Things I don't like about Singapore

[sundaymorningstaple]

One thing I really hate about Singapore is the amount of people with bad hygiene, particularly in my office

SMS, I gather that you work in HR, are there any guidelines that you know of regarding this in Singapore? It's great that Singapore is multiracial, multicultural etc... and the differences between us all are great and should be celebrated. However, it's not so great when you're sat next to a guy who smells like a sumo wrestler's jockstrap because he hasn't bathed all week and you don't know how to approach the subject for fear of it being twisted into a 'race' issue when race is nothing to do with it

Now you know better than that! You've heard them in Parliament and in speeches proclaiming there isn't any racism here in Singapore!

What often works is be the last one to leave and leave a bar of soap or a small bottle of mouthwash or toothpaste on the offender's desk for them to find the next day. Hotel sized ones are great for that as they aren't too big so as they don't stand out too much. They usually get the message and are too embarrassed to say anything to anybody about it. If they come to HR with a complaint, I usually tells them "where there's smoke there's usually fire". If it doesn't get any results, then next would be to tell HR to say something to the offensive staff. That, and the letting of people go when they haven't done anything is the HR Mgr's worse nightmare. (Letting 'em go has been really prevalent in the past couple of years with the sucky economic mess).

Bad breath is one thing, but damn! He could knock a buzzard off a sh*twagon!

[JR8]

No. We had a problem with this in London back in the early 90's.

A contractor just totally stank to the extent that you could not sit within say 3-4m of him. This was a very multi-culti American/global bank so race or what ever was not a factor.

Eventually, some of the worst impacted did leave bars of soap or roll-ons on his desk, but I don't recall it changing anything.

I think such an issue would be better taken to HR. And then HR call in the subject, and amongst the fug behind a closed door just explain that their personal hygiene is not conducive to a happy work environment. I.e. Wash, or else.

[Strong Eagle]

One thing I really hate about Singapore is the amount of people with bad hygiene, particularly in my office

SMS, I gather that you work in HR, are there any guidelines that you know of regarding this in Singapore? It's great that Singapore is multiracial, multicultural etc... and the differences between us all are great and should be celebrated. However, it's not so great when you're sat next to a guy who smells like a sumo wrestler's jockstrap because he hasn't bathed all week and you don't know how to approach the subject for fear of it being twisted into a 'race' issue when race is nothing to do with it

I know how I approach it. You sniff, you sniff, then wrinkle your nose, and say, "Geezuz man, you stink. You need a bath. Can you move away?"

See, you're just timid.

[curiousgeorge]

One thing I really hate about Singapore is the amount of people with bad hygiene, particularly in my office

SMS, I gather that you work in HR, are there any guidelines that you know of regarding this in Singapore? It's great that Singapore is multiracial, multicultural etc... and the differences between us all are great and should be celebrated. However, it's not so great when you're sat next to a guy who smells like a sumo wrestler's jockstrap because he hasn't bathed all week and you don't know how to approach the subject for fear of it being twisted into a 'race' issue when race is nothing to do with it

Now you know better than that! You've heard them in Parliament and in speeches proclaiming there isn't any racism here in Singapore!

What often works is be the last one to leave and leave a bar of soap or a small bottle of mouthwash or toothpaste on the offender's desk for them to find the next day. Hotel sized ones are great for that as they aren't too big so as they don't stand out too much. They usually get the message and are too embarrassed to say anything to anybody about it. If they come to HR with a complaint, I usually tells them "where there's smoke there's usually fire". If it doesn't get any results, then next would be to tell HR to say something to the offensive staff. That, and the letting of people go when they haven't done anything is the HR Mgr's worse nightmare. (Letting 'em go has been really prevalent in the past couple of years with the sucky economic mess).

Bad breath is one thing, but damn! He could knock a buzzard off a sh*twagon!

I work in a very manual-labor intensive environment and also up-close and personal with clients and public.
As a Manager, every time I take on a new job, a whole new crew or even a new member of staff I give them talk on expectations.

This covers working hours, work processes etc but about 6 years ago I expanded it to include issues of hygiene. It goes like this:

1) Show samples of shampoo, soap/shower gel and anti-antiperspirant deodorant.
2) Tell them that in our line of work we must make a good impression with the client and public
3) That means a full body shower or bath before every shift. Shampoo or soap must be used on every inch of the body and rinsed properly. Teeth must be cleaned with toothpaste & mouthwash. antiperspirant deodorant should be applied.
4) This is a requirement of the job before meeting with a client or public, as much as wearing uniform or the work you do.
5) If during the working day you get very sweaty, consider showering mid-day
6) If I think you are not meeting these standards during the course of the day I will pass you a towel and that will be your queue that you need to address hygiene problems.

I also have a box of toiletries stolen from hotels that live next to the pigeonholes and condoms (that is another story!). Generally they get the message before it becomes a problem, but occasionally I will wander into the workzone with a towel and hand it to someone with a casual "hot work today, you look like you could use this, showers have plenty of hot water". Same with bad breath and mints, often I will take them out, take one myself and pass them over.

I learnt the hygiene spiel working for Disney, and although its hard at first you kind of get better with practice!

[hey_smile]

You miss out the all important anti-perspirant! Nivea is good... I perspire so much out of every pore on my body that even if I bathe 10 times, it doesn't work It's genetics. Need to use anti-perspirant...

I work in a very manual-labor intensive environment and also up-close and personal with clients and public.
As a Manager, every time I take on a new job, a whole new crew or even a new member of staff I give them talk on expectations.

This covers working hours, work processes etc but about 6 years ago I expanded it to include issues of hygiene. It goes like this:

1) Show samples of shampoo, soap/shower gel and anti-antiperspirant deodorant.
2) Tell them that in our line of work we must make a good impression with the client and public
3) That means a full body shower or bath before every shift. Shampoo or soap must be used on every inch of the body and rinsed properly. Teeth must be cleaned with toothpaste & mouthwash. antiperspirant deodorant should be applied.
4) This is a requirement of the job before meeting with a client or public, as much as wearing uniform or the work you do.
5) If during the working day you get very sweaty, consider showering mid-day
6) If I think you are not meeting these standards during the course of the day I will pass you a towel and that will be your queue that you need to address hygiene problems.

I also have a box of toiletries stolen from hotels that live next to the pigeonholes and condoms (that is another story!). Generally they get the message before it becomes a problem, but occasionally I will wander into the workzone with a towel and hand it to someone with a casual "hot work today, you look like you could use this, showers have plenty of hot water". Same with bad breath and mints, often I will take them out, take one myself and pass them over.

I learnt the hygiene spiel working for Disney, and although its hard at first you kind of get better with practice!

[sundaymorningstaple]

You miss out the all important anti-perspirant! Nivea is good... I perspire so much out of every pore on my body that even if I bathe 10 times, it doesn't work It's genetics. Need to use anti-perspirant...

I work in a very manual-labor intensive environment and also up-close and personal with clients and public.
As a Manager, every time I take on a new job, a whole new crew or even a new member of staff I give them talk on expectations.

This covers working hours, work processes etc but about 6 years ago I expanded it to include issues of hygiene. It goes like this:

1) Show samples of shampoo, soap/shower gel and anti-antiperspirant deodorant.
2) Tell them that in our line of work we must make a good impression with the client and public
3) That means a full body shower or bath before every shift. Shampoo or soap must be used on every inch of the body and rinsed properly. Teeth must be cleaned with toothpaste & mouthwash. antiperspirant deodorant should be applied.
4) This is a requirement of the job before meeting with a client or public, as much as wearing uniform or the work you do.
5) If during the working day you get very sweaty, consider showering mid-day
6) If I think you are not meeting these standards during the course of the day I will pass you a towel and that will be your queue that you need to address hygiene problems.

I also have a box of toiletries stolen from hotels that live next to the pigeonholes and condoms (that is another story!). Generally they get the message before it becomes a problem, but occasionally I will wander into the workzone with a towel and hand it to someone with a casual "hot work today, you look like you could use this, showers have plenty of hot water". Same with bad breath and mints, often I will take them out, take one myself and pass them over.

I learnt the hygiene spiel working for Disney, and although its hard at first you kind of get better with practice!

One drink less during Happy Hour(s) and you might not have gotten egg all over your face!

[JR8]

I know how I approach it. You sniff, you sniff, then wrinkle your nose, and say, "Geezuz man, you stink. You need a bath. Can you move away?"

See, you're just timid.

Cannot lah in oh-so-PC companies. Such comments about a person that eats curry 3/7 might be considered as racially motivated.

Sad isn't it.

The upshot was the guy did good work, but everyone despised him for how he stank.

[hey_smile]

One drink less during Happy Hour(s) and you might not have gotten egg all over your face!

Oops.... damn whisky

[hey_smile]

Picking the nose in public...

Just saw someone doing that while I was having my breakfast this morning... (can't find the puking emoticon)

[JR8]

Gordon Brown picking it and eating it in the House of Commons chamber
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VaP1HB7Vew

Classy!

[carlsum1986]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTGScquEA8

italian premier as well

[painkillerPink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTGScquEA8

italian premier as well

Guilty pleasure! or maybe he ran out of biscotti for his espresso

[carlsum1986]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTGScquEA8

italian premier as well

Guilty pleasure! or maybe he ran out of biscotti for his espresso

washing it down with a nice cuppa

[JR8]

Oh Grim!

[painkillerPink]

Gordon Brown picking it and eating it in the House of Commons chamber
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VaP1HB7Vew

Classy!

I'm really curious now. All my life I have never seen a female above the age of 7 pick their nose in public, not to mention behind the speaking prime minister on camera. But I do know and witnessed a lot of guys doing this so I can only conclude that this is a 'guy' thing. My next question: Is there an age requirement for this? I've observed mostly men above 40 do this. I'm sure they did it when they were younger and I wasn't around to witness it... but is it an age thing or the generations before feel that they totally have a right to pick their nose whenever and wherever they want?

I once asked a guy - i really did since he was a friend - why he does that in public and he replied that "it was a normal body function, so why not? Why can't he?"

So i thought, yeah, there aren't any rules about it, are there? And now I'm thinking is it a right to pick your nose in public or is it a privilege?

Oh, gooey... I'm babbling - please stop me. Worse I'm converted... If you see a girl picking her nose in public - that's not me!