Social media, regardless how redundant the phrase is, is such an interesting playground. And just like real (literal) playground, you get different sorts of little humans (sometimes big humans) running around, screaming, squealing, minding their own little business and so on and so forth.
You know in a playground, sometimes you get a bully, right? The one who just likes to shove other kids with no other reasons than seeing the other kid cries or runs away in fear. Well, it happens in social media too. You get people who just like to poke at another person's forehead and tell that person he/she's stupid. They don't make any incomprehensible argument. They just say your argument is stupid and that you are shallow for making that argument. Why is your argument stupid? Why are you shallow? No reason. It just is. You just are. Suck it.
I know when it comes to Internet and social media, you kinda have to deal with morons on a daily basis. But this bully incident happened on my Facebook account; a playground where you (sort of ) know everyone and that everyone is (allegedly) your frien . And the "bully" was a (well, I guess not a good) friend from high school time. I thought people being "adults" meant they would be more responsible to what they would say. You know, if someone makes an argument, generally that person has a reason to make such argument? And if you think the argument is annoying, you either can 1) make a counterargument, or 2) ignore it (i.e. unfriend that person). Well, I guess I'm wrong.
It's funny that this "friend" was upset because I criticised Indonesian health care service, i.e. the doctors at hospitals. I think this "friend" is a doctor. I can't even remember what she does. What is intriguing for me, it's that she was upset and then accused me of acting shallow and irresponsible. Why would she be upset about what I mentioned on my timeline? Is it necessary for her to make a case on behalf of ALL Indonesian health care staff? If yes, why? Considering what I wrote is a very personal vent, hence I wrote it on my Facebook account (you can't see what I post unless you're a friend), what difference does it make to her professional world? Has my critic destroyed her sense of security?
It's also funny that after she said I was "shallow and unresponsible (sic)", she posted a "status update" (which of course popped out on my newsfeed) that basically said your shallowness makes you look stupid. Should I be flattered and think that update is about me?
I think what annoys me the most is how some people, people that I chose to be friends with on this one specific platform of social media, are just dumb and saying dumb stuff, or acting all high and mighty and bullying everyone with insults. I guess that's the thing with Facebook. You know this person from high school, from elementary school, from babies or I don't know, and then you think that hey, she/he was cool back then; there's no harm keeping in touch on Facebook now. Well, yeah, it doesn't always work that way. And I know it's rather dumb of me by getting annoyed.
In the end, I just ended it with a very typical gesture. I sighed and shook my head, wondering why I haven't deleted my Facebook account.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Alert! Stingy client ahead!
When I decided to work as a freelancer and left my tiny cubicle at my old office, I knew that there would be a catch. Freelancing gives me lots of freedom and space to move. That's the main point but of course, there's a catch. You have to deal with clients, and not all of them are pleasant and cooperative.
I've had different clients over the years working as a freelance translator and editor. I've got annoying ones, cooperative ones, kind-but-don't-understand-anything ones, stubborn-but-smart ones, etc.
And just recently, I got a super stingy one. The client actually paid less than the amount on the invoice. It's not much, though, only IDR 1000 (8.7 US cents) gone missing. But, how can this be right? If you go out for a meal, and then the waiter hands you a bill that says $14.08, can you actually get away with only paying $14? Unless, the waiter/manager says otherwise, you have to pay that 8 cents. That's just how trade works.
It's not the fact that I didn't get my 8.7 cents (yes, it is ONLY 8.7 cents, for god's sake); it's about the fact that the client just did this without saying anything to me beforehand and that I already gave her a discounted rate. Losing 8.7 cents is not enough reason to get cranky, but getting the feeling that the client probably doesn't appreciate me is another matter. But I shouldn't be too surprised. This is the same client who, a couple of years ago, told me I was still a rookie and didn't deserve to get a professional rate, AFTER I finished the job before the deadline and sent it to her.
I took this project because it involved a friend and it was him who wanted me to translate for him. Unfortunately, the project was related to that particular client. So, if there's should be a moral of this story, it will be: avoid clients whom already gave you bad experience at any cost.
I've had different clients over the years working as a freelance translator and editor. I've got annoying ones, cooperative ones, kind-but-don't-understand-anything ones, stubborn-but-smart ones, etc.
And just recently, I got a super stingy one. The client actually paid less than the amount on the invoice. It's not much, though, only IDR 1000 (8.7 US cents) gone missing. But, how can this be right? If you go out for a meal, and then the waiter hands you a bill that says $14.08, can you actually get away with only paying $14? Unless, the waiter/manager says otherwise, you have to pay that 8 cents. That's just how trade works.
It's not the fact that I didn't get my 8.7 cents (yes, it is ONLY 8.7 cents, for god's sake); it's about the fact that the client just did this without saying anything to me beforehand and that I already gave her a discounted rate. Losing 8.7 cents is not enough reason to get cranky, but getting the feeling that the client probably doesn't appreciate me is another matter. But I shouldn't be too surprised. This is the same client who, a couple of years ago, told me I was still a rookie and didn't deserve to get a professional rate, AFTER I finished the job before the deadline and sent it to her.
I took this project because it involved a friend and it was him who wanted me to translate for him. Unfortunately, the project was related to that particular client. So, if there's should be a moral of this story, it will be: avoid clients whom already gave you bad experience at any cost.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Angry rambling (what's new, really?)
Yesterday when I was having lunch at home with my parents, we talked about people who rented my parents' property. They also manage my grandmum's property. And my dad mentioned that one guy actually said they didn't need a written agreement on when he had to pay the rest of his rent money because, and I quote, "I'm a Muslim. You can trust me."
I told my dad how amazingly insane that statement was. Considering how corruption plagues all levels of administration in this country, including the Religious Affairs Ministry, and that most of the corruptors are indeed Muslim, the statement is just ludicrous. Of course, it is not uncommon. People here say that all the time. Acting all pious and pretentious, they strive to prove they are the better humans because they hold their faith and god so highly.
I guess I'm angry. I'm angry with people who think they can get away with everything (including hideous crimes) because they have faith and when they sin, they can repent and god will forgive them, because god is all merciful, and they will be okay. The world will be fine.
I also am angry listening to the repeated jargon. Take one for example: cleanliness is part of your faith. This one sounds so detached with reality. One thing, you don't need faith to stay clean or keep everything clean. You just need your common sense. You don't litter because you are responsible for your own rubbish. That's yours to manage, not everyone else. And certainly not any god's business either.
And if everyone is so good because they follow and do religious activities all the time, why is this country so fucked up? Why do people think going back to an era where a dictator ruled the country is a great idea? Why do animals get neglected and abused in almost every government-managed zoos in the country? Why?
Alright, I'm rambling. I wish I knew how I could make a difference.
I told my dad how amazingly insane that statement was. Considering how corruption plagues all levels of administration in this country, including the Religious Affairs Ministry, and that most of the corruptors are indeed Muslim, the statement is just ludicrous. Of course, it is not uncommon. People here say that all the time. Acting all pious and pretentious, they strive to prove they are the better humans because they hold their faith and god so highly.
I guess I'm angry. I'm angry with people who think they can get away with everything (including hideous crimes) because they have faith and when they sin, they can repent and god will forgive them, because god is all merciful, and they will be okay. The world will be fine.
I also am angry listening to the repeated jargon. Take one for example: cleanliness is part of your faith. This one sounds so detached with reality. One thing, you don't need faith to stay clean or keep everything clean. You just need your common sense. You don't litter because you are responsible for your own rubbish. That's yours to manage, not everyone else. And certainly not any god's business either.
And if everyone is so good because they follow and do religious activities all the time, why is this country so fucked up? Why do people think going back to an era where a dictator ruled the country is a great idea? Why do animals get neglected and abused in almost every government-managed zoos in the country? Why?
Alright, I'm rambling. I wish I knew how I could make a difference.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)