Mashi is the only person who knows how much exactly I am earning. Nobody else knows because I dont want to think I am rich and can dok me. I need to save all money I can so that I can go study a related part time diploma course then proceed with my degree course.
So whenever she song yong me to buy something, she will tell me, "Aiyah, u earn so much anyway". Whenever the topic revolves around money, and I feel the pinch for spending, whether it is for the yet another pair of black heels that cost $40, or the amf of dbs debit card for $24, or a bag costing $15, or a dano purchases coming up to ard $50, she will tell me, "Aiyah, u earn so much anyway".
But that is really beside the point what. I earn more doesnt mean I have to spend more right? As a matter of fact, it's more as compared to her. I dont earn more compared to anyone else I know. Meaning at the end of the stupid day, I still earn peanuts what (when peanuts doesnt equate $600k of course).
I seldom complain abt my job. I lament a lot, and rant a little, but usually it is just fa fa lao sao. I am grateful for having a job and the pay, though not high, is sufficient to let me buy my budget shoes/heels comfortably.
I think it is healthy lor, to kao beh a little abt the job and the customers, but at the end of the day, it is more of like laughing at customers who give us attitude and how we retaliate in the most hypocritical ways. =)
Of course of course, we need to maintain being professional to customers, but sometimes they are really funny.
Let's quote one example.
I've a customer who tells me he sees no direct benefits for taking up our bank's products. He feels he is only paying interest and after 2 yrs, he only managed to have an outstanding sum more than the amt he took out for despite making monthly minimum payments.
He said our bank is only running on customers' money! And we charge extorbitant interest rates which increase month after month.
He said every month he make payment for his minimum 'only slightly late' and we charged late charge. And said something in the line that it is not his fault that he cant remember his duedates.
I just retaliated in my most professional tone and smile (or smirk) in voice:
- I am sorry that he no longer sees the value in our products but I am sure when he first signed up for our products he definately felt there is goodness in our products therefore he signed up.
- Over this two yrs, we do recieve his monthly payment, I thanked him that.
- But over this span of two yrs, if his perception changed due to circumstances that I, as merely an officer who is listening to his feedback, cannot control, I am sorry but I really cant rectify his issues until he specifically tells me what is it that makes him change his mind about the value of our products.
- For as much as I understand that all banks charge around the same interest rates for loans/credit cards. But I have no idea exactly what are the different rates offered because I am not offering my service on behalf of other banks.
- His balance is not reducing because he still use his acct for other merchant transactions.
- Late fees are charged because we didnt recieve his monthly payment by due dates.
- All statements are definately prepared and sent to customers, and due dates are on the statements. Customers do have a responsibilities to remember their due dates.
- Our interest rates stands at the same rates he signed up for, unless he recieve a special promotion from us and can enjoy a lower interest. Otherwise, the interest will be what he signed up for until he recieved some form of advise of the revising of rates.
- Lastly, I do not deny that our bank is running a business and we are definately operating on customer's payments and client's businesses too. But in return, we offer the best service we can, listen to our customers, and do our best to offer products that are of value to customers. It will never be a single-sided track that customers are providing us but we are not providing for customers.
I am bad la, but I really cant control my laughter when the customer finally hanged up. Sigh, not to speak bad of my bank's customer, but as a person living in a world like ours, where everything costs, how can he be expecting we loan him money (in the form of credit cards) and not earn his interests?
Welcome to the world, mr customer.
Naivety cracks me up. And as per lao da (I think it's lao da, I've reiliterate this story so many times I dunno who gave me what responds le) says, ask the customer! When you take out cash from the atm machines with your card, you feel very song right? When you swipe w/o needing to pay cash but can bring home merchant goods, you feel very song right? Then when bills come why you so buay song?
Whahahahaha.. If only I have the goodwill to knock some sense into the customers. Sometimes I maintain a love-hate relationship with my customers.
Some really makes my day, some spoilt mine. But eventually I am always thankful for these people. Nice people makes me believe that the ren zhi chu xing ben shan, people with poor attitudes remind me that that is no need to be rude.
But eventually I can still say I love my job. Not love until hai ku shi lan, not love until tian ya hai jiao, but purely love it because it pays for my shopping. =)
That is why I cannot understand why mashi has such a big issue with her job. She is forever telling me she envy me because I earn more than she do (deja vu la!). But at the same time I also envy her mah, her job very qing song (she admits it also, mainly emailing and scheduling only), got time to msn someone and boss is nice to her.
Although I might not be able to survive in a job that cuts too much slack cos I will go crazy and I will start bring my manicure set to work or bring spring onions that needs dicing to the office. I am not a person who can pretend to be busy, so I always busied myself with real work.
But a job that can allows usage of msn or can check email very good leh. I want!
She then begin to lament she OT-ed the other night. I agreed OT until nearly 12 midnight really guo fen, but I reasoned with her that it was because the auditors are coming over the next day, so suan le lor, treat it as a contribution to the company lor.
(Lao tian cai zhi dao how much OTs I've put in on my current job.)
She refused to think that way, seeth that the company is being very guo fen in asking her to OT. I told her lor, OT is really part and parcel of any job, leaving on the dot is really something of the past. And what's wrong with putting in a little more effort for the company, or putting up with the company's seemingly demanding requests?
Sigh. Sometimes I just think she is having too smooth a life le la. Not saying I li jing cang sang, but comparatively she is really living a sheltered life. Let's not go into examples of how many nights I've went without sleep in school and graphic details and evidence of how I am burning front, back and middle of the candle when facing with growing frustrations in my job.
Like I maintained, complaining is a healthy way to vent your anger and frustrations. I always tell sniplets of my job to my friends and we'll laugh at them. Sometimes I complain too, I never say I dont, but my point is to complain and forget, complain and forget, complain and forget.
I cant keep remembering the anger la. Lao da keeps reminding me I must be happy.
I've came to realise to be happy you must be contented.
I am contented. Although rumours are flying that I might not get a renewal of contract on the job, I can wen xin wu kui de shuo, I've put in my best and I've made a few customers' day, and I've appeased a few complain cases without needing to forward for my boss's to follow up.
I can say I did my job pretty well and say with pride that I've played a part in controlling my cycle although 1 yr ago I would never believe myself that I would work in a bank.
If I am not renewed, I would take the opportunity to rest a little while, and then start to find a job. By then lao da would have ord. Whenever I falter I can depend on him to pick me to my feet, though I should be doing it myself. I am really assured to know I have got the best friends anyone can have (mine mine mine!) and I would plan my life from there.
For all I know, by then some opportunity will come knocking? I just need to be prepared to be on my best and I can do whatever that gets thrown to me. I shant worry excessively, cos 1 yr ago, I also bu qing bu chu de joined this bank. Anything can happen, I shant let any detailed planning blind me from possibilities. But of course, if no opportunities knocked, I shall be satisfied with a simple admin job.
Quit reminding me about my design background will ya! :Þ
