Exercise 2: People Watch

1) Auntie Rosy at Jurong East NTUC Foodfare

She seems to be in her 50s, wearing a simple round glasses to suit her oval face; rather small built and has a pointed nose. She is wearing her uniform, a very light peach colour collar tee-shirt. She hardly smiles to her customers, always giving a rather tensed face. I guess she must really be tired and, have been working for quite a few hours judging from her sleepy facial expression.

She is now attending to a customer; she uses a tong to grab the “bao” and places in a paper bag, and passes it to the customer; keeps the money in the cashier, but doesn’t even bother to say “thank you”.
She looks very focused in her work; she doesn’t look anywhere else beyond her store.
Finally, when there are no customers, she takes a quick break, staring outside into the busy Jurong East Bus interchange; enjoying the cool breeze that simply allows her to relax.
As a customer approaches her, she quickly transforms back to her old self, providing efficient but unfriendly service. She really isn’t the type of happy-go-lucky type of auntie and, never fails to provide unfriendly service. When collecting money, she can’t be bothered to use both hands to accept it, neither does she bother to look at the customer.

However, comparing her to her colleague whom is in her early 50s, she is providing a totally different service in terms of attitude.
Also dressed in the uniform, she has a center parting and a high forehead.
Every customer that she serves, she ensures that the food is placed neatly in the plastic bag, and even arranges it carefully. She prepares the food efficiently too and, never fails to give a huge smile to the customer and asking, “anything else?”, in Chinese.
She also never fails to accept the money with both hands while looking at the customer, and giving a friendly smile. Finally! some basic courtesy is practiced!

I guess it’s not quite surprising to see such a big difference in service, in a such a small stall. The auntie in her early 50s never fails to provide the basic service attitude that is expected; whereas the other auntie always seems to be not bothered about service attitude.

2) PRATA MAN, Zakii
It is 2225hours; I reached the prata shop at my house area. Ordered by BANANA PRATA at 2231hours. I sat down and started observing the prata man (the chief).

The Indians in this shop don’t look or even speak like a local; all of them seem to be in their early 20s to 30s too.
The chief is a man in his early 20s. He has a very thick mustache but is well kept. From what i observed, every Indian man has a thick mustache and is also well kept! The chief as very short hair and no fringe; his sideburn is slightly uneven. He has a well-built body and very big protruding nose. He is wearing a checkered button shirt and a long blue pants; he is also wearing a black bead necklace, probably for good luck.

When carrying out his work, he is concentrated and doesn’t talk much to his colleagues. Neither does he even bother to take orders from the customers. Firstly, he lifts up the roll of prata to a certain height, and slams the prata on to the table. After which, he applies some oil on it and rubs it all over the prata while flatting it slightly. Then, as if trying to squeeze somebody to death, he flattens the prata with all his might and lifts the prata up. He then flips the prata with both hands and, spin it in a circular motion. He then cracks the egg with only is right hand, and gently flips the prata into square shape, as if packing the egg.
After letting it rest for a while, he uses the frying ladle to place it on the hot frying plate.

2245hours, my BANANA PRATA is here. It looks terribly oil.

Occasionally, he will take a quick look outside, as if checking something.
Finally, he engages into a quick but enjoyable conversation with his colleagues. And the noisy prata shop spirit is lighted up again.
He finally could take a break after more than 30minutes of non-stop cooking. at 2254 hours, he steps out of the kitchen Instead of seating down and taking a break, he clears the plate and empty glass cups; and also engages in a friendly talk with his customers.

The chief also likes his food to be properly arranged and kept in a neat, and orderly manner. He keeps a record of what the customer orders and, wipes the table regularly to ensure it is kept clean. As his next order comes, he gets back to the kitchen, and carries ut his work in a delighted manner.