Happy 11-11-11

May we stay healthy and more tolerance with each other in our generation for the sake of next generations :-)

Tax and benefits

I was having breakfast with my uncle from Brisbane. We were talking about the medical benefits in Malaysia and Australia. To an extent I voiced out my dissatisfaction. I found in Australia we paid so much tax, and yet, I found people are abusing the system. In both Australia and Malaysia, actually has similarities, if you walked to a government hospital, you get treated. In fact I have no complaint even for Malaysian hospital, for myself which I have used it before. However, people always associate local hospital with many horror stories and treatment. I don't know how true was that but my experience has been pleasant though you don't have anyone kow tow to you every morning.

When it comes to taxes, Australia has higher taxes compare to Malaysia. Being a tax payer, I feel it's fair we works towards that fund and reap the benefits when its needed. However, I heard people are abusing it. I knew some people bought a lot of medicine (subsidized), through a doctor they know, and stack the medicine and bring back to their families in overseas. Or a OZ pr who get treatment in OZ eventhough no tax paid but living in overseas. Only come back when medical attention is needed. How does this work?

I understand we have kiasu-ism in us, but has the word sense of responsibilities or ethics are getting thinner and thinner? We are exposed with greediness in our daily life, in my view this eventually passed on from one to another. I started to wonder how will this cycle put to a stop? I am a tax payer, I wont agree people don't earn the benefits, but to reap the benefits at other person's expense is not unfair.

Annoyed and Controled

I was eating at Canton-i today with 2 colleagues. A waitress; suspected from China; walked to our table without a smile and asked us what we want to eat. I gathered what my colleagues wanted, and I tried to summarized their orders and told her. Instead, after listened to me, she moved her head towards my colleague and asked them what they want again. I snapped at her and said, I thought I just told you few seconds ago? She went silent looking at me not knowing how to reply. Then she clarified she just want to make that's what they want.

After the incident I asked myself why am I so snappy. I felt she wasn't paying attention when I was talking to her. Or either she don't understand me. Instead of going back to me she went to ask my other colleagues to confirm. I felt being cut off eventhough I tried to summarized the order for her.

I felt I am aware of my own behavior, but I was thinking, what else can I say to her? Ignore her let her ask again? Or tell her nicely again the same order when she is more willing to pay more attention?

Net of it, I wasn't feeling right when she turned away after telling her the order.

My daugther's results ...

I had lunch with a few colleagues 2 days ago. Over the lunch, they talked about upgrading their iphones eventhough they are already holding one. Then the conversation moved to about their careers. Eventually it moves to their children education. It is pretty obvious, all the parents want to give the best education for their kids. I started to observe what are they looking for? Are they looking for comfort when they grow old? Are they looking to equip their children with best education so that they are successful in their career? Or are they wanting the education provides their kids the education to understand on how to survive and face up in their future? As I did not have the chance to ask them, I could not gauge what they actually looking for? However, I explained to them. Most Asian parents especially are so focus in success, they feel failure are not acceptable. When they failed, they may not able to do well in their future, they may go to a bad class, they may not make good money, and hence they may suffer financially in the end. I asked myself, if I am in their position, what would it be? I believe, I will provide adequate education to my children within my might. I will teach them that we need to earn and respect what is being given. I want my children to know and appreciate what we have even if they didn't go into the best school. I will tell my children it is alright if they attempted but failed, but let's discuss what are they good at, and anything we can do in those area. I like to coach my children to learn to discuss what they see and question them if it's not ethical or moral. For me I believe in give rather than take. When you give you may change another person's perception, and this may enhance the mindset of another person. Eventually and hopefully, these children will learn what is respect, and they know what they can do best when they are in the right mind.

Sir ..would you like to donate?

I was sitting with a colleague in a coffee shop, then a man with clutches walked toward us. He only walk with one leg, and the other one was missing. He then asked, 'Sir, would you like to donate for an artificial leg'? He then showed me a book mark which cost RM2 if I plan to do the exchange. I asked, 'What happened to your leg?". He just smile, but he did not say why. Then I agreed to give RM2 and I told him good luck with his leg. He walked slowly away towards another table. My colleague then asked there are so many of them, how many is enough? I told him it's very easy. If he is just begging then I may not give any exchange, if he give me the impression he is selling (e.g bookmark), then I will see it like a trade, then I am more willing. However, just a month ago, I saw an old lady in Seoul station. She was sitting on the floor and begging for money. The first thing that struck my mind was, how can people just passed by without asking her where is her home? Or can anyone help? What different is this with that recent case with a baby girl ran over by a car and nobody care to pick her up? I know I am not an angel or a wealthy man that can save this world. But all I can offer is to ask you this, 'How are you today? Anything I can help? I will try my best.

Thank you Steve .. we miss your visions

Today there is a great sadness as the IT industry has lost one of it's giant. Steve Job lost his battle against pancreatic cancer. He was 56. The industry may also lose it's competitiveness as Steve has influenced so many competitor to work towards the vision he has. Besides he has touches so many lives who uses Apple products. Thank you Steve, thank you for the great memory that you have left in my generation.

Girl fight

One Sunday morning, I stopped by McDonald's for a cup of coffee. While sipping them, I suddenly overheard 2 ladies queuing up for their breakfast broken into war of mouth. The darker looking lady, a bit tomboyish, with her hair tight up, and multiple earrings on shouted at another lady which she described her as a plastic barbie doll. Apparently, the darker lady was impatient and the barbie doll said something which bothered darker lady.

The dark lady said, 'I said whatever, I don't care, and you stupid barbie doll, #@$%^& and so plastic'. The customers were all quiet and all eyes focused on the pair. The barbie doll then walk away from the counter and move to the MCafe counter area ordering her breakfast. Not feeling satisfied, the dark lady moved toward the barbie and touched her on the arm. She explained she was not happy with what barbie has said and she asked her why she said it. Barbie said, 'I am sorry and can we forget about it'.

I was sitting there hundred of things running in my mind. Will it break into a fight? The barbie then move down to the main counter again but this time complaint to the captain of the chain. During this time, the darker lady actually turned to barbie's friend and said she was sorry coz she has problems controlling her anger. To cut the story short, not fight broke out and both walked away from the restaurant.

I was wondering to myself, should I intervene while the 2 was exchanging words? And if the fight broke out, should I run and pull them away?? Would reacting as a good Samaritan would help? What will you do?