How important are soft skills when it comes to advancing your career, getting a raise, or showing your employer that you deserve to take on more responsibility?
Soft skills are just as important as job-specific skills. But before we get into why or how they are vital, let’s look at why now is the right time to hone your soft skills.
Recent events during the pandemic changed the lives of millions, and many have changed careers, jobs, or where they work. The pandemic has brought much uncertainty, with people fearing the stability of their jobs and finances, especially with the escalating prices.
Forget vacations or even splurging on a new pair of shoes: now some people aren’t even sure if they can afford their groceries. So what can you do to increase your chances that you can keep your job, or get a job when a crisis like this occurs?
Usually, your goal when you dine at a restaurant is to satisfy your hunger. But this time, I’d like to change your perspective and look at dim sum restaurants from the perspective of a business owner with a time machine.
Many restaurants closed or only served takeout during the pandemic. When restaurants reopened for dine-in this summer, it was time to catch up on a tradition of weekend dim sum. But the place was noticeably less busy than pre-pandemic, and the staff wore masks. Customers had to check their temperature with a device. Dim sum wasn’t the same as before.
How has the tradition of dim sum changed over the decades to adapt to the times and will it continue? My recent dim sum experience brought back memories and made me question the future of dim sum restaurants.
Getting ready for dim sum
Is dim sum breakfast or lunch? Or maybe brunch?
Older customers start dim sum as early as 9:30 or 10 in the morning. But if you have children, you might not arrive at dim sum until 11 am or 12 noon. So it could be breakfast or it could be lunch. You can even arrive for dim sum as late as 1 pm.
Children raised on weekend dim sum know the routine. They might not speak the Chinese language as fluently as their parents, but they know the names of dishes after hearing them for so many weekends from birth to adulthood.
Also, as bilingual speakers, they’ve learned the difference in terminology too.
“Dim sum” means “touch heart” but you only say you’re going to dim sum if you’re speaking English. For example, telling English-speaking friends that you’re going to dim sum with family. In Cantonese, you’d say you’re going to “yum cha” (not dim sum!) which means “drink tea.”
Dim sum begins with tea selection as your party is being seated at your table. The serving staff will ask you what tea you would like. Jasmine, chrysanthemum, oolong, sau mei, and bo lei are the most popular types of tea.
Once you’ve ordered your tea, it’s time to order food.
Ordering the dim sum: before
Years ago, ordering dim sum was like a sport. Veteran dim sum patrons had mastered the strategy. Back then, servers pushed carts of the food to each occupied table. As the cart neared a table, the server would call out the names of all the dishes in their cart. Sometimes, the server will come up to your table and lift the lid for each type of dim sum.
This serving style was a great way to learn the names of all the dishes.
A problem arose if the restaurant was very busy and ran out of the item you wanted before the cart arrived at your table.
Avid dim sum goers came up with a strategy for this issue.
All carts originate from the door separating the dining area from the kitchen. Thus, diners keep a sharp eye on The Door.
If a cart appears with the type of dim sum that you’re craving, your table will “dispatch” someone to the cart to see if the item you want is there, fresh from the kitchen. You give the server your card so they can stamp it and show receipt of the dish, and then you take your prize (dim sum) back to your table.
Maybe servers didn’t like being swarmed at the kitchen door or swarmed in the middle of an aisle (especially by people who sat furthest from the kitchen). Maybe having heated carts moving between tables became a safety hazard. Over time, this tradition came to an end.
Ordering the dim sum: now
These days, you arrive, order your tea, and then peruse a menu of items. The dim still comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Next to the item you want, you write how many of the dish you want, and then a server takes your sheet of selections and gives you a printout of what you selected.
This new style is far less fun and less dramatic. No chasing down carts. Also, some items don’t have a photo, so this style is not as effective for learning the names of dishes.
In the future, the far future, they might come up with a blended approach from the past and the present. Each item on the menu could have a 3D representation that appears when you press on the picture. This way, you can be more adventurous when trying out a new dish. A 3D rendering is more appealing than guessing if you want to try a new dish based on its name.
End of the meal
Having dim sum requires strategy, especially if you have a couple of families dining together.
When a group of friends goes out for dim sum, the restaurant staff will ask to split the bill evenly amongst the friends. When a family goes out for dim sum, a parent usually pays. When a combined family goes out for yum cha, things get interesting.
For example, at one table, you have the grandparents, a daughter and her family, and a son and his family dining together. The siblings have also invited a cousin and the cousin’s spouse. This situation requires strategy at the end of the meal.
Either the bill arrives and one of the adults pounces on the bill, or the bill arrives and the adults all grab for it at once. The winner pays for the entire table.
Another scenario is an adult goes to the bathroom (or pretends to go) and finds their way to the cashier on the way back. By the time someone asks for the bill, it has magically been paid.
Good times.
During the pandemic, restaurants struggled to stay in business. Some took extreme measures to comply with health restrictions. For example, one Chinese restaurant placed tables in their parking lot and served dim sum outside. Other restaurants served only takeout.
Take out dim sum doesn’t taste as good unless you can get home quickly and dive into the food right away. Reheated dim sum doesn’t taste the same.
Dim sum is a work of art. It takes skill to make the dumplings and other dishes. There are high labour costs and food costs, so restaurants have thin profit margins. They make their money back with the dinner menu. To keep a steady flow of business from morning to mid-afternoon, restaurants offer discounts on dim sum during off-hours.
During the pandemic, the price of dim sum dishes went up significantly from several factors. For example, tables were spaced further apart, meaning fewer guests, and staff had to wear masks and face shields, adding to the cost of operations.
Key Takeaways
Going to dim sum is a long tradition that will still be around generations from now. There will continue to be modifications, such as how customers select their dishes, but yum cha with family and friends will outlast pandemics and changes in technology.
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During the pandemic, many people are looking for “work from home opportunities” and starting a “side business” as ways to make an income. Unfortunately, many MLM (multi-level marketing) and networking marketing companies right now are using these same terms to entice new recruits to join them.
Their selling point is appealing at a time when thousands of people are losing their jobs and people are being encouraged to stay at home.
For example, you may read about a sales opportunity that is commission based, with opportunities for advancement into management positions. You get to work at your own schedule and training is provided. Then you send in your resume, get invited for what you think is a job interview at an insurance company, and then you discover you’re being invited into an MLM.
It sounds like a dream to “be your own boss” and work at “your own schedule” and “no experience is necessary” because training “will be provided.” But what they don’t tell you is that many associates make it through training at these sales jobs, which aren’t paid, and barely make enough in commissions to replace a livable, full-time salary.
There are associates who do make five and six figure salaries from their commissions. They are the ones celebrated at company awards ceremonies. However, for every one of these superstars, there are ten trainees who graduate, make it out in the field selling a product such as insurance, and then fade away, never to be seen again at a team meeting.
If you’re actively job searching at the moment, be aware of these types of “job opportunities.” Understand the lingo, and answer the ad if you’re sure you can become one of those sales superstars.
What will you be wearing to say goodbye to 2020 and to usher in the new year? After nearly a year of working from home and spending most days at home, I’m craving sparkly party dresses, heels, make up, and a night about town. A return to the normal, so we can pretend this past year never happened.
Reality has different demands. In this part of the world, large parties have been cancelled and at-home celebrations with immediate household members have been encouraged. That demand from health authorities may be a relief to some.
Especially in a year of economic hardship, this year may be more difficult than in the past to out-do yourself with party planning. Elegant New Year’s Eve wear and extravagant NYE events can be stressful for more than your pocketbook. Now we have an excuse to tone it down and not spend hundreds of dollars on fashion and venues.
If you’re planning on your party at home with your family and household, will you be dressing up for a night about town home? I want to be optimistic about the coming year. We all want life to return to normal.
Let’s celebrate that and put on our best New Year’s Eve party wear. For you, that may be New Year’s Eve formal black tie or cocktail wear. Or it might be your best shirt and jeans. Doesn’t matter. Mindset is what matters on the inside. On the outside, we project what we believe. Let’s look our best to say goodbye to 2020 and an optimistic hello to 2021.
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How productive have you been this year? Did you accomplish all that you set out to accomplish in 2020? Or were you like many others who tossed out your original game plan and settled for fewer expectations when the pandemic hit? It’s been a challenging year but there are a few things you can do to keep yourself focused during the coming months. Here are four tips to stay productive during the pandemic.
1. Set Daily Goals
Setting daily goals is important, especially if you lost your job, suffered a business loss, or feel depressed these days. Setting at least one major goal, or three doable goals for each day will take your mind off the surrounding negativity and give you a sense of purpose.
The goals can be simple. They must be doable. For example, change from pajamas into something you would want to be photographed wearing. Clean up the kitchen. Finish a Netflix series. Apply for one job.
Finishing some episodes of a TV series won’t save the world or pay the bills, but if you’re feeling down, it feels good to check something off a to-do list. Applying for a job would be more productive job-wise, but if you’ve been job searching for months, one more job application could feel like an Everest climb.
2. Establish a Schedule
Establish a schedule for the weekdays and the weekends. What hours of the day will you set aside for work or searching for work? What times will you set aside for housework, exercise, and fun time?
If you can, schedule time for personal development to learn a new skill or language. Absolutely put aside a few minutes a day to reflect on your accomplishments and what you’re grateful for. When you take the time to reflect on positive things, your productivity will increase.
3. Watch the Time
It’s easy to lose yourself in pointless activities just to pass the time. Pointless activities include playing video games, watching back-to-back streaming programs, or wasting time on social media.
Set a goal: you’ll watch one episode of a series and then go for a walk. You’ll play video games for 30 minutes and then cross something off your to-do list. When you watch how much time you’re spending on what you do, your productivity will increase.
4. Reward Yourself
Remember to reward yourself whenever you accomplish a task or keep to your schedule. Rewarding yourself is important for your mental health and positivity, especially during these times when there is so much to get stressed out about in the news.
Rewards can be simple. Reach out and call a friend. Watch a movie for family night. Have a chocolate (or a handful if you were super ambitious and got a lot done).
Summary
Staying productive during the pandemic is important for keeping positive. There is a lot that you could be negative about in these times. To maintain focus, set goals and a schedule, watch your time, and reward yourself.
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Vanya Wryter Consulting Services 