Customers' Ordeals Noted In The City

Unfair business practices need to be checked. Without bias.

The loyal customers bear the brunt of discourtesy.  Even when feeling the pinch of the economy daily.

As  customers grapple for the best business practices while waiting for courtesy to be served them by community-based businesses, some frontline personnel at times owners themselves, get away with their dubious practices by the day.

Well, let's make it sublime.  It may not necessarily be dubious.  Can be called bias actually. Or a raring to preserve their business by keenly watching in on their profits and underserving their clients instead.

A carinderia situated at a local LTO office manages to scrimp on a customers every penny by pressuring a customer to place more and more orders from her carinderia.  

The customer was just trying to exchange a Php 1000 bill needed to have her transaction done. 

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The frontline carinderia lady  verbally shames the customer by claiming they have a minimum for buying customers who want to have their money changed, because they have been working on the ground since wee hours in the morning.  Hence a simple buy of one mineral drink for a change to Php 1000.00 would not be acceptable.  The lady then proceeds with a litany of "ano pa po? Asking item every item and pushing the same customer to add more items.  Like a "verbal tirade" in front of another staff, that was all too willing to witness the seemingly benign shaming of the customer.

The customer was pressured to order more just to cut to the chase of the irate seller.  

Another day has passed, the carinderia staff again uses the same strategy to tell a customer to buy more.  

A customer also trying to have a split change for her Php500, because the LTO window tells not having enough change to accommodate the Php 100.00 payment for the transaction.

In another business outlet, this time from a pawnshop, a customer is told an item cannot be accepted.

To which the customer politely accepts, until she was told that the said item was actually authentic, by another reputable outlet.

The transaction need not materialize because as a customer, a person would already know after double checking on the authenticity, that it was a   a simple bias or unacceptability of the transaction that got negative acceptance. As the customer fell out of good ears and good grace of the staff probably, hence the good riddance treatment.

Another common business malpractice that can be observed in the vicinity is the reluctance of community-based businesses to issue receipts when prodded or asked for by customers.  

Seeing that their handwritten notes would not make sense in giving, especially to a customer who has been going around with much familiarity around town.

These practices need to be checked as the city is already swollen with bias and an attitude  that beams  discourtesy. 

At a time when plenty of customers do not want to shelve money and sustain the economy, the loyal customers are the ones who shoulder the burden of businesses that do not cater to the loyal or the paying, but only to the privileged, a circle of must know, and must serve when bias rules against neutrality of business service.

Disclaimer:  Photo accompanying this article is meant to illustrate an idea positioned by this writer, and not actually meant to portray the local currency in a negative light.  Photo is used for content curation as well.

So close. So profitable.

Help me solve my Math problem.

An ageing mom tries driving lessons for the 2nd time, after not getting the nod the first time in license requirements.

The first batch of her training costed almost ten thousand of recent years prior this year.  It is out of necessity of parenting that she feels obliged as commuting does not do justice already for her kid's daily routine.

A license to drive then bragged to cost about less than a thousand for a simple paper (pardon the numbers, not accurate) around five years ago, would have given this ageing unpopular mom by the wayside of a very trying to be humble town  composed of around 500,000 residents when she last checked the population count, would have given her the freedom to pursue her entrepreneurial spirit or look for employers  that would be kind enough to allow her with enough flexibility of time.

Enough with the problem on joblessness of a middle age mom hiding in a cave of shade because nobody gives a care how middle aged moms are shoved to the side of forgetful opportunities.

So the ageing mom spent around 10 thousand plus miscellaneous expenses of having to report or pursue the paper work and walk work for a simple but so precious license to drive non pro style.

This second try, the mom goes and shelves about Php 5000 more, not to mention the very wasteful time dedicated to undergo lessons from theoretical to practical driving. Again this excludes miscellaneous expenses including meal expenses for long queue or lack of change at the windows of LTO.

Compound the liabilities she gets for being exposed to the unfriendly weather which would require her additional expense for vitamins supplements, facemask etc.

And the negative feedback of getting a fail after all expenses have been made, with zero profits or gratuity for her.

On the other side, business is bustling for driving schools who couldn't care less what ordeals their students go through. Being exposed to shaming by fellow student drivers who flaunt their wealth or yelled heckled at by the stable of "mentor" drivers who probably think a militarized approached to teaching driving to an ageing so helpless mom would finally give her the heartless learn; or get the picture that her rights to independence are being denied or at least deprived, like a candle in the wind.

The driving school can earn from two thousand per student, and a batch could merit at least 10 to 15 students in one sitting for theories  and "stars and moon" combined (figure of speech).

What more if a student driver fails?  Would the student old so mom have to go back to school same school again fronting as nice once done but fails to give merit to its own students?

Imagine the numbers and the student old mom's expenses.

Without justice. It was so close for her. And so profitable for them.

Social commentary by the writer.

It's Not Just the Weather News That's Making the Hot Temperament

 When a mayor declares a class suspension, that hints an aversion to experience the real situation of extreme weather change that's breaking charts even without looking at the temp measure.   It also brings to fore the need for many adjustments that have to be made in the areas of infrastructure and adaptability of cities to endure the current weather, for the sake of the locals.

The hot climate as a consequence of an unforgiving weather phenomenon, is a risk to the health of the general populace.  This we need to acknowledge.

We need not validate the results as it can be clearly seen.  

The drying of the soil even in metro cities; the slowing down of water connection service in areas that are wooing new real estate buyers for their "housevesting"; scarcity of potable water; and the risks of being exposed to the radical sunny weather that is changing our body in a lot of ways, are the "must" precursors for change in making adjustments to our roads and infrustructures. 

Even the way we build our homes needs a reinvention of sorts.

Most apartments, residences and buildings in the Mega Manila are cement structures that do not help curb the effects of the weather but instead magnify the heat, making the weather more unbearable for the locals.

The roads and the streets of Metro Manila are not capacitated to give shade and shelter in case of extreme weather conditions.

Most shades or by the wayfare commuter stop gaps, are selectively placed only. Most do not have the continuity of providing a safe roofing or shade  from the hot weather. 

There must be additional structures built in cities with highest risks for heat wave, that could serve as a buffer for the intense heat that could threaten the commuters and pedestrians, who are most exposed to the El Nino phenomenon.

Also this is the best time for our national and local leaders to step up on their "plantito, plantita" hobbies by propagating a greening of sidewalks, streets and alleys even in areas that are most serving as bottleneck for traffic, and   converging main roads and highways.

There cannot be avoidance for El Nino like a mere tolerance for the temperament of the locals who are showing already a flair for discourtesy against customers, even in the middle of a business day.

It must not be because of the weather that we accept the heat.  

We deal with the ordinary challenges of the weather like an economy that needs to refocus back on a middle ground.  

That which are not just beneficial for the rich or the "uberly" "masa"; but also  meant to give convenience for the middle class who tow the line of endurance, for the most part to ensure a continuance of the economy despite the challenges of El Nino.

News Review Philippines editorial

Professional Drivers in the Philippines: Most Abusive

 Part two of a series.

This article is written to increase awareness on the risks of hiring private or family drivers who are abusive of their profession, and who observe malpractices  against their employers or the very clients they serve.

Disloyalty to the loyal. Power-hungry drivers.

Staring at the issues in the eyes of the ordinary.

Admit it, the one who holds the steering wheel holds the power over the machine.  Here in this case said in the context of a driver maneuvering the car wheel to lead the direction on the street.

But what can beguile the ordinary is how ordinary drivers are placed or misplaced in the position of control over other free individuals, who patronize their services or hire them for regular employment.

Just about less than two weeks a driver without the blink of an eye, belittled, shouted and insulted another freelance driver without hold of sentiment as he tried to lord over the new driver simply asserting the former should be given priority in space and respect.  Shout with matching point fingers to the face of the newbie hired freelancer driver who showed stillness while the incident is being done. 

The veteran driver probably took it upon himself that he could castigate a younger driver like a super boss, and this is done in front of the actual client who hired the newbie freelancer for a day's driver. 

It is not an insolated incident as the driver has always displayed a condescend attitude towards his own employer, and postures himself as the lord of the household where he is given free board and meals, for he is without abode.  

In another show of driver attitude, this time by a professional driver instructor against a student/client of a driver school,

a young driver instructor on the second day of lesson, without brake and respect, demeaned and belittled the woman driver/learner, for not being able to park or learn how to park the vehicle well, despite rigorous instructions. 

The verbal tirade against the student was not just disrespectful but utterly humiliating as it was done in front of other drivers, with the driving school instructor trying to compose himself as if he is siding with his own brotherhood of fraternity, that they should witness him "scolding" the old student driver/learner.

The incident went unreported for it remains a futile endeavour to complain at a time when the local situation in the country is not at all favouring the customers, the women, and the target of biased individuals who are preyed on for shaming just because they wanted to up their status, or be recognized for being smart, probably a display of machismo attitude or a hate show for whatever reason the local shores are allowing them; because complaints are not welcomed against local employees, when they are in the position of "power" here said in the context of owning the stature of being the employed and the more skilled, a need of the country  against a backdrop of thirst for decent and respectable skilled workers.

It is a true show of disloyalty for the loyal, that as  stakeholders who spend and invest, hire the workers or  patronize services of business, companies and individuals, as paying customers the clients and private employers are treated like women without dignity, forlorn to the shadows of shame and ridicule by the men who hold the steer wheel, for a show of detest for the "unlikeable"; against the women who cannot bow to their brag or thirst for status.

Attention LTO (Land Transportation Office), there must be a revival of goodness where it concerns drivers' training and ethics, before they merit a professional driver's  license from the LTO to engage in a profession or service.

NRP commentary.

Sanctity of Letters Could Be In Threat

Is it SOP or subjective bias by a local?  Make it loud.

"May isa ka pa nito?  Translation:  Do you still have one of this?  The postal office employee curtly asks for a copy of the letter that is the content of an envelope requested sent overseas with implied assurance of confidentiality.   Naturally , the writer expects the postal employee must have known that there must be respect for privacy of communication.

Seems like there is none in the city of Laspinas, postal office,specifically where it concerns handling official letter or correspondence addressed to an official that is chosen not to be named in this post.

The thing is, the postal employee could have gotten away with her seemingly benign request to have a copy of the letter that is to be sent abroad.

But this is second time that the local postal office in two separate incidents, had asked for one.  In previous attempts, also a copy was requested before the letter was sent out, implying a sort of restriction imposed against the sender.

The sender of the letter happens to be a writer and a full time homemaker who has been targeted already with a lot of hate language, shame and slur ever since she chose to reside in the city of Laspinas.

But this time, the letter is not an ordinary one that can simply be dispelled, hence the sublime bias cannot be taken for granted.

After the blatant request, the postal employee simply asked for the sender to write the address again on the parcel, in an unapologetic way, as if what she asked for that could threaten the privacy of communication, was not at all an issue for anyone.

There seems to be a pervasive disrespect for media and the jobless locally that one who is often seen in the outskirts of public acceptance or usual expectations, are often relegated to a cold shoulder treatment and discourtesy by the locals.

NRP news

How To Be Likeable When Everyone Thinks You're An Outcast

 Anecdote.

You'll never guess how easy it is to be likeable when everyone is on a distance.

For years I have been wracking my brains how to up my posts with a like or follow.  

Not for popularity but to know the mindset of the anonymous reader, how a person reacts to a post, or what drives an individual to "like".

In the personal reel of daily interactions, being liked seems to be easy.  

One just have to look presentable, and be up to the standards of everyone else's estimation.

But in the real scheme of things, bias and stereotypes abound personal conversations and interactions, where one can be labeled as a nobody, or a somebody.  

Someone to friend or someone to unlike.

I know one personality who took a career path reserved for the unique, and grew a base of followers and supporters by way  insulting his own or mouthing trivias about another.  

Like making fun of others' mistakes, punctuating how they are to be laughed.  This personality won popularity and gained friends by insulting his own circle.

Recently an anecdote taught me it is also true for others. And could be true for even an outcast.

In a jest I made a comment on my own kin, in front of another, pointing out how my kin, has acted in an awkward way.  

This tactless comment changed the anonymous face of the person in front of me as if liking that I insulted my own. 

Suddenly the person who was anonymous and acted always with a stolid face, showed gladness and smiles, when I spoke a careless slur, not for anything and not to gain a like. 

For once, I drew a welcoming reaction by being negative towards another.

It is a puzzle that some had to grow words that taint another's image in order to be likeable.

It is I suppose an unnecessary human interaction locally that signals, to win favor one must to step on another, to climb a bit higher.

It is not for the faint hearted though.

@social commentary/ lifestyle.

NRP

social commentary.

Porridge for the Rich. Logos for the Maid.

Of False Humility and Bloated Egos

Porridge for the rich. 

The new face of tyranny for the service of the ordinary.

When Working for Media is Hard; and Being a Woman Makes It Harder to Survive

 A women's month feature.  An essay by a woman for the woman who aspires for better opportunities back home.

The truth of middle-age displaced women in media

Where survival for the fittest also requires survival of the meanest.

Pag-Ibig Loyalty Card Draws Crowd

In an era of crunch savings and hurried investments, when everyone seems to want recoup what they lost during the pandemic, one product offering discounts to members seem to have done a great deal of good vibes among patrons.

This is the Pag-Ibig Loyalty card, which now brags of offering discounts when purchasing or buying from a local fast food giant like McDonald's and other affiliate companies.

The Pag-Ibig loyalty card has been around for quite a while but of late, more women have been flaunting use of this card especially while in queue at the fast food where a discount of five percent for Pag-ibig Loyalty card members can be availed.

PAG-IBIG has an exclusive mutual savings fund that can be started by individual payors, or with the employer and employee combined contributions, and members can also register for a loyalty card on voluntary basis, for a cost of Php 125.00 

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The card  features a securely printed photo of the loyalty card member, and also doubles as a cash card facility for Pag-Ibig members.

Filipinos and returning workers from overseas who patiently lined up outside the Pag-Ibig Laspinas branch at the Robinson's Place come in different ages, professions and background.

One member  shares thru member to member convo (slang:  conversation), that he is from San Pedro, but is going over the said branch for a loyalty card that he had lost abroad.

The only downside to enlisting for the loyalty card is that a member has to patiently wait for long hours to get their chances at owning the card.  

One Pag-Ibig regular member lined up at around 8:30 a.m. and got the chance to be called at the front counter at around 1:30pm for form submission and photo capture.

A common reason for the slowdown of members' form acceptance for the loyalty card membership are duplicitous Pag-ibig member ID numbers; and incomplete document submissions such as birth certificates.

Written and filed by the writer/blogger of News Review Philippines.

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