People Series - Rafael

For some reasons, I always thought Rafa looked like an Italian. Maybe it was because of his dark curly hair and a strong facial feature. He also has a short nose that makes him looks even more like an Italian to me. The one thing that didn't make him fit into my stereotype of an italian was that, he's tall and thin.

Rafa is in contrast with Bernardo because he really talks a lot, especially after he started to talk, it seemed hard to end. Often times, I watch him talk and wonder when he will get to the point; sometimes he finished his talk and I would need to ask him, so what was the point.

Rafa is the youngest in the administration team, a 1995 baby, but has been working in YouGreen for more than a year. Sometimes I feel, Rafa is lost; not only a bit lost about his job, but more lost about his life.

This is a problem, I guess, almost all 23, 24 year-old would have. That's why he always says, he wants to study. However, one day he said he wanted a business degree and the other day he was considering process engineering. Sometimes, I can see it in his eyes, he desperately wants guidance, desperately wants approval, but he is seeking an answer that only he himself can provide.

But if you think I don't like Rafa, then you are wrong. Rafa is probably the person that I am closest with in the company. He has something that I don't have, nor I think I could ever possess, neither do I see it on anyone else in the company, it is his kindness that can break all the ice.

To be honest with you, I wouldn't have the faith to feel comfortable in the company if without Rafa. Not only because he can speak the most English, but also because he talks so much that he was the only person, at the beginning, who didn't make me feel awkward to stay with while in the company.

I wouldn't have the courage to join the first team meeting if it wasn't him who invited me several times, encouraged me, waited for me to get up from my chair and went into the meeting room with me. I remembered Roger once indicated to me that Rafa sometimes drifted away during those weekly meetings, but that meeting, he filled every word in Portuguese for me, right after I showed a sign of being suck.

I often needed Rafa's help for translation when I am communicating with others in the team. Sometimes even if I really didn't want to bother him because I could see he was working, the other party would call his name out of frustration. I has always afraid that he might be annoyed, that maybe this time would be his limit, but every time, he took out his earphones, walked to where I was, and offered his help without any sign of complain.

I feel fascinating to see how every worker that comes up to the office would say hi to Rafa like a brother, couple of them would make some funny gestures to Rafa, and only to Rafa.

I am lucky to have Rafa to sit on my left, and I think he is too nice for a sales person.

-- Sept 4th 2019, @my home in SP.