Evacuation

About one week ago, a friend told me that the building in which his office was located had conducted evacuation training for all tenants and their employees. The purpose of this training was to inform employees on what they must do when any fire break out. When the alarm rings, all employees must go down using stairs. The elevators are turned off.

However, not all employees did so. Some were reluctant to go down to “save themselves” and chose to stay in their office. Why? Probably, they didn’t want to go down through emergency stairs, which was farther and more tiring. Besides, what should they do that? It is only a  training, not the real situation. In other word, no fire is breaking out.

The question is, had the management building anticipated this kind of attitude? They have the responsibility to ensure the safety of people in the building. On the other hand, people should realize that evacuation training is very important for their own safety.  This kind of understanding has to be taught as early as possible.

Discount

A few days ago, I was bought a pair of reputable branded shoes. Apparently, there was a discount for those buying them. Who doesn’t like to buy something with cheaper price and relatively high quality? Almost everyone does. Let me say this once again: ALMOST everyone.

Almost doesn’t mean all indeed. I am included. My habit regarding shopping is this: I usually do not buy something I do not need, no mother how big the discount is. When I need something, I will buy it, no matter how expensive it is. So please, you cannot tantalize me with any discount to buy something.

Of course I respect people who do not agree with me. I know it is not a crime to buy something discounted. As long as someone likes and needs it, why not? However, problem arises when you buy something you don’t need, discounted or not. If we often do it, later we could trap in huge debt.   Things you have bought will only be pile somewhere.

So, look before you leap. You’d better check out all the costs before you buy something.

Slum

A few days ago, when I was on my way to the workplace, I saw a slum situated not far from high rise buildings, which have beautiful gardens and relatively expensive restaurants. A taxi driver once told me that every time the rain came, the slum was flooded. In front of that slum, there are some food sellers. I cannot imagine how it feels when someone eats at that area. One thing is absent for sure: the hygiene. However, there are people buying food there anyway.  Most of them certainly still struggle to meet their daily basic needs.

After seeing the slum, I remember the time when my office was still located at the old area.  My office was inside one of the highest building in the city. However, it is surrounded by houses owned by low income people. These people still often has perception that those working at that building are rich people. This is not necessarily true indeed.

I am not an economic expert. One thing comes to my mind: is this what we call economic development in a country that is predicted to be one of the biggest economies in the world?

ATM

One hot Saturday afternoon. I planned to pull some money from an ATM machine.  I went to a shopping mall. At first, I thought the ATM machine was put inside the mall. But it is not. It is put near the roadside. Since I am afraid that this is not safe, I then decided not to pull my money from it. Instead, I postponed pulling my money. I pulled my money the next day, from the ATM machine at the shopping mall not far from my house.

I once heard a story about people who were robbed after pulling money from an ATM located at a roadside. Therefore, we have to be vigilant. When we pull money from an ATM at a roadside, we are in a relatively open space. People can see us in a closer way. In addition, the security is relatively less tight since we are in a public area.

The situation is different when we are in an office building or in a shopping mall. In such places, the security is tighter. In many buildings, people have to pass security officers and equipment. Their belongings are also checked. Therefore, the security situation is guaranteed.

Don't Trust the Taxi Driver

A few days ago, I went to work by taxi. But first, I asked the taxi driver whether he knows the route to my destination. He said that he didn’t know and asked me to direct him. And I did that. At first, I felt a little bit worried because I didn’t really remember the route. On that day, I didn’t take the usual route. Fortunately, I finally managed to reach my destination although I was a little bit late due to the heavy traffic jam.

That experience reminds me of my speech in a toastmasters meeting a few months ago. In my speech, I advised people not to trust fully the taxi driver in deciding the route you should take when using taxi. At least there are two reasons for this. First, it is impossible for a taxi driver to know every place in town. So before taking a taxi, make sure that we already know the exact destination location and the way to go there. Thanks to the advancement of communication technology such as Google Map, identifying a location should be easier. Second, a taxi driver is just an ordinary human being, which could potentially have a bad intention. He might capitalize on your ignorance for his advantage, such as taking a farther route, to get more money. 

Things to be considered

I was asked whether I want to find an alternative to my current job. I said that if I could find a better job, then why not? However, when I say better, it is not merely about financial reward. For me, financial reward is important indeed, but it is not everything. There are some factors that I should consider. First, and the most important, is the working environment. Who doesn’t want to work in a favorable working environment? Big salary will be meaningless if you are surrounded by people bullying you psychologically.

A favorable working environment includes location, scope of business, and culture.  I do not want to work in a location surrounded by noise, pollution, and slum.  I prefer working in service to manufacturing industry. This is due to my physical handicap. Culture must also fit with personal values.

Last, I remember a friend advised me not to look for a new job just because you no longer feel uncomfortable. When you want to find a new job, please make sure that it fits with your personal vision.