Indonesia Coffee Exhibition 2017: Blending Coffee & Culture

Coffee lovers, you may want to stop by at Berjaya Times Square Kuala Lumpur this weekend for the Indonesia Coffee Exhibition 2017 that promotes blending coffee and culture.

Fine Dining, Anyone?

Do you like fine dining? 

Before you answer this question, let's have a better understanding of what is fine dining.

Fine dining restaurants offers full service restaurant with very specific meal courses. The restaurants normally feature high quality materials, well-trained wait staffs and even a complete cutlery for dedicated food. The physical evidence of a fine dining restaurants are much more eye-catching with unique interior design, specifically crafted by the restaurateur.

Sounds good? 

To enjoy fine dining, you will need to follow certain rules of dining which guests are generally expected to comply with, including a dress code and dining etiquette. I think all these are the unique proposition of fine dining and the worthiness of it as being served exclusively in a distinctive restaurant.

How about the food?

This is the most subjective question to answer in fine dining. The food served in fine dining are normally categorised as culinary art. Yes, it is an 'art' where the food portions are usually 'visually' appealing.

Risotto with Lamb

Actual portion.

What say you about Fine Dining - the culinary art?

Cultural Diversity

While I was having dinner at Madam Kwan restaurant in Pavilion shopping mall, I saw a couple came in and seated next to my table. Immediately, the guy took off his shoe and put his leg on the chair while going through the menu. People around, including the staffs were shocked.

Minutes later, when their orders came, the girl also did the same thing; took off her slippers and put her leg on the chair too. While she was eating, she starts to shake her legs (sorry, I didn't take any photo because my Lumia cannot take it). I guess she was enjoying the food while satisfying her self-actualisation needs.

At this point of time, you may be wondering where do they come from. Very obvious, they are not Malaysian. Surprisingly, this couple is from Korea. I do have Korean friends and taught some Korean students before but I don't think anyone of them will sit and shake legs like this couple. Dealing with international culture and diversity are always challenging. There are a lot for us to understand and to study in order for us to deal with the international stakeholders in business.

For some, this behaviour might be acceptable; but for others, they may get offended. I can 'simply say' that we all should respect and adapt to the local culture or practices wherever we go. Even when someone tells you to make yourself like home, that doesn't mean you can do anything you like. Having some sense of respect and courtesy to learn the local customs may helps to create an esprit de corps environment.

No offence to this couple, but it is something good for all of us to ponder on.