Don’t Skirt the Issue

I was barely 20 and it was my first “real” job. After receiving the letter of appointment, I had to read a set of company rules I had to adhere to, one of which outlined the acceptable dress code for women.

Me: “I have an issue with one of the rules written here. It says here that all women should wear skirts.”
Mr. Manager: “Well, we’ve always had that rule. Just follow it.”

At that point in time, I really, really needed the job, so i didn’t argue. The problem was, I only had two office-worthy skirts then — a poorly-cut tulip skirt that made my bum look big and a frumpy brown pleated one that will make anyone‘s bum look big.

I didn’t have enough money to get a new wardrobe, so I worked out a schedule of sorts — I’d only wear skirts on days where I had to go on a meeting with the big bosses.

This went pretty well and the numerous times I got “caught with my pants on” were non-issues with the heads, all of whom were males (well, except for one lady who was rarely in the office) so after awhile, I stopped my skirt timetable altogether. Some of my longer-serving female colleagues initially questioned my brazen non-skirt-wearing attitude but then went into an “I wish I could wear trousers too” mode.

A few months after I started work there, the company appointed a new HR director. One of his first exercises was to talk to each and every employee.

Mr. HR Director: “… anything else you’d like to clarify?”
Me:”Um, there is this small thing… about wearing skirts. I don’t see why I have to conform to it.”
Mr. HR Director: “And I don’t see why you should!”

That dress code was apparently written when the company was formed in the 60s or 70s. And since no one had raised concern over it, it remained on the list 30 years later. Mr. HR Director said he’d see to the abolishment of the dress code (for both men and women) and though I didn’t really believe him then, I was quite happy to finally be able to talk to someone who wasn’t from the Dark Ages.

Weeks after that, one of my female colleagues was seen in a smart pair of slacks excitedly announcing that “it’s okay for women to wear trousers in the office now.” Well, well.

Zero or Max?

I passed by two large posters within steps of each other on my way home. The first one was that of Coke Zero, the second, Pepsi Max. I find it interesting how each company decides to market these similar products using different angles. One emphasises on the drink’s maximum taste (sans sugar), the other on the lack of calories (while retaining its original flavour):

Pepsi Max — Maximum Taste, No Sugar vs Coca-Calo Zero — Real Coke Taste, Zero Calories 

It could well be Pepsi None or Coke Full. Maybe even “Pepsi No!!!” or “Coke Real?”. I amuse myself with silly little thoughts sometimes.

Which do you prefer?

In Perspective

Yesterday was not one of the best days of my life.

I woke up late for an appointment. Got caught in the rain.
Fell smack on my butt. In the middle of a large crowd of kids. Twice.
Had to wait in line at two different queues for a total of 2 and a half hours.
I was so hungry all the while because the only thing I had eaten the whole day was a piece of bread.

By the time all that ended all I wanted was a nice, comforting plate of creamy pasta.

Went to the supermarket. Got a good deal on two packs of spaghetti and some sauces. Was feeling chuffed as I went back home. Got home and realised that I had left one of my shopping bags at the cashier’s counter. The one with all the ingredients I needed to cook my dinner.

Took 35 minutes to get to and back home from the supermarket. No longer in the mood to cook. Ended up having two burnt bagels for dinner (I set the oven timer 5 minutes too long).

At night I got news that one of my relatives is now jobless. The one I thought was in a secure, cushy position.

Then my brother called to say that his company is axing nearly a thousand workers next week. He said he’s losing sleep and hair over the news and asked whether I could recommend….. a shampoo to slow down hair loss. :o

Jobs can be replaced but hair loss is irreversible, he reasoned. That’s someone who got his priorities sorted out, though not in a typical order, I thought.

Yesterday was not one of the best days of my life. But it could have been worse. And for that, I’m thankful.

A President for the World

There was an air of quiet celebration in the house on Wednesday. My husband and I had taken a little time off work to watch the results of US Election on CNN.

When Obama’s name was announced as the president elect, I watched America and the whole world throw their fists in the air and celebrate. Some were crying, in relief, joy and hope (and for some, disappointment). I can’t help but shed a few tears myself. I’m just happy to be granted the privilege of witnessing this momentous occasion in history.

Last week I was chilling out on the couch after a very tiring day when my 11-year old nephew asked, “Why do the skinheads want to assassinate Obama?” referring to a newspaper report last month. In my state of fatigue, I tried explaining about racism and supremacists but find myself at a loss when he asked, “Why is the colour of one’s skin such a big deal?”

Earlier this year my husband and I were pondering on the probability of America having Barack Obama as president. His proposed policies are generally multilateral, his background is global and he’s got this thing called charisma.

To the world, Obama seemed to be the preferred candidate. Parts of Asia sees him as one of our own (“He speaks Bahasa and has lived in Indonesia! He’s more Asian than your uncle Jo”). Africa, or at least Kenya, claims him as a son of their soil. Middle east welcomes “Hussein” along with the olive branch he’s extending. In a sense, he is a president for the world.

But he is black (or grey as I call it, since he is half white). And we’re afraid that though the world was rooting and ready for him, America didn’t share the same sentiments.

We were wrong to assume that Americans were not mature enough to look beyond racial lines and for once I’m glad we were. There is so much hope and expectation placed on this one man. And he has shown us, with his election, that there is some hope in this world.

With the current global economic crisis and the peril of climate change, it is definitely a challenging time to be the leader of a nation so powerful and influential. Let’s hope that he lives up to at least some of the expectations. :)

The Wedding Poultry

I’m back. I probably have 3 (5? 10?) loads of washing to do and currently in a state of post-holiday slump. Well technically, it wasn’t really a vacation:

“You will be the free-range photographer.”

“Free-range?!”

“There will be an official photographer capturing the couple’s every move. You’ll document everything else.”

“Oh, I get it, I’ll be running around like a crazy chicken.”

“Exactly.”

PS: Happy Election Day, US folks!