JAWing On – Life on Okinawa

Weekly Hogen (Okinawan Dialect) :
English – there’s nothing you can do
Japanese – dounimonaranai (????????)
Hogen – chyaanaran (???????)

Tuesday October 4, 2005 [PC (4/365) LW (3/365) H (3/365) ]

October 2005 Total:
PC-partly cloudy (4/365)
W-windy (1/365) LW-light winds (3/365)
H-humid (3/365) SH-slightly humid (1/365)

This Year�s (June 3, 2005 – June 2, 2006) Total:
S-sunny (24/365) C-cloudy (31/365) PC-partly cloudy (69/365)
D-drizzle (6/365) R-rainy (4/365) SR-scattered rain showers (12/365)
W-windy (34/365) LW-light winds (68/365) VW-very windy (5/365)
H-humid (60/365) SH-slightly humid (62/365)

Recently I saw some articles concerning the subject of how dealing with persons who are less than gracious can jade even the most enthusiastic service personnel. And of course, there are articles on how if a person is not prepared to deal with ungrateful patrons then they should not be in the industry. Let’s be realistic, we have all had and heard horror stories on both sides of the topic. The thing to me is when is someone being unreasonable in a situation. What has happened to common sense and consideration for fellow human beings?

Out of curiosity, I was wondering what are some of the more ridiculous customer requests other people have seen or heard? And what ridiculous reactions to customer obnoxiousness by a service person have other people heard or seen?

In example, this weekend a customer at a drinking establishment that doesn’t charge a cover for live entertainment and, because it doesn’t have a running kitchen and understands that some people get the munchies when they are drinking, allows patrons to bring in their own snacks. (Not exactly what I would call an unreasonable place.) This particular customer bought one drink, pulled out his own snack, and then expected the drinking establishment to cover the cost of a disposable container in which to place the snack. If a person is going to bring their own eats somewhere, isn’t that person responsible for providing their own accompanying necessities (such as tableware, napkins, etc.)?

This story of a unique monkey who could gives a little inspiration to all of those who puff away like little a choo-choo.

I’m watching the eclipse on webcast, unbelievable. This is the first time I’ve seen such a thing on the web! While I watched the total eclipse, the moon actually had a bluish hue to it. It just blows my mind knowing that I am actually watching our living universe as it happens.

Monday October 3, 2005 [PC (3/365) LW (2/365) H (2/365) ]

October 2005 Total:
PC-partly cloudy (3/365)
W-windy (1/365) LW-light winds (2/365)
H-humid (2/365) SH-slightly humid (1/365)

This Year�s (June 3, 2005 – June 2, 2006) Total:
S-sunny (24/365) C-cloudy (31/365) PC-partly cloudy (68/365)
D-drizzle (6/365) R-rainy (4/365) SR-scattered rain showers (12/365)
W-windy (34/365) LW-light winds (67/365) VW-very windy (5/365)
H-humid (59/365) SH-slightly humid (62/365)

As they say, “Music soothes the savage beast.” In this case, it may even be the beast within. There are many uses for music and the surgical DJ may have found one way to take sounds to another level.

Sunday October 2, 2005 [PC (2/365) LW (1/365) H (1/365) ]

October 2005 Total:
PC-partly cloudy (2/365)
W-windy (1/365) LW-light winds (1/365)
H-humid (1/365) SH-slightly humid (1/365)

This Year�s (June 3, 2005 – June 2, 2006) Total:
S-sunny (24/365) C-cloudy (31/365) PC-partly cloudy (67/365)
D-drizzle (6/365) R-rainy (4/365) SR-scattered rain showers (12/365)
W-windy (34/365) LW-light winds (66/365) VW-very windy (5/365)
H-humid (58/365) SH-slightly humid (62/365)

There is a report on CNN about a new coaster that signals a bartender when a beer mug is getting low on contents. I don’t know about other bars, but it isn’t uncommon for the patrons to move about through out the evening. That would make locating the depleted beverage holder difficult. Not only that, just because someone’s glass is emptying doesn’t necessarily mean they automatically want another beverage forced upon them. However, there are some promising possibilities for this product. Suppose the coasters were set into the tables. If each table had a small keg somewhere under it with an above table dispenser attached, and the coaster signaled the dispenser when a beverage was getting low, customers who did want to replenish their beverage could simply deposit a pre-purchased token into the dispenser and refill the container with a pre-specified quantity. This would help eliminate an unnecessary waste of time on the part of bartenders and waiters, as well as eliminate any waiting on the part of the patron.