Hong Quan is a year 3 chemistry undergraduate at the National University of Singapore. Prior to pursuing his bachelor degree, he was a reconnaissance specialist in an infantry brigade where he displayed leadership abilities in leading a four man team in various exercises.
Being a firm believer in the need for constant learning, Hong Quan is always on a look out for new skills with which he can improve himself. He is currently picking up a new language and am looking to further his studies upon graduation.
Hong Quan’s interests lies with the environment. He is a mountaineering enthusiast and has recently climbed South-East Asia’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu. As such, he hopes that his knowledge in Chemistry can be used in the protection of the environment and hopes to pursue a career in Environmental Chemistry or Green Chemistry.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Butter Knife or Dinner knife?
A while back when I was still a year one “freshie”, a lecturer of mine, who owns a company, commented that he chooses most of his senior management team by bringing them to dinner. During dinner, he would observe the dining habits of the candidates, read their non-verbal cues and be able to determine the characters of the candidates.
At about the same time, a friend of mine, who was in NTU, got selected to be interviewed for a potentially good-paying job with J.P.Morgan. As part of the selection process involved having dinner with members of the senior management team of J.P.Morgan, my friend was made to take up a course about proper dining etiquette.
These two instances demonstrated the importance of possessing proper dining etiquette. I feel that your dining habits are subtle, non-verbal communication tools that allow people to get an in sight into your character.
Can you imagine a scenario where while having dinner with your boss, or a client, you picked up a butter knife and proceeded to attempt to cut a piece of beef with it? What message do you think your dining partner will interpret from this non-verbal cue?
In truth, in Singapore, we are seldom needed to differentiate the different knives, forks and spoons placed on the table. But other dining etiquette such as table manners still applies.
At about the same time, a friend of mine, who was in NTU, got selected to be interviewed for a potentially good-paying job with J.P.Morgan. As part of the selection process involved having dinner with members of the senior management team of J.P.Morgan, my friend was made to take up a course about proper dining etiquette.
These two instances demonstrated the importance of possessing proper dining etiquette. I feel that your dining habits are subtle, non-verbal communication tools that allow people to get an in sight into your character.
Can you imagine a scenario where while having dinner with your boss, or a client, you picked up a butter knife and proceeded to attempt to cut a piece of beef with it? What message do you think your dining partner will interpret from this non-verbal cue?
In truth, in Singapore, we are seldom needed to differentiate the different knives, forks and spoons placed on the table. But other dining etiquette such as table manners still applies.
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