The Singapore Road Bully

We've all read reports on road rage. I find some of these situations ludicrous. Can you really get so angry at someone for horning you as to wallop that person?

My wife's colleague, XL (not her dress size) and her hubby (KH) were looking for a parking lot in Jurong Point last Sat. In front of them was a Nissan Xtrial, stopped at the middle of a lane, waiting for a parking lot. Other cars couldn't pass and after 5 min, 10 cars caught behind started to horn. XL got out of her car and politely asked the mid 30's chinese looking driver,ZGR, to shift his car to the side. ZGR started to hurl obscene abuses at XL. When KH intervened, ZGR punched him in the face (KH: Kena Hoot) and hurled even more vulgarities. The couple demanded an apology. He sneered: "I'm going to park my car now and shop. Not going to waste time on you." When XL threatened to call the police ZGR dared them to do so and sauntered away nonchalantly with his wife and mum.

When the police came, they said the case was a civil suit ie. not a criminal offence. XL and KH were stunned! KH had just been assaulted.  The policemen did not want to log the case.  After arguing their case for 8 hours at a nearby NPP, the police are still considering whether to press charges.  When the police called ZGR, he offered to apologise.  This is what the chinese would call "No see coffin, no drop tear" (bu4 jian4 guan1 cai2 bu4 liu2 lei4). As KH was quite badly hurt, XL decided to press for charges anyway to teach ZGR a lesson.

This is silly isn't it? ZGR really lost his marbles. If he is charged by the police, he'll be jailed. There goes his career too.  If he can't control his temper in public, I think he's very likely to vent his anger on his wife and family in private, maybe physically. 

Why are the police reluctant to press charges? Simple lah. Need to do a lot of paper work mah.  This is an example of the inefficiencies of the system and the double standards in our statutes. While some ah beng is thrown to jail for road rage, police are considering letting the (surprisingly decent looking) ZGR get away scot-free.  This is not a criticism of our system. Just to point out the law is only as good as the people enforcing it. This is pretty common in the UK.

Lessons learnt:

1. Jurong Point is a road ragers hub.

2. Mata's pay is low, so don't want to do too much work.

3. You'd better have good friends who are lawyers and can help out in these situations.

4. Whackos with huge egos drive SUVs, esp X-trails.

But seriously folks, if you are angry and want to lash out at someone, take a deep breath and count to ten. The consequences of your outburst may be more far fetching than you think. I also believe we dish out disproportionate anger at those closer to us. For a same incident, we are likely to lash out at our family much harsher than our friends. Need to be aware of this and keep it in check. 

Here's a good one. My Korean colleague told me when 2 Koreans get into a car accident, they get out of the car and engage in a full on fist fight. After they are too tired to slog it out, they start assessing the damage and who's at fault.  Maybe ZGR is a Korean who married a S'pore wife. 

Remember my colleague Robbie (the guy who interviewed the SQ gal: cf blog 25 Apr) ?

He's one of funniest guys I've met.

Robbie sings, dances and is a livewire at ANY party.

I have a lot of respect for this guy.

Despite being 10 years older than I am, he has more verve than I do.

Robbie shares his pearls wisdom from time to time.

Below is just one of them.

Hey, by the way, remember the letter I wrote to ST forum about posting pump prices at petrol kiosks?

It was published :-)

==================================================

Robbie Says
 

"In the past, I searched through the underwear to get to the butt

Now, I have to search through the butt to get to the underwear."

(Article forwarded by my Ah Beng Flen)

Steven Covey's famous 7 habits for successful people are nothing more than a free adaptation of Hokkien phrases.

So why pay thousands of dollars to listen to chao ang-mors like him when your parents, wives, husbands, and even the auntie-auntie who sweeps the floor, can give you that kind of advice every day?

Habit No 1: Be Pro-Active
Kin Ka Kin Chiew (fast leg, fast hand)

Zi Dong Darm Poh (be automatic a bit)

Habit No 2: Begin with the End In Mind
Ooh Tao Ooh Buay (have head, have tail)

Habit No 3: First Things First
Chik Hung Chik Hung Lai - Ban Ban Lai 
(One thing at a time, slow and steady); or
Cho Tow Seng (do first)

Habit No 4: Think Win-Win
Long Chong Ai Yarh (want to win in everything)

Habit No 5: Seek To Understand Rather Than To Be Understood
Cho Lang Ai Eh Beng Pek (you must be understanding)

Habit No 6: Synergize
Tai Kay Ai Hup Chop (all must co-perate)

Habit No 7: Sharpen the Saw
Toh Bua Lai Lai

I love nurses and doctors.

No, lah, not the game and not in that kinky way.

They are our unsung heros.

Well, some may argue that they are paid to do their jobs. 

In my opinion, unless you are altruistic to some degree, you can't work in a hospital.

I was a medic in the army.

As an instructor, I had the privilege to work in hospital wards alongside nurses and doctors for several weeks.

Imagine having to tend to patients round the clock, feed them, clean them, clear their waste etc etc.  Although the patients are mere strangers, the care they receive from the medical staff will not fall short of that given by any family member.

We were hit by SARS in 2003.

Docs and nurses did not shirk from their duties for fear of their lives.

Instead, they stuck to their guns to battle the deadly disease.

I'm not sure if I'd have the guts to do so.

Now that SARS is over, Singapore seems to have forgotten our angels in white.

I must admit I'm one of them until my mum in law was warded for her angioplasty this month.  Once again, i witnessed the selflessness and dedication of the medical staff.

If you have friends who are medical staff, drop them a sms now to thank them for their service to society.  Some of us will not be alive today had it not been for their hard work and labour of love.

Tools of my new trade

Was at my mom's place over the weekend and I chanced upon my Sec 4 class photo.

It's been 17 years …… yet I still have extremely vivid and fond memories of the wild, hormonally charged days..

Being in an all boys school, my classmates and I were boisterous (some say girl crazy).

We made all, save one, of our female teachers cry through crude, tasteless pranks and pure rebellion.(Re the one who didn't cry, we heard rumours that she changed her name to John several years later).

As I looked at some of the impressionable faces in the pic, I struggled to remember their full names but could easily rattle off their nicknames.

Each nickname was unique and has absolutely no bearing to the persons they are today (I hope)

Sharing some of them with you in the following format:

Nickname – Why they were given it (Their occupation today)

Lap Cheong – self explanatory (doctor)

Small boy – No, not the opposite of Lap cheong.  He is boyish (doctor)

Salem – Looks like a smoker (Professional smoker?)

Uncle Toh(by) – Puts forth the best arguments with teachers (Judge …. don't pray pray)

Cock – Ask Lap Cheong why  (Doctor)

Monster – Ask the SCGS gals why (IT analyst)

George of the Jungle – He was quite cock (Doctor)

Miss Baygon – Protects himself (or herself now) with can of baygon  (fashion designer).

Ka Chng Face – Ditto (Business Manager)

Murdoch – As mad as the guy in A-team (doctor)

Goldfish – Auditioned for 'Finding Nemo' without a costume and succeeded (business manager)

God's gift to women – Not God's gift to women (Doctor)

Dog – follows CHIJ gals like one (Banker)

This goes to show, the more "cock" your nickname is, the more successful you'd be in your career :-)

We spend a lot of time communicating via emails.

I face unique challenges getting through to my clients / suppliers in countries where English is not their language of choice.

The correspondence below is as good (or bad) as it gets.

Please take time to read through it.

(I spent a lot of time taking out sensitive info and changing names of the parties involved in the email track.  It has been colour coded for your easy reference)

Scenario: I'm trying help my Bangladeshi agent (he works for me indirectly) book 2 hotel rooms in Singapore.

The incident is real.

The people are real.

The exasperation lagi real.

Sometimes my mum and wife ask me what I do at work.

I hate to tell them I have to handle these emails as part of the job.

Maybe I should tell them the truth.

Then they'll know the root cause of my receding and graying hairline, and impending stroke.

===============================================================
From: Bangla

Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 8:34 AM
To: Meepok
Subject: Visit

Dear Mr. Mee Pok,

Please book two single rooms for 3-4 nights from XX May 2005 under the
following persons.
(1). Bangla    (2). BoB. (Brudder of Bangla)

We will be arrive XX May2005 at Singapore Airlines.
Awainting your confirmation.

Thanking you,
Best regards
Bangla

-----Original Message-----
From: Mee Pok
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 9:34 AM
To: Bangla
Subject: RE: Visit

Hi Bangla,

Katty (our admin specialist) can help you book the room in Holiday XXX.
She will confirm the rates.
Is it for 3 or 4 nights ?

Meepok

-----Original Message-----
From: Katty
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2005 2:45 PM
Subject: RE: Visit

Bangla,

Please see accommodation details as follow:
Hotel XXX, Singapore
Check-in:10-May  Check-out:14-May
Room Type: Standard (room only, if breakfast desired, pls. inform front
desk upon checking)  Room rate: S$XXX + 16%

Confirmation
1) Bangla - #1143   2) Bob - #1145

Let me know if you've any questions.

Katty

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your mail. We are confirming you that we have need two single rooms for 3-4 nights from 10th May 2005. We are waiting your further confirmation for the booking of two single rooms for 3-4 nights.

Your kind cooperation will be highly appreciated.

Thanking you,
Best regards
For Bangla International
-------------------------------------------------

At 05:04 PM 4/28/2005 +0800, Meepok wrote:

Dear Bangla,
 
Pls SEE ALL the emails attached.
The answers are ALREADY THERE.
 
You need to answer this question.
Are you staying 3 OR 4 nights?
You CANNOT say 3-4 nights.
 
Meepok

---------------------------------------------

From: Bangla
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 5:36 PM
To: Mee Pok, Katty
Subject: RE: Visit

Dear Sir,

Thank you very much for your mail. Actually we would like to say 3 or 4 nights are staying at Hotel from 10th May 2005.

Sorry for our misunderstanding.

Thanking you,
Best regards
For Bangla International
---------------------------------------------------------------

At 06:12 PM 4/28/2005 +0800, Meepok  wrote:

Bangla….

 
You have 2 options.
 
(1) Three nights
(2) Four nights.
 
You must confirm either option (1) or (2) now.
 
Meepok

---------------------------------------

From: Bangla

Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 6:49 PM
To: Meepok, Katty

Subject: RE: Visit

Dear Sir,

As per your mail we would like to confirm you for 4 Nights staying in the Hotel from 10th May 2005.  Please do confirm.

Thanking you,
Best regards
For Bangla International