Being Civil and Professional
I have thinking about my days in Ernst & Young (“EY”). I worked as an auditor subsequent to completing my university days.
First day of work, there was nothing to shout about. We, the Junior Assistants, were gathered in a room where tables and chairs are scarce and you need to be early to get a shit. If not, we will be standing around, waiting…I do not know whether the same still prevails in the firm or they have changed?? We were expected NOT to be in office after 10am everyday. Everyone is expected to be assigned to their workplan – assigned by the Partner to the Principal to the Senior Managers to the Managers and trailing down to the Junior Assistants. So, if you were not assigned, there must be something wrong with you…either you really do not know how to do work i.e taking proper instructions for specific tasks given or you are just not having the right attitude to learn.
Audit firm was a training ground for every Accountant to learn – work and the business world. During those years, I met a lot of people and worked with a lot of people. Multitude of characters and attitudes! We are the people that any accounting or finance division (especially) of company wish not to see or meet. Our presence was ‘despised’!! We ask too many questions in our line of duty – sensitive and required to know questions. So, in order to overcome this barrier, the firm organized trainings where one of them was – learning to work together by setting of differences aside – literally and/or figuratively. You might dislike someone but you have to work alongside the person in a civil and professional manner. Deliverables to client comes first! As such, if you ‘kena bambu’ or simply ignored or refused to be entertained by the client, you would be able to overcome the problem and find a solution to it.
I believe after so many years of having left EY, I still face the same issues. It is all in a day’s work. You just have to face it and try to overcome it with dignity. It is better to be a more courageous person than being nasty. No problems will be solved being nasty. Things can be solved by being tactful and sincere.
So, my friends, excuse my rantings – I just believe it needed to be pen down.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Adakah Anda Berbudi Bahasa?
“Budi bahasa budaya bangsa” – a common phrase that we heard on the radio, tv etc. Do we practice it? I wonder…
My husband just got home from Iran. This is his 2nd trip to Iran. The 1st time, he went with his bosses and he told me that he did not enjoy that much. Yes, he got to visit to places that were not allowed to commoners – but, it was a different kind of enjoyment.
So, subsequent to his return from Iran, he was telling me what he had missed the 1st time during his trip to Tehran. First and foremost, he noticed that the Persians are the friendliest lot! They talked to anyone as though they have known each other for years even though they are actually total strangers. They are also a helpful lot – always help out (without disturbing and harming the situation) where help is required. For example, when he went shopping, a lady fell on the stairs. Almost anyone nearby, came to the rescue of the lady! If it had been in Malaysia, there would be more onlookers, people who are indifferent and could not be bothered at all. Much worse there would be someone laughing instead of helping or trying to assist and enquire the condition of the lady.
Another matter that astonishes my husband was how cultured these Iranian were. They were more civic minded. He mentioned that pedestrians can cross the roads at any point in time and not even using the zebra crossing. If it was in Malaysia, either you will be honked at, run over or thrown blasphemies at. In Tehran, pedestrians can cross any road without fear of being run over. Even motorcyclists can easily reversed, crossed (double lane), crossing over to the opposite lanes or overtaking cars etc easily – without causing any traffic jam. What they just do is to honk i.e to indicate that they are about to ‘maneuver’ a move. There are hardly people honking at each other or throwing blasphemies at each other.
I told him, what did you expect from people who have centuries old of civilization, more than 2500 years? Of course they are most civilized. The civilization of Tanah Melayu is old but Malaysians are not! We are just half a centuries old.
I still have faith that we Malaysians still have the “budi bahasa” within ourselves…’terendam”. It is a matter of time that it will surface once everyone learn that it is not just about tolerance that can make us live peacefully in this country but also respect and be more civic conscious. Then, the country will be a more happier place to live in.
“Budi bahasa budaya bangsa” – a common phrase that we heard on the radio, tv etc. Do we practice it? I wonder…
My husband just got home from Iran. This is his 2nd trip to Iran. The 1st time, he went with his bosses and he told me that he did not enjoy that much. Yes, he got to visit to places that were not allowed to commoners – but, it was a different kind of enjoyment.
So, subsequent to his return from Iran, he was telling me what he had missed the 1st time during his trip to Tehran. First and foremost, he noticed that the Persians are the friendliest lot! They talked to anyone as though they have known each other for years even though they are actually total strangers. They are also a helpful lot – always help out (without disturbing and harming the situation) where help is required. For example, when he went shopping, a lady fell on the stairs. Almost anyone nearby, came to the rescue of the lady! If it had been in Malaysia, there would be more onlookers, people who are indifferent and could not be bothered at all. Much worse there would be someone laughing instead of helping or trying to assist and enquire the condition of the lady.
Another matter that astonishes my husband was how cultured these Iranian were. They were more civic minded. He mentioned that pedestrians can cross the roads at any point in time and not even using the zebra crossing. If it was in Malaysia, either you will be honked at, run over or thrown blasphemies at. In Tehran, pedestrians can cross any road without fear of being run over. Even motorcyclists can easily reversed, crossed (double lane), crossing over to the opposite lanes or overtaking cars etc easily – without causing any traffic jam. What they just do is to honk i.e to indicate that they are about to ‘maneuver’ a move. There are hardly people honking at each other or throwing blasphemies at each other.
I told him, what did you expect from people who have centuries old of civilization, more than 2500 years? Of course they are most civilized. The civilization of Tanah Melayu is old but Malaysians are not! We are just half a centuries old.
I still have faith that we Malaysians still have the “budi bahasa” within ourselves…’terendam”. It is a matter of time that it will surface once everyone learn that it is not just about tolerance that can make us live peacefully in this country but also respect and be more civic conscious. Then, the country will be a more happier place to live in.
New Hope New Change
When I was away from office last couple of weeks ago, I had a chance meeting with an old friend. At the same, Malaysia was in the frenzy for the upcoming General Election.
I have not met my friend for almost 10 years and it was delightful. He is not a Malaysian and neither he is of Malay, Chinese nor Indian race. He is an Iranian. He was working in Singapore and happily married.
One of the topics that caught our attention was the Election. He mentioned to me that Malaysians in general and including the young adults do not care much about politics. I thought long of what he had said. His generalization almost marks its point and that would be in the case of me! I do not know whether it fits every Malaysians that are out there.
He was saying that he had the opportunity to grow up in the time of Shah Iran before the government changed totally to what it is now. Commenting on how the current new generations of Iran are changing and asking for change. They are so much more politically-inclined. Defying in silence or even through action for example in their quest to have more freedom to voice their opinions and so forth. He mentioned something that was so significant – POLITICS IS ALL ABOUT HOPE. HOPE TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
I told him that things are not much difference in Malaysia. We might have certain freedom and there are some freedoms that are ‘curbed’ by the Government. Note that Malaysians might be mum about it but does not mean that they are not aware of the ongoing of the government and people. However, that does not constitute to agreeing on whatever the Government is doing. It is just that there are no proper channel to voicing their opinions and being heard by the right people. I believe every human being would want to change for a better life.
We argued, laughed and jested throughout our dinner with Malaysian General Election looming in the next couple of days.
Election Day came and passed. The result of the Election was significant where most Malaysians have decided to ‘voice’ their opinions being casting. Now, my friend has to reverse his thoughts about Malaysians.
We, Malaysians, had made a decision. We might have been made it with heavy hearts, made it we did. Though we fear of the outcome, we have to brave it! Things have to change.
What is for sure – MALAYSIANS voted for change and hoping for a better tomorrow! All the Best!
When I was away from office last couple of weeks ago, I had a chance meeting with an old friend. At the same, Malaysia was in the frenzy for the upcoming General Election.
I have not met my friend for almost 10 years and it was delightful. He is not a Malaysian and neither he is of Malay, Chinese nor Indian race. He is an Iranian. He was working in Singapore and happily married.
One of the topics that caught our attention was the Election. He mentioned to me that Malaysians in general and including the young adults do not care much about politics. I thought long of what he had said. His generalization almost marks its point and that would be in the case of me! I do not know whether it fits every Malaysians that are out there.
He was saying that he had the opportunity to grow up in the time of Shah Iran before the government changed totally to what it is now. Commenting on how the current new generations of Iran are changing and asking for change. They are so much more politically-inclined. Defying in silence or even through action for example in their quest to have more freedom to voice their opinions and so forth. He mentioned something that was so significant – POLITICS IS ALL ABOUT HOPE. HOPE TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
I told him that things are not much difference in Malaysia. We might have certain freedom and there are some freedoms that are ‘curbed’ by the Government. Note that Malaysians might be mum about it but does not mean that they are not aware of the ongoing of the government and people. However, that does not constitute to agreeing on whatever the Government is doing. It is just that there are no proper channel to voicing their opinions and being heard by the right people. I believe every human being would want to change for a better life.
We argued, laughed and jested throughout our dinner with Malaysian General Election looming in the next couple of days.
Election Day came and passed. The result of the Election was significant where most Malaysians have decided to ‘voice’ their opinions being casting. Now, my friend has to reverse his thoughts about Malaysians.
We, Malaysians, had made a decision. We might have been made it with heavy hearts, made it we did. Though we fear of the outcome, we have to brave it! Things have to change.
What is for sure – MALAYSIANS voted for change and hoping for a better tomorrow! All the Best!
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