My Blog
Poetry on the move.
Summer Lotus 10th Dec 2021 1 min read
Last night in Milan, a man stood in the cold
But with his violin, he played with his soul
His talent was immense
His passion intense
He held his passers-by spellbound
Despite the chill, we gathered till sundown
As he unleashed each piece of music
Our hearts were stirred as if by magic
Eventually, reluctantly, we had to leave
But eternally grateful for his gift.
(Inspired by the busker, I immediately penned this poetry)
What I did to change their belief about the fear of losing face.
If you are familiar with Chinese culture, the concept of ‘face’ is very important. In particular, to a Chinese, a situation can be described as having ‘lost face’ if he or she faces embarrassment in social intercourse. When what he does or says raises eyebrows or seemingly so.
Among Asians, the face can be given, earned, or lost. It is not just a personal shame and may be extended to your family or clan. Sometimes, it may not seem to be right but it makes the person looks good. Compared to the west, where your face or honor is more about personal integrity and truth. But it can require one to be straight-talking and put others in a spot.
This concept of giving face is very important if you are doing business in China. Or your deal will likely fall through! The outspoken foreigner may come across as being rude, overbearing, and uncultured if you are unaware of this practice. It is this skill that will cement the guanxi or relationship that determines your successful business transaction.
If you want a smooth relationship, stay positive and grateful for the occasions. Give sincere compliments, bring a surprise gift (one that is not easily available in that country), and genuinely try to understand how their culture operates.
One of the ways your Chinese counterpart will welcome you is to treat you to a banquet. This is part of their culture to delight their visitor with a feast to make you feel important and save his face, so to speak as he would appear generous. You would be giving face if you accept and make the other party happy.
Some years ago, I was in Shanghai, China and I called on a native friend. Overjoyed, she brought me to a banquet at a top hotel despite my insistence to go somewhere more low-key so as not to make her overspend. As in any country, food is a very important culture.
In Singapore, I would assume that they would like to go to our famous food courts where the varieties and tastes are numerous and much talked about in the media. The restaurant in Shanghai was not a cheap one.
To the Chinese, a feast is a wonderful sight and an occasion for celebration. It is a way to welcome a guest to their home or country.
My friend ordered many dishes without hesitancy and with much zest. It turned out that the banquet was too large to be consumed by the two of us and the law of diminishing returns had kicked in. I had thoroughly appreciated her hospitality but it was quite unbearable to tuck it all in. As a manner of respect for her kindness, I tried my best. I was grateful for the experience of tasting authentic Shanghainese food!
When we next met in Singapore, I took her and her husband to a famous restaurant and ordered what I felt would be adequate. I sounded that we could order more if there was not enough food. It turned out to be a delectable meal and nothing was wasted.
We also frequented the food courts for the signature Singaporean cuisine that is delicious, cheap, and ubiquitous in the malls. I like to think that this is the Singapore style, the practical way.
Back in Shanghai one day, my friend still wanted to treat me to a good meal in a fancy restaurant. This time the amount ordered had been reduced but still bordered on the excess.
I took the initiative and courage to share that in Singapore, we would pack any excess food enough to load a full bowl or plate home to eat later and even on the next day. Especially if the food was very delicious. I do not feel any embarrassment in that action.
For the first time in her life, she broached the waiter to pack the noodles and he came back with a very fancy takeaway pack. We were delighted. I had brought my takeaway culture to Shanghai and I was glad that my friend was not pissed.
The next day, we went to another restaurant and we had a fabulous Tim-sum day. My friend divulged that she was relieved of any cooking the last evening as her husband enjoyed the food that she had packed home. Since then, we were no longer concerned about having excess unconsumed food and feel the guilt of doing so. She was ready to take home any excess good food that is a good amount left.
Meanwhile, on the neighboring tables, I noticed that the couple at each table had a spread of at least eight dishes.
Granted that China had a history of famine and now is enjoying an economic boom. It was evident that the new rich had finished their food sparingly and gingerly, and after they left, a waiter carted a mobile trolley to dispose of all that scrumptious food into a plastic bin. What a waste!
An ingrained culture is traditional and has the advantage of making a country unique in its lifestyle. It is their code of conduct. It is what makes life colorful. For example, during the Lunar New Year, red, gold, and yellow are popular colors because they signify prosperity, good luck, and health. No one should break this cultural tradition. But some cultural habits become rules that are rigid and have no sense to the situation at hand. In such a situation, a gentle request may ease the situation.
Feel bored and out of ideas for your writing?
Summer Lotus Nov 29 4 min read
Get out of the home and explore. Look for a place that you have not been to for some time, look up an old friend and find out how he or she is keeping, visit a mall or a new cafe.
You will be surprised at how fluid things have become. About the parks, there are now many friendly parks and nature reserves that you can enjoy jogging, strolling, cycling, skating, and basking in Sunny Singapore.
In fact, for a small country like Singapore, there are more than 350 parks and 4 nature reserves to escape from the din of city life. It is due to the pandemic that many realize the gems in their backyard. Before this, I used to travel overseas to enjoy their green parks but one should be appreciative of our own first.
The East Coast is the largest park as well as a beach, covering nearly 185 hectares (457 acres) of reclaimed waterfront land. You see people strolling, cycling, skateboarding, on roller skates, jogging, barbequing, swimming, and picnicking near the shore. In addition, the park has many eateries and chalets as well.
It was one cool afternoon when I called on a friend to go walking. We chatted and scored the required 10,000 steps recommended for health benefits to reduce weight, improve glucose intolerance, and reduce blood pressure. When one is engaged in an interesting conversation, one does not feel the mileage covered. Along the way, our sharing threw up some ideas that I felt could be crystallized into meaningful articles.
The East Coast Park beach is also where I like to sit at the bench under the shade provided by the tree and face the calm sea. Feeling the strokes of the cool breeze from the sea. Breathing the pristine air around me afforded by the greenery and the expanse of the beach. Watching people, their pets, and their activities.
Very often, the tranquility would trigger an idea that would later form the crux of my article. Observing people fishing at the jetty and looking at their catches in their pails was also an experience that gives me insight into people’s traits — that of patience and the love of a hobby. This could be a story.
There are many dog owners and the variety of breeds in Singapore have certainly stumped me. From a giant poodle to a small Maltese, it is a visual treat to a dog-lover like me. I was reminded of all my pets who had since gone to dog heaven but left indelible happy memories with the family. I could write an article on beloved, belated pets.
Bikes are ubiquitous, I observe. The variety and quality of bikes are staggering and one is spoilt for choice. I was fascinated by the attractiveness of the bike and the sport that has become popular because of the numerous biking routes now prevalent in Singapore. One could cycle by the sea to Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the heart of the city and enjoy the glamour of the night scene. Or head the opposite way towards Jewel Changi airport.
A new path that is 3.5km is now open to cyclists and joggers and you will be intrigued by the permanent outdoor display of 20 dinosaur models not to mention the main attraction of Jewel Changi airport which is the Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall (which performs to music at designated times) surrounded by a lush forest setting.
Biking takes one to places fast and convenient. Some research into the wonderful world of biking can become a story.
The next time, when I am lack ideas, I would probably check into a nice, quaint cafe again, from which some of my articles including a poem had sprouted.
An increasingly useful Digital Dental Tool in a Pandemic
Summer Lotus Nov 28 2 min read
From traditional impressions to digital impressions of teeth, the clinic has decided to step up further with digital technology.
Digital impressions are also known as 3D intraoral scanning and it is the latest technology in capturing a replica of the mouth.
A traditional impression involves the use of alginate material for denture purposes or rubber base material for precision work like crowns and bridges and implants.
This could take up to 20 minutes from preparation to impression, and once the impressions are setting in the mouth, it may seem like a long time. Some patients feel gagged or choked.
The impressions are then cast into models to be picked up and despatched to the laboratory for fabrication of the prostheses.
Sometimes, the impressions may not be ideal due to poor registration or the cast models have defects and the whole process needs to be repeated.
As a result, the patient would be recalled to attend the clinic again.
Enter the digital scanner
Digital scanning speeds up and simplifies the process. With an intraoral scanner, it can take a 3D impression of your teeth and gums. The 3D image is generated on the screen which the patient can view and be enlightened.
The digital data is then despatched to the laboratory with a click of the mouse. The technician could then create a digital print of the models using a 3D milling machine and subsequently fabricate the restoration.https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FC5jKnxEyrbU%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DC5jKnxEyrbU&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FC5jKnxEyrbU%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtubeThe speedy Trios digital scanner to take an impression (From Youtube)
The benefits of infra-oral scanners include:
The disadvantage of the digital scanners is the initial costs associated with digital equipment including the computer hardware and software and the scanning device and subsequent regular maintenance fees.
Regardless, one has to march along with technology to reap its benefits. From associating a dental experience with pain and discomfort, we hope to offer a positive experience — one of speed, comfort, and efficacy.
*For small mouths, the traditional impression method may still need to be used if the scanner tip does not fit to the back of the mouth.