Cheapo.. August 4, 2008

                                                   

 

Now that economic is not at their peak and US is having recession. Even though Singapore  economy is still doing ok but prices has been going up, the price of oil and then due to the increase in oil, the prices for food and transportation has been increased. Therefore now with the increase of prices, we were advise to save money for the upcoming bad times.

Yes, we do save and spend only necessary. But you spend within your means. Normally I am quite a patient person. But I really cannot stand and easily lost my patience for people who keep going saying that this expensive, that expensive when they already know the prices if they go to a certain place to eat and normally such comments comes from people who earn a lot..Yes yes.. they might have more commitment, but then if you think it is expensive to go there to eat.. then you don’t need to join us right? I would rather they don’t join us and spoilt our meal by joining us but when open the menu, start commenting this so expensive la.. that so expensive la.. It is not everyday you eat there, its once a long while we go there to eat.

Sometimes, I really cannot stand such people.. everything so expensive.. very little thing so expensive. I really have enough. Everyone also knows that things are expensive, but it is the matter how you budget yourself. We have a cafeteria that we are able to eat there for free, which occationally I will do there and some don’t..  due to the poor quality of food or the smell. But then if you it is very low class to eat there then stop complaining that eating outside is expensive! They want eat in a more nicer environment or classier place, then you have to pay for it! urgh..

I find that Singaporean has the tendancy to bargain, no matter what they MUST bargain. Even though they are using the company money they still bargain.. ok ok.. maybe the more bargain they get their bonus get more… They really expect everything to be given to them free with a minimal rates. Sometimes just feel like telling them, if they do not have the means, then don’t come to a 5 star resort! Even some companies with only 15 rooms and only staying for 1 night, they think it is a very huge group and keep asking for discounts and freebees.. while another company has 50 rooms staying for the entire week did not even demand so many freebees. Geez! Get real man.. if you want everything to be free then they are free to build their own hotel where they can get everything for free.. or they can hold their event in the field or the beach where the grass or sand is free, the air is free, the sea water is free. Really cannot stand such cheapo people! Want to have the best and only want to pay so little. So sorry man.. it doesn’t work that way… We don’t run a charity organzation.. but sad thing.. is they never get it.. sigh..

Footy.. a guys game? July 1, 2008

In the 1900s Football can be safely said as a guys game. Only guys are interested in playing or watching football games, some will place bet on it or some watch for the sports. As time goes by, the trend starts to change, nowadays, more ladies are into the game – probably not into the physical part, but they do watch football matches as well even come to the extend of staying back late at night just to watch the match – I know one my lady colleague did that just recently!

As for me, I am a Manchester United fan. Ok ok.. let’s admit it.. I started supporting because of Beckham for the obvious reasons.. he is so good looking, so arrogant in the game.. But after that, I started to like the team more. So even though Beckham has been traded to other team, I am sticking with the red devil. So now I am supporting the team as in how they play and not whether the team got any handsome guys or not … ok..  as someone just said i was still at the Beckham era.. I am not supporting the team just because of handsome guys ok.. ehem! haha.. ok ok.. yes Ronaldo is quite good looking as well so it makes it nicer to have some good looking player in the team, makes the match more exciting .. ermm. for those of his fans out there.. no offence meant ok?

Well, Eurocup was just overed and Spain has won against Germany 1 nil.  Many has predicted that Spain will win and I am sure that there are many Germany fans will says differently. As for me, I am more on a neutral grounds here, since I do not have a favourite team in terms of country wise.

Shall wait for the next Premier League that is starting from 16 August. How I wish I am able to watch the matches.. but then.. I shall just continue reading bout it through the newspapers .. how boring.. sigh.. since my aunt is watching the TV and not able to watch the match late at night, then I will have to opt for the 2nd best by reading bout it the next day.. no kick at all.. Anyway, Go for it.. MU!

peek-a-boo.. April 10, 2008

Everyone always says Singapore is a safe country. But these days the crime rates has been increasing due to the increase of foreign workers coming to Singapore. People from China, Philippines, Thailand, India, Vietnam and even Myanmar all came down to try to find their fortune in this small little island. This will makes Singapore from a safe country to a not so safe country anymore. Now with the terrorist threat and only bout 2 months ago a highly intelligent guy who was the head of the team to bomb Changi Airport escaped from his detention centre and up till now is still not found.. This makes it wonder how is the security of this country becoming to be?

Just last night my housemate has a frightening experience. Due to their room is just facing the corridoor, while they are lying down on their bed watching the tv, out of the suddenly when she look up to her window, she saw a guy face looking into their room.. She was so shocked and was stun for a moment before yelling out..

Found out from the neighbour is that the guy is not very tall and was wearing an office attire. Geez.. really wonder what is he looking at and what is the motive behind? to steal their belonging or even worse? This really shaken us up.. when you think bout it, this is really scary. In this house, there are only 4 ladies… if they are targeting at us.. really can’t imagine how it will be..

But also because of this incident my aunt started reprimanding and ask me not to come back too late… Just because there are a couple of nights in the past 2 weeks i came back in the wee hours. My thinking is that if you are really that unlucky that you are to make a victim, no matter how much security you put, you will still encounter them.

Of course, in saying that, I do not mean to put myself as the bait and to invite trouble! I will try not to stay till too late but sometimes I do have some entertainment or obligation that I need to fulfill… Don’t worry mum and dad not everyone I will attend as well.. I can hear you telling me you do not need to attend all. Only those that are compulsory ones… or those that I really wish to go.

With all these incidents.. do you ever wonder, how safe is Singapore now?

Valentine day.. February 14, 2008

Every couples will remember and celebrate on some certain important dates: Birthdays, Christmas, New Years, Anniversary and of course Valentine day. This is a special days for couples to celebrate together. But also these are the days where for the singles, is the most boring days especially Valentine day

Every where you go, you see couples everywhere, flowers everywhere and balloons as well, will always a keep remining you that you are singles. Normally, either we go out with other friends who are singles or just go home! But this is also not an occasion to go out for meals, as all the restaurants, cafes, hotels will definitely take this opportunity to jack up the prices!

Just a wonder, must the couple only celebrate valentine day on the actual day itself? It is becoming too commercialize and meaningless, you will see people selling flowers, gifts, chocolates at a higher prices then the norm. Is it really worth paying?

What I think is much depends on the couple, everyday can be a valentine day, not necessary to wait for that 1 day in the entire year to celebrate or to show their love and care, rite?

Rooms.. November 14, 2007

 Population of Singapore is getting more and more, the property market is like a roller coaster ride.. just that currently is on a upclimbing scale. Does not matter whether its for renting or buying. No matter how much Singapore government build HDB, it will never enough.. Even though the government keep on encouraging their citizen to have more children, but why is there a lack of housing for their people..?

 The demand for a flat or even just rooms are very high.. When you see the ads that was advertise in the papers and just call to the agent to arrange for a viewing, eventhough they had confirm the viewing but after a couple hours later, the agent will call you saying that either the flat or the rooms has been taken up! It has been going like hot cakes!

 If not, then the rent will be expensive. Just imagine, 3 bedroom flat can cost up to $1800 and above! The property market really blooming. Normally such markets does not really concern me, however recently we came to a rough patch when my cousin announce that next year they will be moving out and planning to either rent out the entire flat or if able to get a good price, they might consider selling the flat.

So after getting the bad news, we decided to rent a room outside. Starting thinking that since i have a friend who are also looking for a flat, we can look together. So there it starts my house hunting. Seen a couple of flats but did not really see those that we wanted basing on our budget. Those that are good are all about $2k which is way above our budget.

At the end we decided to split, by looking at rooms individually. After a couple of weeks looking at house/rooms, I came across one room which is just opposite Bishan park, quite clean apartment without the owner. The house only have 2 bedrooms and other room was also rented out to 2 other ladies. The room is slightly smaller than my current room but they have a small walk in closet, a build in table and an attached bathroom with a tub! It only makes the bathroom narrower.

So with my aunt picky character, we decided on this room. However once my aunt saw the room, she starts harpping that the room very small, the bathroom too narrow, no air and bla.. bla.. Bishan don’t want, same rental, walking distance to the nearest mrt.. Just because Bishan last time was a cemetery, she was against it so strongly.

So without any choice we decided to stay here for at least 6 months then we try to look some where better. At least by then it is in the middle of the year, so hopefully will have more choices then!

Customer services.. September 26, 2007

Now services plays an important part in the society here.. it has branch out from just being in a tourism or hotel industries. Now it is becoming a necessity for all industries as long as you need customers! It does not matter if you are in fashion, retails, banking, real estate or electric and electronics and many more, the customer services plays a very important role in order to generate more sales for the company which also means more profit and good bonus for their staffs.

Being in Asia, nearby to places like Thailand, where they are known for their hospitality. It put a pressure to us to try to offer the same or almost to that level of services. All our industries partners in other counterparts always says that Asians spoilt the market by giving so many flexibility over here, however the locals here will never realize that they are getting the best! Typical..

Even so, at least you would expect a certain level of services in the society now. Maybe because I am in a service line, we tend to me more critical on the services other people bestowed to us. But hei.. at work we give services to our clients.. sometimes being shouted, cursed at and many more things that we had to endured.. and when we were off work or on holidays, we tend to look for or expect either the same level of services we rendered or even better.. (we can vent our frustration from our guests to the other party..cool eh?) Many says, the worst people to service are those that are in the same industries as we will be watching out for a certain aspect in the services.

So since Singapore being known as the cultured, warm and very hospitable, I never aspect to receive such poor service from a boutique in Orchard. I bought a dress from this lady… lets name her C, a few weeks back and was sent to do some minor alteration. Now finally the dress is ready. When I finally made it down to try it on, I realize that there is a fold that shows the end of the cloth (Please refer to the photo below). When I just politely ask if they are able to help to stitch up the fold slightly higher to help to cover the line, all I am expecting is just a yes or no. But another sales person named M came over to assist with me.

M insisted that it is the original style and make it sound like I am very troublesome and she is not able to help me with it. I angrily told her that in this case I will do it myself and vowing to myself that I will not come back to this retail shop to buy any dresses anymore. After changing back to my normal clothes I asked to see C, who is attending to another customer at their other outlet next door.

C being kind, and helpful, she agreed to help me to stitch up the fold. Am I expecting too much? This is just a small request and you can inform your customer politely if you re able to do it or not. But M became so defensive and make it looks like the error falls at the customers. If not for C, they would have lost a customer and as many says that bad things will goes around faster than the good stuff.

One person will only tell 5 person on the good experiences, however should he/she had a bad experience, he/she will tell 50 persons on the lousy experiences. Mouth to mouth advertisement has been here since century ago and it is a very important element that all marketing managers have to put more attention to such ads.. as it can either boost up the image of the company or flush the company image down to the drain…

So no matter how much they put in the effort to whitewash the reputation, and due to such cases, it will definately put soiled the company image and will never be able to erase off easily… So give the customer a good services and go for the extra mile to please them, they will be always remember the good service and will be back for more!

China Airlines… September 11, 2007

When we wish to visit or see a new country, there are only 2 way bout it. Is either we go on our own or we take up a tour package. Even saying that, there are some countries that it will be better to go by tour package, like Korea, China where language can be a barrier.

However, sometimes in order for the tour agent to package all the aspect (Accommodation, flights, activities) they will also try to make the package more attractive, and since they are unable to bring the prices too high, they tend to cut down on some of the aspect to bring the cost down. On such cases, sometimes they give a lower category accommodation or cheaper air flight.

For my parents and my aunts case, they took up a tour to Yunan, China. They got a “4-star” accommodation but they do not have a good airline. They flew to China by Eastern China Airline and their flight to and fro at a un-godly hour.

Just imagine, their departure flight is at 3am! and they brought the entire group from Malaysia at 7pm and reached Changi Airport around 12midnight. From the time that they arrive till their departure time, they had 3 hours to occupy themselves where they are unable to sleep but to walk around the airport like a wondering ghost till their flight at 3am.. Geez.. Not everyone is able to take such hour, for youngster is probably still ok, but for a group of matured group will be a little too taxing for them.

Instead of just looking at their profit and loss, shouldn’t the agent be more considerate in getting a better flight and lodgings for their guests and also to cater the package more suitable for their target market.

Gays… September 7, 2007

This seems to be a hot topic in my office lately. Everyone seems to have an interest in this aspect of society. Maybe one of my colleague in the department is one, which could be a reason why the topic materialized. The topic for this week is “Gay”

What is the difference between the norm and them aside from their sexual preferences.? They still breathe in the same air as us, drink and eat the same food, probably even dress better than us, they also have the same emotions as we do. They cry, they laugh, they get angry and they even curse the same way we do. So what makes us feel that we are more superior than them? Why do people always like to make joke out of them or even feel embarrass of them?

All humans are born the same. It is our perceptions, thinking and behaviour that makes us different from each other. But it should also make us respect and understand each other even more … staying in such a diversified and multicultural society. Just treat each other with courtesy and respect will make the society a better place to live in…

Multi racial society.. August 16, 2007

We are staying in a society where we stay with a lot of people with different cultures and belief. Due to globalisation, the society is now mix with locals and expatrates from other countries. The main race in Singapore are Chinese, Malay, Indians and expatriates stands the minority. Therefore the society should have cultivated the understanding and respecting each other religion, belief and culture.

However, recently noticed that not all of them have adapted the respect for the other cultures, belief and religion. Sadly a few of them are my relatives. Whenever Indians enter into the same MRT cabins, my aunt will automatically bring out her axe oil.. Yes I do admit that due to some oil that they use, they do not smell like roses.. but I always try not to be so obvious and to try to tolerate it so not to offend them. (ehem..)

Another incident happen this morning, my next neighbour is a Malay then a couple down down the corridor stayed a Christian family. Unfortunately, their neighbour who is a buddhist just blast their newly purchased home theatre system their buddhist chanting. Even if you do not respect other people’s religion but at least have some basic courtesy to your fellow neighbours!

So early in the morning, at that level of volume they are going, there might be other neighbours who are trying to get more rest, will surely be disturbed. It is not necessary that when you are up early, all your neighbours have to do the same!

Persuasion.. August 15, 2007

Many people seems to have a lot of time to go for talk or seminar. Whenever we say talk or seminar, most of us is always presume that the talk is always being provided by our own company. However, in this case, many people goes for motivational or educational courses. These type of seminar or workshop does not come cheap… hmm.. real wonder where these people get those money..

Before they sign up these 2 – 3 days seminar/workshop, they have such marketing gimmick where they invite people to come down for a free short introduction talk and trying to persuade/tease people to sign up for the full course.

Today, me and a couple of my friends just attended one of such talk titled “Persuasion Power Talk”. The seminar starts from 7pm at one of the hotel seminar rooms and the talk last for 2 hours. They gave some key pointers on how to be a good public speaker with a good presentation skill. Their presentation shows a lot of people “invested” into the workshop and due to that it helps them to make thousands and even million of money. Amazing huh…

Overall, at the end of the talk, you will hear the sales pitch kicks in. It is just to tempt the people to sign up for the full 4-day workshops in September with the key speaker “Joel Bouer”.

Guess how much is the full seminar cost?… It cost at S$7,695!! Ok.. who has that money to spare? Anyone wanna sponsor….