In Singapore, golf has always been regarded as a 'rich man sport'. Just look at the membership prices here, and how much it costs to play a round of golf. It is truly, a game that distinctly divides the 'haves' and 'have-nots'.
I used to think that what is mentioned above is rubbish. Look at me, I don't earn astronomical amounts of money, but yet I enjoy a decent amount of golf right here in Singapore. But after my trip to a particular clubhouse of a particular country club, I realise that I've been living in denial.
I had an appointment there. So there I was, going through all the security check points, providing my name and IC number, and finally got myself a nice visitor pass. I sat down at the clubhouse, laid out my documents, and waited for the person that I had scheduled to meet. Just as I did that, the smartly dressed waiter approached me, and asked me if I wanted to order a drink. I was thinking, hmm...coffee, or coke light?
Oh actually, I'm not a member here. Can I buy a coupon to purchase drinks?
"You're not a member? Then WHAT are you doing here?"
He then noticed my 'Visitor' tag.
I am waiting to meet a friend. Anyway, can I buy myself a drink?
"No."
He turned his back on me, and walked away. And that was the last I'd seen of him.
Yeah, I guess membership does have its privileges. I can die of thirst for all they care. True, I am not a freakin' member of their esteemed club. But, I was kind of expecting a simple glass of "complimentary" water. Even tap water at room temperature suits me fine. But no, he walked away.
I understand that if I own a piece of property, I wouldn't want people to step into it as and when they please. But if they were here to visit say, my son, I would at the very least, offer them a glass of water. Boiled, with perhaps, 4 cubes of ice. I own a nice house, I can afford to offer water and 4 cubess of ice. Now, why can't the club, with all its riches, offer me, room temperature water with no ice? I don't get it.
Oh, actually I do. I belong to the 'have-nots'. Hence I have got NO service, and I have got NO water.
Anyway, let's hope it's just a single encounter of a waiter who is more member-centric rather than guest-accomodating.
OK, rant over.
By the way, Happy New Year!
CE
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
this is common culture. the funny thing is, the waiter is not a member of the club himself. i often wondered why the staff of such establishments treat the 'have-nots' this way, for, they themselves belong to the same group. unless u tell me the members who forked out 100k++ take turns to serve as waitering staff... haha. ... yah, it's like women (mothers/grandmas) who zhong4 nan2 qing1 nu3. I'm like 'aren't you a women yourself? why discriminate against the women in the family?'
Post a Comment