I was employed by my favourite retailer, John Little. It is my favourite because the quality and price of their products suit my lifestyle. Almost the whole collection of my office wear is bought there. The fact that this company functions in a sector which I never work in before made this experience additionally enriching.
The place of operation is at Expo for their warehouse sale. I remember the first time they organized such sale, their advertisement told shoppers something like it is a sale that would happen only once. For your interest, this is already the third or fourth John Little Expo Warehouse Sale. Robinson organized a similar sale at least once. I know because these sales were always held during the ACCA examination period in Expo where the examinations are conducted. I applied to be a cashier but was designated to be a packer. A packer’s job would be to pack shoppers’ purchases into plastic bag, after the cashier recorded the sales, for them to bring home with ease. He is also trained to be a cashier and required to assume the role as and when required.
A work day would start with some house-keeping. That is to refold the clothes which have been messed by shoppers on the previous day. This is a task which I hate to perform in the first couple of days of work…. The task never seems to be completed. I only came to enjoy it towards the end of my stint because I realized it will never be completed.
About 15 minutes before the hall opened, cashiers and packers would standby at their cash tills and work till lunch time and then the end of the shift. I am very fortunate to be “buddied” to a temporary cashier, Daphne, who knows her stuff. I cannot remember a time when she encountered a problem with the cash till which she could not solve calmly and gracefully like an experienced hand. As a packer, my work rate (not without work ethic) is equally astonishing and that led my buddy to ask whether I am trained to be a packer. I have to laugh at the question. Before starting work, I thought I would be trained. ‘Fastest packer…. Most competent cashier’…. That made us the “deadliest” Cashier-Packer Duo for this sale. Things would have been so much different if she is a blur cashier or I am a clumsy packer. Other friends who I got to know includes fellow packers: Ken, Dennis and Joshua.
My favourite day of work is the last day of the sale i.e. National Day. Actually, like many temporary staff, my stint was shortened and set to end on Monday. Due to anticipated large crowd, some were asked back and I am one of them. Anyway, I have got used to waking up earlier at 6am and my throat felt better. The morning of the non-work/school day was quiet and traffic was smooth. My first task was to do housekeeping for children wear. I chose a basket which I am familiar with and started my natural hands movement. Then, to my surprise, Daphne appeared. The deadly duo was back. Quote Willy Wonka ‘The best prize is surprise’. The encore is short as I am to assume the role of cashier in another counter shortly after lunch for as long as 3 hours. Cashiering…. That is something I want to do. Imagine how much worse off I would be if I had said no to the HR department’s request.
This experience would have been more enjoyable if not of a cold and sore throat which began on Thursday evening. These prevented me from being too enthusiastic and adventurous when dealing with shoppers and my new friends. Joy of work: 4.5 out of 5 stars. Personal development: 5 out of 5 stars (Considering my wide spectrum of working experience, I have never done anything like this before).
I will leave with a bit of advice for future shoppers at warehouse sales. I predict that Robinson would organize one for the Christmas season and these would be useful. Firstly, always attend such sales on the first days. I witnessed a few merchandises were gone by the second day and those left were of odd sizes or non-warehouse sale price. Secondly, make sure the things you want to buy come with a barcode or price tag. If there is none, copy the barcode number and price of the same product for the cashier to record. And if it is the last piece without a price tag, tell the cashier so. Finally, queue up in the rows where “deadly” cashier-packer duos are working as they are able to process your purchases much faster.
August 11, 2005
July 17, 2005
July 14, 2005
A Chair-pisode II
Under all circumstances, the ladies had every right not to give way. Here's why:
a)
No ordinary person can stand with the type of aggression and arrogance the settlers displayed. They should watch THE SURVIVOR(s) or THE APPRENTICE more often.
b)
Knowing that there are more people than chairs, the settlers did not seek to mark their territories with their belongings, thereby constructing a legitimate right to the seat. They should play MONOPOLY more often.
c)
Knowing that there are more people than chairs, the settlers chose not to take turns to go for the toilet or free coffee, leaving one soldier to guard the territory. They should play RISK more often.
d)
Knowing that there are more people than chairs, the settlers knew that The Law of Music Chair applies. They should play or watch their children play MUSICAL CHAIRS more often.
There is no doubt that the Conquerors were wrong in the first place. But there is no need to fight such a lengthy war as if dear life depended on the availability of that particular seat. The settlers can give them a piece of their mind loudly (preferable) and leave gracefully, if the Conquerors are still seated. The Conquerors would be shamed (optional) and the settlers would be remembered for their animosity.
That's my personal point of view.
a)
No ordinary person can stand with the type of aggression and arrogance the settlers displayed. They should watch THE SURVIVOR(s) or THE APPRENTICE more often.
b)
Knowing that there are more people than chairs, the settlers did not seek to mark their territories with their belongings, thereby constructing a legitimate right to the seat. They should play MONOPOLY more often.
c)
Knowing that there are more people than chairs, the settlers chose not to take turns to go for the toilet or free coffee, leaving one soldier to guard the territory. They should play RISK more often.
d)
Knowing that there are more people than chairs, the settlers knew that The Law of Music Chair applies. They should play or watch their children play MUSICAL CHAIRS more often.
There is no doubt that the Conquerors were wrong in the first place. But there is no need to fight such a lengthy war as if dear life depended on the availability of that particular seat. The settlers can give them a piece of their mind loudly (preferable) and leave gracefully, if the Conquerors are still seated. The Conquerors would be shamed (optional) and the settlers would be remembered for their animosity.
That's my personal point of view.
July 04, 2005
A Chair-pisode
Yesterday, while attending a seminar, I witnessed a not-so-pleasant incident. To protect the identity of the people involved, their real names will not be disclosed. This is also because I don’t know them at all.
The seminar is about Geomancy (More affectionately known as Feng Shui), one of my subject of interest, delivered by a reputed Architect of Man’s Fate (More affectionately known as Feng Shui Master). Due to the relevance of the topic discussed, turnout for this seminar was overwhelmingly above the organizer’s expectation. A lot of attendees arrived on the door, without first registering for a seat. Although more seats are added, some of them have to make do with a good standing spot, even for those who registered but arrived late.
As with most seminars I attended which last more than 3 hours, a coffee break is allocated in between, no matter how unnecessary it is. Is this a requirement by the law? Someone can enlighten me about this. Anyway, a break, so unwelcome by me, is announced. Under such circumstances, I thought there would be misunderstandings, giving raise to commotion. The organizer was vigilant in this aspect and advised the audience to return to their own seat after the coffee break.
Much as I expected, there were a few misunderstandings and commotion. But the most serious one took place two seats away from me. Two seats, that are two seats away from me, were initially occupied by two males (Settlers) who are friends. However, during the break, while they are away, two ladies (Conquerers) took over their seats. Although I am on my seat at the time of conquest, I am not aware that they are not the rightful settlers. My neighbours, who were aware, came back and verified (after some DNA tests) that the two ladies are not the rightful settlers. Soon after, one of the settlers returned to his shock that his seat was conquered. In an unfriendly manner, he asked the conquerors to return to their original seats. The conquerors declined. At this point, it is quite obvious that they do not have a seat when the seminar started. Then, this man remained beside their seats, trying to reassert his rights, oblivious to the embarrassment he had created for himself. Moments later, his friend returned to the same level of shock that he will have to stand for the next half of the seminar. The volume of their negotiation raised and at this time, three attendees (onlookers) in front of the seats advised that the conquerors should return to their own seats (where?). The same was done by my neighbours (onlookers too). The organizer were alarmed and, I believe, all eyes were on them. The conquerors refused to leave… there is no way for them to give way.
The conquerors’ stubbornness was a turnoff. It was then free-for-all for the onlookers who passed some sarcastic remarks like, “Since they don’t feel ashamed, let them sit lor.”and “You do this type of thing… listening to the talk won’t do you good one.”. At that point, I thought about the purpose of these statements. The organizer then offered the two men seats in front, which they rejected. The wife of one of the men came and asked the conquerors why they occupied her husband’s seat. If I had covered my ears and just look, I would have thought that this wife is telling off these ladies for committing adultery with her husband. Eventually, everyone was seated. At the end of the seminar, the two ladies stormed out of the room.
Up to here, you may deduct (add, multiply or divide) that I am more not in favour of the men’s and onlookers’ actions. Before I go further. What are your views? Who is right? Who is wrong? What are other things that can be done? What could have been done? In this episode, I have only my mind in action. Is there anything I can do at any stage? Is there anything anyone can do at any stage?
The seminar is about Geomancy (More affectionately known as Feng Shui), one of my subject of interest, delivered by a reputed Architect of Man’s Fate (More affectionately known as Feng Shui Master). Due to the relevance of the topic discussed, turnout for this seminar was overwhelmingly above the organizer’s expectation. A lot of attendees arrived on the door, without first registering for a seat. Although more seats are added, some of them have to make do with a good standing spot, even for those who registered but arrived late.
As with most seminars I attended which last more than 3 hours, a coffee break is allocated in between, no matter how unnecessary it is. Is this a requirement by the law? Someone can enlighten me about this. Anyway, a break, so unwelcome by me, is announced. Under such circumstances, I thought there would be misunderstandings, giving raise to commotion. The organizer was vigilant in this aspect and advised the audience to return to their own seat after the coffee break.
Much as I expected, there were a few misunderstandings and commotion. But the most serious one took place two seats away from me. Two seats, that are two seats away from me, were initially occupied by two males (Settlers) who are friends. However, during the break, while they are away, two ladies (Conquerers) took over their seats. Although I am on my seat at the time of conquest, I am not aware that they are not the rightful settlers. My neighbours, who were aware, came back and verified (after some DNA tests) that the two ladies are not the rightful settlers. Soon after, one of the settlers returned to his shock that his seat was conquered. In an unfriendly manner, he asked the conquerors to return to their original seats. The conquerors declined. At this point, it is quite obvious that they do not have a seat when the seminar started. Then, this man remained beside their seats, trying to reassert his rights, oblivious to the embarrassment he had created for himself. Moments later, his friend returned to the same level of shock that he will have to stand for the next half of the seminar. The volume of their negotiation raised and at this time, three attendees (onlookers) in front of the seats advised that the conquerors should return to their own seats (where?). The same was done by my neighbours (onlookers too). The organizer were alarmed and, I believe, all eyes were on them. The conquerors refused to leave… there is no way for them to give way.
The conquerors’ stubbornness was a turnoff. It was then free-for-all for the onlookers who passed some sarcastic remarks like, “Since they don’t feel ashamed, let them sit lor.”and “You do this type of thing… listening to the talk won’t do you good one.”. At that point, I thought about the purpose of these statements. The organizer then offered the two men seats in front, which they rejected. The wife of one of the men came and asked the conquerors why they occupied her husband’s seat. If I had covered my ears and just look, I would have thought that this wife is telling off these ladies for committing adultery with her husband. Eventually, everyone was seated. At the end of the seminar, the two ladies stormed out of the room.
Up to here, you may deduct (add, multiply or divide) that I am more not in favour of the men’s and onlookers’ actions. Before I go further. What are your views? Who is right? Who is wrong? What are other things that can be done? What could have been done? In this episode, I have only my mind in action. Is there anything I can do at any stage? Is there anything anyone can do at any stage?
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