So what’s new? Tangs’ Christmas tree is up already. The lights are not turned on yet, but most of the framework is already in place. Indonesians are flooding Orchard Road (if the rain wouldn’t do it) and the escalators at Orchard underpass keep breaking down in protest against the extra work. World class or worst class, we’ll never lose in any competition to be ahead of time. That’s why our Primary 3 kids are all studying Primary 6 stuff. But you don’t really win by being there first. Sometimes, we need reminders from people we always assume are worse off than we are:
http://www.passudiary.com/2011/10/to-mr-khaw-boon-wan-what-did-you-expect.html
Talking about school, my son is in the habit of losing things in school. Last week, it was his wallet. This week, it’s his water bottle. Next week it could be his report book. And he has done that before. Just to make sure he doesn’t do it again, his form teacher Mr Lim advised me to collect and sign his results slip at the school’s general office. He confirmed with me on the phone that the result slip was ready for collection.
So this morning, I went down to the school’s office, identified myself and very politely asked the nice ladies over the counter to hand me my son’s result slip so I could sign it. Not too unexpectedly, though, my request drew blank stares. They said they would have to contact Mr Lim who was not in school then. I tried calling him on his mobile myself, but there was no response. The nice ladies asked me to take a seat and I waited for nearly 30 minutes without any news of Mr Lim or the result slip.
I went off and while on my way to my office, I received an SMS from Mr Lim saying that he has checked that my son’s result slip was indeed at the office. This made things even more perplexing. Was I to trust Mr Lim or the nice ladies at the office? Should I head back to the school? Would Mr Lim be there? Or would I be entertained by the nice but clueless ladies again? Perhaps I should just forget about signing the result slip. I know how badly he did and he will be changing school anyway. At least I have some consolation that he’s not the only clueless one. If kindness is rare, at least cluelessness is around to make people go the “extra mile” – literally.
I know that Peggy Heng is the buzz in our local blogosphere these days, but some years ago, a local blogger created a sensation by being the most foul-mouthed female blogger in town. I’m talking about Xiaxue. Her real name is Wendy Seah. Or at least that’s her maiden name. I can’t remember what her ang moh husband’s surname is. I don’t follow her advertisement-heavy blog entries that often, but recently, I found her advertising for a dental practice. Videos of procedures, complete with before and after pictures for Invisalign treatment.
Wait a minute. Didn’t I get warned about before and after pictures earlier? How come this other practice can put their pictures and videos on Xiaxue’s blog? Unfair, yes, but am I going to complain to the authorities and seek “fairness”? No. Because first of all, I have nothing against these colleagues/competitors. Most of all, I’m fully supportive of this way of reaching out to the public.
Many objectives are achieved in showing people these pictures/videos. Firstly, they demonstrate what the practitioners or the technology are capable of. Next, they allay fears that members of the public may have of dental procedures. Some of my esteemed colleagues may like to think that patients trust them and believe every word they say, but toothfully, if Xiaxue says there’s no pain, far more people will believe her than these esteemed professionals.
So who’s the clueless one now?
