Images of our Life

Again I have to mention that when people is complaining on the retail standards here...I must say customer 5UCK5 even more!

Maybe I should share some 'nice' experience of thick skin people from time to time whenever I have any incident so that, well, do reflect.

Today I came across this weirdo customer. I was clearing some stuff up in the store and was called to the sales floor with indications that a customer wishes to provide feedback. The moment I approached him, he starts his not so productive feedback. He started saying that our items are locked up and that it should not, so that customers can have a good look at the item without asking for assistance. He also mentioned that we even locked up some of the items that is only worth about $12 (please note that item is right beside the entrance and is a blind spot). He made alot of fuss over it and mention that he will go to another company where they do not lock theirs (note that company usually have no crowd). While he is making such 'wonderful feedback', I do wonder whether he is someone who thinks logically...our shop never has a moment with NO customer and about 75% of the time, all staff will be engaged with some customers. No boss likes shopliftings, furthermore I am just an employee, does it help? Not to mentioned, personally, I have been threatened by shoplifters when they were arrested and also known of a few cases where the shoplifter actually fight back and injured the staff. Wasn't it necessary to prevent it in the first place? I wonder how would his young son think when his dad is making such a big fuss at the store. Just another bad example to his son. It is as if you are telling the car salesman to leave the car keys in the car so that the customer can 'test drive' ANYTIME to anywhere...I am glad he does not work with the police, if not he will encourage everyone to leave their doors unlocked.

When we are already going to close our store...this family came up to me and asked for job vacancies for her daughter. Firstly we are closing and we are preparing for a VIP visit the following day. Second, they asked in a way that we owe them. They started asking about work hours, repeatedly, till the son have to repeat for them. Then they ask for pay. Finally they ask for part-time position which I told them its filled and we need only full timers. It was then I passed the job over to my other colleague asking him to pass them the form. Right there, the parents tell their daughter if you don't like can just don't come to work lor. WTF????? In the end, they left after second thoughts.... WHAT KIND OF PARENTS? This is not the first time I see parents asking for job for their children. Yet, as adults they do not have a basic courtesy to ask nicely but instead ask in a interrogating tone...

=X

Talk about customer service, how many people are doing it?

As much as travel agencies are concern, they do not seem to have any basic courtesy. They always seem so impatient.

Recently I encounter this incident that I was enquiring about the price of a trip. Its either I dumb or the girl is. She made the total calculation and explain in a very summary manner over the prices involve. When asked to clarify on the price, she seem very impatient and raise her tone and place a calculator in front of me (for me to counter check). What she need to do is to only tell me properly what are the charges for once. She cannot expect everyone to be a expert on such pricings. I raise my voice right at the counter and decided to get out of the shop and I will never return. The reason I have gone back to the shop is the last time I have been served by a very patient and nice lady. Now, this other girl has changed it.

I went to another agency where the service seems better, but unfortunately, now I have to follow up with the agency as my trip is 3 days away. That should have been the agency's job. Calling back at the shop, the staff again is very impatient and answers in short phrases.

Being in the retail line myself, I see myself as someone far more better than most as I understand the difficulty in their job. I don't prepare a whole list of questions for them, and is very straightfoward. Was it ever so demanding for them to have things done in a proper polite manner? They have stress at work, so do I. I have equally much job and time constraint at my job (so as others in our field). They could have been nasty if I am, but well, I am not.

Unfairness....

Its again this junction. Lots of minor accidents took place along this stretch and this time round, its not minor anymore, its fatal.

Some lady died under the wheels of a Singapore-Johor express bus.

These photos are not meant to be unrespectful for the dead. But it is the very truth of someone dying when someone else is not careful.

I have witness the scene of a terrible fatal accident when I was young. It was a much talk about accident back then. The lady was dragged by a public bus for a couple of kilometres before getting crushed under the wheels of the bus. The entire scene never get wash off my memories. Especially the scene where the police officers tried hard to wash off whatever is on the road. Here again I am witnessing someone dying under the wheels of a bus, though not as gruesome as the first one I saw. Still, someone died...

Treasure life guys, watch where you go. Life is really short and you don't want to shorten it further. Green man does not mean the car will really come to a complete stop. Never presume that the driver will slow down if you are jaywalking, they might not see you....

During my reservist training, it was very unfortunate for me to witness the following.

It was a very heavy downpour and the whole group of us were resting at one of the training shed in our exercise ground. There was this big excavator parked right in front of our shed.

For some reasons, one of the construction guys came round and start the excavator. We were very shocked when we heard a few whimperings. Two puppies were instantly crushed to death as they were hiding within the gaps of the excavator's tracks. All of us were really stunned by the incident. At this moment, the driver stopped and came down to pick up the body of one of the puppies which was still in one piece. Unfortunately, the other was torn to pieces.

After the excavator left, we saw the what we suppose to be the puppies' mum looking for them. She took quite a while under the downpour to locate her puppies and finally found the remains of the puppy being torn apart. She slowly go to and fro to bring back the remains back to her shelter. When she is done, she continue to search the area for the other puppy which was already disposed by the driver. That was when we were asked to continue our exercise while the poor dog was still looking for her puppy.

The scene really shocked me and those whimpers, I just can't get it off my head. My eyes were almost filled with tears. I feel so touch over how the mother go around searching under the very heavy downpour, for her children.

Treasure those around you while you can...

Public Transport, Don't Lie!

Was waiting for bus 14 near at Orchard today. Please note that I waited a total of almost like half an hour for the bus.

We all know that some bus stops have been installed with the arrival timing display board. Fortunately, the bus stop has one. A concrete proof for the irregular bus arrival timings.

Take note of the incoming arrival time and the next incoming timing (for bus 14 and 16). Do they look different? For 36, its only 2 mins apart.

What is wrong with our public transport services? Even though the frequency time is suppose to be reduced to every 10 mins in the near future, it probably won't solve all these problems.

Tell me what is wrong...and if the operators are to blame it on traffic conditions all the time, who is in the wrong? Us, commuters?

Disappointed commuter

Depression can be easily associated with stress and down periods as they all seems the same...

In the fast paced environment that we are in, facing the pressure and tight time frame set by employers, its very much easy to be ending up in such a state.

Certain characteristic symptoms can give you or your family a clue that you are depressed:

http://www.in-public.com/DavidGibson/image/1041

What the pic as linked above says? Last few days of?

http://www.in-public.com/DavidGibson/image/1029

The look on the old lady matches with the desire of hope...

Interesting photography by this David Gibson...the moods and expression is very meaningful in most of his pics...just the right moment

Anyone watch the show yet? How you find the ending?

Couldn't resist the urge to watch this sequel to 28 Days Later. Somehow it depicts well enough, the reality, the fear and the cruelty of surviving, in the show.

Even read about some reviews about how the viewer was amazed that streets of London was empty in the show. Whether it is effects or curfews are imposed for the shooting of the film, it does create a dynamic impact on the show and the story.

A little too bloody and gross though...

If anyone really remember 'Open Water' quite a long while back, this is not like that show la...

Guys, ever went to Zara? How do you think of the service?

I got so pissed when I was looking at things and this two staff was adjusting what I look at straight after me. Come'on, I can afford all these things.....although I aren't wealthy....stop being so ARROGANT!!!

Remember IDIOTS...you are working in the retail line JUST like me! And I probably hold a higher post then you do! You aren't rich too...stop being so arrogant...

The whole retail industry was dragged down just because of such standards...such behaviour by inmature individuals....WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4th April 2007

Board my train as usual for Tampines. The trip will be a little different today...

Paya Lebar...the train was entering the station....I was sitting in the very first cabin....we felt a BUMP....as if the train went over a little hump and it came to a complete stop 3/4 into the station... a few guys was jokingly saying....hey...the train killed someone.....

IT DID! A guy got himself landed on the tracks...the bump...had killed him...according to the news report...he died on the spot.

The train operator was trying hard to control his emotions and was breathing hard while trying to announce through the PA system.

I just can't forget the bump...that I feel and everyone feels....why would someone take his life so easily? Wasn't there any better way to get problems solved? How much pain the incident has caused to the train operator? Why?

This incident strangely wasn't reported in detail and was past off with just a small article on the papers. It made me feel curious thinking about who and why...

The safety issue was brought up again, even overheard onboard passengers talking about barriers on the platform. Does added barrier solve the problem? NO...its only more reasons for fares to go up. If anyone wants to die...they could have jump or climb over and there are lots of ways to get themself on the tracks even though the place is barricaded.

Well the bottom line is...if you ever thought about doing this...and if you think that such stunts will get attention to show others your reasons in a national level, you are wrong. Alot of us took cab and was late for work. The inconvenience to everyone, the emotion damage to those affected/witness, and the life you took away from yourself...its not worth...

Rest In Peace 'Brave' man.....

"Lean poles are for leaning, but there aren't such things in the world, cos God gave us a spine!"

Have this unfortunate encounter again....well in a train.

Train was already damn packed and there are just no where to stand or to grab on...while this 'adorable' gentleman was leaning on the grabpole.

Train jerks, and I reached out to grab the pole as I need to support my gf too...

My hand press heavily onto the shoulders of the 'adorable' gentleman as I was grabbing the part just above his shoulders...shorty him lar..so sad...

Man: What's wrong with you? (like want to fight le)

Me: What's the problem?

Man: You're so rude...

Me: Do you know this is a grab pole and you are not suppose to lean on it?

Man: You could've asked. You are very rude.

Me: I wouldn't need to, you could have been more considerate. You should look behind you! (asking him to see how everyone trying to keep stable without the grabpole)

Man: (Don't dare look back) But you are really rude.

Me: I am not...you are very inconsiderate. You gotta learn something!

Well, he LL shift away from the pole in the end. Staring at me, when I return stares, he just start shaking his head.

WTF? Believe me that he is in his office attire, slightly built and no f**king backbone to stand like a man! Still dare to scold me back. Could have donate your backbone to someone who probably needs it and will use it like a man!

Ah...REALLY despise you MR. Adorable! And I am never embarass of such things, cos I am not at fault!

Speak out guys, why just let this kind of idiot get their way? More and more such selfish bastards on the streets. Give them a piece of your mind!!!!

I would really kill myself if I were him!!!

This incident happen on a Sat night when shop is already close. Bear in mind Sat night...means Sun no bank.

They have these stupid 'aeroplane' thingy where you drop a dollar coin to amuse your little kid.

(Door already half close)

Man: You got a dollar coin?

Me: (looking into my cash till, a pathetic 6 gold coins left) I am sorry sir, I wouldn't have enough to change for you.

Man: Just one also don't have?

Me: Sorry we really do not have enought and furthermore tomorrow is Sun and we badly needs it.

Man: One only leh.

Me: But one is alot to us.

Man: (SHOUT, SCREAM) ONE, ONE DOLLAR COIN IT IS ALOT?

(Goes out of shop and continue screaming to his family about what I said)

What the f***? What the world is this? Doesn't he know courtesy? He could have just said 'Thanks' and leave the shop. What the reason he have to shout at me? I am not oblige to change for him becos that f**king machine does not belong to us!!! Furthermore within a day got how many people ask to change coin for that? Machine not working also come find me. I very the busy lor. As a parent, he does not know how to look at his own behaviour. Its such a sad thing. I couldn't imagine his kid growing up with such poor attitude. Wake up man!!!!

Time and time again, its being published that the customer service standards for Singapore is dropping. Hey, I am in the industry...

Sorry to say, its the customers' attitude that is changing...not us. How many times we tried to provide the best we could and end up getting those sickening and **** attitude from customers?

Do not think that all retail staffs just need to stand there and ermmm...just really stand there.... most companies has lots of stuffs for staffs to complete from housekeeping, to maintaining stock level, to paper work, to making sure accounts are accurate, to 'smiling' at you....etc...

Don't presume we have nothing to do k? Yea, you may say since I find it so difficult I might as well change job. For most of us, yes, we will if we could!

So the next time round, be nice to the sales staff, of cos I am not asking you to smile at him when he throwing attitude at you. But if he isn't, why not show some respect? Afterall, its our boss that is earning the money, not us leh!!!

Suppose to be a world class service. But where is the service standards?

How many times any of you encounter situation like waiting for a bus for 'decades' and only to realise the bus came together?

How many times did you chase for the bus and you are right at the door but the driver pretends that he sees a ghost?

How many times did you feel sick on a bus because the driver has problem controlling the brakes gently?

How many times you see your favorite friend 'cockroach' on the buses?

No, I am not trying to say that every of them are like that, of cos there are nice people around, BUT where are they? What you guys think?