Tanja Lindermeier
ExpatWomen's Interview with Tanja
ExpatWomen: Tanja, what is the Global Dinner Network?
Tanja: The Global-Dinner-Network (GDN) is a fresh, new way for cosmopolitan women to meet over dinner, wherever their travel takes them. It is a network that connects women worldwide for what I would call the experience of dinner with a friend. It could be used for whatever dinner with a friend means to you: good food, interesting conversation, chatting about personal or career-related issues – or simply laughing and having fun.
With GDN you can do this in your own home town, but more importantly, you can do this when you are travelling for business or pleasure, as these are the times when many women feel isolated or would just like to make better use of their time in an unfamiliar city.
GDN is not only about meeting up for dinner, lunch or coffee, it is also a powerful medium for business networking or to encounter women with similar interests. The idea is very self-selective and appeals to curious and engaged women that truly recognize the diverse as a source for personal growth.
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ExpatWomen: When did you set it up and what inspired the concept? |
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Tanja:
GDN was launched at the beginning of 2005 in Berlin with a lot of help from friends and other women who liked the idea and supported me.
The idea came about when I was sitting alone in my hotel room on a business trip in a foreign city. I thought "What can I do to make my time here more enjoyable? I want to go out to a fancy restaurant or bar, but I do not know where to go, so is it ok to go alone or will I be pestered? I also would like to go for a run, but where is it safe here? Surely I am not the only woman having room service alone? Maybe there are locals, that would also enjoy going out and showing me their favourite places or simply making new contacts in a relaxed atmosphere." |
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ExpatWomen: Can you share with us how women have responded to the idea? |
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Tanja: So far, every woman to whom I have mentioned GDN has responded the same way: "What a great idea!" That is true even for women who might not need the service. For example: my mother; women that do not travel; and women that have small children and find it difficult to go out for dinner.
Today we have grown to more than 2,000 members in 44 countries – by word of mouth and interviews such as this.
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ExpatWomen: Do women pay to become Global Dinner Network members? |
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Tanja: GDN has two networking levels: The basic membership for social networking is completely free of charge. The business networking level, which allows you to see more detailed, professional information, costs only 5 Euros per month. If you register and you completely fill out your profile including the photo, you get three months of business networking for free as a ‘thank you'. Likewise if you want to become a GDN dinner host and organize the GDN dinner events in your city, you gain up to six months of business networking for free. |
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ExpatWomen: As a German living in the US, you are an expat woman. What took you abroad and where else have you lived? |
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Tanja: As a product developer of cosmetics and toiletries, I moved and lived close to Cologne (Germany), then to Paris (France) and now I live and work in New York City (United States). I am 41 years old now and as much as I hate to go through the pain of the culture shock once you move to a new country, I always find it a very rewarding experience. I enjoy learning about new cultures and I believe that these changes force you to reactivate your brain to make new connections and I am sure that that keeps you young! |
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ExpatWomen: Finally, what words of advice can you offer to expat women and/or to women who travel a lot for their profession? |
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Tanja: As a young child, I already declared that I wanted a job in which I could travel a lot, but at the time I did not know about the downside of too much traveling: an anti-social life! So if I look at the impact of globalization on the life of women, I think it hits them harder than men, because generally speaking, I think women are more social and need a social network of friends more.
So my advice to women abroad is to take every opportunity to connect with each other... do not stand silent next to a woman who is waiting in a queue in front of you, speak to her and make a connection, ideally share some interesting news with her. A small personal exchange can give you energy for the whole day!
My other personal tip to maintain a healthy energy throughout travel in foreign fields is to control what you eat by avoiding ready-made food as much as possible (as all those ingredients not only make you gain weight easily, but also make you feel tired). |
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ExpatWomen: Thank you very much Tanja and we wish your great success. |
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June 2009 |
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What Good Is Sitting Alone in Your Room?
Hilary Howard, The New York Times, 6 May 2009
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