Let's Learn English

Hi guys, let's learn English from an Indian teacher and have a good laugh.. :)

When people tried to talkcock

Well, i guess everyone face that in life. There is one species of human being on earth like to talkcock. Okay, what is talkcock, you may wonder. To comprehend this, you need to break it into 2 words, talk and cock. Talk is literally means talking, communication between 2 persons happen. Cock, the meaning here refers to male's sex organ. You can also summarize it as non value-added talk and talk for the sake for talking, without benefiting others. The origin of it, come from direct translation from Chinese Cantonese/Hokkien.


So, now you can comprehend that there are always talkcock especially at work place. They brag about what they know, some talk for the sake for talking at that very moment so that higher management notice their present or it is a for someone keep on talking without non-stop.


How will you handle that situation? Just keep calm and remind yourself to have pity on them as they need to talk, and there is no one close to talk to them at home. Therefore, they just need to talk and talk. Have mercy on them. Don;t blow your top even they keep questioning you, challenging you till your pant drop. When you argue with them, you just falls into their trap to engage more talking with you. They like to do that, talking, arguing, debating until sunset or dawn arrive.


If you lost your cool, then you will act like below.....

Cinema and 7th Lunar Month - What in common?

The Chinese 7th lunar month started on 1st of August this year, 2008. It is also the widely known as Hungry Ghost month, as far as Chinese with Taoism faith concerns. It is believe that the stroke of midnight, the hell gate will be open, and all homeless roaming souls will be out to look for food, money or clothing. Therefore, Chinese will pray at the roadside, outside their houses for household safety and etc.

Why roadside, one may ask. This is because when there are people died in accident and their souls will return to the spot, unable to leave this spot until there is a 'replacement'. That is why usually praying spot will be at roadside and junction. Chinese Hokkien will usually pray 3 times, the first day, the 15th and the last day of the 7th lunar month. For Cantonese Chinese, they will usually pray on the 14th of the 7th lunar month only. During the celebration or festive period, large tents will be setup with big King of Hades effigy errected to govern and control the roaming souls. Chinese opera, movies or singing will be held on stage for the underworld entertainment.

A couple of days ago, I went to Prangin Mall Cathay Cineplex to watch The Mummy Return 3. I was told that the movie was fully booked at the ticketing counter, but i noticed there was 4 seats highlighted in yellow. When I asked the ticketing personel, she told me that those are reserved seats. Wanting to watch movie, I told her that I can wait for the release of the seats in case the person who booked this seats did not turn up. She told me that it was reserved by the cinema, not the customer.

I smiled at her, asking her is it due to the 7th lunar month and the seats were reserved for "special guest"? She nodded with a smile. I proceed to check on another movie and finally decided to watch another movie. I glance at her booking screen, I noticed there was same reserved seats too, I asked her again, and she replied that all the cinema auditoriums have reserved seats during this time frame. Hm... interesting I thought.

Time Flies

Time passes so fast. I always wanted to update this blog, but... remains as a thought. Anyway, today I am determined to pen down a few words. Two weekends ago, went to Ipoh, the capital, state of Perak for a "makan-makan" or eating trip. The trip was good and enjoyable, although it was a bit hot in the afternoon. Foshan Restaurant is fame for its Dim Sum, it was really good. I want to go again. :)

Price Hike - Who to blame?

In economic theory, Adam Smith says supply create it owns demand. Then Keynes says, demand create it owns supply. Another way round. Which one is right, which one is wrong? Both right or wrong? There are four posibilities. Anyway, what I want to say today is not wrong is right, who is wrong.

Recently, world crude oil price soar to record price of USD 140 per barrel. Fuel price at the pump increase too. Other essential items such as milk powder, cooking oil etc increase too. Read http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/7/7/north/21737468&sec=North. So, you see, everyone feels the pain.

I read an interesting article today. Read http://www.penangtuapui.com/2008/07/hawker-food-ah-leng-char-koay-teow.html?showComment=1215482820000#c4397804169196127600 posted by a group of food savy individuals. Yes, this is what I would like to discuss today. Why, in this high inflation period, a plate of Char Koay Teow costs RM4.50, while special Char Koay Teow costs RM8. Never in my life I have a RM8 Char Koay Teow. I can afford to pay, but not willing to pay this price for a plate of Char Koay Teow.

It seems that Chinese hawker food price skyrocketed from year to year because nowadays Chinese no longer eat to live but live to eat. Filling up the stomach is no longer the main priority but the taste and the ingredients come first. Eat with happiness and satisfaction.

We are part to be blame for the high price because of our willingness to pay for RM5 for a plate Char Koay Teow, adding mantis prawn, double eggs and etc, till the price reach RM8 per plate.

Example: the Kg Jawa (near the FIZ 2 gate, near my workplace) famous char koay teow starting price is RM3.30 compare to a normal Wan Tan Mee might only costs RM2.50. Why different RM0.80, because of the willingness to pay. People might argue, 'hey, you are getting 2 big prawns'. Yes, the satisfaction is the 2 big prawns. But personally, I think this is a bit exorbitant.

Because of our demand (the consumer) and most importantly, the willingness to pay, a plate of Char Koay Teow can costs RM5/RM8. In this case, who is right? Adam Smith or Keynes? Supply create it owns demand or demand create it owns supply?

Imagine one fine day, all the people suddenly change, unite as a group to boycott those stalls selling RM4.50/RM5/RM8 per plate Chay Koay Teow, what will happen? Will they force to bring down their price or egoistically maintain these prices? Usually those hawkers dare to display these prices are ego, because the demand is there and customer needs to tolerate their mood swing. :)

I am not anti Chay Koay Teow, instead I love it. The same goes to nasi kandar outlet. But what I am trying to say is, as consumer, we can "balance up or unbalance the market'. It's our call and exercise it dilligently.