3 Things We Should Not Do During Water Shortage Period

This month, households in Klang Valley will be facing a very tough challenge- water supply shortage. Despite of Syabas efforts to divide the affected areas into zones for water supply interruption (2 days off and on rotation system), it will not be sufficient if the households do not take steps to reduce the water consumption (saving water).

Setting priority of water consumption becomes critical. A few activities that I feel we can avoid during these dry period:

1. Car wash - it can be horrible and not look on you if your car is dirty, but that helps to save lots of water.

2. Washing blankets or carpets - lots of water are needed to wash these...maybe just hang on for another month.

Son, can you see that Klang Valley is facing water shortage problem? Please go educate the people to be more responsible in water consumption! If not, Earth will end up like our home....

3. Do not let children to play with water at home - this is the worst thing to happen, even when there is no water shortage problem, it should be allowed!!!

What Causes Misspelled of Names on Starbucks Cups?

Recently, I read some blogs mentioning on how hilarious Starbucks staffs misspelled the customer names on Starbucks cups. Some even make fun of the staffs and telling others how angry they are for misspelling their names.

Personally, I think it is so unfair to put the blame on the staff and making fun of them. It is just a courtesy that they want to greet you by your name and put a smile on your coffee cup to cheer you up. I belief that it is not the staff who are poor in literacy or failed in their job to get your name correctly. There can be many causes to this problem, and one of the main causes, the customer!

Try to imagine you are working throughout the day and serving many customers (you know how good is Starbucks business). When you have to take the customer orders correctly, with so much of customisation allows for your cup of coffee, and to make sure you charge accordingly; the task of a cashier is not as easy as you think.

Meanwhile, Starbucks is an international coffee brand. Customers who visit Starbucks come from all around the world. With such diversity, spelling the customer name can be much more difficult. Even in Malaysia, we may speak in English but with different accent.

Lastly, your name can be so special that not everyone can easily spell it out correctly. I have seen many unique names before and it is really difficult to read or to spell it.

So, try to be understanding and appreciate their good intention to ask for your name. Why not tell them your name properly, maybe spell it out for them, or give them a simplify version of your name. So far, I don't have any problem with my cup of coffee.

5 Things You Shouldn't Do in Office!

Sometime, you may done something in office that may cause others to feel uncomfortable. You yourself may not realise it (for some morale reasons), but please...have some social responsibility and think about other colleagues feeling!

#1: Having hot food at your workstation

Hot Food!!!!

Hot food can be hot and tasty but it is only for you. Please be reminded that there are many other people around you whom might be very busy at work and yet to have time to eat. Don't you think it is annoying when you are eating happily in the office where other colleagues tries to concentrate at work?

#2: Slurping when you are enjoying your delicious meal (especially in the office)
Again, if your food is so tasty, you don't have to show it and make everyone hear how you are enjoying your meal. Don't give yourself excuses that you are imitating the Japanese, trying to show respect to the chef that you enjoy the noodles by slurping...(when you are not a Japanese, and not having ramen).

#3: Do not burp out loud as if you are so satisfy with what you had for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
It is disgusting when suddenly you hear your colleague burping in the office. Won't you?!

#4: Talk on the phone with other language/dialects (not official language in your workplace) - and speaking out loud like you are at home (maybe)
Please note that you are not a director or manager who has your own room in the office. So, if you are working in an open office and there are other colleagues around you, please talk with a low voice or walk out from the office to talk to your family, supplier, friends, or whoever you wish (that are not related to your work). Have some RESPECT to others please!!!

5#: Don't laugh and chat so loud in the office (like how you talk on the phone) - in other language/dialects that are not the official language at work.
Annoying!!!!

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.