bits and parcel

Gender discrimination?

(making a good impression, acc to Jon)

case description:

For university buses, the campus always hire new student drivers. So whenever there is a driver-in-training driving the bus, there will be a supervisor on board, making sure that all is well.

Today, I boarded one of these buses. I was running towards the bus 'cos I am late. Once boarded, the supervisor greeted me loud and clear "Howdy!". Almost outta my breath, I replied in a squeaky voice (unintended) "Howdy!" and proceeded to one of the front seats.

The supervisor turned to the driver-in-training and asked

" Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No, " he replied

" Always greet the girls when they board the bus."

(O.O *nod nod* I see..)

Language barrier?

While working,I was at the library counter, checking the bar-codes for net-books and making sure that they're labeled correctly. This man saw me and asked

" So you're doing inventory huh?"

*blank stare* (try to act like I know)

"I...guess? checking bar-codes and stuff"

I replied while thinking in my mind 'better google this word later'

he portrayed a question mark face and went back to his work.

then I moved on to the next counter and continue on my job,

this lady at this counter looked at me and asked

"Inventory?"

The same man heard and turned and looked at me

I looked at her. Smile.

"yea, checking bar-codes and all"

thinking 'I hope my answers are appropriate. why do they like to ask the same question? better google that word later on!!'

new word of the day:

Inventory

a list compiled for some formal purpose; goods and materials

Big realization for the Americans

Rmb the book 'How to win friends & influence people' by Dale Carnegie?

I didn't know it's so popular here in the US. I rmb picking that book up and checking it out while I was a librarian back in my high school, thinking that it's an interesting topic.

I'm currently reading the similar twenty-first century book by Tommy Spaulding, called 'It's not just who you know'

http://www.tommyspaulding.com/?page_id=85

Interesting and captivating book which speaks about ROR (Return of Relationships)

building sincere relationships along the path of your life will lead on to unimaginable returns

his personal story is astounding! of how a dyslexia (learning disability) kid can still get his master degree and become the owner of companies and such a successful leader in the society.

Awesome insights learnt from him.

In the process of pondering, it got to me that this was the social lesson that I have learnt, living in an Asian country. Business man or not, many have realized the importance of relationships and how it can get you way further than you've thought of. However, apparently, this concept was not deeply rooted in the culture of Americans. They are based on individualism,

“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.” Oscar Wilde

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself" Joseph Rudyard Kipling

No matter what, it's not too late for them to realize that we are living in a society and that community ad relationship matters.