I’m sure many people are familiar with “When in Rome do as the Romans do.” But how many of us are willing to do so when it burns a hole in our pockets. If you are unsure what I’m talking about, I’m talking about the culture of tipping. There is hardly a tipping culture in Singapore and sometimes Singaporeans travelling abroad may find it difficult to accustom to such practices. Such intercultural ignorance may lead to unpleasant consequences which might ruin an otherwise pleasant holiday experience.
In Singapore we do not bother ourselves with tips because a service charge has been automatically included into our bills and we are fully used to it. All we have to do is pay the final amount reflected. However, in other countries this service charge may not be included in the bill and a tip is expected. In those cases it is up to individual discretion as to how much to tip.
How much is the right amount? It varies from place to place and from profession to profession. Therefore one should find out what is the minimum before heading out on a holiday. The amount to tip also depends on how you rate the service and what are you trying to convey to the service staff. An under tip might suggest that you think the service staff’s service was sub-standard.
So what if I do not leave a tip? I would be out of the restaurant before the waiter/waitress knows how much I tipped. You are half right. However some waiters might come after you and call you names which would be unpleasant. Others might form an impression that Singaporeans are cheapskates and do not know the rules and subsequent Singaporeans will be treated with poor service. So if you happen to get bad service overseas, it might be due to Singaporeans who have visited before you. With our country’s name at stake such issues should not be taken lightly.
To tip or not to tip has always been a hotly debated topic. Some reason that some occupations are so under paid that they depended on the tip to make a decent wage. Others feel that the workers wage should be the employer’s responsibility. Whichever side you stand on the decision is entirely up to you.
- Here is a little something I would like to share with all of you
Whenever you sign a credit card do take note at where you sign there is actually a column which says tips and is deliberately left blank. It is for customers to fill in the amount of tips to pay. However in most of Singapore’s context we tend to just sign and continue to leave it blank. There have been incidents where service staff actually fills that in after you signed and in the end that amount was paid. To prevent such incidents from happening remember to cross out the tips part and rewrite the total you want to pay at the final line again.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Application Letter Draft 2
Application for Internship
I am writing to enquire whether there are any internship opportunities in DesignworksUSA Singapore studio. I am currently a year three Mechanical Engineering student with a specialisation in Automotive Engineering.
From the resume attached you will see that I have held key leadership roles from secondary school all the way to my national service days. I have a good sense of responsibility and have been proven worthy of tasks assigned to me thus far. Another key trait I possess is being sociable and positive. Therefore, not only do I enjoy working as a team, I bring about a positive working experience to my colleagues.
I am currently working on a project of designing a Velomobile (electronic assisted personal transport system). I am in the team responsible for the mechanical drive as well as electrical systems of the Velomobile. I have developed the skills of design and research and also acquired considerable knowledge in this field through the project. At the same time I have also gained hands on experiences of putting the electrical systems together and learnt to work within constraints.
My passion for automobiles have made me chose Automotive Engineering as my specialisation in university. In my past time I would also read articles and watch programmes which are related to cars. The complexities of a modern day automobile never fail to fascinate me.
I would be able to start my internship from the 10th of May until the end of July. I am willing to take up any internship opportunity as it would broaden my horizons in this field.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
I am writing to enquire whether there are any internship opportunities in DesignworksUSA Singapore studio. I am currently a year three Mechanical Engineering student with a specialisation in Automotive Engineering.
From the resume attached you will see that I have held key leadership roles from secondary school all the way to my national service days. I have a good sense of responsibility and have been proven worthy of tasks assigned to me thus far. Another key trait I possess is being sociable and positive. Therefore, not only do I enjoy working as a team, I bring about a positive working experience to my colleagues.
I am currently working on a project of designing a Velomobile (electronic assisted personal transport system). I am in the team responsible for the mechanical drive as well as electrical systems of the Velomobile. I have developed the skills of design and research and also acquired considerable knowledge in this field through the project. At the same time I have also gained hands on experiences of putting the electrical systems together and learnt to work within constraints.
My passion for automobiles have made me chose Automotive Engineering as my specialisation in university. In my past time I would also read articles and watch programmes which are related to cars. The complexities of a modern day automobile never fail to fascinate me.
I would be able to start my internship from the 10th of May until the end of July. I am willing to take up any internship opportunity as it would broaden my horizons in this field.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Application Letter Draft 1
xxx Toa Payoh Lorong x
#xx-xxx
Singapore 310217
3rd February 2010
Mr Magnus Aspegren
Director
DesignworksUSA, Singapore Studio
1 HarbourFront Avenue
#xxx-xx/07
Keppel Bay Tower
Singapore 098632
Dear Mr Aspegren,
Application for Internship
I am writing to enquire whether there are any internship opportunities in DesignworksUSA Singapore studio. I am currently a year three Mechanical Engineering student with a specialisation in Automotive Engineering.
From the resume attached you will see that I have held key leadership roles from secondary school all the way to my national service days. I have a good sense of responsibility and have been proven worthy of tasks assigned to me thus far. Another key trait I possess is being sociable and positive. Therefore, not only do I enjoy working as a team, I bring about a positive working experience with my colleagues.
I am currently working on a project designing a Velomobile (electronic assisted personal transport system). I am in the team which is responsible for the mechanical drive as well as electrical systems of the Velomobile. I have developed the skills of design and research and also gain considerable knowledge in this field through the project. At the same time I have also gained hands on experiences of putting the electrical systems together and learnt to work within constrains.
My passion for automobiles have made me chose Automotive Engineering as my specialisation in university. In my past time I would also read articles and watch programmes which relates to cars. The complexities of a modern day automobile never fail to fascinate me.
I would be able to start my internship from the 10th of May until the end of July. I am willing to take up any internship opportunity as it would broaden my horizons in this field.
Yours Sincerely,
Cheung See Chai
#xx-xxx
Singapore 310217
3rd February 2010
Mr Magnus Aspegren
Director
DesignworksUSA, Singapore Studio
1 HarbourFront Avenue
#xxx-xx/07
Keppel Bay Tower
Singapore 098632
Dear Mr Aspegren,
Application for Internship
I am writing to enquire whether there are any internship opportunities in DesignworksUSA Singapore studio. I am currently a year three Mechanical Engineering student with a specialisation in Automotive Engineering.
From the resume attached you will see that I have held key leadership roles from secondary school all the way to my national service days. I have a good sense of responsibility and have been proven worthy of tasks assigned to me thus far. Another key trait I possess is being sociable and positive. Therefore, not only do I enjoy working as a team, I bring about a positive working experience with my colleagues.
I am currently working on a project designing a Velomobile (electronic assisted personal transport system). I am in the team which is responsible for the mechanical drive as well as electrical systems of the Velomobile. I have developed the skills of design and research and also gain considerable knowledge in this field through the project. At the same time I have also gained hands on experiences of putting the electrical systems together and learnt to work within constrains.
My passion for automobiles have made me chose Automotive Engineering as my specialisation in university. In my past time I would also read articles and watch programmes which relates to cars. The complexities of a modern day automobile never fail to fascinate me.
I would be able to start my internship from the 10th of May until the end of July. I am willing to take up any internship opportunity as it would broaden my horizons in this field.
Yours Sincerely,
Cheung See Chai
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A little for you shopaholics
With Chinese New Year round the corner and the gimmick of having to change new clothes My friends and I have decided to go shopping. Since they were mostly girls majority of our shopping centred around girls clothes.
Shopping at this point of the year is such a pain... It seems like this is the only opportunity for people to buy clothes. I hate shopping in a crowded place and worst of all the queue to the fitting room was so long. Another problem is that the size tend to run out really quickly so even after you survive the fitting room you might have to leave disappointed.
For all of you who want a better experience I share with you the quiet tanquil of Orchard Central. It has quite alot of boutiques that are unique. There is no need to fight and queue for the fitting room and you won't see many people choosing the same outfit as you. We went into a shop named SKYE level 3 orchard central and her dress there is beautiful. The only problem was the dresses there were a little pricey.(average about $150 a dress)However good use of charisma and effective communication skills should do the job if you know what i mean. The designs there are fantastic and we spent a long time in the shop. The lady boss there is a very nice woman with a rather glib tongue. In the end she even gave us free earings and both my friend and her were very happy closing the deal.
I'm sure everyone has certain tips and skills when it comes to bargaining. Perhaps all you shopaholics can use the comment box to exchange tips for one another regarding bargaining. Its definitely a valuable skill
Ok Happy shopping everyone.
Happy Chinese New Year
Shopping at this point of the year is such a pain... It seems like this is the only opportunity for people to buy clothes. I hate shopping in a crowded place and worst of all the queue to the fitting room was so long. Another problem is that the size tend to run out really quickly so even after you survive the fitting room you might have to leave disappointed.
For all of you who want a better experience I share with you the quiet tanquil of Orchard Central. It has quite alot of boutiques that are unique. There is no need to fight and queue for the fitting room and you won't see many people choosing the same outfit as you. We went into a shop named SKYE level 3 orchard central and her dress there is beautiful. The only problem was the dresses there were a little pricey.(average about $150 a dress)However good use of charisma and effective communication skills should do the job if you know what i mean. The designs there are fantastic and we spent a long time in the shop. The lady boss there is a very nice woman with a rather glib tongue. In the end she even gave us free earings and both my friend and her were very happy closing the deal.
I'm sure everyone has certain tips and skills when it comes to bargaining. Perhaps all you shopaholics can use the comment box to exchange tips for one another regarding bargaining. Its definitely a valuable skill
Ok Happy shopping everyone.
Happy Chinese New Year
Monday, February 1, 2010
Resolving Interpersonal Conflict: Your Friends are not My friends
Scenario:
A is a boy and B is a girl. A is in a relationship with B for more than a year now. Both of them graduated from secondary school together but A went to Junior College while B went to polytechnic. A has an outgoing character and made many male friends since he went into a science stream and majority in the class are males. B on the other hand is a little shy and made few friends in polytechnic. Since she went into engineering her class was filled with guys too and her few friends were all male.
When Valentine’s Day came two of B’s friends confessed that they held a torch for her and even bought expensive gifts for her. What should B do to turn them both down and yet maintain friendship between all of them keeping in mind that they are her only few friends in school?
B being really honest with A told him about the whole event. This made A jealous and he immediately placed her friends out of his circle of trust. However A did not tell B to leave all her friends because he understands the importance of having friends in school. A is really uncomfortable with the fact that B’s friends have such motive and B spends more time with them then himself. Such jealousy and suspicion has cause lots of conflict between the couple.
Here is an example of a quarrel between them. A and B had a date but A’s school ends an hour later than B. However B was late for the date because she accompanied her friends to lunch but she did not eat. She truthfully told A about it. During the date B did not eat much and A immediately suspected B of eating before she arrived.
What would you do if you were A in both the mini example and also to solve this whole conflict between you and B’s friends?
A is a boy and B is a girl. A is in a relationship with B for more than a year now. Both of them graduated from secondary school together but A went to Junior College while B went to polytechnic. A has an outgoing character and made many male friends since he went into a science stream and majority in the class are males. B on the other hand is a little shy and made few friends in polytechnic. Since she went into engineering her class was filled with guys too and her few friends were all male.
When Valentine’s Day came two of B’s friends confessed that they held a torch for her and even bought expensive gifts for her. What should B do to turn them both down and yet maintain friendship between all of them keeping in mind that they are her only few friends in school?
B being really honest with A told him about the whole event. This made A jealous and he immediately placed her friends out of his circle of trust. However A did not tell B to leave all her friends because he understands the importance of having friends in school. A is really uncomfortable with the fact that B’s friends have such motive and B spends more time with them then himself. Such jealousy and suspicion has cause lots of conflict between the couple.
Here is an example of a quarrel between them. A and B had a date but A’s school ends an hour later than B. However B was late for the date because she accompanied her friends to lunch but she did not eat. She truthfully told A about it. During the date B did not eat much and A immediately suspected B of eating before she arrived.
What would you do if you were A in both the mini example and also to solve this whole conflict between you and B’s friends?
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