A Mostly Unpleasant Encounter

 Some People Will Never Change.

There is this restaurant by the sea.
It offers dishes for which it charges diners more than a bit, especially since Covid began.

Recently a couple, whom I know well, had a meal there. The wife ordered Barramundi. When she was served, she took a first bite and sensed something was not right. The fish served was flaky, most likely an indication of the seafood being not fresh.

When the wife let a wait staff know, the latter, right in front of the diners, took a bite of the Barramundi as well from the plate, as if not trusting what the customer said.  Only then did the staff take away the flaky fish.

The wife then only had her plate re-served.

When the husband went to pay the bill, this couple was charged with two serves of the 50 dollar Barramundi dish. 

Many other friends had also experienced similar treatment at this same restaurant.  It does not seem to be a one-off.

So what can we learn from.the antics observed at this restaurant?

There is a lack of finesse and attention to detail at this restaurant.
Staff employed never seem to learn, dwelling in a world of their own.

When a restaurant charges upmarket prices, the onus on them is to deliver better and treat customers on a more ethical basis.

Have you come across such self centeredness in people or businesses you deal with, whether as a customer, volunteer, donor, supporter or worker.

When diners at that restaurant make time and effort to let staff know of the problem, it is also because they want to continue supporting that restaurant.

The diners do not want to hear
excuses, only hoping for the
restaurant and staff to earnestly make things better - and not inflict the same negative experience on others.

What is it they say, you can try to lead a horse to water, but not make it drink.

In such circumstances, I have never gone back to patronise that restaurant, when they have been patronising to me and other diners.
Let my time, effort and funds be utilised for better causes.

Customers can see through pretense, lack of courtesy and sub standard service.

Some People Will Never Change.

#yongkevthoughts

Consequences of More Self Service

 Self servicing will reign supreme, unless you pay a fee for what we take for granted now.

When customers process their own transactions on line or in physical reality, any mistakes made, honest or not honest, will place the onus of responsibility back on to them.

The place of interaction between customer and service will be minimised with human interaction.
It can be cheaper to use Artificial Intelligence or other software to communicate with the customers. It implies a much less need to set up physical offices, shops and presence. Beware the commercial real estate industry!

Businesses earn more revenue by offering service for extra fees charged.  This can be already seen in the contemporary arrangements of having to stack up so many frequent flyer points to be eligible  to enter an airline lounge waiting for a flight.

There is no such thing as a free lunch to access the airline lounge - you already pay annual fees and in money to convert to points at a ridiculously low rate.  It may feel free to you if your business or employer pays for your annu al credit card charges, airfare and reward points.  Current frequent flyer credit cards on offer in the market require the holder to minimum spend within 3 months,  thousands of expense money to be charged to the cards, before they are eligible for the promised many points.

So this premium service I cite above, as coming from airlines and participating credit card issuers, can be compared to the masses
having to pay extra charges for normal transactions in the future.

In Australia, I notice some elderly
people can be enjoying much needed social chats at the counter in supermarkets, post offices, newsagents and when physically pay their bills.  The quality of their mental and social health can be negatively impacted if they cannot do this anymore. Would this group pay a fee to have this continued pleasure?

Even before the 21st century began, customers have sensed a deterioration of service when making complaints for poor or under performing service.  Customers are put on hold for long periods on the phone before they get any commencement of any help.
Chatbots on apps want to help you, you have to write everything as if we cannot speak and then even a resolution to our problem is not forthcoming.  In the near future, if I want to speak to a live human being to sort out problems regarding my purchase, I will have to pay an extra fee.

Will the price of goods and services be any better, when we have to self transact, self service and self manage?   I do not reckon so - underlying reasons like the lack of labour, supply chain logistics, materials in short supply, the decreasing exchange value of currency and so forth will be cited as reasons.

If true, will these predictions cause a backlash in the mindsets of customers when dealing with providers? 

Will new business oppprtunities be created to service customers who will pay brokers to help them?

Go reckon.

#yongkevthoughts

Egg Prices Two Years Ago

 Fresh eggs are basic consumption items, mostly undervalued, used on a daily basis in nutritious recipes and harvested on a massive scale across the globe.

The spike in prices of many goods, services and produce, after the end of Covid related lockdowns, has also affected the price of eggs around the world.  I inquired with friends based in several cities as to how much they pay for them, in April 2023.

My conclusion is that fresh eggs are most reasonably priced in Toronto, Canada and Singapore.

The most expensive fresh eggs are found in Auckland, New Zealand and London UK.

Eggs are sold with myraid labels, descriptions and weight in grams.
They can be sold as organic (more natural fibrous feed for the chickens), free range in living space, or both.  Organic hens need not be free range - and free range chickens need not be organic.

In Sydney, eggs sold per dozen range from 600 grams to 700 and 800.  Those sourced from regional areas tend to be from valleys, unique named farms and relatively remote areas.  Eggs from rural Malaysia (kampungs) are perceived to have better quality in suburbs of Peninsular cities and the island of Singapore.

Egg prices can differ widely between the 3 main supermarket chains, independent groceries, fresh produce markets, health food outfits and family producers.  More people are not getting fussed about best use dates.  Eggs used for baking can be different from those used in omelettes, health concoctions and steamed custards.

Eggs can be sold in trays of 30, like in Penang and Kuala Lumpur.  Halfcut trays of six eggs are offered with premium eggs across Greater Sydney. 

The flavour and taste of eggs vary, more pronounced when you try the same dish in different continents, like Eggs Benedict, sunny side fried egg in a burger or Onsen styled egg in ramen soup.  Are bigger sized eggs better than smaller ones? I reckon it all boils down to personal preference.

Do we seriously want to know the exact source of the eggs we purchase?  I reckon so, knowing the origin of such eggs enhances the experience of savouring them.  These days, even milk sold at Coles Down Under are just stated as using " Australian milk".  There is no further information - and one does not know exactly where across this continental island was the milk squeezed out.

#yongkevthoughts

Airport Comparison June 2023

 My impressions of the few airports I experienced in June 2023. KLIA, Changi, Sydney, Penang.

Best Layout: KLIA
Best Check in  for Economy: Sydney ( worst is KLIA)
Best Shop Browsing: Changi (worst is Penang)
Best Hand Luggage Screening: Changi ( worst is Sydney)
Best Baggage Collection:  Penang ( worst is Sydney)
Best Immigration Pass Through:  Sydney (machines only) ( worst is Penang).
Best Airport Food: Changi ( worst is Sydney).
Best Boarding Procedure: Changi. ( worst is Sydney)
Best Washroom: Changi ( worst is Penang).
Best Communication: Changi.

The Gla Ber

 A character I would rather dismiss.

Gla Ber - GLARING BERATER

1. Politician in power who talks down to the press, the public and underlings.

2.  Person who gets a thrill staring down opposition and  criticism. Often compared to a person who does not blink, even if he or she is guilty.

3.   Person who manipulates the public by not revealing secret agendas, selfish motives and hidden timing of taking measures.

4.  Self obsessed person with a sharp and rude tongue, aggressive eyes and a countenance of insincerity.

Is there a Gla Ber in your midst?

#yongkevthoughts