Life is full of surprises. One will not be wrong to think that all promoters will be friendly and most unlikely to behave in a manner that can be called arrogant.Especially in a supermarket known for its excellent oriental customer service. I was utterly wrong. Allow me to relate my encounter.
I was at a supermarket in Balakong and my attention was caught by a promoter of a few bottles of a gel-like substance. There was a group of about 5 - 3 ladies plus 2 teenagers. This 60 + year old promoter was talking and pouring this greenish liquid for the 2 girls to sample , explaining its goodness to them. As I was also new to the scene, she then poured a reddish liquid into a sample cup and offered it with her left hand towards my direction without looking at me. Taken by surprise by my non-reaction , she then turned to look at me and said ,without a smile , that the sampling is for me. I was equally astonished. She expected me to drink this sample without telling me what it is. No , thank you, I told her.
I believe she has done a great disservice to her boss. She has turned away a potential buyer by her attitude. I wonder how she was chosen into this industry. or was it just a case of no takers because the remuneration is peanuts ? Nevertheless, she is more a liabilty than an asset . All interest has been erased by her irresponsiblity.
Earlier at another counter offering cereal sampling, the attitude of the promoter left much to be desired. A thirty something queried regarding one of the four cereal packets. She totally ignored this lady and went to prepare another type for her to sample with an air of " take it or leave it ". She then announced that she gives samples for every packet sold. The way she put that was so offputting. I feel sorry for her boss. Nevertheless, I will continue buying the product despite her. Because I have been taking this brand and I still like it.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Working hours.
A sort of career shift occurred. But, the effect from the shift came more from the change in working hours than the job itself. From shift duty to office hours can really upset routine that has been in place for decades.
Now, I have to battle jams on the return journey. Going to work early (like before) is no big deal. I get a smooth drive. Having lunch breaks has initially let loose my disciplined food intake. When I stepped on the weighing scale after a one-week leave, the reading nearly made me frantic.
It has been a month since the change. Now, I am back holding the throttle. I found a route that can take me home with the least hold on the brakes. I take the drive to listen to car radio - the music, the news and enjoy my new car. I let all the impatient drivers past me.
Used to having brunch at 10 am , I get very hungry when 1 pm comes. So, lunch tends to be heavier than the usual brunch. What more, with meetings where you get to nibble. Not so ,starting October. No more nibbling at meetings. Lunch back to brunch portions. The November reading should be encouraging.
I look forward to the weekends. Two days. Such luxury. I know I earn them. But, the longers hours we put in during our shift duties were not translated into days off. You get this feeling of injustice. Fighting the system was a futile effort. No one wanted to listen. HCOD should be put on shift. Things may change for the better for the shift workers.
Now, I have to battle jams on the return journey. Going to work early (like before) is no big deal. I get a smooth drive. Having lunch breaks has initially let loose my disciplined food intake. When I stepped on the weighing scale after a one-week leave, the reading nearly made me frantic.
It has been a month since the change. Now, I am back holding the throttle. I found a route that can take me home with the least hold on the brakes. I take the drive to listen to car radio - the music, the news and enjoy my new car. I let all the impatient drivers past me.
Used to having brunch at 10 am , I get very hungry when 1 pm comes. So, lunch tends to be heavier than the usual brunch. What more, with meetings where you get to nibble. Not so ,starting October. No more nibbling at meetings. Lunch back to brunch portions. The November reading should be encouraging.
I look forward to the weekends. Two days. Such luxury. I know I earn them. But, the longers hours we put in during our shift duties were not translated into days off. You get this feeling of injustice. Fighting the system was a futile effort. No one wanted to listen. HCOD should be put on shift. Things may change for the better for the shift workers.
Friday, September 5, 2008
September
September seems to be a universal active month. Remember Sept 11 ? My wedding anniversary is also Sept 11. This September seems to be set for many activities. A first overseas holiday for 48 Govt backbenchers. An expected tsunami, come 16 ? The tropical storms maturing into hurricanes raging America. Earthquakes recurring in SW China. And many more firsts - upheavals and declarations.
Wow, it takes a strong stomach to be able to digest all these gut reeling news. Especially the local news. We must give "credit" to the Executive for not forcing the clamps. Or can he ?
The fraternity of bloggers are euphoric over this new found medium of freedom and is adamant in maintaining it. Rightly so. The boundaries are set by the values of each individual. So, let us hope the upbringing of the person is something that we can marvel at , or at the least, respect.
September is the fall season. Some will find this fall a rise.
Wow, it takes a strong stomach to be able to digest all these gut reeling news. Especially the local news. We must give "credit" to the Executive for not forcing the clamps. Or can he ?
The fraternity of bloggers are euphoric over this new found medium of freedom and is adamant in maintaining it. Rightly so. The boundaries are set by the values of each individual. So, let us hope the upbringing of the person is something that we can marvel at , or at the least, respect.
September is the fall season. Some will find this fall a rise.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
National Day
Today is 31 August 2008.
It is a very significant date to all Malaysians . Today marks the 51 st anniversary of independence for Malaya. A day when all Malaysians came together to wrestle ruling power from the colonial masters. A day in history , poignant with pride & tolerance. What is it to the current generation of Malaysians ?
We have to ask ourselves this question ? From the recent events around the country , I can only draw the conclusion that many among us have no idea of the 1957 spirit that has been so well hyped. There are big companies displaying this so called spirit in their TV commercials. Alas, in their day to day practice , it was totally the opposite with an added clause - no questions allowed. Period.
On this day , Malaysia is past 50 as a nation. 51 years is not too long a time as a nation but not that short either. How has that initial spirit evolved ? Are we becoming more as one or more polarised ? What is the obstacle ? Who is at fault ? Is it the education system , federal law, family values, or plain GREED ? No equality because you are not equal to me although you & I can be born on the same day in the same hospital . Many more deficits but say no more. The basic human makeup has the inate ablity to rise above adversity & become stronger. Strange ,isn't it ? The oppressed get stronger & the favoured weaker.
Happy birthday, Malaysia !
It is a very significant date to all Malaysians . Today marks the 51 st anniversary of independence for Malaya. A day when all Malaysians came together to wrestle ruling power from the colonial masters. A day in history , poignant with pride & tolerance. What is it to the current generation of Malaysians ?
We have to ask ourselves this question ? From the recent events around the country , I can only draw the conclusion that many among us have no idea of the 1957 spirit that has been so well hyped. There are big companies displaying this so called spirit in their TV commercials. Alas, in their day to day practice , it was totally the opposite with an added clause - no questions allowed. Period.
On this day , Malaysia is past 50 as a nation. 51 years is not too long a time as a nation but not that short either. How has that initial spirit evolved ? Are we becoming more as one or more polarised ? What is the obstacle ? Who is at fault ? Is it the education system , federal law, family values, or plain GREED ? No equality because you are not equal to me although you & I can be born on the same day in the same hospital . Many more deficits but say no more. The basic human makeup has the inate ablity to rise above adversity & become stronger. Strange ,isn't it ? The oppressed get stronger & the favoured weaker.
Happy birthday, Malaysia !
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Not a homily
Someone reckons to believe in God is a sign of man's weakness. Many of us turn to God in times of distress . We want to lean on an imaginary great force who can prop us up. In a way , it is true. Man is weak. When faced with calamity, the strong ones seek their own way of handling it. The so-called lesser mortals pray to a higher being. But, man is not infallible. There are times when the strong feel weak & cannot see a solution. What do they do ? Suicide or kill ? So , are the strong still strong & the weak weak ?
"You do not seek God. God seeks you." How true. You want to believe & yet not practice the religion you embrace. Only by the grace of the Omnipotent, can we really partake in His ways. A friend of mine commented , " Then , the problem does not lie with man . it lies with God. " Aha. In an analogy. When your neighbour was looking at you, trying to make eye contact & start a conversation & you went straight from your car into your house, what happens. Your neighbour will not want to disturb you since you are so busy.
Man needs quiet time . Time to let go of all earthly embraces. Time to listen to the voice of the Almighty. Time for Him to send us His message . He does not need a calamity to enter our lives. If only we let Him....talk to us & we truly listen a few minutes a day.
"You do not seek God. God seeks you." How true. You want to believe & yet not practice the religion you embrace. Only by the grace of the Omnipotent, can we really partake in His ways. A friend of mine commented , " Then , the problem does not lie with man . it lies with God. " Aha. In an analogy. When your neighbour was looking at you, trying to make eye contact & start a conversation & you went straight from your car into your house, what happens. Your neighbour will not want to disturb you since you are so busy.
Man needs quiet time . Time to let go of all earthly embraces. Time to listen to the voice of the Almighty. Time for Him to send us His message . He does not need a calamity to enter our lives. If only we let Him....talk to us & we truly listen a few minutes a day.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Undercurrents
Well, well , well . Finally , a charge is pending. For a most "infamous " leader. The past headlines in the news have been mindgoggling. Like reading some CSI . Except evidence not evidence, victim not victim, aggressor not aggressor. Looks like there is a great hand in the works. Wish I can read the producer's script. At the end of the day , let us ask " who stands to gain ? " May be, this will give us a clue.
Amidst all this turmoil, the economy will suffer. With it , the poorer strata of society. There will be more suicides from financial disasters & the like. Can someone really sleep on his pillow every night , pray to the almighty & preach the gospels & yet wrong his fellow man ? And bring misery to the masses ?
"What does it bring to gain the world & lose his soul ?"
I can only pray.
Amidst all this turmoil, the economy will suffer. With it , the poorer strata of society. There will be more suicides from financial disasters & the like. Can someone really sleep on his pillow every night , pray to the almighty & preach the gospels & yet wrong his fellow man ? And bring misery to the masses ?
"What does it bring to gain the world & lose his soul ?"
I can only pray.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Chinese painting
Today, I got a new idea how to spend my retirement years. Someone asked what I liked to do as a hobby.
I answered " learn chinese painting ".
One elderly gentleman added " computer chinese painting ".
I furrowed my forehead . " Computer or chinese painting ?"
" Computer chinese painting ". He answered very decisively. " You can learn chinese painting using the computer . No need to go & buy paints & paper."
Well , that will be excellent for me. But, I do like the smell of the paints & the feel of the rice paper . I like too, to hold the brush & perform the strokes. At the same time , I am game to try what the gentleman recommended. If at all I grow to like it , I may then venture further . Get all the stuff & make myself busy setting the props as an artist.
I answered " learn chinese painting ".
One elderly gentleman added " computer chinese painting ".
I furrowed my forehead . " Computer or chinese painting ?"
" Computer chinese painting ". He answered very decisively. " You can learn chinese painting using the computer . No need to go & buy paints & paper."
Well , that will be excellent for me. But, I do like the smell of the paints & the feel of the rice paper . I like too, to hold the brush & perform the strokes. At the same time , I am game to try what the gentleman recommended. If at all I grow to like it , I may then venture further . Get all the stuff & make myself busy setting the props as an artist.
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