Archive for 一月, 2010
天使
有一种人，自以为清高，别人在他眼里几乎都是可恶、邪恶的，唯有自己是完美无瑕的天使。
天使，只看到别人的弱点，但却不数数自己的缺陷。总是以怀疑的眼光衡量别人，却要别人完全信服自己。
总是认为自己的安排最好，别人的最烂；自己永远是对的，别人则是错的。虽说“条条大路通罗马”但天使是路痴，认定到罗马只有一条路，因此只要稍微不照着天使的意思走，很可能就得面对他们的冷言冷语或是高八度破耳膜的歌声。
对着别人大吼大叫，期望别人屈服，对天使来说是理所当然；但当被激怒的一方以不爽的态度回应，他们就会发狂，用各种难听的词语描述另一方，甚至与对手一刀两断，以表示“自己的清白，他人的污浊”。
接着，这种人就会继续抹黑对手，一把鼻涕一把眼泪的，在其他认识对手的人面前哭诉，对手如何卑鄙无理等。不知听的人心里有否自己的尺，还是选择绝对相信一面之词？
更绝的还在后头，为了掩饰自己的不安，为了继续在其他人扮演天使的角色，这种人就会刻意对自己“可信赖的人，可依靠的人”更好，好让他们相信自己的话“看吧，我对你这么好，我是好人。我没错，是对方的错！”。久而久之，选择听信一面之词的人，也会不理睬其对手，即便是家人也没得商量，而选择客观对待事情的人，也会被大家拒在圈圈以外。
在这种情况下，身在圈圈以内的，虽然得到天使“更好的善待”，未必就是好事。因为要继续留在圈圈中，你必须完全服从这天使，哪天不遵照他的意思做事，或不苟同天使的看法，你也会立刻被逐出圈圈外。
在圈圈以外的，也不需感到难过，少了个限制你思考的天使，不需被他们牵着鼻子走，不需烦恼怎么向他们表示自己看法不同，拥有自己的主见，生活反而更轻松自如。
Add comment 一月 28, 2010
Service Literacy Test
Like many Singaporeans, I have been wondering why many service providers such as bus companies, and restaurants don’t (1) employ foreign workers who speak English, (2) train their foreign workers to speak English.
I was queuing for my plate of fried oyster at ION Orchard food court. The cashier who was taking order speaks only Mandarin. The lady behind me made her order in English and pointed at the menu then made a “2” sign with her fingers. There were two oyster dishes on the menu “Fried Oyster” and “Oyster Egg”. The lady was curious the difference between the two dishes and decided to ask the cashier, unfortunately he did not understand a single word in English. After awhile, the cashier called out to the chef for help, but the chef’s gesture was rather rude. He shrugged his shoulder at the lady and said “What? What? What?…” So the lady gave up.
As I watched them I struggled if I should help, but decided not to poke my nose into it because 1) I was not the owner of that stall 2) I was not the one who employ non English speaking workers 3) it is the boss’ responsibility to train his staff to speak basic English. Literally it was not my business.
Back home I pondered, if the foreign workers can speak English, would they need to work overseas? For those from Mainland China especially, I guess not. The reason these foreigners came to Singapore is because they could not find a job at home. However if they can speak English, it means that they have certain academic qualification, which gives them an edge over other job hunters. From this perspective, should we not be more tolerant?
Latest news on Asiaone: Service literacy test to up F&B standards Jan24, 2010
Hopefully with this new literacy test, the quality of service in Singapore will be better. Employers in the F&B sector should spend some effort in upgrading the skills of their foreign employees. Singapore’s population may be made up largely by Chinese but we are also a multi-racial city. We have to be sensitive to the needs of people who do not speak Mandarin.
Add comment 一月 26, 2010
