Ms Chan's Story

Ling-ling's Big Ball

My Son's Assignment

A Cup of Tea with Milk

     Lung had worked as a barman for many years. Three years ago when the cafe that he worked for changed hands, Lung then decided to start a small business with his pals. Unfortunately, after running for two years, the business was far from satisfactory. Feeling dispirited, his partners decided to wind it up. In the middle of last year, Lung then reluctantly tried to join the workforce again. He skimmed through the classified ads for vacancies.

     Lung was quite sophisticated as his past years of employment in the cafe gave him abundant opportunities to meet people from all walks of life. He was masculine and had a free-and-easy personality, but he spoke in appropriate terms, which left a good impression to others. He sensed that there were some differences in the labour market this time when he tried to find a job again. Suitable job vacancy advertisements in the papers were few and the competition seemed to be quite keen. After several months of searching, interviewing, waiting for news and feeling disappointed, or seeking help from his friends everywhere, Lung then felt that he was a bit at a loss.

     On a sunny afternoon, Lung walked out from a cafe in Wan Chai where he just had attended an interview. The scene that the cafe owner eyed him with a frown was flashing through his mind when, unexpectedly, someone tapped him on the shoulder and greeted him, 'How are you doing, Lung?' It was Ah San, the no. 2 cook with whom Lung had used to work in the same cafe. Bumping into his old friend, Lung then invited him to have a cup of coffee.

     After listening to the ups and downs that Lung experienced in these past few years, Ah San felt for his dispirited pal. 'Never mind,' he consoled Lung, 'under the present economic climate, all trades are facing difficulties. It's great if you can work as a barman again. But if not, there is no harm in trying something new. As the proverb says, "one should pluck up courage to have a try in whatever critical situations." To draw an analogy, if a customer is fed up with this cup of tea with milk, you may try to add in some sago. It would make a big difference if you try to make some changes. How do you know that a new environment doesn't suit you if you don't have a try? Keep up your spirit and don't lose heart. When you are down, call us to have a drink together. Don't be idle at home all the times to have kittens.' The two chatted about lots of things before parting for home.

     One day Lung watched TV and hit upon an Announcement of Public Interest on the Employment Programme for the Middle-aged produced by the Labour Department. Recalling Ah San's words, he decided to have a try. At the job centre, having inquired Lung of his situation in detail, a Placement Officer invited him to attend a workshop on the labour market trend. At the workshop, Lung realized that he was not alone. There were in fact many people who were in the same plight as him since they were also anxious to find a job. More surprisingly, he found that although he did not receive much education, he was qualified for many kinds of jobs available in different sectors. He then joined a training course on job-searching skills. Not until his participation in the course did he realize his drawback. It was talking too much during job interviews. After detailed discussions with the Placement Officer, Lung gradually accepted the officer's advice of getting a job in other trades, apart from bar tendering.

     Lung finally got a job as a security guard. Because of his free-and-easy personality, he, at the very beginning, did not get used to the rules such as wearing uniforms and greeting the residents. But gradually he found that there were many interesting things to learn in dealing with unexpected incidents, questioning strangers and patrolling the building. The experience acquired from dealing with his customers at the cafe in the past could be fully applied to his present job. One day when you pass the block of building where Lung is on duty, maybe you will see him having a nice chat about making a cup of fragrant and delicious tea with milk with residents who are waiting for lifts.

"As long as you keep a positive mind,
you will find a solution to your problems."