It is very interesting to learn about different cultures and be exposed to them. Sometimes I ponder if Singapore does have a strong cultural trait. Just what could we be remembered as? Kiasu? Personally, I think that’s just something that is blown up and made use to want to create that Singaporean identity. Maybe Singlish? It’s something that Singaporeans exclusively speak and I understand that many foreigners when first exposed to singlish do feel intrigued by it. Speaking singlish has become such an integrated part of us that it’s rather difficult to find a Singaporean who does not speak it. While to some it is interesting, others perceive it as a broken-form of English. While some criticisms of singlish hold, it is undeniable that it is unique to Singapore. A friend who had gone on an exchange to Canada shared an interesting experience at a cafeteria. A large group of Nus students were chatting happily at the cafeteria where beside them seated a few Canadians. After some time, the Canadians actually found their conversation so interesting that they approached the students to strike a friendly conversation and to find out where were they from. Then, they learnt that they were actually Singaporeans and what they had heard was singlish. They were pretty amused by it and spontaneously learnt to use it as well.
I would like to share this experience in Japan. I remembered this particular day we were looking for somewhere to have our lunch. We gave the packed restaurants a miss and finally came to a restaurant that was fairly quiet. We made orders and chatted happily. The next moment, a group of about 8 men walked into the restaurant. As we were sitting on those long tables, they also shared the table with us and were seated with us. We then became surrounded by them, both besides and opposites. When their food came, they started slurping their noodles real loud. Frankly, I didn’t quite feel comfortable with that. Imagine the whole group slurping away, though I do know this culture of theirs, it still wasn’t something pleasant to face to. They had their meals in a very hearty manner and finished up real fast. Also, they all ordered beer to drink. They became even more noisy and chatted very loudly. It came to a point that it was so difficult for the person opposite me to hear what I was saying. I became quite displeased for the fact that our conversations became impossible because of the noise they were making and I think my family felt quite uncomfortable in that situation so we also finished up fast and went off.
While I respect and understand the slurping culture, but when I experienced it myself and furthermore with such a big group of people, that experience wasn’t something very pleasant because it has been a habit that when we dine, minimal sounds are made especially so when we drink soups, for drinking too loudly is perceived as being rude and unsightly. So this slurping culture of the Japanese though was amusing to me, it also wasn’t an exactly enjoyable one.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Application letter (1st draft)
Pang Shimin Germaine
Blk 367 Yishun Ring Road
#04-1532 S (760367)
96341770(HP)
pang_germaine@hotmail.com
February 7, 2010
Ms. Kylie
391A Orchard Road #21-08
Ngee Ann City Tower A
S(238873)
Dear Ms. Kylie:
I am an NUS graduate from the faculty of Science and I came across your online advertisement looking for a HR consultant while browsing through jobstreet It really drew great interest in me and I would like to meet with you to discuss this opportunity further. Being voted as the No 1 recruitment company in year 2007 and 2008, Recruit express had again emerged as the No 1 Recruitment company of the year 2009. Without doubt, a team of highly-committed and top-notch service-oriented people was a key in your success. It’s clear that you are looking to maintain your reign as a top leading recruitment company in Asia and I believe my skills can help to do so.
Your advertisement on the healthcare sector states that a science degree would be preferable. As a 3rd year undergraduate in chemistry, I believe my knowledge in the area of Science can help in driving the recruitment process by actively sourcing for talents in the healthcare division. I believe my background closely matches the suitability outlined for the job.
As this job requires human resource activities, being able to display good team spirit and responsibility is important. During my junior college days, I was an active member of the interact club and was part of the committee for a school initiated project. In it, I had to work with others to plan and carry out activities. Through these experiences, I recognized myself to be a good team player and possessed the ability to handle responsibilities well. Also, work experience at IRAS had equipped me with the skills to communicate effectively to people and this would value add in my ability to provide advice to clients in this job. Thus, I do possess the interpersonal skills required when dealing with clients. In addition, I had experiences at doing sales which are in line with your expectations of someone being open to sales and results-oriented organizations. Through my sales experience, I had been exposed to the stress and need for productivity of sales thus with additional on-job training that your company will be providing, it would definitely be easier for me to manage and perform in that area.
Lastly, you state that you are looking for someone energetic and with a strong CCA record in sports. While I did not join any sports in schools, I am active in marathons where I had taken part in he Women’s Great Eastern Run for 2 consecutive years and I frequent the gym as well. Thus, I would consider myself as being very involved in vigorous activities.
Recruit Express is an expanding recruitment company with the potential to excel further in the Asian region and I would appreciate to speak to you further on how my experience can help you deliver excellent service. Please contact me at 96341770 or email at pang_germaine@hotmail.com if any clarifications are needed. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Germaine Pang
Blk 367 Yishun Ring Road
#04-1532 S (760367)
96341770(HP)
pang_germaine@hotmail.com
February 7, 2010
Ms. Kylie
391A Orchard Road #21-08
Ngee Ann City Tower A
S(238873)
Dear Ms. Kylie:
I am an NUS graduate from the faculty of Science and I came across your online advertisement looking for a HR consultant while browsing through jobstreet It really drew great interest in me and I would like to meet with you to discuss this opportunity further. Being voted as the No 1 recruitment company in year 2007 and 2008, Recruit express had again emerged as the No 1 Recruitment company of the year 2009. Without doubt, a team of highly-committed and top-notch service-oriented people was a key in your success. It’s clear that you are looking to maintain your reign as a top leading recruitment company in Asia and I believe my skills can help to do so.
Your advertisement on the healthcare sector states that a science degree would be preferable. As a 3rd year undergraduate in chemistry, I believe my knowledge in the area of Science can help in driving the recruitment process by actively sourcing for talents in the healthcare division. I believe my background closely matches the suitability outlined for the job.
As this job requires human resource activities, being able to display good team spirit and responsibility is important. During my junior college days, I was an active member of the interact club and was part of the committee for a school initiated project. In it, I had to work with others to plan and carry out activities. Through these experiences, I recognized myself to be a good team player and possessed the ability to handle responsibilities well. Also, work experience at IRAS had equipped me with the skills to communicate effectively to people and this would value add in my ability to provide advice to clients in this job. Thus, I do possess the interpersonal skills required when dealing with clients. In addition, I had experiences at doing sales which are in line with your expectations of someone being open to sales and results-oriented organizations. Through my sales experience, I had been exposed to the stress and need for productivity of sales thus with additional on-job training that your company will be providing, it would definitely be easier for me to manage and perform in that area.
Lastly, you state that you are looking for someone energetic and with a strong CCA record in sports. While I did not join any sports in schools, I am active in marathons where I had taken part in he Women’s Great Eastern Run for 2 consecutive years and I frequent the gym as well. Thus, I would consider myself as being very involved in vigorous activities.
Recruit Express is an expanding recruitment company with the potential to excel further in the Asian region and I would appreciate to speak to you further on how my experience can help you deliver excellent service. Please contact me at 96341770 or email at pang_germaine@hotmail.com if any clarifications are needed. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Germaine Pang
solutions to interpersonal conflict
As this is an ongoing problem, i guess i will still gather A and B for events and facilitate some interaction between them. I will also find a suitable time to talk to A one day regarding this and hopefully smooth certain things out.
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