I still can't believe it: in my blog entry on avoiding job interview mistakes, I suggest that following an interview, the candidate send a thank you note. Boy, did I ever get lambasted for that statement.
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=425
One poster said, in particular, that my note would be hung on the cafeteria all, and people would laugh at it. I responded by saying that if a company did that, it wouldn't be the kind of company I would want to work for anyway.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Bathrooms in Beijing
It was good to move closer to Tsinghua University, in particular to Huaqing Jiayuan. Instead of a forty-five minute commute from Beiyuanlu North subway station, we had/have only a ten minute walk.
The only reservation we had about Huaqing Jiayuan was one we had when we first looked at the place in August: the arrangement of the bathrooms--in particular, the lack of a dedicated shower area. You know how, in the U.S., bathrooms usually have either a bathtub with a curtain, or a shower stall? Well, in Huaqing Jiayuan, no such thing exists. In other words, the shower is right there, out in the open. Therefore, the water from the shower falls to the floor and then travels to a drain in the floor.
We learned a few things as a result: first, keep the bath tissue covered, specifically in a covered canister. Second, watch where you're pointing the shower head. Third, wear flip-flops when taking a shower, and also if you have to enter the bathroom afterwards, before the floor is dry.
The only reservation we had about Huaqing Jiayuan was one we had when we first looked at the place in August: the arrangement of the bathrooms--in particular, the lack of a dedicated shower area. You know how, in the U.S., bathrooms usually have either a bathtub with a curtain, or a shower stall? Well, in Huaqing Jiayuan, no such thing exists. In other words, the shower is right there, out in the open. Therefore, the water from the shower falls to the floor and then travels to a drain in the floor.
We learned a few things as a result: first, keep the bath tissue covered, specifically in a covered canister. Second, watch where you're pointing the shower head. Third, wear flip-flops when taking a shower, and also if you have to enter the bathroom afterwards, before the floor is dry.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Anticipating the trouble spots
I just got back from AAA, having successfully obtained a license plate and registration for one of our cars. During my four month stay in China, that car was never to be driven. Therefore, I removed liability insurance from that car, and (in compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regulations) surrendered the old plate prior to my leaving for China.
Now that I have returned, I wanted to get a new plate and registration so I could drive the car. I went to AAA, and eventually was able to accomplish that task. However, it took longer than it needed to, because the AAA staff had trouble figuring out which computer screens and commands to use.
Looking back, I should have anticipated this problem, and prepared for it. Prior to leaving for AAA, I actually had called PennDOT to ask about what documents I needed. When I had them on the phone, I should have asked them, "Is there anything AAA should know when processing my request?" There's no guarantee of course, but maybe PennDOT could have told me to tell AAA to use a particular screen or command.
I know the customer shouldn't have to do the job of the service provider, but sometimes it's necessary if you want the job done right and done quickly.
Now that I have returned, I wanted to get a new plate and registration so I could drive the car. I went to AAA, and eventually was able to accomplish that task. However, it took longer than it needed to, because the AAA staff had trouble figuring out which computer screens and commands to use.
Looking back, I should have anticipated this problem, and prepared for it. Prior to leaving for AAA, I actually had called PennDOT to ask about what documents I needed. When I had them on the phone, I should have asked them, "Is there anything AAA should know when processing my request?" There's no guarantee of course, but maybe PennDOT could have told me to tell AAA to use a particular screen or command.
I know the customer shouldn't have to do the job of the service provider, but sometimes it's necessary if you want the job done right and done quickly.
Continental boarding pass--why make us guess?
I left Beijing on December 31, 2008, on Continental flight 88, nonstop to Newark Liberty. Great flight, but the information could have been clearer. All the boarding pass and reservation said was that my flight was leaving Beijing Capital Airport at 5 pm. Well, I got to the airport, went into Terminal 3, looked for Continental and didn't see them. I went to an information desk and guess what? I should have gone to Terminal 2 instead.
Fortunately, I had gotten to Terminal 3 at 2:15 pm, so I still had time to take the shuttle bus to Terminal 2. I checked in and boarded the flight.
Why couldn't the boarding pass simply have told me to go to Terminal 2 rather than 3? I realize that the gate assignment might not have been final. However, with an airport like Capital or JFK, where your terminal DOES matter (unlike, for example, Atlanta), knowing the terminal can save time and aggravation.
Fortunately, I had gotten to Terminal 3 at 2:15 pm, so I still had time to take the shuttle bus to Terminal 2. I checked in and boarded the flight.
Why couldn't the boarding pass simply have told me to go to Terminal 2 rather than 3? I realize that the gate assignment might not have been final. However, with an airport like Capital or JFK, where your terminal DOES matter (unlike, for example, Atlanta), knowing the terminal can save time and aggravation.
"Office politics" article was one of top 10
Tech Republic listed my article on "office politics" as one of the top 10 downloads of 2008. http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/wp-trackback.php?p=419
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