There is nothing more infuriating than working with idiots and arseholes at work.
Today. this god knows where he come from "native" Canadian consultant (who behaves more like a new yorker and behaved NOTHING like any canadian I know) arrived 20mins late for our scheduled meeting and without apologies, started off with a hard ball attitude blasting that everything we have done for the project is all wwrong and crap. He started asking what is the Geometry. Dude, speak local langauge. And he said that's exactly where our problem lies.
Without giving us a chance to say anything, he went on insulting us and our work, and started selling his fucking credentials that he owns 2 website companies and delivered hundreds over website project. I dont have to deal with his condescending attitude or take this shit laying down. Two can play this hardball game.
So it was the clash of the planet. He demanded to know my credentials and outright told him off that I have neither the time to entertain him with my job background since we only allocated 1 hour for the meeting and we have alot of grounds to cover, plus nor is it any of his business since he is not my boss and I am not going for a job interview. Basically he thought I was just some lowly temp staff who doesnt know shit.
As he went on blasting on and on (trying to make it seemed like its my fault and he's some mightly knowledgeable guy), my boss stepped in and clarified that he is happy with my work and that he doesnt see things to be as bad as what the twat had painted.
The story goes that the fking piece of fat arse consultant keep trying to sell himself and drive his point that the design resolution was all wrong and its toooo wide for a 14inch screen size. and insisted on downsizing to fit a 14inch monitor because that is what MOST of what our clients are using.
Dude, I dont think blue chip companies are that cheap to be using 14inch screen for their key players and most of their staff in asia in this modern days. Agreeably some will still be stuck with small screen but that is far and few in Hk, and singapore. Wake up to reality and welcome to 2010 instead of 2001.
Plus he want the phone number BIG and wide on the featured section. I explained that its too hardsell and in asia it works differently from American culture. You dont do that since we are trying to showcase our products first, and plus we are not selling insurance where you try to get everyone to call your agent. The work process is to gather details first from the enquiry form because in HK, people tend to email first rather than call the company. Fucking twat doesnt even know that.
Anycase, obviously I gave him the cold shoulder most of the time. I have no respect for people who do not respect their peers at work. Neither am I oblige to suck up to you just because you think you are some big shot. And even if you are, I dont give 2 shit about it.
Someway through the meeting, I refuse to engage in his argument and told him to drop it as its wasting time and not going anyway, and exposing that he doesnt even understand the internal work process. My boss too agreed so and after realising he has stepped some toes, the twat backed down and tried to soothe the situation, by paying compliments to the website design etc etc.
When he left, the whole office was abuzz. Everyone started to comment on our meeting since it was open office and everyone saw and heard him. My colleague laughed and said he sure picked a wrong target to try to put down to elevate himself. Everyone thinks engaging him he is a giantic mistake and he wont sit well with the rest of the staff with his big fuck attitude. He isnt even official working in office and no one has any respect for him now. People just hates him.
Another female colleague was even sharing that during lunch, the fat twat sitting next to her just suddenly grabbed her hanging nametag which was around her chest area. she was so shocked at him invading her private space near inapproperiate area suddenly when she wasnt even talking to him. Now, he is known as a lecherous twat full of shit.
And he is the Sales and Marketing Director? Haaa haaa Good luck to the business. If I m the client, I will so slam the door in his face
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Unfair cable TV deals in HK
Has been a super long while since I last blog. Between work, renovation, moving, classes, and housewifey duties, I simply have no bandwidth to blog. Still, better late than never.
Last week, Hk I-cable stable set me off, fuming at the injustice of the whole paid tv system in HK! To begin with, it's really grossly unfair when they only offer 24 or 18 months contract with a no termination clause. That means even if u have to leave or relocate, u are obliged to pay all remaining months regardless. They won't even accept anything like a one year contract! They allow u to transfer ownership but just not cancellation even with a legitimate reason!
The thing that really pissed me off today wasn't the length of contract but more like the attitude of the icable staff!
The service provider won the exclusive rights to telecast world cup and for that, they unfairly enforce a 2 year contract for the sports package at 268Hk/month just for that one month advantage and they have no rivalling service provider to compete with. So I decided not to get it since I m screwed with penalty if I ever leave early! It's a an calculated risk and I have a choice not to make it.
However what pissed me off was I had wanted to pay for KBS for a twelve month contract and the guy from particulars verification channel told me that even if they lose the broadcasting rights, I still HAVE to pay for the remaining months regardless!!!! WTF?!
Of course any one with half a brain should reject that biased, one sided contract clause that favour the vendor!! So I told the guy I disagree to it. Logically if they lose the broadcasting rights to that singular Channel I m subscribing, why should I still be binded to the contract terms and condition if they cannot upkeep the service that I subscribed for? I didn't ask for a package, I asked for a specific channel! Isn't that daylight robbery?!
The guy on the line was super rude and just said " that's the condition, u must accept." with that "take it and leave it attitude."
I told him I cannot Accept it because it is unfair. Imagine a situation where u paid deposits to a new apartment and halfway through govt take back the land, and the developer tells u oops sorry u dun have a house now but u still have to Pay the remaining mortages!!! Does not make sense right???!!!
I told the guy I won't sign such an unfair and illogical contract that works against a consumer. If I sign it I am screwed because I would have accepted in black and white to be at the mercy of the I cable! The guy was haughty and rude and trying to repeat the clause as if I am some idiot who didn't understand I had no other choice and kicking a fuss for nothing!!! Well newsflash for u mister, I can live without KBS and so stuff it. I decline the agreement and reject installation since I refuse to be a sucker and profit unscrupulous business organisation!!!
After I hung up fuming mad at the whole ordeal and treatment, my phone rang within next 2 mins. The sales department called chasing up on the lead. Apparently that fuckwit twisted the story and said i changed my mind because I insisted on broadcasting rights for the one year contract! Fucking moron and a liar! Or he is too dense to understand the whole situation.
I told the sales guy the story and that I m fucking pissed and now that I have a taste of their service before I sign, I cannot imagine the hellhole I will be thrown in AFTEr I sign!!!!
Now that I am hopping mad, suddenly I m now offer a NO CONTRACT offer at 30hk more with just a one month advance notice! Well too late buddy. I told the guy when the fuckwit should have told me that option when I had asked for a solution earlier when I disagreed to the clause. Instead he had chosen to test my patience and piss me off!!! The sales guy said the fuckwit won't know as he is not in sales. I didnt buy that justification and retorted that the logical reply if he has common sense and from any experince, would be to tell me he will get his colleague to get back to me instead of threatening to cancel my order after I voiced my displeasure with his tone and attitude! But no.... He have to give me the big gun attitude. Well take a hike buddy!!! I ain't swallowing that down like other meeky customers who moves around like a herd of driven cows without a voice!
The sales guy knows I m extrememly pissed now and acknowledged that I wasn't the first to complain. That makes it worse! People complain and the same thing keep happening!!! Wat a fantastic business model structure and customer relationship mgmt!!!! Classic illustration of a big bullying corporation who ignores the people who keeps them afloat!!! Imagine a world without Internet free airing, won't they be even more arrogant?!!
The most infuriating thing was, after I refuse to sign on and told both the sales and the quality department to cancel my request, I still receive a "Thank you for signing on with I-cable" and a bloody call to ask when to install the cable. Talk about Incompetence and greed and negligent to customer needs and feelings. Wait a min, I am in HK, consumer's feelings have no play here unless I am super rich with some insider connections.
It's dismayal how companies like that get away treating clients with unfair deals and shortchanging our rights!
So right now I will say long live Internet real time airing at no charge!!! Gives abused customers an option to walk away!
Last week, Hk I-cable stable set me off, fuming at the injustice of the whole paid tv system in HK! To begin with, it's really grossly unfair when they only offer 24 or 18 months contract with a no termination clause. That means even if u have to leave or relocate, u are obliged to pay all remaining months regardless. They won't even accept anything like a one year contract! They allow u to transfer ownership but just not cancellation even with a legitimate reason!
The thing that really pissed me off today wasn't the length of contract but more like the attitude of the icable staff!
The service provider won the exclusive rights to telecast world cup and for that, they unfairly enforce a 2 year contract for the sports package at 268Hk/month just for that one month advantage and they have no rivalling service provider to compete with. So I decided not to get it since I m screwed with penalty if I ever leave early! It's a an calculated risk and I have a choice not to make it.
However what pissed me off was I had wanted to pay for KBS for a twelve month contract and the guy from particulars verification channel told me that even if they lose the broadcasting rights, I still HAVE to pay for the remaining months regardless!!!! WTF?!
Of course any one with half a brain should reject that biased, one sided contract clause that favour the vendor!! So I told the guy I disagree to it. Logically if they lose the broadcasting rights to that singular Channel I m subscribing, why should I still be binded to the contract terms and condition if they cannot upkeep the service that I subscribed for? I didn't ask for a package, I asked for a specific channel! Isn't that daylight robbery?!
The guy on the line was super rude and just said " that's the condition, u must accept." with that "take it and leave it attitude."
I told him I cannot Accept it because it is unfair. Imagine a situation where u paid deposits to a new apartment and halfway through govt take back the land, and the developer tells u oops sorry u dun have a house now but u still have to Pay the remaining mortages!!! Does not make sense right???!!!
I told the guy I won't sign such an unfair and illogical contract that works against a consumer. If I sign it I am screwed because I would have accepted in black and white to be at the mercy of the I cable! The guy was haughty and rude and trying to repeat the clause as if I am some idiot who didn't understand I had no other choice and kicking a fuss for nothing!!! Well newsflash for u mister, I can live without KBS and so stuff it. I decline the agreement and reject installation since I refuse to be a sucker and profit unscrupulous business organisation!!!
After I hung up fuming mad at the whole ordeal and treatment, my phone rang within next 2 mins. The sales department called chasing up on the lead. Apparently that fuckwit twisted the story and said i changed my mind because I insisted on broadcasting rights for the one year contract! Fucking moron and a liar! Or he is too dense to understand the whole situation.
I told the sales guy the story and that I m fucking pissed and now that I have a taste of their service before I sign, I cannot imagine the hellhole I will be thrown in AFTEr I sign!!!!
Now that I am hopping mad, suddenly I m now offer a NO CONTRACT offer at 30hk more with just a one month advance notice! Well too late buddy. I told the guy when the fuckwit should have told me that option when I had asked for a solution earlier when I disagreed to the clause. Instead he had chosen to test my patience and piss me off!!! The sales guy said the fuckwit won't know as he is not in sales. I didnt buy that justification and retorted that the logical reply if he has common sense and from any experince, would be to tell me he will get his colleague to get back to me instead of threatening to cancel my order after I voiced my displeasure with his tone and attitude! But no.... He have to give me the big gun attitude. Well take a hike buddy!!! I ain't swallowing that down like other meeky customers who moves around like a herd of driven cows without a voice!
The sales guy knows I m extrememly pissed now and acknowledged that I wasn't the first to complain. That makes it worse! People complain and the same thing keep happening!!! Wat a fantastic business model structure and customer relationship mgmt!!!! Classic illustration of a big bullying corporation who ignores the people who keeps them afloat!!! Imagine a world without Internet free airing, won't they be even more arrogant?!!
The most infuriating thing was, after I refuse to sign on and told both the sales and the quality department to cancel my request, I still receive a "Thank you for signing on with I-cable" and a bloody call to ask when to install the cable. Talk about Incompetence and greed and negligent to customer needs and feelings. Wait a min, I am in HK, consumer's feelings have no play here unless I am super rich with some insider connections.
It's dismayal how companies like that get away treating clients with unfair deals and shortchanging our rights!
So right now I will say long live Internet real time airing at no charge!!! Gives abused customers an option to walk away!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Bad but hilarious Translation
Oh this is fking funny! I nearly died from laughing from reading the English translation!
Talk about literal translation from Cantonese to English!!!!
HandFighting Fishball anyone? haaaaaa
Friday, April 9, 2010
New Ramen @IFC - Wakayama
I had always wondered how long that bar on the 3rd floor at IFC (above the airport express check-in) could last...and finally, my predication came true and the bar folded. RIP.
In its place is a spanking new Japanese Ramen restaurant - Wakayama. Good, a new alternative to Rei Restuarant in IFC.
Tonight, I felt relatively hungry after work. Which s a good thing considerin I havent had solid food for over a week and lack of appetite was a concern. Tonight, my tummy finally rumbled. Not the "BAD" sort of rumbling that spells trouble, but rather the "Happy" sort that says "Feed me!"
Since the idea of eating at Elements and of congee again wasnt all that welcoming, I decided to try out the new Ramen place. I hate some ramen because if they cook it badly, the noodles come out gluey..and if the broth is bad, it makes you want to throw the whole bowl of noodles into the bin.
I flipped through the menu. It's not cheap ramen, averaging about $100, with the cheapest about $88 bucks for the Pork slice Cha Siew noodles. I thought I would give it a try. As they led me to my counter seat, I walked past a table with this huge bowl of ramen with corns, and brown pieces of meat. It by far looks more yummy-licious than the pork slice.
Trusting instinct is good at times. So I went ahead and ordered that instead, even though it cost me a whopping $138 per HUGE bowl. It's australian wagyu beef i think because the meat taste damn good, tender, COOKED, and naturally sweet. The soup base, I had asked for chicken broth so its not salty and light but tasty.
The place served sashimi and other stuff like tempura, and side dishes but the main items are the ramen. They have other mixed vege ramen, tempura ramen, sliced pork with vege ramen etc etc.
I like it. Or I like what I ate tonight.
In its place is a spanking new Japanese Ramen restaurant - Wakayama. Good, a new alternative to Rei Restuarant in IFC.
Tonight, I felt relatively hungry after work. Which s a good thing considerin I havent had solid food for over a week and lack of appetite was a concern. Tonight, my tummy finally rumbled. Not the "BAD" sort of rumbling that spells trouble, but rather the "Happy" sort that says "Feed me!"
Since the idea of eating at Elements and of congee again wasnt all that welcoming, I decided to try out the new Ramen place. I hate some ramen because if they cook it badly, the noodles come out gluey..and if the broth is bad, it makes you want to throw the whole bowl of noodles into the bin.
I flipped through the menu. It's not cheap ramen, averaging about $100, with the cheapest about $88 bucks for the Pork slice Cha Siew noodles. I thought I would give it a try. As they led me to my counter seat, I walked past a table with this huge bowl of ramen with corns, and brown pieces of meat. It by far looks more yummy-licious than the pork slice.
Trusting instinct is good at times. So I went ahead and ordered that instead, even though it cost me a whopping $138 per HUGE bowl. It's australian wagyu beef i think because the meat taste damn good, tender, COOKED, and naturally sweet. The soup base, I had asked for chicken broth so its not salty and light but tasty.
The place served sashimi and other stuff like tempura, and side dishes but the main items are the ramen. They have other mixed vege ramen, tempura ramen, sliced pork with vege ramen etc etc.
I like it. Or I like what I ate tonight.
With plenty of sprouts and corns and good portion of meat, I think I will be back again.
Maybe its just because its new and they havent start cost cutting, or try to be funny or lazy with cooking. So if u are ever in IFC, give this place a try before the standard drops with time as all restaurants eventually do.
Maybe its just because its new and they havent start cost cutting, or try to be funny or lazy with cooking. So if u are ever in IFC, give this place a try before the standard drops with time as all restaurants eventually do.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
It's only March...sigh
This would probably be the first time I am working and I dont quite like the people who employed me. For one, I dont quite like their attitude towards people, despite the industry they are suppose to be in to inspire people. I am pretty sure their team aint very much motivated...
My feelings doesnt come from personal experience but rather from the sideline observation. I dont like the brusque way they talk, I dont like the haphazard way they work. Maybe I am too used to working in a structured, professional MNC that its a real eye opener to work with a small firm like theirs, where their word is the law, and the law can flip flop every other day without reasons.
But seriously, imagine this.
In the small office space, where everyone is on the line, it is unavoidable that a certain level of noise is in place. Yet, our boss would turn around and yell at everyone to "SHUT UP" just because he was on the phone. Even when it was not directed at me but my peers, I feel offended at the way they were talk down to. Couldnt he had at least said "Guys could u lower the volume?" The thing was, the team werent even chitchatting. They were either on the lines with other potential customers or vendors. So what gives him the right to be so rude to people who are helping him to earn his keep?
There are many many other tiny details that is so out of line but I wont state them all here. It isnt me having an issue with them both. It seems that everyone here thinks the same of them, including my vendor who has some brushes with their extreme hot and cold attitude.
I dont think they are bad people. On the contrary, I think they prob are interesting characters but just not great people to run a business because they lack the steadfast and calm personality to motivate and drive the crew.
Anycase, I am sooo looking forward to the end of my contract, so that I can begin the part time basis. Everyday heading to office is such a dread because of the lack of challenge and supporting environment.
Will end of April not come soon enough?
My feelings doesnt come from personal experience but rather from the sideline observation. I dont like the brusque way they talk, I dont like the haphazard way they work. Maybe I am too used to working in a structured, professional MNC that its a real eye opener to work with a small firm like theirs, where their word is the law, and the law can flip flop every other day without reasons.
But seriously, imagine this.
In the small office space, where everyone is on the line, it is unavoidable that a certain level of noise is in place. Yet, our boss would turn around and yell at everyone to "SHUT UP" just because he was on the phone. Even when it was not directed at me but my peers, I feel offended at the way they were talk down to. Couldnt he had at least said "Guys could u lower the volume?" The thing was, the team werent even chitchatting. They were either on the lines with other potential customers or vendors. So what gives him the right to be so rude to people who are helping him to earn his keep?
There are many many other tiny details that is so out of line but I wont state them all here. It isnt me having an issue with them both. It seems that everyone here thinks the same of them, including my vendor who has some brushes with their extreme hot and cold attitude.
I dont think they are bad people. On the contrary, I think they prob are interesting characters but just not great people to run a business because they lack the steadfast and calm personality to motivate and drive the crew.
Anycase, I am sooo looking forward to the end of my contract, so that I can begin the part time basis. Everyday heading to office is such a dread because of the lack of challenge and supporting environment.
Will end of April not come soon enough?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Why do I work? I must be out of my mind
Work is dull.
Work is boring.
Why on earth did I start working?
Itchy backside.
Every morning, I had to drag myself off my comfy bed.
Every morning, I cursed at the bad traffic air pollution in central as I walked from the MRT to Hollywood road. There is so much smog an d exhaust fumes that I feel so out of breath by the time I am done climbing up the hilly steps because I am suffocating from holding my breath.
Every lunch, I dread to think of what horrible disgusting food I can eat. I miss lunch at causewaybay. Not only for the wide variety and price, but also a much more appetising offerings.
Every eve, I had to fight my way through the pesky overcrowded train station, and stand in the long long line way home. One those days I have to attend class at TST, I am almost squashed from front to back from the relentless crowd that pour into the train. The only good thing is that the HK train is well ventilated and its never stuffy, making it more bearable than peak hour train in Singapore.
Every other night, I will have to try to perk up and go grocery shopping to cook dinner. After horrible lunch, all I want was light healthy soup to compensate for the crap I down myself with in the day.
By April, my contract will end but the project will not
I hate to think how my boss will ask me to stay and I will be cringing like hell inside....
Do the professional thing to stay on, or selfish thing and make a run for it?
Work is boring.
Why on earth did I start working?
Itchy backside.
Every morning, I had to drag myself off my comfy bed.
Every morning, I cursed at the bad traffic air pollution in central as I walked from the MRT to Hollywood road. There is so much smog an d exhaust fumes that I feel so out of breath by the time I am done climbing up the hilly steps because I am suffocating from holding my breath.
Every lunch, I dread to think of what horrible disgusting food I can eat. I miss lunch at causewaybay. Not only for the wide variety and price, but also a much more appetising offerings.
Every eve, I had to fight my way through the pesky overcrowded train station, and stand in the long long line way home. One those days I have to attend class at TST, I am almost squashed from front to back from the relentless crowd that pour into the train. The only good thing is that the HK train is well ventilated and its never stuffy, making it more bearable than peak hour train in Singapore.
Every other night, I will have to try to perk up and go grocery shopping to cook dinner. After horrible lunch, all I want was light healthy soup to compensate for the crap I down myself with in the day.
By April, my contract will end but the project will not
I hate to think how my boss will ask me to stay and I will be cringing like hell inside....
Do the professional thing to stay on, or selfish thing and make a run for it?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
就想賴著你插曲：禮物 - 劉力揚
I love this song from the Taiwanese Drama - Down with Love. [download]
One of my fav lines in the song is below.
"世上最殘酷的 恐怕是時間
困住人 一切卻還向前 "
Translated:
"Time is probably one the most cruel thing in life,
Everything else moves ahead, while the person is trapped behind."
禮物 - 劉力揚
終於可以在今天劃上句點
一整夜 翻閱過去畫面
快想不起我們為何會訣別
只看到那雙你送的鞋
走一步又一步 我才發現繞了個圈
走了好幾年 又回到原點
＊你送的禮物 會不會太特別
毫不避諱 那不安的傳言
但漸行漸遠 習慣到沒感覺
難道你早想要我走遠
＃你送的禮物 在此刻好體貼
陪我回憶 把過往走一遍
穿了這些年 難免會有污點
就像每段愛 總會有終點
世上最殘酷的 恐怕是時間
困住人 一切卻還向前
乾涸的眼再擠不出一點鹹
愛到如此可悲的境界
走一步又一步 卻跟不上你的腳步
你滿意了 為什麼我卻只想要哭
重唱 ＊,＃
你說做自己吧 我們都做回自己 哦
不要再為愛受委屈
你送的禮物 原來是一場劫
終於分別 宿命一樣準確
可笑到想要 你賠給我時間
愛情有時廉價得可憐
光著腳我一路奔跑 鮮血淚水一路狂飆
收起我的驕傲 承認曾經備受煎熬
鞋上那記號 只有你能明瞭
過了這一夜 我就全忘掉
One of my fav lines in the song is below.
"世上最殘酷的 恐怕是時間
困住人 一切卻還向前 "
Translated:
"Time is probably one the most cruel thing in life,
Everything else moves ahead, while the person is trapped behind."
禮物 - 劉力揚
終於可以在今天劃上句點
一整夜 翻閱過去畫面
快想不起我們為何會訣別
只看到那雙你送的鞋
走一步又一步 我才發現繞了個圈
走了好幾年 又回到原點
＊你送的禮物 會不會太特別
毫不避諱 那不安的傳言
但漸行漸遠 習慣到沒感覺
難道你早想要我走遠
＃你送的禮物 在此刻好體貼
陪我回憶 把過往走一遍
穿了這些年 難免會有污點
就像每段愛 總會有終點
世上最殘酷的 恐怕是時間
困住人 一切卻還向前
乾涸的眼再擠不出一點鹹
愛到如此可悲的境界
走一步又一步 卻跟不上你的腳步
你滿意了 為什麼我卻只想要哭
重唱 ＊,＃
你說做自己吧 我們都做回自己 哦
不要再為愛受委屈
你送的禮物 原來是一場劫
終於分別 宿命一樣準確
可笑到想要 你賠給我時間
愛情有時廉價得可憐
光著腳我一路奔跑 鮮血淚水一路狂飆
收起我的驕傲 承認曾經備受煎熬
鞋上那記號 只有你能明瞭
過了這一夜 我就全忘掉
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Updates
I dont know how some people does it. To work, to have othr activities and blog at the same time. Something has to give..what do they give up?
It has been a while hasnt it? Since I actually sat down proper to write anything. In between my going well renovation, work and Jap class, it's near impossible to do anything else I like like Pilates & watching dramas.
I had a sudden craving yesterday.
While storming my way through the thick piling human traffic crowd at central station, it suddenly hit me how much I wish I had a pipping hot crispy skin prata before me. Chicken Mutamak with lotsa onion and egg will be fantastic. Throw in a hot cup of indian milk tea...that morning will be so perfect!!! I was drooling in my head as I trudge myself forlonly towards my office, passing by muffins and sandwiches shop without care. As I munch on my pret-a-manager pasta soup in the morning, it was an excercise to keep my tummy full than of any form of enjoyment. As I sat in office mechanically finishing my breakfast, I thought back to my old company cafe in Singapore. Where everymorning, I get to choose from prata, kaya sandwich toast, or some malay style breakfast like nasi lemak, or even chinese carrot cake with dark soya sauce. Damn.... where did all those local cravings come from suddenly?
I had HK morning breakfast. If its not ham sandwich, its macroni soup or dim sum... it's soooo lacking in variety. Well at least that is the case in central.
It's mid March now and looks like my job is gonna get extended. crap. I really dont want to work full time anymore. I miss that quality of life when I get to do whatever I wanted, when I wanted. So far, my colleagues have been good. It's small office, so thankfully there isnt backstabbing, badmouthing or politics. The only down side is I hate working in central because there is soooo little variety of local food unlike causeway bay. Those places at Soho...i dunno....not my cup of tea.
Renovation work is in good hands, and good time.
Looks like it is gonna finish faster than I expected. I like my contractor. We work well together and from our interactions, he is one contractor with brain that think about practicality of what he built. He takes pride in what he deliver and hence he is also alot more detailed oriented than I expected. Unlike the contractor I had in sg previously, this contractor gives much thought about various dimensions and materials. So in a way, I feel reassured and he certainly took some stress away from me. So much so that I have only visited the apartment 3 times since it started work in Feb.
Yet unlike in SG, work doesnt go on everyday in the apt. SO that explains why it takes a much longer time than in sg. Funny planning huh. But at least the staff he chooses seem to deliver good work. The tiling work is good. So much better than I had anticipated! Happy!
The place is done with the tiling and wetworks and false ceiling. What is left really is the carpentry and the painting. It's gonna be some work that I have do like shopping for wall decal soon! Excited!
It's still pretty much undetermined how the whole place will turn out. Kinda half excited and half worried about choices I make. Time will tell...or rather I will know by april!
It has been a while hasnt it? Since I actually sat down proper to write anything. In between my going well renovation, work and Jap class, it's near impossible to do anything else I like like Pilates & watching dramas.
I had a sudden craving yesterday.
While storming my way through the thick piling human traffic crowd at central station, it suddenly hit me how much I wish I had a pipping hot crispy skin prata before me. Chicken Mutamak with lotsa onion and egg will be fantastic. Throw in a hot cup of indian milk tea...that morning will be so perfect!!! I was drooling in my head as I trudge myself forlonly towards my office, passing by muffins and sandwiches shop without care. As I munch on my pret-a-manager pasta soup in the morning, it was an excercise to keep my tummy full than of any form of enjoyment. As I sat in office mechanically finishing my breakfast, I thought back to my old company cafe in Singapore. Where everymorning, I get to choose from prata, kaya sandwich toast, or some malay style breakfast like nasi lemak, or even chinese carrot cake with dark soya sauce. Damn.... where did all those local cravings come from suddenly?
I had HK morning breakfast. If its not ham sandwich, its macroni soup or dim sum... it's soooo lacking in variety. Well at least that is the case in central.
It's mid March now and looks like my job is gonna get extended. crap. I really dont want to work full time anymore. I miss that quality of life when I get to do whatever I wanted, when I wanted. So far, my colleagues have been good. It's small office, so thankfully there isnt backstabbing, badmouthing or politics. The only down side is I hate working in central because there is soooo little variety of local food unlike causeway bay. Those places at Soho...i dunno....not my cup of tea.
Renovation work is in good hands, and good time.
Looks like it is gonna finish faster than I expected. I like my contractor. We work well together and from our interactions, he is one contractor with brain that think about practicality of what he built. He takes pride in what he deliver and hence he is also alot more detailed oriented than I expected. Unlike the contractor I had in sg previously, this contractor gives much thought about various dimensions and materials. So in a way, I feel reassured and he certainly took some stress away from me. So much so that I have only visited the apartment 3 times since it started work in Feb.
Yet unlike in SG, work doesnt go on everyday in the apt. SO that explains why it takes a much longer time than in sg. Funny planning huh. But at least the staff he chooses seem to deliver good work. The tiling work is good. So much better than I had anticipated! Happy!
The place is done with the tiling and wetworks and false ceiling. What is left really is the carpentry and the painting. It's gonna be some work that I have do like shopping for wall decal soon! Excited!
It's still pretty much undetermined how the whole place will turn out. Kinda half excited and half worried about choices I make. Time will tell...or rather I will know by april!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tiring Friday
After being back from CNY, this is one of the most hectic periods ever.
Apart from pulling in hours for work, I was mercilessly "hounded" to finalise my renovation bits. I could barely keep my eyes open during my Jap class. I am so positively going to suffer and pay the price comes my test period.
Met my contractor yesterday afterwork at our new unit and my intended 2 hour meeting stretched from 6pm to 10.30pm instead. My poor husband was also left dinner-less as we move from room to room to nail down the details from cabinet height to the functionality of the drawers I have in mind... I dont like to leave it to Interior designers alone because they can give a general proposal but it will never be customised to one's needs & preferences. And because I cook, I have very specific ideas about how to categorised my storage systems from storing dry provisions to placement of my bin etc.
By the time we were done, both my husband and I are totally exhuasted. What's left is to pick the tiles and fixtures tomorrow....
When I got back last nite, it was back to the drawing board to tell him the ideal height for the bathroom vanity table top etc. Finally collapsed into the bed at 3.30am. I am soooo looking forward to Monday where I can take the day off and just sit back and relaz on my birthday.
Yipppppeeeee!
Apart from pulling in hours for work, I was mercilessly "hounded" to finalise my renovation bits. I could barely keep my eyes open during my Jap class. I am so positively going to suffer and pay the price comes my test period.
Met my contractor yesterday afterwork at our new unit and my intended 2 hour meeting stretched from 6pm to 10.30pm instead. My poor husband was also left dinner-less as we move from room to room to nail down the details from cabinet height to the functionality of the drawers I have in mind... I dont like to leave it to Interior designers alone because they can give a general proposal but it will never be customised to one's needs & preferences. And because I cook, I have very specific ideas about how to categorised my storage systems from storing dry provisions to placement of my bin etc.
By the time we were done, both my husband and I are totally exhuasted. What's left is to pick the tiles and fixtures tomorrow....
When I got back last nite, it was back to the drawing board to tell him the ideal height for the bathroom vanity table top etc. Finally collapsed into the bed at 3.30am. I am soooo looking forward to Monday where I can take the day off and just sit back and relaz on my birthday.
Yipppppeeeee!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
First post after gettng back to HK
Am finally and reluctantly back to HK.
I had to adjust my mentality and language back to Cantonese as well.
The first person to welcome me back to HK is the bloody mobile spam.
The second person is my contractor and finally the third is my new neighbor from downstairs.
Previously before I had left for Singapore for Chinese new year holidays, my neighbor (a retired old couples) from below had requested to have a quick chat. So I had gone down with my contractor in tow to listen to his grievances about how the previous owners (the people who sold us the flat) had wreaked his ceiling during their renovation work, causing water leakage and totally disregarding their feelings and ignored him. Comes this time, they are still reliving the paranoid nitemare and wanted us if possible not to "dig" too deep when ripping up the existing wooden floors.
Perhaps this is the reason in life why my "calling" in work is project management with customer service. It makes it easier for me in life to deal with "complaints", "feedbacks" and work at reassuring them that I completely empathise with them... Frankly I didnt do much except to lend my ears but my neighbors were totally elated. They keep saying we are very reasonable as compared to the previous occupants. My contractor later told me I was very nice to "entertain" such requests and most HK people wont give a shit. I explained that I could understand his emotions and it doesnt take much to just spare 10mins of your time and cost me nothing else. People nowadays talk too much and listen too little... and perhaps so why tensions always ride high rapidly, excluding times dealing with morons and arseholes.
So comes today, I awoke to my dear neighbor calling me again and before he can say anything, I wished him a very happy chinese new year with a string of Chinese well wishing... That probably place every one in a good mood and he told me that my renovation is in good progress. Honestly, I havent even seen the state of renovation my place is in yet but since my neighbor say its fine, I am crossing my fingers. We have only just got started. However, He just wanted to remind me about the waterproofing works - to do a better job than the previous owner. I said ok and not to worry, I have been reminding my contractor about the same thing.
With that, he wished me good success in my renovation and that we will move in to the complex happily soon. And in return, I thanked him and that hopefully we can invite him over when we moved in.
I too hope my place renovation will go smoothly. Well, it has been "blessed" by so many parties from my contractors, the security guards, the management, to my neighbor, so I am hoping these combined "power" of good wishings will rub good luck to my unit and free me from future headaches now and later when we move in.
After 2 weeks of idling back home, it's kinda hard to kick into high gear. Dragging my body all over the house, and its back to the routine of laundry and work and cooking. Thankfully my very considerate husband had done his share of housework and folding the clothes away to reduce my load when I am back. I am thankful:)
Last nite getting off from the late flight, I was even more surprised by the lovely vase of flowers that welcomed me home. My husband has good taste. He picked all the lovely shades that I love. As I went about to unpack and putting the bags out of the way, he gave me a second surprise. I have to admit, my husband is much sweeter than I credit him for at times.
It didnt quite register in me why he was dragging me through half the bag boutiques while we were back in Singapore. I had mentioned off handedly some time back about needing a nice dinner bag but I had long forgotten about it but he remembered. However, I didnt quite catch on to his eagerness in trying to get me one, to the point of wanting to buy 2 Prada bags which I was having fun trying with. You should see the sales girls' eyes lit up like fireworks. Of course I will never frivolously throw my money away like that so I told my husband no. The girls were trying to convince ME that I should get both. Nice try girls, but I am not a believer that it is a must to stock pile on luxury brand names.
In the end, we left without buying anything because if I am going to spend such an amount, I much prefer to get a new piece (not display) and make sure I still like it at second or third look. I hate those sales tactics where they try to tell u it is the LAST piece..limited design...blah blah. Like I care I said. If its gone, its gone. No big deal. My quality of life is not going to diminish or that I will be deprived of future happiness. My heart wont skip a beat if I never see it again.
So when I came back last night, my partner happily told me that he went to several stores in HK and confirmed they had new pieces and the colour I wanted. I looked at him inquisitively, asking why is he more keen to get me the bag than I am? Awwwwww....he went through all the trouble because my birthday was coming up. Even without the bags, I am touched and happy by the devotion and thoughts alone...
I had to adjust my mentality and language back to Cantonese as well.
The first person to welcome me back to HK is the bloody mobile spam.
The second person is my contractor and finally the third is my new neighbor from downstairs.
Previously before I had left for Singapore for Chinese new year holidays, my neighbor (a retired old couples) from below had requested to have a quick chat. So I had gone down with my contractor in tow to listen to his grievances about how the previous owners (the people who sold us the flat) had wreaked his ceiling during their renovation work, causing water leakage and totally disregarding their feelings and ignored him. Comes this time, they are still reliving the paranoid nitemare and wanted us if possible not to "dig" too deep when ripping up the existing wooden floors.
Perhaps this is the reason in life why my "calling" in work is project management with customer service. It makes it easier for me in life to deal with "complaints", "feedbacks" and work at reassuring them that I completely empathise with them... Frankly I didnt do much except to lend my ears but my neighbors were totally elated. They keep saying we are very reasonable as compared to the previous occupants. My contractor later told me I was very nice to "entertain" such requests and most HK people wont give a shit. I explained that I could understand his emotions and it doesnt take much to just spare 10mins of your time and cost me nothing else. People nowadays talk too much and listen too little... and perhaps so why tensions always ride high rapidly, excluding times dealing with morons and arseholes.
So comes today, I awoke to my dear neighbor calling me again and before he can say anything, I wished him a very happy chinese new year with a string of Chinese well wishing... That probably place every one in a good mood and he told me that my renovation is in good progress. Honestly, I havent even seen the state of renovation my place is in yet but since my neighbor say its fine, I am crossing my fingers. We have only just got started. However, He just wanted to remind me about the waterproofing works - to do a better job than the previous owner. I said ok and not to worry, I have been reminding my contractor about the same thing.
With that, he wished me good success in my renovation and that we will move in to the complex happily soon. And in return, I thanked him and that hopefully we can invite him over when we moved in.
I too hope my place renovation will go smoothly. Well, it has been "blessed" by so many parties from my contractors, the security guards, the management, to my neighbor, so I am hoping these combined "power" of good wishings will rub good luck to my unit and free me from future headaches now and later when we move in.
After 2 weeks of idling back home, it's kinda hard to kick into high gear. Dragging my body all over the house, and its back to the routine of laundry and work and cooking. Thankfully my very considerate husband had done his share of housework and folding the clothes away to reduce my load when I am back. I am thankful:)
Last nite getting off from the late flight, I was even more surprised by the lovely vase of flowers that welcomed me home. My husband has good taste. He picked all the lovely shades that I love. As I went about to unpack and putting the bags out of the way, he gave me a second surprise. I have to admit, my husband is much sweeter than I credit him for at times.
It didnt quite register in me why he was dragging me through half the bag boutiques while we were back in Singapore. I had mentioned off handedly some time back about needing a nice dinner bag but I had long forgotten about it but he remembered. However, I didnt quite catch on to his eagerness in trying to get me one, to the point of wanting to buy 2 Prada bags which I was having fun trying with. You should see the sales girls' eyes lit up like fireworks. Of course I will never frivolously throw my money away like that so I told my husband no. The girls were trying to convince ME that I should get both. Nice try girls, but I am not a believer that it is a must to stock pile on luxury brand names.
In the end, we left without buying anything because if I am going to spend such an amount, I much prefer to get a new piece (not display) and make sure I still like it at second or third look. I hate those sales tactics where they try to tell u it is the LAST piece..limited design...blah blah. Like I care I said. If its gone, its gone. No big deal. My quality of life is not going to diminish or that I will be deprived of future happiness. My heart wont skip a beat if I never see it again.
So when I came back last night, my partner happily told me that he went to several stores in HK and confirmed they had new pieces and the colour I wanted. I looked at him inquisitively, asking why is he more keen to get me the bag than I am? Awwwwww....he went through all the trouble because my birthday was coming up. Even without the bags, I am touched and happy by the devotion and thoughts alone...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
There are really only 2 things in life that are really intimidating....The first would be getting married, and the other would be house renovation.
They are certainly not something you can walk away from easily. They both require huge committment and once u start the ball rolling, there is really no looking back.
Getting married is terrifying because well, nothing in life is predictable least of all another human. Renovating the house is terrifying because there are so much unforseen events. Whatever can go wrong will go wrong.... Hence, If you put your trust in the wrong person for both events, you are pretty much screwed.
So far, I think I am still in good hands for both.
My HK renovator seemed like an ernest guy enough and responsible enough. At least he calls to update me stuff and doesnt leave me hanging up in the air. I am cross my fingers.
Design wise, its atonishing what stuff are in the market right now. Fake wood tiles. Amazing. They print the wood pattern on the tiles soooo well on the tiles its almost hard to tell from a distance unless u get to touch them, with products from china being the sole exception of course. The wooden designed tiles from Australia and Italy look fantastic..the china ones just look cheap and nasty at half the price of course. I had a choice, I picked those manufactured from Malaysia as much as possible. Dont know...just dont like the idea of supporting this halfhearted shit from China.
It's quite funny. How I am living near China, but I am paying high labor cost here in HK but cheap materials. When I did reno in Sg - 4hrs away from china, I had to pay higher cost for materials, but ending up with cheap China labor...What an irony.
They had started to rip the wooden stuff out of my apartment now. All I can do is really just sit tight, cross my fingers & toes and pray. Wish me luck
They are certainly not something you can walk away from easily. They both require huge committment and once u start the ball rolling, there is really no looking back.
Getting married is terrifying because well, nothing in life is predictable least of all another human. Renovating the house is terrifying because there are so much unforseen events. Whatever can go wrong will go wrong.... Hence, If you put your trust in the wrong person for both events, you are pretty much screwed.
So far, I think I am still in good hands for both.
My HK renovator seemed like an ernest guy enough and responsible enough. At least he calls to update me stuff and doesnt leave me hanging up in the air. I am cross my fingers.
Design wise, its atonishing what stuff are in the market right now. Fake wood tiles. Amazing. They print the wood pattern on the tiles soooo well on the tiles its almost hard to tell from a distance unless u get to touch them, with products from china being the sole exception of course. The wooden designed tiles from Australia and Italy look fantastic..the china ones just look cheap and nasty at half the price of course. I had a choice, I picked those manufactured from Malaysia as much as possible. Dont know...just dont like the idea of supporting this halfhearted shit from China.
It's quite funny. How I am living near China, but I am paying high labor cost here in HK but cheap materials. When I did reno in Sg - 4hrs away from china, I had to pay higher cost for materials, but ending up with cheap China labor...What an irony.
They had started to rip the wooden stuff out of my apartment now. All I can do is really just sit tight, cross my fingers & toes and pray. Wish me luck
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Bad luck, headache and all
All I can say...life is a roller coaster and bad things come in two.
Just collected the keys and on day of inspection of unit, we found the whole apartment flooded with water. Apparently the stupid stupid stupid maid next door had choke the pipe and tried to pumped and forced the stuck materials down the pipes. She continued to use her kitchen and water rushed through our toilet and flooded the whole house, saved the master room and kitchen.
It was a nitemare, hassle and frustratin matter, especially the useless management office didnt want to press after the next door unit since he claimed it was "inconclusive" to determine the other party was at fault. The good thing is insurance is covered, but as to how much can be claimed is undetermined. Not only that, the renovation period will have to extend since I have now to rip up the whole wooden flooring in both bedrooms, dining room, living room as well as the cabinets.
In a way, I kept myself upbeat and positive thinking, that all these happen before we start our renovation and thus able to "identify" the problem, and change my renovation plans in time. Also, knowing this potential problem, at least I am gonna swop all the wooden flooring to tiles, and ensure my wall attached cabinet is gonna be lifted off the ground! The troublesome thing is that the flooding occured before we collected the keys and so the insurance is covered under the seller. The good thing is that it doesnt seem to raise our insurance premium since the claim is not made under our name. The bad thing is that everything is subjective.
Maybe its all predestined. I honestly hated the flooring and was in 2 minds about whether to ripped the whole flooring. However cost and renovation timeline were major factors, and now heaven willed it that I need not think about it and just go ahead with it. I just hope the insurance claim will break even at least with what we need to do...damn.
So far, my contractor seem to be rather reliable and experienced, advising me that he has encounter similar problems and suggested to checking the common pipe during renovation. If determined it is the common pip problem which he suspected, we have the right to request the building management to change the pipe...then again how long will that take is an unknown factor.
My husband is pissed and annoyed of course with all the various aspect, even though I am actually the one dealing with it and following up with the various contacts, such as the lawyer, contractor, seller, management... He told me that I am only focusing on the positive aspect and I asked him why dwell on "if only" since there is nothing he can do to change the current situation and what lies ahead? I told him positively at least knowing ahead now, can saves us alot of hassles in future. And that the flooding had occured just one day before which still falls under the seller insurance because my husband had forgotten to buy our own insurance, which would have been a headache!
Anycase, there are so many questions and no answers.
Doesnt help when I have to start my temp work next monday.
So much to do, so little time. Damnnn....
That is why I always hate china people, irresponsible, selfish etc and worse, these people who doesnt teach their maid proper way to dispose garbage and stuff, and still think that the household pipe can infinitely take any rubbish and use it without care. Its like out of sight out of mind and not their problem once they dont see it. Bastards.
Apparently I just found out our neighbor who flooded our place is a 60+yr old guy who is living with 3rd wife/mistress, who also is a very young Shanghai woman... Gossip mill is that he leads a rather "indecent" lifestyle... I dont really care how many young china woman he fk, so long as he doesnt fking cause more headaches for us!
Just collected the keys and on day of inspection of unit, we found the whole apartment flooded with water. Apparently the stupid stupid stupid maid next door had choke the pipe and tried to pumped and forced the stuck materials down the pipes. She continued to use her kitchen and water rushed through our toilet and flooded the whole house, saved the master room and kitchen.
It was a nitemare, hassle and frustratin matter, especially the useless management office didnt want to press after the next door unit since he claimed it was "inconclusive" to determine the other party was at fault. The good thing is insurance is covered, but as to how much can be claimed is undetermined. Not only that, the renovation period will have to extend since I have now to rip up the whole wooden flooring in both bedrooms, dining room, living room as well as the cabinets.
In a way, I kept myself upbeat and positive thinking, that all these happen before we start our renovation and thus able to "identify" the problem, and change my renovation plans in time. Also, knowing this potential problem, at least I am gonna swop all the wooden flooring to tiles, and ensure my wall attached cabinet is gonna be lifted off the ground! The troublesome thing is that the flooding occured before we collected the keys and so the insurance is covered under the seller. The good thing is that it doesnt seem to raise our insurance premium since the claim is not made under our name. The bad thing is that everything is subjective.
Maybe its all predestined. I honestly hated the flooring and was in 2 minds about whether to ripped the whole flooring. However cost and renovation timeline were major factors, and now heaven willed it that I need not think about it and just go ahead with it. I just hope the insurance claim will break even at least with what we need to do...damn.
So far, my contractor seem to be rather reliable and experienced, advising me that he has encounter similar problems and suggested to checking the common pipe during renovation. If determined it is the common pip problem which he suspected, we have the right to request the building management to change the pipe...then again how long will that take is an unknown factor.
My husband is pissed and annoyed of course with all the various aspect, even though I am actually the one dealing with it and following up with the various contacts, such as the lawyer, contractor, seller, management... He told me that I am only focusing on the positive aspect and I asked him why dwell on "if only" since there is nothing he can do to change the current situation and what lies ahead? I told him positively at least knowing ahead now, can saves us alot of hassles in future. And that the flooding had occured just one day before which still falls under the seller insurance because my husband had forgotten to buy our own insurance, which would have been a headache!
Anycase, there are so many questions and no answers.
Doesnt help when I have to start my temp work next monday.
So much to do, so little time. Damnnn....
That is why I always hate china people, irresponsible, selfish etc and worse, these people who doesnt teach their maid proper way to dispose garbage and stuff, and still think that the household pipe can infinitely take any rubbish and use it without care. Its like out of sight out of mind and not their problem once they dont see it. Bastards.
Apparently I just found out our neighbor who flooded our place is a 60+yr old guy who is living with 3rd wife/mistress, who also is a very young Shanghai woman... Gossip mill is that he leads a rather "indecent" lifestyle... I dont really care how many young china woman he fk, so long as he doesnt fking cause more headaches for us!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Quay Grand Suite (Sydney)
As usual...my usual erratic, random and non chronological posting.
After staying in several rather disappointing major hotels in Sydney (which frankly isnt up to par compared to Asia standards), I finally found one accomodation worthy of my expectations. Recent stay in Quay Grand Suite (located near the Sydney Opera house along Macquarie street) proved to be a rather comfortable and convenient experience.
After staying in several rather disappointing major hotels in Sydney (which frankly isnt up to par compared to Asia standards), I finally found one accomodation worthy of my expectations. Recent stay in Quay Grand Suite (located near the Sydney Opera house along Macquarie street) proved to be a rather comfortable and convenient experience.
Quay Grand is actually a service apartment and not a hotel, so the one bedroom comes equipped with a proper kitchenette and laundry services. We chose the room overlooking the garden as we wanted more tranquility and green. The alternate is the harbor view but I have enough of harbor view after living in Sydney.
The bed was a good size (unlike in HK, Australians probably cannot fathom any couple cramming in small mattress), the bathroom comes with a jaccuzzi bath and seperate walk-in shower. The only thing that remained a relic and time for an update is the music player. Who on earth still uses a cd with casette tape player in such modern days? It's about time someone tells the management to stop being cheap and change it to an MP3 and Ipod player soon.
Anyway back to hotel review.
The contemporary bedroom and living spaces are both rather spacious by Australia standards. It even comes with a small outdoor balcony for the die-hard cig puffers. The room is rather well insulated from noises, which is a big welcome change from the usual lame wafer-thin plaster wall-dividers in other major hotels.
I stayed in Sheraton Sydney hotel in this trip as well.
The breakfast was good and worth waking up for. Its bathroom is big but noise from corridor is an issue for me. I didnt like being awaken by drunken neighbors stumbling back from wee morning drinks, or hyperactive screeching children racing down the hotel corridors from the rooms to the lift. Plus, I could faintly pick up a not so pleasant smell in the toilet with my ultra sensitive nose. Perhaps the toilet bowl area needs a good scrub down from previous occupants' lack of good aim.... or perhaps someone ought to conduct global wide seminar on why "Men should learn to aim right before peeing" followed by bonus session 2 - "Men should learn to WIPE down if they miss" It's such a BIG hole, how does one miss it? *Shake head*
Another good thing about Quay Grand Suite, its situated near the bus stops that goes to city. In fact there is even one free shuttle bus that picks up people along QVB street that heads street back to the harbor terminal. So its really great for people who doesnt want to buy Travel Ten (a local bus pass for 10 trips)
Monkey-dog?
Was strolling around Lane Crawford IFC and spotted this sitting on the counter.
I couldnt quite decide really...
Is it a Monkey? A Dog?
A monkey on fours?
Whatever, the "identity-crisis" animal it's meant to be, its rather cute...
Chopsticks
Chopsticks... Yep, that is exactly what caught my attention while dining in my usual Jap restaurant last week.
Perhaps subconciously I had picked this up but never quite fully realized it, that is when I get served fully by a native Jap staff in Japanese, the whole dining experience is completely different as compared to being served by a Hk staff.
It isn't just about the soft mannerism, politeness and better service...its about attention to minor details down to chop sticks placement. The first difference I spotted was that I get served with proper chopsticks, not the disposable ones. Perhaps Japanese clients generally prefer not to use disposable chopsticks in restaurants, as such when I was conversing with her in Japanese throught out, I get the honor of extra attentive level. When she placed the chopsticks, it wasn't enough that it was on the holder, she made sure the pair had the logo faced up perfectly and aligned side by side. A Hk staff will not take the trouble trust me! I looked at the tables around me, no one else got the proper chopsticks except another Japanese table...hmmm. Secondly, In true Japanese style she would proactively apologised should she notice there be a longer delay between the dishes served. without being asked, the Jap waitress will check and informed the eta of the next dish. Again a trait sorely absent frm Hk staff. It would be hardpressed to expect any remote resemblance from the Hk counterparts. It is more likely for me to be flinging my arms desperately enquiring where is my next dish everytime I get a Hk service staff.
I like being served by Japanese staff because it completes the dining experience. Take a Japanese out of japan but the spirit of service lives on in them. When one goes to japan, people might complain about price or amenitie or language barrier but bad service? Almost unheard of.
When my dinner ended, she politely enquired if I had lived in japan. I have come to a conclusion that if a non Japanese is able to go beyond saying hello bye and thank you, they would always politely compliment that one's Japanese is very good. I know my spoken Jap is rusty and crap but they always tell me I am good... Feel so undeserving each time sigh...
Perhaps subconciously I had picked this up but never quite fully realized it, that is when I get served fully by a native Jap staff in Japanese, the whole dining experience is completely different as compared to being served by a Hk staff.
It isn't just about the soft mannerism, politeness and better service...its about attention to minor details down to chop sticks placement. The first difference I spotted was that I get served with proper chopsticks, not the disposable ones. Perhaps Japanese clients generally prefer not to use disposable chopsticks in restaurants, as such when I was conversing with her in Japanese throught out, I get the honor of extra attentive level. When she placed the chopsticks, it wasn't enough that it was on the holder, she made sure the pair had the logo faced up perfectly and aligned side by side. A Hk staff will not take the trouble trust me! I looked at the tables around me, no one else got the proper chopsticks except another Japanese table...hmmm. Secondly, In true Japanese style she would proactively apologised should she notice there be a longer delay between the dishes served. without being asked, the Jap waitress will check and informed the eta of the next dish. Again a trait sorely absent frm Hk staff. It would be hardpressed to expect any remote resemblance from the Hk counterparts. It is more likely for me to be flinging my arms desperately enquiring where is my next dish everytime I get a Hk service staff.
I like being served by Japanese staff because it completes the dining experience. Take a Japanese out of japan but the spirit of service lives on in them. When one goes to japan, people might complain about price or amenitie or language barrier but bad service? Almost unheard of.
When my dinner ended, she politely enquired if I had lived in japan. I have come to a conclusion that if a non Japanese is able to go beyond saying hello bye and thank you, they would always politely compliment that one's Japanese is very good. I know my spoken Jap is rusty and crap but they always tell me I am good... Feel so undeserving each time sigh...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)