Secret Business Trades You Never Knew

First of, I am not going to mention any brands in this entry as I don't want to get into trouble with any law suits or get myself in any unnecessary sticky situations.

Disclaimer *All contents in this entry is based on my own experiences and stories from employees working in the respective fields*

1. Fashion 

                     

Picture used is only for illustration purposes . 

This looks like someone's messy room right? Well, when people think about branded products or shops , ideas like luxury and quality will normally come to mind. However, what the customers do not see and know are nothing near to luxury. I am talking about what happens behind the scenes.

Storeroom

It starts with unpacking the products from their boxes and arranging them on the shelves. The products will normally be thrown and spread out on the floor so that it can be sorted according to sizes, designs, and tagged with prices before arranging them on the shelves.The storeroom can be described as a sanctuary for the employees because that's where they can get away from the pressures from customers. They can stack up clothes to make a bed to nap or sit on and it is also their dining spot.

Employees' Attitudes

The selling floor is the "war zone" where anything can happen like getting verbally abused by obnoxious customers to getting sexual requests and so on. Of course there are a lot of great customers out there but I am referring to what the employees have to mentally prepare themselves for. No offense to all the awesome customers out there.

Exchange Policy

Exchanged or returned shoes are normally cleaned and put back on the shelf for sale given there is no obvious tear and wear or problem.

You know the exchange policy of 7 days to 14 days depending on the shop? If you are nice enough to the employees, they can actually do it for you even though it is past their return-policy days.

2. Optical line

                                             Picture used is only for illustration purposes.

Original and counterfeit products are mixed and sold together.

Sadly, there are optical shops that are doing this. Selling counterfeit products with original prices and when both of these products are mixed together, it is very hard for customers to tell them apart.

So, how can you tell original products from counterfeit products apart?

Lets look into,  "RayBan" the ever famous sunglasses brand among young adults and made famous by Tom Cruise in the movie Top Gun.

A.  Inspect the case.
     The case should be made out of quality leather with a hardened front. There will be the shiny logo on the        left and also on the popper.

B. Contents
    There should be a label from the retailers on the lens and black and shiny label should be perfectly          centered. Other than that, a booklet of "Icons" will also be included in the case . A packaged containing the cleaning cloth and manufacturer's note. The logo should be engraved not stuck on which you can scratch off.

3. Digital / IT

                                Picture used is only for illustration purposes.

Stolen goods

This is how one of the IT shops in a"digital mall" in a very famous shopping complex operates. The one with the "king of the jungle"as their mascot.They have teams of people going out to concerts and events where there will be a lot of people to steal. STEAL? Yes. Mobile phones and other valuable gadgets. It will then be brought back to the shop to refurbish and they will be put on sale.

Fake parts

They will also replace original parts in your gadgets with fake parts when you bring it in for service. Why? With fake parts, your gadget will break down more often and you will be back for servicing again in no time. They are hoping you will either opt for an upgrade or getting a new gadget out of frustration. Either way, they are earning a lot from doing this.

So, what can you do as consumers?

Read and do a lot of research about what you want to purchase beforehand. There is no short of information that you can find online or you can ask around. Other than that, happy shopping!

Sudden turn of events

In within a week I have heard 3 lives lost due to accidents. One of them is only 21, just graduated and starting his career. 2 of them are parents of children of aged 21 and 17. Even though I have never met them, I feel the emotions from my friends who are affliatiated with the victims. Most of them are in disbelieve and started to recall how they just last saw them and now they are gone.  

Just made me wonder how can someone recover from that ordeal of losing someone they love or really close with? 

I think literally only time can heal and at their own pace. What they need now is just someone that will listen to them when they need someone and just time to themselves. The last thing they need is  people calling them to ask how they are doing. They are mourning ofcourse! And there is no way other people could understand how they feel because one can never have the same memories as the other with someone.

Another thing that came to my mind is, how would I deal if I have lost my family member?To be honest, I think I will just be in denial for the first few weeks even during the funeral and be in regret of what I have not done and done when they are still alive. Yeah, thinking I should have never talked back, be nicer and maybe help around the house more. 

The last I think about is, I asked myself " Am I ready to die"? As in would I regret anything if I suddenly just pass on? Would I say I have lived a happy life? Frankly, my answer would be yes. Even though I would still like to travel the world, and there are still alot of things I want to do, I can safely say I have done  the things I wanted to do that is within my capabilities till this point and love who I want despite the odds. 

At the end of the day, I think what really matters is if you have lived a happy life, a life that you chose, a life of your own and that is good enough. Ask yourself, "Are you ready to die" ? If your answer is no, Ask yourself why not? What you can do is live life the best you can under the circumstances you are in because life itself is unpredictable and fragile. You cannot predict what is going to happen the next second. 

Stoker - A nicely shot film with eccentric personas

So I have finally watched this film that has been hyped by my friends for months and gawked at me when I told them that I still have not watched it yet . 

Stoker is a psychological thriller film that revolves around a girl named India who had lost her father at a mysterious automobile accident. On the day of accident, her uncle Charlie whom she had never knew existed came and stayed with her. Charlie turns out to be a psychotic killer who charmed his way around town killing people. India's true personality starts to unfold from a girl that seems aloof to her surroundings to a person that instead of being freaked out of the killings around her she actually enjoys it. Conclusion, psychotic genes can be passed down through generation. 

What I like about the film:- 

1) Interestingly shot 

    There are some scenes that I particularly like when it zooms in on the little things and heightens the sounds it made. It is a portrayer of how India is a little OCD with things . 

2) Shocking plot twist 

   Well, India from the beginning was already very weird which already caught my attention but from this timid awkward girl that developed into a psychotic killer is just gold and unexpected. 

3) Favourite line 

   "You have to do something bad to stop you from doing something worse"

  That was what India's father tells her when he brings her for hunting trips. He knew India has the tendency to be a psychotic killer so that's his way to control her urge.

He is by far the most open minded dads out there. Talk about parenting and the importance of parents' responsibility to their children. 

4) How India got aroused by deaths.

Something so terrifying to the majority can be so pleasurable to the others. It is in her genes. It is her natural instinct. 

What Doesn't make sense :-

1) How does uncle Charlie know that India will have the psychotic genes too ?

He tried to get close to India and runaway with her since India's birth. He planned everything to be with India. 

Watch this film when you are ready to understand what's it like being psychotic. Otherwise, it will be heck confusing.

Random Things you should know.

Walking into a pet fish store and excited about getting an aquarium and some fishes? Gracefully approached the shop owner asking for advice on your first aquarium and fished? What I can tell you is , you are gonna end up with alot of dead fishes in the end and alot of wonders what you did wrong.  Why ? The shop owner is the last person you wanna ask because they only see you as a walking dollar sign . They want to keep you coming back to their shop and give them business ofcourse ! How do they do that ? They practice the "do not tell when not asked " motto . They are not gonna tell you:-

A. Essential things to have in an aquarium are oxygen pump and filter.

B. What fishes don't do well with other species and will rip their fins off or have them as snack.

C. What type of water that the fishes are suitable in and so on . 

You will end up going back to the store buying more fishes and other supplies . 

The store owner will greet you and will listen to your problem and solve ( suggest you to buy ) one item at a time . 

Yup , that friendly pet store owner is secretly wishing all your fishes die to keep you coming back . 

Baking powder / soda bicarbonate

Not many people know just how magical this sucker is besides using it for the obvious reason of baking but I am sure you are using it or have used it . 

Well , it is the active ingredient in your toothpaste and deodorant . It is the ingredient that makes your teeth whiter or that controls your perspiration and neutralize odours and a whole lot of other functions and it only costs a few bucks to get a box of it that will last you a year . 

Yes, people are taking it, adding in other properties and scent, repackage it into different forms and basically making alot of profit from this widely available household powder. 

By the way, it works the same or maybe more efficient as toothpaste or deodorant when you use it all by itself .Yes, baking powder as deodorant or toothpaste. Sounds weird because it is not marketed that way but it works very well! 

Why you shouldn't listen to your parents

I know all the parents reading this would cringe and would not want their children see this but the truth is , sometimes being rebellious  is the only way where their children can truly shine on their own . Why ? 

Let's put it this way , not all parents are open minded and they do not realize that their every action will affect their children in a way or another . 

1) Decision maker 

There's this saying of " Parents know what's best for their children" . I guess some parents take it to a whole new level  by deciding on clothing choice , career , and also down to people their children should date . Let's say that child obeys to the course of study and also the person to marry . Problem arise when the child is pushed to the limits and they realize they do not belong and just cant fit in . So what happens with the years of study and funds paid ? Time and money flushed down the drain . What happens with the arranged marriage ? Fidelity or divorce perhaps . 

2) Harsh criticism 

 I am talking about parents who lash out words like "stupid"," idiot" , " useless" and whatever vulgar and demeaning words you know . Imagine this , an 8 year old getting called things like that . I know parents' intention of saying that is  in hope that it will yield a totally opposite result but Imagine what will that do to that child's esteem ? Someone that you respect , trust and depend on at that time betray you with the mental abuse . Children take their parents' words seriously even tough it doesn't seem like it , especially the negative ones contributing to them having a negative image of themselves .

3) Negative parents , negative vibe 

Nobody likes to hang around with people that are negative . There is a good reason for it . First , we have to understand why are there negative people ? They are ofcourse not born negative . They have a negative perspective because they have experienced failure themselves . For example , for a parent that have lost in stock market , they will tend to steer their kid away from it because of their bad experience . Their kid will end up with a negative impression of stock market and would probably stay away from it . What if the kid is really gifted in the stock market business ?  Lost a big player right there . 

These are the very best reasons of why you should not listen to your parents and go ahead and do what you want to do while you still can . 

The Hardest Question

It sounds direct and blunt but to answer it, is harder than you think. What is it ? It is when you ask yourself the question of ,  " WHO AM I ?".

I doubt the accuracy of said qualities which one possess if not pointed out by other people around you or by introspection because to really know yourself , you have to engage in a whole lot of introspection . Not everyone possess the ability to introspect . Otherwise, why would there be abundant of personalities tests out there and they don't come cheap ! (Personalities test is considered an effective tool for companies or you to understand yourself, not necessary accurate).

I am now at the point of my life where I accept that fear exists in me because I am naturally a skeptic or careful.However, I am constantly pushing myself out there despite my anxiety . Alot of times I realize I am the one holding myself back. It almost feels as though I am fighting against the fear in me. Therefore, I will end up jumping in head first in alot of things without thinking too much while holding back my fear. As a result , I started alot of small projects that I would be very enthusiastic about in the beginning but after a few months or so , the fire normally dies down ( Guitar, Aquarium , Knitting , Gardening  to name a few).However, I have never regretted  any of the " projects " I started and sometimes abandon because if I have never started it, I wont know if I'll like it or not . In fact , I did find happiness and gain from every little lesson that comes with it.

Strong Believe in Actions and Consequences 
Everyone has the power to control their lives .If you are not happy with the life you are having now, do something about it ! You are responsible for your own happiness , not your partner, not your friends , it is YOU yourself .

Unpredictable
 I am easily bored  or some may call it irresponsible or undisciplined . When I am bored, I do  really spontaneous things like shaving my head, getting tattoos or taking up self-defence classes . I have even dropped out from university to work because I was bored of the life .Ofcourse I am back in university now and determined to finish what I have started.

Group Cohesiveness
I like to make the people around me happy , sometimes making a fool out of myself. When I am working in groups, I like to make the group communicate with each other and have mutual understanding . I believe everything can be settled by communicating.On another note, I like forming deep connections with other people.

Motivator
I shine around people who are supportive and motivating in nature ( Like how a plant needs water and sunlight to grow) . However when people are patronizing, demeaning and just down right bitchy , I will tend to withdraw myself . Knowing this , I tend to be highly motivating to others . Yes, I am a motivator who needs a motivator likewise.

                                       


I talked about my past experiences because I feel what you do and your attitude towards your failures or victories defines who you really are .

I am a fighter, fighting  to be the best I can with a lot more space to learn and grow !

Blue cat that is crazy over dorayakis!

                                    
Most of the people I know have read or at least heard of this robotic cat called "Doraemon" in their pre-teens . Doraemon is a Japanese manga series that is created by Fujiko Fujio that later became an Asian franchise. Doraemon can  still be heard over conversations of adults being fascinated over the gadgets or solutions that were taken out from the cat's pouch! Who doesn't want Doraemon as their best friend that lives in their drawers right?

As for me , I have a small cupboard dedicated to this series ( BM version) , all arranged according to their volumes. I would visit the bookstores to get any new volume or the ones I've missed . I was quite disappointed when they stop releasing new installments.I ended up going through the whole collection more than a few times . Doraemon is the kind of series that you would not get bored of so quickly because it doesn't fail to excite the reader everytime he pulls out something so bizarre and somewhat cool from his magical pouch to solve everyday problems !

Doraemon's pouch is somewhat like a different dimension to a big ass store room from the future . I remember I had the " WTF" expression when he pulls out something that obviously doesn't fit in there! I reckon the WTF moments are part of the reason that keep readers interested .Well, it is one of mine .

Sometimes I wonder what does Nobita deserves to have Doraemon in his life? Getting out of trouble and impressing the girl that Nobita likes with Doraemon's cool gadgets?

This series actually teaches values such as honesty ,humbleness , and family values because all the gadgets have drawbacks when overused like how if something is too good to be true , it probably is in reality.

I sometimes think what would happen if the whole Doraemon event is all Nobita's imagination . Like Doraemon is all just an imagination of a lonely , pathetic teenage boy . Then it will be a very dark child series with psychological problems.

Overall , I think " Doraemon" is what creativity means . The concept is so bizarre and different . Robot cat from the future with no ears with a teenage boy , lives in the drawer , pouch full of gadgets ? Who ever thought it'll get so much attention when they first started ? I guess it proves that everyone should not be afraid to be different / creative . Just take the leap .