Today was the parliamentary elections so just about everything was closed and the government declared tomorrow a "bank holiday" not to be confused with a regular holiday, but pretty much means that any business that needs an excuse to close shop has one.
I monitored the Twitter updates during the election and looks like there was only nominal violence.
Wait, did I mention why the government of Sri Lanka declared a holiday tomorrow? Officially, there was no reason, just because; Really it's because there IS a chance of violence so the government figures, hey take the day off and relax instead of getting mad that the guy you voted for didn't win!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Proper Eating Utensil
One surprising thing about many Sri Lankan's is that they eat most meals with their hands. It amazes me that they can eat the curries with their hands, yet they do. They take the rice and ball it up, add some curry to the mix and pop it in their mouth. There is a proper etiquette to eating with their hands.
Almost every restaurant has a common hand washing station where those who have ate with their hands can clean up. Fancier places will bring a bowl of water to each person at the table to clean up table-side. The idea is not to go past your second knuckle with the food.
Most food is served at room temperature so as not to burn your hands.
I have tried on a few occasions to eat with my hands, it is a little awkward, easier when there is some flat bread available.
The other way Sri Lankan's eat is with the fork in the left hand and a spoon in the right hand, the fork is used to scoop the food onto the spoon and or tear the food apart. I might have that reversed, be looking for a comment from Chris soon.
Almost every restaurant has a common hand washing station where those who have ate with their hands can clean up. Fancier places will bring a bowl of water to each person at the table to clean up table-side. The idea is not to go past your second knuckle with the food.
Most food is served at room temperature so as not to burn your hands.
I have tried on a few occasions to eat with my hands, it is a little awkward, easier when there is some flat bread available.
The other way Sri Lankan's eat is with the fork in the left hand and a spoon in the right hand, the fork is used to scoop the food onto the spoon and or tear the food apart. I might have that reversed, be looking for a comment from Chris soon.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Good Morning Sir
Once my foot leaves the elevator in the morning it begins "Good morning sir", starting with the receptionist, if there is a lady sweeping the floor, her too. Walking towards the bank the first guard will say it, followed by one of the guards in the lobby, leaving the bank one of the guards at the guard shack.
When I make it to work the guard at reception will say it, when I exit this area the two guards manning the gate will say it as I approach the main building I will usually pass by one of the cleaning crew who will say it and then finally past the lobby guard.
I don't think I have heard "Good morning sir" so much as since I was a Marine Corps Drill Instructor by the recruits!
Funny thing is when I am with Chris they rarely acknowledge her, only saying good morning or evening to me, whichever the case is. I think it just confuses people to think of a proper greeting when it's a couple. I would think maybe just "Good morning"?.
When I make it to work the guard at reception will say it, when I exit this area the two guards manning the gate will say it as I approach the main building I will usually pass by one of the cleaning crew who will say it and then finally past the lobby guard.
I don't think I have heard "Good morning sir" so much as since I was a Marine Corps Drill Instructor by the recruits!
Funny thing is when I am with Chris they rarely acknowledge her, only saying good morning or evening to me, whichever the case is. I think it just confuses people to think of a proper greeting when it's a couple. I would think maybe just "Good morning"?.
The Fix It Pad
One of the best or worst things about living in our apartment is the fix it pad. Air conditioning not cold enough? Write it on the fix it pad. Burned out light bulb? Write it on the fix it pad. Clogged drain? Well you get the idea. For that matter even the furniture can be replaced if we don't like it.
I say good or bad as sometimes it can be a bit paradoxical for me. Take for instance the clogged drain. Do I go grab a trishaw to take me to the hardware store to buy a plunger or go across the street for some Drain-O type stuff and do what any typical home owner or tenant does, or do I write it on the fix it pad and drop it off with the receptionist who calls maintenance and they take care of it?
I can see calling maintenance about the air conditioning, but didn't know if I would have them change burned out light bulbs. GUILTY, yes, I'm guilty.
I say good or bad as sometimes it can be a bit paradoxical for me. Take for instance the clogged drain. Do I go grab a trishaw to take me to the hardware store to buy a plunger or go across the street for some Drain-O type stuff and do what any typical home owner or tenant does, or do I write it on the fix it pad and drop it off with the receptionist who calls maintenance and they take care of it?
I can see calling maintenance about the air conditioning, but didn't know if I would have them change burned out light bulbs. GUILTY, yes, I'm guilty.
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