Pissed!

I organised a BBQ for my birthday and invited my colleagues. The idea was to create a gathering which may serves to promote better relationship between us.

The whole planning didnt take that long. I formed an idea about having a BBQ and then asked them whether they are interested.

All of them were, and hence I went ahead with the booking of the pit and asked around to see if anyone know of BBQ food supplier.

My colleagues were ready to give me a few contacts, and all I had to do was to compare to see which supplier would be the most economical (seeing that I would be the one footing the bill, with none of them mentioning splitting the bill).

My planning was rushed, partly because I was very busy at work, and partly because the headcounts were never confirmed. Most of them cannot give me a straightforward answer, and some of them who could, eventually decided to boycott because of a tiff with another colleague.

I nurse my headache while trying to keep my temper in check.

I'd already spoke to them previously that I would be in charge of ordering of the food, but drinks had to be purchased separately because the BBQ supplier dont have a drink list.

I reasoned that if I was already footing the bill for the food and for the pit booking fee, it isnt that unreasonable that the rest of them share the cost for the drinks from NTUC.

But no! They are actually expecting me to pay for the drinks as well. Not only that they tick the food items on the food list unreservedly, they still decide that they want to buy 4 or 5 different types of food juice, plus half dozen of 1litre mineral water, and etc.

To them, by volunteering to bring a bottle of whisky from home is a huge favour already. Yah right. It is not as though I am the one whom want to drink it. If they are the one who want to drink, then yes they should bring their own beverage.

But that is hardly considered as contributing isnt it?

It is like going to potluck bringing your favourite chou tou fu. You like to eat it yes, it is food yes, but you are still not contributing to the potluck what!


Come the actual day, and we meant to leave the office at 6 sharp, but I just returned from a meeting and I still had work to follow up on. I quickly work on my stuff, while feverishly trying to handle the flood of msn-s asking me what time can we leave.

I told each one of them to start packing the necessities first, for I still have a few emails to send. All of them decided that ignoring me is the best thing to do at that time, and began to surf their friendster and etc.

By 6.30, the time which we should be leaving the office, nothing was packed but I am hardly ready to go because I still had to talk to a vendor on the phone.

(We should reach by 7 because that was the time the BBQ food supplier would reach the pit with my food. If I am not there, then what if the supplier leave? Then great, all of us can eat grass straight off the soil.)

I finished the call hastily, and began to do the packing up myself. I shouldnt, I know, but I started slamming doors of the cabinets while I retrieve food from them. Those surfing friendster then drifted towards me, sheepishly offering help.

We reached the BBQ pits by 7.20 only, and by then, it began to drizzle, as though I am not irritated enough.

The BBQ was a crap on its own, because there's no butter, no honey, no chili sauce, insufficient charcoal, and it was drizzling.

Ok, I cant help the drizzling part, but I am not apologetic about the rest either. No one wanted to help, and expected to just turn up and eat. Hallo! I paid for everything, planned the BBQ (when it is not that beneficial to me anyway), packed, prepared, and then have to take care of each and everyone of them?

I seriously promise this is the last time I ever organise something for them. With the money spent, I might as well had bought a few more pair of shoes, or treat myself and mashi to a good dinner.

As a matter of fact, they wanted to plan a weekend trip to phuket 2 wks from now. I will tell them tomorrow that I do not want to go anymore if nothing is booked yet. Actually even if it is booked, I rather waste the money than to go msia with them.

They are just a bunch of people who keeps their own benefits as the foremost important. I hardly feel safe travelling with them.