work rules

Work constantly amazes me.

No, not the tasks themselve...but the whole notion, politicking of it.


Working in a progressive, serious MNC comes with a tonne of unspoken rules.
Many of which I learnt (the hard way) at Reuters, and are all now coming back to me.


First things first: Downplay your feminity.
In such firms, there are all kinds of women. No matter what their background (working mums, single expats, fat losers, beautiful types, sporty types, havoc clubbers), they are only one thing at work -- equal to the men.

These women live and work like there's only one gender at work. Naturally, this means all signs of feminity are a no-no. I wasn't taken as seriously as I would like in Reuters simply cos i dressed too well and looked too nice. Seriously. Putting thought into my skirts and shoes, handbags and hair... was a big mistake. So throw out the shoe collection, the nice soft blouses, the makeup and accessories.


People love slapping labels and stereotypes on others. Look nice - and that will be you are known for. It may sound ridiculous but being plain Jane actually works in your favour in such an organisation.


Black is always reliable. Dress like you didn't spend more than 5 mins deciding what to wear. Everything should be simple, neat and fuss-free. Be groomed, but skip the extras. So - no manicures, no radiant blusher, no bright (bright meaning anything other than black, blue, grey & pastels) clothes, no too-nice shoes. Even if u can shop for a living, never make that be known.

I guess this is why everyone starts to look kinda similar after a few years in the workforce. Gone are the fresh-faced naivete or wide-eyed innocence. To advance, you simply have to have 'the look'. So sooner rather than later, everyone starts desiring the same things to achieve 'that look'.

Also, while our possessions should be as simple and fuss-free as possible, it should never look cheap. So if you haven't, join the corporate club of Gucci bags and Tag Heur/Cartier silver watches.

I dress differently to work now. More black than the other 25 years of my life combined. I used to say i hate wearing black - which is so safe, dull and literally monotonous. But it works. Wear black and you instantly look a whole lot more serious, sophisticated and mature - attributes your boss will appreciate. Look nice and you will be dismissed as that - just another pretty face. When you have ticked all there is in the checklist, congrats - you've successsfully become yet another clone in Shenton Way.

• Straightened hair (the Singaporean way of being in control)
• Designer bag (lest there's any suspicion we can't afford luxury)
• Black & other 'safe' colours (all the better to 'blend in' with. Now, you dun wanna stand out in the elevator or meeting room, do you?)
• Designer silver bracelet watch (to look serious enough and to convey the message that yes, time is my commodity)
• Standard pumps (the only vestige of feminity allowed. In Black please.)

What is frowned upon:

• Manicures with nail art (you mean you have time for that?)
• Anything remotely sexy (you don't want to flaunt that figure even if you have it. Cos there are plenty others in the office who don't have it, including your higher-ups. And really, you don't wish to be the subject of scorn/jealousy/bitterness. Yes, women are mean to each other. Tis is the real reason. Not the men.)
• Nice makeup (it's distracting when colleagues need to speak to you face-to-face.)
• Jeans with tee on Fridays (more effort please)

A lot of what we do is to avoid making other women jealous. So no, you don't talk about fashion, cos more likely than not, your boss has neither your figure nor your youth to deal with that.

You don't want these important females to start seeing you as a threat, or to secretly dislike you cos they are jealous of your looks or your youth.

Downplay whatever that is not related to work, including your exciting social life, your rich family bonds, your scores of friends on Facebook, your huge wardrobe, your magnificent husband and glorious kids etc etc. You never know who may be secretly envious/jealous and you really don't want to step on the wrong toes.

Keep everything dull and hum-drum.

What's ok to talk about are things that EVERYONE can do, regardless of their size, marital status, nationality, age or popularity.

Like:

• travel
• going to the gym
• grocery shopping
• pets
• books & movies
• cooking & baking
• volunteer work
• insurance & investments

It is Xmas agaiN!

Xmas Wishlist





Tis the time to go crazy shopping.


well, only between 10am-1pm or 9pm-11pm in town.
All other times, the jams both on the road and at the fitting rooms will drive you mad.


But oh, isn't the shopping just so good at tis time of the year?
I love the Xmas songs on tap, the sales, the glorious lights...everything.
And somehow, all these jsut make you think u need more clothes, more shoes, more makeup, more bags, more accessories...even if you haven't really got anywhere to go.


Latest updates:
1. my maid arrived today. Yes, i am an employer now. Geez.

2. My job is getting better. I am actually enjoying it.

3. Marco turned 3 months old on Thursday.

4. I am so into Saturday late night shopping.

5. I have joined Fitness First gym.

life at 26

How has my life changed?
Let me count the ways.

1. Life officially kicks off at 4.30am every weekday. I start work at 5am and end abt 3.30pm. Ouch.

2. I am 4 kg heavier than what i was before giving birth. Still working on it. My beautiful clothes still feel too snug for comfort. Double ouch.

3. After work, I either head to the gym across the road.

4. Or head home to look after baby. That takes the whole nite.

5. I work with a bunch of ang mohs... and i can feel myself adapting to their sense of humour, their working styles and accents. They are extremely intelligent, don't suffer fools and are very focused at work. On the upside, i work a lot faster and with more integrity, cos that's how they are. On the downside, i feel like i haven't got any real friends yet.

6. I've made (bad!) mistakes, and I've got compliments. It kinda balances out.

7. My life is very streamlined now. It's just work, baby, husband, family, friends and last of all, me-time. Me-time?? What is that???

8. Weekends? I groom. Waxing, tweezing, treatments, facials...these are blissful escapades. That, and the baby.

9. I've become very focused at work. With the amount of things I need to pick up, there's no other choice. Despite being new, I've been thrown right into the deepest end of things. I think it's a test. That i need to ace.

10. Some things don't change. Marco, for instance, is cuter and smarter by the day. I can exchange anything in the world for him, in a heartbeat.