The Russians are not as addicted to coffee as the Americans. We should work on that!

Russians are not a very friendly people. It's hard to get them to speak nicely to the customers. It's just not in their culture.

I have American friends in France, and when I meet with them, they tell me about everything that is wrong with France. I think there is a general expat syndrome, which means that whatever country you are in, you are always missing your own country and always thinking that the country you live in is actually not as good as it could be.

That's the mantra I use when the team tells me something is too complicated. People keep saying, 'We need more prioritization.' I say, 'Guys, what you want is less work. And that is not going to happen.'

Once in a while, I still witness occasionally sexist behavior and comments from men (which experience has taught me you should always deflect with humour rather than anger). Old habits die hard, after all, and it's unrealistic to expect dinosaurs to fall silent overnight.

There is very little room for relaxation, but as long as I capitalize on those brief moments of peace, I'm okay with that.