When to buy a Watch in Tokyo .. and it Does Matter!

Recently I went to Yodobashi chain in Shinjuku which sell a big range of Japanese watches. When I finally found the model I like I was ready to make the payment. First, the store employee told me there will be discount from the retail price, however, if you are buying them on weekends, you get more discount! Yes more discount on weekends! Then if you exceed 10,000yen you can claim another 5% from the duty free tax counter at the airport.

So next time when you want to buy a watch you know when to go get one! Meow!

Sawadee kub .. May I help you sir? Take it and name any price you want!!!

Have you ever wonder how to get discount and you don't even need to beg? In fact, the seller beg you to take it instead! Recently in Bangkok, I went to the shop in a mall where they had just started their morning. I was the first customer. Without much bargain, they die die must sell it to you or else the business for that day will be bad! (Superstitious) I just named the price, and as long as she didn't make any loses or at least breakeven, she will give it you!

So now, when you know you want something very badly in Bangkok! Watch out for the time they open their shop and be the 1st customer!

I am BACK in Business!

OK I have gathered more tips for all the kiasu meow meow out there! Read on ....

More Hair Volume - try it at home!

I was in Ipoh last week and went for a haircut as I was getting ready to attend a wedding. I want to look dashing so I went to a shop to get my hair done. After the cut, I learnt from the hairstylist that if I want my hair to look more volume (I am having hair thinning ok!), then after you wash your hair. Towel dry it and then immediately apply the wax or mouse. After the hair became drier, then you can style your hair whichever way you want!

True enough I tried that at home, and it gives more volume to my hair and looks thicker! Try it for yourself :P

My last tips for 2007 - How do get business class treatment when flying economy class

On Dec 24th I flew with Singapore Airlines from Singapore to London. It was an early morning flight and I will reach London at 6pm London time. It was my longest Christmas eve. When I entered the plane to my surprise there was only 16 passengers in the Boeing 777 plane!

I think the air stewardess over numbered us instead! I totally enjoyed the flight coz I can sit anywhere I want and eat any snack I want. The air steward even came to me and chatted me up and offered to make any drinks I would like. It was really fun. We even took pictures in the plane because it's very rare to have an almost empty flight to Europe.

According to the air steward, usually on 24th Dec it will be very quiet. So now that I know this, I don't mind flying to Europe on 24th Dec! You get more than you bargain!

No Maps? No Worries use a business card!

Whenever I am in a non speaking countries, I bound to have problems giving the right directions. Even when I tried telling all the landmarks, they cab drivers will look at me as if I am from Planet Terror! After all these trials and tribulations, I found a quick solution ..at least for now.

On the first day of work at the location, I will start collecting the local's business cards. Yes, their positions are important, and don't you ever forget that! But little that they knew, my little secret for dying to have their business cards is for the cab drivers :-P

Most of the time, in non speaking countries, the business card has dual lingual, one side english the other side the local language. There you go, save up all the business cards, it will saved you from a lot of frustrations!

Lost in Translation - the Seoul way

I looked at my watch and were late for a meeting. I jumped into a cab outside the hotel, and told the cab driver I wanted to go to Dogok station where my office is. The cab driver just started his engine and zoomed away. Later he kept asking me where I wanted to go. With my limited Korean vocabulary I could not make him understand the location again. (Due to my pronounciation!)

In Seoul when you are lost in translation, there is a way to overcome this. Thanks to the Seoul Metropolitan government, they had introduced Free Translation since the World Cup in 2002. All you need to do is call 120 and speak to the english speaking operator. You can even ask things like where is the best clubs around your area, or nearest cinema. Its like a walking yellow pages! The cab driver will usually hand their mobile phone to you, and you need to dial 02-120. That easy!

I really think it's a brilliant idea and very useful for us who is kiasu and kiasi travelling in Seoul!