An 'out of the world' paella experience!

On Saturday, I'd an out of the world dining experience. This restaurant is not in space but it's well grounded at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. I would expect this kind of experience only in Ritz-Carlton or maybe Singapore Airlines (if the stewardesses are not having mood swings).

It was out of the world not because the bartender took the paella away after I replied him that the paella is too salty. It was extraordinary because the manager offered appetizers while we waited another 20 mins for a newly cooked (less salty) paella.

It was out of the world not because the appetizers were free. It was amazing because he knew I was starving. He has great empathy.

Rarely, I have such 1st class service in Malaysia.

Oh yeah, I'm referring to La Bodega.

cc. La Bodega management,

Maintain the out of the world experience (and keep hiring the right people).

Tweet a Prius

Where is UMW Toyota hiding the Prius?

I have been looking high and low for the Prius since it was launched. The two dealers that I dropped by are clueless on its whereabouts.

UMW Toyota should have a Twitter so that they can tweet tweet on Prius whereabouts and for me to follow the Prius.

Toyota's tagline is 'Moving Forward'. However it seems to be moving backwards (or not moving at all) by not keeping up with the trend. I've embraced social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) two years ago. When is UMW Toyota jumping into the bandwagon?

cc, UMW Toyota management,
Please 'move forward', along with the aid of technology. Boleh, tak?

General Motors boleh! Proton also boleh!

My jaw dropped when I read Dr Mahathir's recent statement. He said, "Proton would also contribute towards making Malaysia achieve developed nation status by 2020."

Even though it is not April, it certainly qualify as an April Fool's joke. I think I'm most qualified to disagree with it because I've been driving a Proton (Iswara) since 1997 and I experience the quality of the product first hand day and night.

I relate developed nation as citizens having the right to good quality of life (including quality cars) and affordable living (including fairly priced quality cars).

Anyway, I'm not gonna list my first hand encounters now because I'm more interested to suggest that Proton follows General Motors lastest campaign.

General Motors, in a bid to appeal to consumers upset about decades of poor quality and the carmaker's government bailout, is launching an unusual program: money-back guarantees.

Why should Proton do it? The rationale is both companies share 2 same traits ie. poor quality and government support.

cc. Proton management,

Can you make it as 3 same traits ie. include money back guarantee. Boleh, tak?

Btw, I'm still driving the same old Proton for the past 12 years! Not that I love it, I just can't imagine myself paying so much for a good quality car like Toyota or Volkwagen whereby my counterparts in U.S. pays USD 15,000 for a Honda Civic and I have to pay USD 32,000.

Oh I get it!! Dr. M is implying that the price of Civic will be USD 15,000 once we reach develop nation status in 2020. Yahoooooo! However, I don't see the connection between Proton and Vision 2020.

Almost perfectly useful

GSC cinemas in Mid Valley Megamall has a large directory of restaurants to cater to moviegoers. Based on the categories, it seems to cater to people catching early shows (early birds) and late shows (night owls). The opening and closing hours are prominently displayed.

Would it be more useful for a moviegoer if it is 'redesign' to the following :

How many minutes do you have before your movie starts?

15 mins only >> Carl's Jr, Rotiboy

30 mins only >> Secret Recepi, Sushi King

45 mins only >> Nandos, Chillis

All the time in the world >> Teppanyaki, Pizza Hut

The 'recategorization' applies 3 key design principles :

1. Who is the user (moviegoer)

2. What is the context (i'm hungry but i need to catch a movie too)

3. What is his/her goal (find a place to eat within a limited time period)

cc. GSC management,

Can you put yourself in a moviegoer shoes? The outlets and patrons will thank you for it. Boleh, tak?

Serving customer during recession

How do you manage customer complains during bad times. Learn from Delta Airlines!

Lesson 1 : Don't provide any channels for customer to complain. (I wonder how much does Delta save?).

Malaysian Hospitality in Manglish style!

I was excited when I saw Malaysia Airlines jumped into the social media bandwagon. As I read about the latest ASEAN Pass promotion in their Facebook page, I was appalled with the English!

I tried to rationale with myself that the style of writing may be intentional i.e. talk like a Gen Y! As we know, Gen Y speaks with a dose of letters and symbols such as :-), lol, brb, :-b

Then again, is their grammar and spelling that bad too?

Check it out below (I 'copied and pasted' from MAS's Facebook.)

- Ohh, what wonderful spots you'd be able to visit at a go..
- Don't have a too much time off?
- You can play it by ear,
- is subjected to USB 25 per change.

I hope MAS's level of (English) standard and carelessness are not reflected in the way the pilot maneuver the plane I'm in or the standard of service I'll receive from the stewardess.

cc, MAS management,

Try using a grammar and spell check. Boleh, tak?

Here are the pages (1 and 2) if you can't view it from Facebook.