Oh yes we have.
Planet Popcorn Paradigm Mall turns one year old today!
Looking forward to many more years to come. :)
Planet Popcorn Paradigm Mall turns one year old today!
Looking forward to many more years to come. :)
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The many faces of co-workers
Having worked in the commercial sector for a few years now, I've come to deduce the different personalities of those working in the same office. Some are a pain in the a**. Some are just too amusing to watch.
Here are the 'must haves' of each office:
1. The MC queen
Just as the name suggests, the person takes medical leaves very often. The excuse, "I've got a genetic migrain that can't be cured according to the doctors. It's something that runs in the family." Right. That migrain and that MC only comes every Monday.
2. Mr Not-My-Job
The entire office is to participate in a compulsory briefing, all but A, for some reason.
Z : As you know, the floor will be empty for an hour for the briefing. Could you please tend the door when the bell rings? We are expecting an urgent delivery for today.
A : I'm not hired to tend doors.
Z : Can you please assist for an hour?
A : The delivery guy can wait an hour then.
3. Mr Know-It-All
If you asks this person if he is able to perform certain tasks, he will answer, "Of course! It can be done. Just leave it to me." A few minutes later, he'll be asking the person in the next cubicle, "Psst! Do have any idea how to work the required? Mind to give me a hand?"
4.The Deny-ier
X : Where is the document I gave you? It's due for submission today.
P : What document?? I didn't receive any documents from you!
T : The one which I saw X handling it over to you yesterday.
P : No such thing! You saw wrong! Don't start blaming me for something that is due.
X : But you've signed receipt of that document in this log book.
P : *Silence* I'll check and get back to you.
5. Ms Bureaucracy
S : I'd like to request for stationery. Here is the request form.
G : *Takes a look* The AM's approval is insufficient. It has to be approved by your manager. Then the HOD will have to approve. Then HR, VP and then CEO. When it reaches the Admin dept, my manager will have to approve before I can issue it to you. *Hands the form back*
S : But I'm only asking for a pen.
G : It's company's policy.
6.The Fickle Minded Boss
T : Please explain the impact of the deal in the report.
Y : *Impact explained as required and submitted*
T : Why is the explanation so lengthy? Cut it short.
Y: *Report amended and re-submitted*
T : Why did you insert the impact into the report? Remove it!
Y : But you told me to insert it in.
T : I don't want it now. Remove it!
Y : *Impact removed and re-submitted*
T : Where is the impact I required? Don't you ever listen to me?
Y : I inserted it but you told me to remove it.
T : Please use some common sense! How can you present a report like this?
Y : *Impact re-inserted and re-submitted*
T : Why is the impact such a brief one? How can you present a report like this? Please use some brain and write me a more detailed impact.
You get the idea.
7. The Puppet
In conversations:
"CEO wants this parcel to reach the recipient today."
"This is the agreement the CEO wants me to hand to you."
"CEO says the washroom is out of hand towels. CEO wants to have them replenished."
In emails:
"CEO requests for this report. Kindly forward CEO a copy."
"CEO explains that this is not required. CEO wants it amended."
"CEO has given authorization for this. CEO wants action to be taken accordingly."
8. The "Aunty" Syndrome or The Complainer
"That boy is not being professional. How can he answer my questions half-heartedly?"
"Why is the washroom so wet? Where is the cleaner? Why isn't she doing her job?"
"Why weren't my claims reimbursed? I've put in the proper forms an hour ago."
"That girl is hogging up the sink for such a long time! How inconsiderate!"
"Why can't we get more quality pens? I can't write a proper report with this."
9. The Sycophant
I guess no descriptions are required for these types. They are just too easy to spot. You surely can't miss them in the bosses' room armed with gifts and praises. Some do get what they yearned for. Others might not be too lucky. Perhaps it depends on what type of gifts and what type of praises one sings.
10. The "Taichi" Master
In general terms, a taichi master would be a guru in Chinese martial arts. But look at the body movements of the person in the picture. Imagine the person in a business suit with the exact same pose. He stands firm on the ground, points his finger at others and push away all the "dirt" that comes his way. You get the picture.
I've long come to realize that these are people who would always be there in any organization. You can't get rid of them. You sort of "need" them to balance up the good vibes around. They spice things up a little to the somewhat routine and dull tasks at work.
From my stand, so long as they don't mess with me, they are at liberty to do what they do "best".
Here are the 'must haves' of each office:
1. The MC queen
2. Mr Not-My-Job
The entire office is to participate in a compulsory briefing, all but A, for some reason.
Z : As you know, the floor will be empty for an hour for the briefing. Could you please tend the door when the bell rings? We are expecting an urgent delivery for today.
A : I'm not hired to tend doors.
Z : Can you please assist for an hour?
A : The delivery guy can wait an hour then.
3. Mr Know-It-All
If you asks this person if he is able to perform certain tasks, he will answer, "Of course! It can be done. Just leave it to me." A few minutes later, he'll be asking the person in the next cubicle, "Psst! Do have any idea how to work the required? Mind to give me a hand?"
4.The Deny-ier
X : Where is the document I gave you? It's due for submission today.
P : What document?? I didn't receive any documents from you!
T : The one which I saw X handling it over to you yesterday.
P : No such thing! You saw wrong! Don't start blaming me for something that is due.
X : But you've signed receipt of that document in this log book.
P : *Silence* I'll check and get back to you.
5. Ms Bureaucracy
S : I'd like to request for stationery. Here is the request form.
G : *Takes a look* The AM's approval is insufficient. It has to be approved by your manager. Then the HOD will have to approve. Then HR, VP and then CEO. When it reaches the Admin dept, my manager will have to approve before I can issue it to you. *Hands the form back*
S : But I'm only asking for a pen.
G : It's company's policy.
6.The Fickle Minded Boss
T : Please explain the impact of the deal in the report.
Y : *Impact explained as required and submitted*
T : Why is the explanation so lengthy? Cut it short.
Y: *Report amended and re-submitted*
T : Why did you insert the impact into the report? Remove it!
Y : But you told me to insert it in.
T : I don't want it now. Remove it!
Y : *Impact removed and re-submitted*
T : Where is the impact I required? Don't you ever listen to me?
Y : I inserted it but you told me to remove it.
T : Please use some common sense! How can you present a report like this?
Y : *Impact re-inserted and re-submitted*
T : Why is the impact such a brief one? How can you present a report like this? Please use some brain and write me a more detailed impact.
You get the idea.
7. The Puppet
In conversations:
"CEO wants this parcel to reach the recipient today."
"This is the agreement the CEO wants me to hand to you."
"CEO says the washroom is out of hand towels. CEO wants to have them replenished."
In emails:
"CEO requests for this report. Kindly forward CEO a copy."
"CEO explains that this is not required. CEO wants it amended."
"CEO has given authorization for this. CEO wants action to be taken accordingly."
8. The "Aunty" Syndrome or The Complainer
"That boy is not being professional. How can he answer my questions half-heartedly?"
"Why is the washroom so wet? Where is the cleaner? Why isn't she doing her job?"
"Why weren't my claims reimbursed? I've put in the proper forms an hour ago."
"That girl is hogging up the sink for such a long time! How inconsiderate!"
"Why can't we get more quality pens? I can't write a proper report with this."
9. The Sycophant
I guess no descriptions are required for these types. They are just too easy to spot. You surely can't miss them in the bosses' room armed with gifts and praises. Some do get what they yearned for. Others might not be too lucky. Perhaps it depends on what type of gifts and what type of praises one sings.
10. The "Taichi" Master
In general terms, a taichi master would be a guru in Chinese martial arts. But look at the body movements of the person in the picture. Imagine the person in a business suit with the exact same pose. He stands firm on the ground, points his finger at others and push away all the "dirt" that comes his way. You get the picture.
I've long come to realize that these are people who would always be there in any organization. You can't get rid of them. You sort of "need" them to balance up the good vibes around. They spice things up a little to the somewhat routine and dull tasks at work.
From my stand, so long as they don't mess with me, they are at liberty to do what they do "best".
Monday, May 13, 2013
The 13th General Elections
5 years had gone by. This round was held on Sunday, 5th May 2013.
Of course I had been there to fulfill my civic duty. There was a huge turnout this time. Much more than the previous round. Even before the gates to the polling center were opened, queues could already be seen, much to the surprise to both myself and my sister. We had initially thought we would be one of the earliest, looks like a whole lot other people beat us to it.
Lining up to get in
The different "channels"
Our turn is up
And done!
Had a mini school gathering while queuing. Met a few ex-school mates. Good to see friends returning home from overseas just to cast vote. That's the spirit!
Proud to be a Malaysian.
