won't get during the day.  Just don't drink so much that you wake up regretting all the fun you had the night before. 
• Always wear an undershirt...and plenty of deodorant.  A lot of countries are warmer and more humid than New York. 
• Comb your hair, brush your teeth, and wear decent clothing every time you step out of your hotel room.  You're not at home and no one wants to see you in a bathrobe.     
• Do not hire hookers or take strangers back to your hotel.  You never know where they have been. 
• Keep your phone turned off when you are out in public.  You will be amazed by what you see when you're not preoccupied. 
• Ask questions about local culture.  People love talking about themselves and you will learn some pretty amazing things. 
• Do not visit any chain restaurants that you can go to at home.
• When you order your meal, ask for the local specialty.  Try it, even if you don't think you will like it.   
• Don't be afraid to ask people to take your picture.  It's even better if you have someone to pose with you.  
• If you are unsure of the dress code, wear a blazer.    
• Navigate public transportation.  Not only is it a fun challenge, but you will remember the layout of the city long after you depart.  
• Look at local clothing styles and try to adapt at least one piece into your personal wardrobe.  People at home will appreciate your unique style.  
• Itineraries are too restricting.  Enjoy things at your own pace and feel free to skip the museums if they sound boring. 
• If the waiters recognize you and remember your preferences, you are being too predictable.  Keep trying new places and ordering different items from the menu. 
• If you get invited to a party, you should definitely go.  Bring an appropriate gift for the host.  
• Use your passport at least once per year.  The stamps will represent some of the greatest experiences of your life.  

Weekend Excursion: Chennai style

The city of Chennai doesn't have much to offer for tourists, so I was excited when the hotel suggested some attractions outside the city to fill up my weekend.  Within hours of expressing interest, I was presented with an elaborate 8-hour itinerary, involving a wide variety of activities.  Two of the guys from the local team also offered to join me so I wouldn't have to spend the entire day alone, which was a nice gesture.  

Before I even talk about the trip, I need to make mention of my car, which was the ultimate in luxury.  The passenger area was completely blocked off from the driver (although we could communicate via intercom) and there was a TV screen that showed the view from a camera mounted on the dashboard.  There were also about 10 controls to adjust the seat, a DVD player, CD player, drink cooler...you name it.  I felt pretty important. 

Who needs a window when you have a tv monitor?

Our first stop was a place called Dhakshin Chitra, which is a cultural center with models of various south Indian homes.  I'm not usually a big fan of museum-type places, but this interactive atmosphere helped me to see how people live without just looking at a bunch of pictures and artifacts.  My main observation: all of the ceilings are so low!  If I lived here, I would be a hunchback for sure.  

Throughout the grounds, there are lots of people doing various crafts, such as glassblowing, music performances, and making textiles.  I have no interest in purchasing any of these homemade art projects but the salesmen were not pushy at all, which was a nice bonus.  

Whatever was happening here is a slow process

Our next stop was at a nearby boathouse for a little ride around the river (at least I think it was a river).  The experience wasn't nearly as fun as the trip on my brother's boat a few weeks ago, but it's always nice to be out on the water.   

safety first!

I love this picture because of the guys in the background

We then stopped for lunch at the Taj Fisherman's Cove hotel.  If I ever had to live in Chennai, I would probably spend every weekend at this resort.  From the swim-up bar in the middle of the pool to the thatched umbrellas in the al fresco restaurant, I felt more like I was in the Caribbean.  

The atmosphere transported me right back to India when I noticed two people staffed in the restaurant with the sole responsibility of scaring away the crows with this heavy pad and bamboo bat.  It's a pretty important job, but how many other places would actually hire people to do it?  Gotta love India!

This guy loves his job

After lunch, we finally made it to the main site that I was looking forward to: Mahabalipuram.  This UNESCO world heritage site is filled with temples and sculptures and is (rightfully) filled with tourists.  I could tell that everything was filled with history, but there were no tour guides or signs to help provide any information.  So, instead of learning about the temples, we just climbed around on the rocks and took some cool pictures.  

Here's one of the elaborately-carved temples

We had to get at least one group shot. 

Another view of the temples

I am always amused by the farm animals on the streets of India and this city seemed to be full of them.  Random pigs running across the grass, cute little goats just climbing on the rocks, or bony cows chilling near the temples.  There's no need to go to the zoo in India because the zoo surrounds you!

Here's one of my new friends eating a snack on the rocks. 

I love this picture because it's such a good depiction of India

Climbing on the rocks was a lot of fun - even though I was wearing flip flops that didn't have the best grips.  By this point in the day, we were all totally sweaty and smelled gross, so I just stopped caring.  The view from the top of the rocks was a stunning reminder of just how lucky I am to be visiting such unique destinations and meeting such nice people around the world. 

We returned to the hotel just in time to beat the rain and I was totally satisfied by the day's activities.  I would have been so bored just sitting in the hotel streaming Hulu and it was nice to talk to the guys from the local Finance team on a more casual level.  

Just one more week in Chennai and I will finally be heading to my next Indian destination.  It's great how just one day out of the city can re-energize me for the week ahead. 

Chennai, India

India is one of the few countries where I have to remind myself to go outside.  This past weekend, I was deciding what to do with myself when I realized that I had not experienced fresh air in over a week!  

To be fair, none of my trips require me to spend much time outside since my commute only involves riding the elevator. Even the gym and restaurants are usually all inside one building.  The only hotels that really inspire me to go outside would be the ones located near outdoor running trails or in cities where I feel comfortable just wandering around without a car (read: Europe).    

Since arriving last Friday morning, my only taste of the outside world has been the view from my room:

This is what I get to look at every morning.

My first weekend activity was a trip to a nearby health clinic for some blood work and heart rate tests.  No, I'm not sick (thankfully).  All I really needed was for a doctor to sign a health certificate as part of my registration for the Florence Marathon in November.  

I was a little annoyed by this requirement, seeing as I have already completed 3 marathons this year, but c'est la vie (...or "questa è la vita" in Italian).  I'm actually really interested in health care around the world since I am so critical of the American system, so I framed this in my mind as more of a case study.  As suspected, India provided professional service at a fraction of the cost that I would have paid in the US.  

Behind the registration desk was a price list for the most common procedures and they required payment to be collected up-front.  I just gave them the list of tests that the doctor had prescribed. Within 5 minutes, I was given an itemized invoice and was sent on my way to the blood collection room.  I hardly had to wait at all before the technician was ready to collect my sample.  It has been many years since I have had blood work done in the US, but I was a little surprised that they required a separate vile for each test.  Regardless, it was quick and easy.  

From there, I was directed to another room for the heart testing.  There, I just laid on a table while the nurse put suction cups all over my chest, wrists, and ankle (randomly) for a quick reading.  At the end, she told me I could come back the next day to pick up the final reports.  Easy breezy. 

Obviously, comparing blood tests is far different than comparing complex surgical procedures.  However, I just think the American health care system over-complicates even the simplest procedures.  People have no idea what they will end up paying and, as a result, are fearful to visit the hospital unless it is an emergency.  Ok, enough about health care!  

I think the most difficult part of the entire journey to the clinic was crossing the road in front of my hotel.  After all my trips to developing countries, I have mastered the art of running across busy highways - one lane at a time.  I love the feeling of cars whizzing past me from all sides as I wait for the next opening to dart through.  It really forces me to have faith in my fellow humans that they won't feel the urge to hit the white guy in the middle of the busy road.

By the time I got back to the hotel, my clothes were uncomfortably wet with sweat and I had nothing else on my itinerary, so I rested my eyes for a few minutes.  Seven hours later, I woke up in a daze.  

I had to do something, so I called the concierge to arrange a last-minute city tour.  Within an hour, I was off to explore the city. 

First stop: 

Pretty cool temple

I was more interested in the guys making flower necklaces

Second stop:

St Thomas "Basilica"

Here's what the inside looked like...

Third stop: 

Marina Beach

...and that about sums up the tour.  

Maybe I was tired.  Realistically, Chennai just isn't much of a tourist destination.  The next morning, one of the sales managers asked me if I liked the city tour.  Apparently, the concierge was concerned that I was disappointed in the quality of the tour guide when I returned to the hotel after only being out for two hours.  Nothing goes unnoticed!

I was actually glad to get out of the hotel and explore a little - even though it may not seem that way from my limited commentary above.  I was amused by the beach, which was nothing like any beaches I have ever seen before.  I guess it makes sense that Indian people wouldn't be interested in laying out for a tan - especially with all the heat and humidity.  The beach looked more like a sandy carnival than a place for enjoying the coastline.

Riding through the streets of Chennai was probably the most entertaining element of the entire excursion.  I still smile every time I pass a cow just hanging out on the side of the road.  I'm both amused and perplexed by the sight of an entire family riding on a single motorbike - while only the driver wears a helmet.  And, I will always wonder if the people walking around barefoot actually own shoes.  

After so many trips to India, random holes in the ground don't even seem unusual anymore...

Are they fixing something or building a big sand castle?

Neither do men all over the city who wrap these skirt things around themselves in place of trousers: 

Is this a shirt or a skirt?

I could never live in India, but I do find it interesting.  Unlike Africa and the Middle East, the country has such a deep history and strong culture.  The cities here are full of activity, color, and car horns...lots of car horns. (Why do people beep so much?)  Even though the shops and restaurants do not appeal to me, I can never say that India is boring.  

All of our hotels here are very luxurious and stand in such sharp contrast to the cities that surround them.  Most of the staff earn less in a month than hotel guests pay for one night of accommodation, yet they treat everyone with such genuine and professional service.  I want to devote an entire entry to service in India because it deserves more than just a paragraph.  But, like everything else here, service is different than in anywhere else I have visited.  

Chennai may not provide much incentive for me to go outside and explore, but that certainly will not prevent me from maximizing the cultural experience over the next 3.5 weeks. 

Drum Corps Withdrawal

My least favorite time of year has arrived once again.  It's that quiet transition period between the end of the drum corps season and the start of autumn activities.  

Throughout summer, the excitement of drum corps always occupies an important part of my morning routine.  I start my day by checking DCI scores from the night before and reading discussion forums - before bothering with any "real" news stories.  On weekends, I spend even more time streaming my favorite performances from the latest regional competitions.
  
After finals week in mid-August, it takes a while for withdrawal symptoms to set in because I continue reading the season recaps and watching the countless videos that appear on youtube and the DCI fan network.  For non-drum corps people, this would be the equivalent of reflecting on a great party at brunch the next morning...  

It's always fun to re-live the excitement of finals - not only as a former performer but also as a fan.  The shows are so filled with nuances that I seem to notice something new every time I watch them.  One of my all-time favorite endings is the 2008 Phantom Regiment:  

A recent show that has catapulted to my personal top-10 list is the 2012 Carolina Crown.  This show reminds me of the physical demands of drum corps and the famous "drum corps body" that members get to show off when they return home from tour.  I don't think people realize just how difficult it is to run around the field with perfect technique, while blowing a focused stream of air into an instrument and producing a nice sound.  In my opinion, 2012 Carolina Crown were masters of making a difficult show look easy: 

One of the best memories from tour is the mini-celebrity status we achieve wherever we go.  From the small crowds in the stands while we rehearse to the fans that watch our show warm-ups, it's always fun to have an audience.  Here's a clip from a Phantom Regiment brass warm-up.  It brings me right back to the days of being part of this glorious horn arc:  

Once I have had my fill of video clips like these, I start to realize that I will have to wait another nine months for the next season to begin.  I suppose every sport goes through an off-season, but nine months feels like an eternity.  

I'm sure I wouldn't miss drum corps so much if there were other things to keep my attention, but late-August is generally just a dull period.  The summer weather is coming to an end, college football season is yet to begin, and we still have a few more weeks to wait until television premiers.  

This year is different for me because of the global travel.  Being in India throughout the month of September will prevent me from experiencing the crisp fall weather, pumpkin-flavored everything, and college game-day energy on Saturday mornings.  

On the bright side, I get to work with a team of Americans in a couple weeks and I'm sure at least one of them will be discussing college football.  Also, Hulu will be perfect for discovering all the new tv shows.  Now, if I could only get a pumpkin muffin from Starbucks...