How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Thursday, January 26, 2012

CNY: Sellers' market in coffee shops

With influx of relations from out of town, restaurants and coffee shops are packed with customers. Even newspapers ran out earlier than usual.

For those with unpleasant experience of having to wait for seats, longer wait for food, and generally poor service, they avoided such places during the first 3 days, for example. Today is the fourth day of the new Lunar year, and many had returned to KL or other places of work on the second day. Yet the crowds remained.

During normal days, at familiar places, we were given special treatment like ordering a pot of hot water for our own Chinese tea leaves, after our round of tea or coffee. We are charged between Rm1 and Rm2 for a few topping up. Today, at Yong Fong in Pusing, we were politely told by Yong that he could not entertain us because he had turned down other such requests, even those who did not bring their own tea leaves. Reason was simple: to prevent customers from sitting too long at the table after their meals! Most food stalls added extra Rm1 or so to their normal charges. Basically, because of the greater demand, it was 'take it or leave it'. What a difference! ...especially when we know under normal circumstances, some shops or stalls were crying out for business because there are actually too many shops serving limited number of customers, going from one shop to another daily.

Link

3 comments:

BH said...

KS

If you think back to the time we celebrated CNY when we were kids until today, you will find an interesting progression of change in the way we celebrate the occasion. You latest episode is one such change.

For instance, for the reunion dinner, many families don't cook anymore. They just book a table or two at their favourite restaurant. This has become increasingly popular and nowadays you need to book months ahead to ensure you have a confirmed booking!

KoSong Cafe said...

BH

As I have mentioned in my earlier post, most of my friends have moved from having reunion dinner in restaurant. We can supplement items like roast pork, roast duck or whatever, to supplement what can be easily cooked at home. Even fish and prawns can be bought earlier and deep-frozen to avoid paying more. Besides, saving money, many people avoid crowded restaurants if they can help it. In fact, for the third year, my wife's brother treated his siblings and their families at a Japanese restaurant on the second day. It was to avoid crowds as well as having something different. This year, at Oh Sushi in Ipoh, we found out that discount card is not applicable during the festive period! Reason being they did not raise prices, therefore we are not entitled to the 10% discount.

CLY said...

Yes. CNY is the time for restaurants to cash in on the crowd. Home cooking especially steamboat is a good alternative. It is also a good time to patronize the non-chinese and fast food outlets.