This morning, the coffee-shop operator where we had our breakfast, joined our table to have his early lunch.
Among other things, my friend asked him, 'Why Chinese business people always charge more during Chinese New Year?' Anyway, he gave reasons why he rather close his shop during Chinese New Year, despite knowing that the few days are best for business.
First of all, he has to pay at least double the normal daily wages, and even then, he isn't sure if the workers are coming in. He said, 'Just imagine the extra number of cups of beverages I have to sell before I can cover the extra wages. The 'full-house' situation can be trying and tiring. Sometimes, even his parents or parents-in-law have to help out.
On top of all that, some government workers took advantage of the festive season, to ask for cigarettes, drinks, angpows and/or mandarin oranges.
Actually, this reminds me of how some Chinese prefer to spend Chinese New Year overseas, just to get away from the fuss, while politicians and businessmen have to entertain their supporters and customers with 'open houses'. These days, because of the scary security situation, most households rather not have open house. If robbers dare to come without invitation and when gates and doors were closed, what more when these are open? Now, even as customers of shops or guests of households, people are careful not to have too much valuables with them, in case of robbery.
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Among other things, my friend asked him, 'Why Chinese business people always charge more during Chinese New Year?' Anyway, he gave reasons why he rather close his shop during Chinese New Year, despite knowing that the few days are best for business.
First of all, he has to pay at least double the normal daily wages, and even then, he isn't sure if the workers are coming in. He said, 'Just imagine the extra number of cups of beverages I have to sell before I can cover the extra wages. The 'full-house' situation can be trying and tiring. Sometimes, even his parents or parents-in-law have to help out.
On top of all that, some government workers took advantage of the festive season, to ask for cigarettes, drinks, angpows and/or mandarin oranges.
Actually, this reminds me of how some Chinese prefer to spend Chinese New Year overseas, just to get away from the fuss, while politicians and businessmen have to entertain their supporters and customers with 'open houses'. These days, because of the scary security situation, most households rather not have open house. If robbers dare to come without invitation and when gates and doors were closed, what more when these are open? Now, even as customers of shops or guests of households, people are careful not to have too much valuables with them, in case of robbery.
2 comments:
During Chinese New Year, my family would go for for ABC food. ABC is Anything But Chinese.Quality and service of chinese food outlets suffers but price increase by at least 50 %. It is a good time to go for Mamak, Malay,fast food or even pricey kopitiam. We have experienced horrors of steamed fish with newspaper.Probably the fish was wrapped in newspaper before being stored in the freezer. Being charged RM 20 for a 6 inches prawn.The alternative is instant noodles, spaghetti or pan meen.
Agreed. There are many horror stories of Chinese outlets during CNY. There is no way anyone can get same standard of food and service when people have to queue to be seated and wait long for food and drinks. Even when eating, when there are people standing next to us, there is no way we can enjoy. Some restaurants try to fix a few sessions during one night to maximise profit.
Wise ones will avoid Chinese restaurants during CNY. It is so easy to order a few items like roast pork, roast duck or salted chicken, for eg. (take-away) and supplement with own soup and vegetables.
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