Stand Up, Stand Up for Singapore?

 

 

 

The wonderful and efficient staff at Singtel, Exeter Road

I had taken my two mobiles out of my pockets when I went into the Ladies' washroom at our Toa Payoh office at HDB Hub. After an hour, when I realised my phones missing, it was too late....someone had pocketed my handphones. Not much of a find, I guess, for my two phones were almost in disrepair for they would get disconnected while I was half way through a conversation. I had difficulty pressing the keys to sms. My friends kept asking me to change the phones. Hence, with the loss, I found myself heading for Singtel at Exeter Road, near Sommerset MRT Station.

I knew that Singtel had undergone some renovation and was looking forward to seeing what changes have been made. I was surprised that the new counters have no seats.....the staff as well as customers have to stand! I noticed one young boy slouching his upper part of the body and placing his head and chin on the counter, with his body in arched position. I guess if customers feel tired, how about the poor staff who have to stand almost 8 to 10 hours a day!

This time, I was given two free new models as my contracts have expired. As I am not adept at learning new gadgets it took me a while to master the use of the phones. I am grateful for my friend's patience. I then realised that I could not retrieve my old numbers from my SIM card. My friend told me I should inform the officer who would then download the numbers for me. The previous time, when I changed my mobiles, the numbers were automatically transferred.

I guess it is not easy working on our feet. In our company, we can look at listings on the computers which are placed quite high up so that agents have to stand to work at the computers. I already find it tiring to stand for just a few minutes.

I wonder what is the great idea that Singtel has for its counter staff to stand when working? Does it really improve productivity? If it does, I would like to know more about Singtel's rationale. Why does no one protest? Do people just do something because they have been told to do so? What consequences can be dervied when a person stands for unnecessarily long hours? Or are the staff, dressed in bright red T-shirts with a tinge of white, standing up for Singapore even when at work? :-)

Yours Truly, Uniquely Singapore (12)

Papa had 6 children. He sent the older three to Chinese schools, and the younger three to English schools. Being the youngest, I fell under the second category. I suppose papa had wanted his children to be trilingual, if not at least bilingual. But somehow I never had the chance to study Chinese. I picked up some Mandarin while studying in Canada. I had two scholars from China who shared a flat with me... hence when I came to Singapore, people often wondered about my Mandarin with a Beijing accent!

While studying in Canada, I learnt about Lu Shun, Li Bai, Tu Fu, etc. and was enthralled when I found that the University of Alberta was offering courses in Chinese Literature (in English). Naturally I took up some courses.

A colleague, Elena Ho, recently sent me this email on Lee Bai's poem. There was no acknowledgement of writer's name. However, I can safely conclude that they must be written by a Singaporean or Singaporeans. Singaporeans have unique ways of expressing themselves. After reading the version by Osama and Bush, I could not help adding my version on MM Lee Kuan Yew.

Lee Bai's Poem



(Chinese Version)

Chuang qian ming yue guang

Yi shi di shang shuang

Ju tou wang ming yue

Di tou shi gu xiang


(English Version)

The moon light is pouring down
on my bedside

Like white frost spreading
on the ground

I look up the bright round
moon in the sky

And lower my head thinking
of my dear hometown


(Singlish (Phua Chu Kang) Version)

Bedfront Moon Bright Bright

Think Is Floor White White

Lift Head See Moon Moon

Bow Head Miss Home Home...




(Ah-Beng Version)

Bedfront Orr Pi Sai (pick nose)

Think Think Go Pang Sai (think of going to the toilet_

Pick Up Tai Gor Tai (handphone)

BS While Lau Sai (bull shit while having diarrhoea).





(Latest Reservist Army Version)

Bedfront Lau Bark Sai (tears
drop)

Thinking About Exercise(reservist
mobilization)

Drop Dead Look Into The Sky
(run until no breath)

Sim Kor Sia Lang Zai? (my heartache
nobody knows)





(Osama version)

No friend at my side

Think think Bush will fight

Lift head but where to hide?

This time don't know when will
die?





(Bush version)

Can't sleep since that night

Think think where he hide?

Bomb bomb friends will say
I pai (pai - wicked)

No choice ask them go fly kite



MM Lee Kuan Yew's version


Bedside with lovely moonlight,

At 42 years old, Singapore is really bright.

Lift head, see my lovely nation,

May everyone have a great celebration!

Gan Chau

Volunteers are Successful People!

Papa passed away on 7th July, 1972. It is now almost 35 years....yet I still remember all the things that he had taught us. One of the things that stood out most in my memory is "If something is worth doing, it is worth doing well". Papa said that if we had to sweep the floor, we better sweep every nook and corner and leave no dust unturned! He also mentioned if we wanted to help someone or be a volunteer in some organisation, it is even more imperative that we do our best....even better than our paid job.! The art of helping people is noble and hence one should give one's best. He also said that great volunteers are usually very successful people!

How wise of Papa. All these years, I have been observing and reflecting over what papa taught us. We have many great volunteers in nursing homes, hospices, SPCA, Salvation Army, etc. I have met many great volunteers in Toastmasters' Clubs. Many of these members are highly successful people, yet when they volunteer their services as leaders, they give of their very best.

Mind you... some of the activities in toastmasters such as organizing workshops, gala dinners, conventions are really time consuming jobs. Yet, these volunteers excel in their services! Even for those who volunteer on a regular basis as appointment holders and evaluators in various clubs .... they deserve a pat on their backs! Active participation in toastmasters' activities not only helps a person to become a better speaker, but also a better leader!

Pastor Derek Hong once mentioned in his sermon on time management, "Give a busy man a job; somehow he gets it done and does it successfully."

Gan Chau