Day 14 - Stranger #15

I needed a new hair cut, so I went to this hair salon that is near my office. This random hairstylist's name is IZoc. A very well grown guy, dressed in white shirt, black blazer and black high boots. Was in the salon for nearly 3 hrs plus. Thus, I had plenty of opportunity to talk to him.

Izoc is 32 years old, he had being a hairstylist for the last 10 years. Ask him if he is a local. He said he is a korean and tried to say some rubbish that wasn't ever sound like a korean. And after while he finally told me yes, he is a Singaporean. I was quite surprised cause I seldom met a local hairstylist. He said most local hairstylist will work in very high class and expensive salon with helpers. Not like here, that he needs to do everything on hands. Ok, so I "encouraged" him abit. Yah, Singaporean are just too pampered. And he said, he is ok, he don't mind doing all the tough jobs. Maybe that's why there are 2 salons that is trying to poach him to their salons. He is one stylist with a bit of attitudes, but take care of his customer quite well. He gave me coffee, and took into consideration my budget.

He is really quite skillful, and the hairstyle came out creative too. Generally, I like the new hairdo. Before I left, he commented that he is quite happy to have me as a customer, because I am very bold, and let him snipped my hair as he pleased.

Anyway, I have his personal mobile number, and I think as for now, I will look for him for any future haircut. This is one stranger who will leave his number with you.

For those who are less daring to try new hairstyles, you can try this website:
http://www.taaz.com/

Prepare a NRIC kinda of digital photo, and load on to match whatever hairstyle that you want to try. It's fun!

Day 13 - Stranger #14

See hoe lee, bus captain of bus number 238 in Toa payoh. A wrinkled, white haired elderly uncle, in his 50s. Truly he is a very well manner driver. The bus was so crowded this morning that I can feel my back nearly sticking to the school boy at the back. See instead of being rude and shouting for the passengers to move in LAH! He actually stood up at each station to say nicely to the ladies or boys to move in. Either in English, chinese or malay. It's not all the time that one see such a polite bus captain. Thus, I told See before I alighted, "Thank You! You are so courteous." He just gave me a nice big smile.

Day 12 - Stranger #13

I was wanting to eat the quarter burger from McDonald. But a colleague was comparing that to his new found burger from Hans, which is directly downstairs. Thus I went to Hans, to give that burger a try.

See Ming was serving me and I told her, she and all colleagues all are so young. She is only 22 years old and the other guy is only 18 years old. She came from Ipoh and had being working in singapore for the last 3 years. I asked her isn't more stressful to work here. She replied it was so hard to find a job back in ipoh. And here, as long as one is willing to work hard, one still can make a living. She only goes home once or twice every year. And at such a tender age, she is really independence. Comparing to our youths here, she is considered rather matured.

Alright back to the Hans burger, it is quite tasty. A bit liken to the ramly burger that we had in the night market, but bigger and feel healthier. Give it a try.

http://www.hans.com.sg/

Day 11 - Stranger #12

Oh no! Woke up late for work so that meant I need to take a cab. This cab driver had fm98.5 on then, and he purposefully turned down the sound for me. I told him, it is ok, you can still keep it on. And I took this chance to talk to him. I asked him how long he had being driving. He answered that as long as my age. Huh… I asked him so about 30 over years. He said No.. 27 years already. Haha, I laughed cause he thought I looked like I am only about 27 years old? Anyway, this was good enough to make my day.

He is really a very simple taxi uncle; he has 2 children, 27 and 22 years old. And the younger child will be going back to school. So I guess he needs to drive for a few more years to retire. I think he was in a rather nostalgic mood then. He shared with me how cheap it was to take cab in the 70s and 80s. He started to drive the cab when the meter charge was only $1.20. And now I looked at the meter to remind myself, it’s about $2.80 (depending on the cab you take). Last time, he ever needed to drive cab, which don’t have air-conditioner. So I ask him if it was easier to earn a living then or now? He said it is the same. Ok, I guess he is one taxi uncle contented with any situation he is put in.

You can find out various taxi’s charges here:
http://taxisingapore.com/

Day 10 - Stranger #11

I was approached at this guardian store, while I am shopping. This stranger was trying very hard to converse with me in English, and I told her that I understand Chinese (do I look foreigner). I looked at her name tag at her chest, her name is Tina. Alright, she is another sale person, I told myself to be friendly and see if there is any opportunity to talk more.

Tina is from China, she has a 5 years old kid back home. While, I was complimenting her that she don't looked at all like 35 years old as she claimed. She said maybe it's the jovial personality. It's true, she looks like in her late 20s, so I try to ask her what skin products she used. But she is only concerned about selling me her products. So I listened on.

She was selling some support posture gear, that u put on for at least 2 hours per day. So that one would sit right and corrected one's posture. She insisted that I tried it on, which I was quite reluctant in the first place. She was so fast and skillfully with it(she does it whole day wah). Oh oh! The moment I put it on, I felt trapped! I exclaimed, it's quite painful right. She commented that those ppl who do physiotherapy are ever more painful.

Then she started to point out the areas which I experienced pain or discomfort. Which are true, maybe it's really a common symptoms that people faces with bad postures. She asked me if ever I checked my back before, I said No, and she said it feels a bit crooked. Oh man! I am worrying now. She went on with some illustrations about the spines and neck, how they are linked and what kind of impacts they have when one aged. They are photos of spinal surgery which are really grossed and a lady with a really crooked back, which was straighten only after surgery. so she said that since I am still young, I should corrected the posture before problems set in.

She told me, she came to Singapore alone, and once when she fell very sick. No one took care of her and expenses were high, so she has an enlightenment that health is very important. Money can be earned back but health can't. Ok, I agreed with her. So I think I shall seriously considered visiting a professional spine care doctor then buy the gear which cost about $179?

Alright, I finally told her the painful truth while trying to "un-trapped" myself from the gear. I said "I will think about it." (The most politically correct answer right) Have you ever see a person's expression changed within 1 second? Yes, that was what happened, her smile immediately fade off.

Ok, I hate it when a sale person did that. Face changed faster than the lightning. Apparently, she may lost a potential customer. But come to think of it, how many of us actually really go back to get the stuff u thought u will consider to buy it? Most of the time, it's compulsive buying. Of course, for me, there were instances when I did go back for the purchases.

Well, we just said our Byes and I walked off with some styles I think!

Day 9 - Stranger #10

She may not be a total stranger to my hubby, but she is to me. Her name is Serene, who work in a tuition center. My hubby introduced her to me, the first impression was good, we were talking about taking leaves to attend Asia Conferences, and that some of the friends are coming from Malaysia too. So hopefully all of them have the time to catch up ever though the schedule of the conference is so tight. Furthermore, she needs to serve as an usher throughout the conferences. She is really one faithful usher.

Counting down to 16 more days to this greatest conference in Asia. I am really excited about it. I have decided to attend 2 electives today, hope I can make it. Also cheering on for so the many faithful ushers and workers like serene.

http://www.asiaconference.org.sg/2010/#

Day 8 - Stranger #09

T.H. Koh, a matured looking stranger with mustaches. He is a fatherly looking salesman who worked in Harvey Norman for 9 years and had being doing sales for the last 15 years. Wow, I told him, “What a loyal staff u are.” He smiled and I think I did make his day. I asked him, so u must really like your job, is it because you got to know all the latest technologies? He answered with a mild No, cause he likes to talk to customers and convince them to buy the products.
It’s a road show displaying the pretty new Samsung LED TV, Full HD in 3D. So you would be watching your TV at home with a 3D glass. Mr. Koh is certainly not a pushy kinda of sale-man. He was telling me the 40inch TV that used to cost about $6000plus and now reduced to $3999, with free DVD player, and lotsa of other staff and a $100 voucher. He was sincerely telling me that it is a good buy and not to miss this promotion.

Technologies are simply amazing now, with a combination of hardware and software, the 3D TV is able to convert the 2D content in real time that are translated by the glasses as a 3D image. And you can simply on and off as desired, that meant the TV still could function as a normal TV.

I thanked him for his time and he passed me a brochure, nicely writing down the various prices. And said do look for him when I come back with my hubby. Yes, I will certainly look for this friendly Koh, when I am in need of a new TV.