It’s the little things that matter…
I love to eat. People would be surprised to hear that since I’m like a walking skeleton (blame it on the high metabolism..) I love to check out new places and try out everything new, but I am also very picky over the eateries’ service. Let’s just say that, I can forgive bad/average food with excellent service but I will not visit again even if it’s awesome food with lousy service. (Yes, there are eateries that I refuse to step into just because of their poor service – which annoys the hell out of my parents. lol)
So we were at Botak Jones earlier on for a short dinner before visiting 987fm studio (SMU Broadcast & Entertainment-related) and a few of us ordered steaks, ranging from medium/medium rare. My friend’s ribeye steak came first (it was suppose to be medium) and the waiter asked him to doublecheck if it’s ok. He cuts open and noticed that it was too well done so the waiter took it back, leaving us thinking that he’s going to replace it. Shortly, the chef came out and told my friend that “this is medium.” after the waiter returning back to the kitchen twice before the chef’s appearance.
My steak came next (medium rare,on left) and the same thing happened – the waiter asked me to check and the steak was so tough that almost instantly I knew it was overcooked. But I made sure the rest sliced a piece to check if it’s too well done to be fair (since I really love my meat alil bloody…hmm) and it was certainly overcooked. So the waiter took it back and no prizes for guessing what happened next – the chef came out again to shove the plate back in my face and said ‘This IS medium rare.’ I don’t think I have to continue with the next steak since we all agreed that if all we get is being told that ‘This is _____.’ and are being expected to accept it – what’s the point of asking !? We joked that next time we should ask for ‘Steak – raw please!’ (haha) Quite disappointed by the service, as much as the food was still decent. Frankly, I don’t think I will visit that outlet again – but so far I have no issues with the other outlets. Totally killed the dinner mood.
On the other hand, grumpy me was walking around a Pasar Malam (aka night market/bazaar) and the typical Singaporean in me was tempted by the queue I saw at the Kueh Tutu stall. As much as I love these lovely white goodies, I was quite annoyed by the heat and the long wait (plus the unsatisfying dinner earlier on). The auntie probably noticed my grumpy aura and asked if I had a bad day and we started chatting while she was busy preparing for my order.
She really made my day with a short simple chat (ok, and a few compliments) though it was quite funny of her to end the conversation with ‘Wah, you so tall (I’m 170cm only!)…very hard to find boyfriend hor?” -awkward moment-
After she handed me my Kueh Tutu, she apologized profusely for the long wait and wished me a blessed day ahead. S$2 for a simple cheer-me-up was totally worth it and I will visit her stall again (Kueh Tutu is yums!) just to say ‘Hi!’.
Honestly, it really takes little things to make someone’s day and it’s not that difficult to provide good service as a brand – just simple effort/gestures will be remembered by the consumers and there’s nothing to lose by putting a smile on their faces ! Don’t you think so ?
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”- Vincent Van Gogh
We Are What We Do, Rubbish…”Designers”?
Without a doubt, I am a proud graduate of Temasek Polytechnic, School of Design. It was a well-spent 3 years because I have learnt alot about design , and myself as an individual. Being one of the pioneer batch of Design School Ambassador, I have been active in most school events and even though I have graduated (for coming 2 years), I dare say that my heart is still with the school. Because of the same reason, I am really disappointed with the juniors after hearing stories and looking at the current situation in school.
Take a look at these pictures (Thanks Moses for posting on facebook), they were taken in our school’s studio space which is a common ground for all design students to do their work/attend their classes. Back in my years, it was also a great hangout for us after classes and a place to work till wee hours for our final year projects. There is a rule for “No Food/Drinks allowed” but being “rebellious” students (as we once were) – nobody really cares about the little plastic signs on the doors.
BUT it certainly makes a difference when individuals do not abide by regulations and do not have basic courtesy/social responsibilities . We (perhaps except a few black sheep) do clean up our mess after using the studio. Especially when it comes to sneaking in food – Who in the right mind would leave their “evidence” behind ?! Sure, I agree that working late in school can be tiring and food is definitely a good way to keep us awake. However, I also believe that we should be responsible for our own mess and not rely on the cleaners of the school. They are not your personal maids.
I think the school has been really lenient when it comes to rules and students’ rights, it’s been said that “There are no rights without responsibility, and there is no responsibility without rights.” If you wish for people to respect you as an individual, respect yourselves and behave like a mature young adult. I don’t see how difficult it is to pick up these rubbish and throw them in the bins that are available on every single level of the school. We can be great “designers” AND good citizens of the school at the same time.
IF you can create a “cause” on facebook,which I must highlight that the description has been changed after much debate on the way this was handled. (You can still view some of the rather rude comments and silly suggestions on how to deal with our canteen problems.) I just have one thing to say about this – it really reflects and says alot about the students to see something like this happening. Immature ? Selfish ? No comments.
Why not create another “cause” – “Save the Design School Studios” ? Hah ! I hope the new batch of Design School Ambassadors/Design Studies Club can look into these matters. Why wait for the school to take action on this when YOU have the right and say in how you want the school to be like – it’s YOUR school afterall. We are what we do, I don’t think “litterbug” is ever on my CV and it is certainly not how we “designers” should be like. Bad habits are hardest to get rid of ?
With this post, I just hope that juniors reading this will reflect on their own behavior and stop creating disappointments for the seniors/alumni. Not forgetting the lecturers who have to deal with this every day.
Sure, all seniors have things to say about their juniors – but I don’t think I was being unfair to voice this out, especially when I’m taking the risk to “wash the school/my dirty linen in public”. If you have any feedbacks/solution to this matter, feel free to leave a comment.
