One curious thing which struck me as we arrived at Sri Lanka airport recently: duty- free shops selling heavy white goods.. washing machines, ovens, refrigerators etc. Hmm.. I have travelled to quite a few airports in my time, and it's the first time I've ever seen this!
On one hand: it makes sense to save duty on expensive, big things. In fact, more sense than saving tax on small items like cosmetics and alcohol. On the other hand: you can't put a refrigerator in your hand-luggage. And even if you're buying it on return to Sri Lanka as a local (which is what I guess people do?) you presumably have to have a van waiting to help take it home? Interesting. If the logistics are easy for the latter, I am now wondering why other airports don't have duty free shops selling such things - or even for larger items, duty-free cars, for example? I can imagine these cash savings would make pretty good business, but I am guessing there must be legalities which make it not worthwhile in places like Singapore or London. Anyway, if you're visiting friends in Sri Lanka and want to take them a washing machine as a gift, here are some of the shops!
Yep, I have just been to Sri Lanka! (Surprisingly close to Singapore, and from my brief experience there - a really wonderful country.) Anyway, we did many fab things there, and among them was a rural village visit, with a local cooking lesson from a friendly Grandma. In fact she was both friendly, and extremely strong - as a lot of the daily cooking chores appeared to require quite high amounts of muscle-power!
So, we were shown some basic domestic techniques such as how remove the husks and make rice flour, make rope from coconut husks.. Followed by how to make a local roti (flatbread) and coconut sambol (a kind of dipping chutney). The Roti Was made with millet (fluffy, three-pronged 'flowers' which required work in a heavy-duty mill to create flour). Added to the flour was water, seasoning, and coconut milk (made from a fresh coconut, and again requiring some efficient break-in work to access the nut using a scary-looking metal prong!) The dough is quite sloppy, but kneaded, spread flat between two banana leaves (which are soaked in water in advance, so that they don't combust during cooking) and put over a small toasting fire for about 5 minutes.
The Sambol Fresh grated coconut, chilli, salt and pepper, a small reddish onion (I think that's all?) were then ground under a large rolling-pin style pestle and mortar, and served in dipping bowls to be consumed with the freshly baked roti.
The meal was delicious, actually! The cooked roti is a sort of dense pancake with a strong creamy-coconut flavour to it, which went really nicely with the spicy chutney.
Another of my Christmas packet gifts from Japan - and it's taken a little guesswork as my kanji reading is not great (to decipher what it is, or how to make it!) But it seems to be a case of add-boiling-water-then put over rice. It might not look it, but it was pretty tasty! And incredibly easy (especially as I also have a rice-cooker). 'Don'丼 is short for Donburi, and seems to mean basically 'anything over rice, in a bowl'!親子refers to a mix of egg, chicken and a few other ingredients. So it's a kind of flavoured scrambled egg rice topping.
As a fashionable early twenty-something I remember being perplexed when employers showed interest in people's sporting achievements. Why would somebody's hockey medal or tennis cup be of any support for a professional role? It shows people do something besides just work or study, but surely travel or an interest in the arts also fulfill this criterion? Now, nearly a decade into competitive martial arts (and with many more years in business) I can see why they were interested. Taken seriously, sports foster some very positive mindsets. And while I think nearly all offer the below valuable lessons, to me it seems fighting (and perhaps 'adrenalin' sports) do so with more intensity. You might lose points, hopes, reputation if you suck in a badminton championship. In a combat
sport, you might also lose teeth, consciousness or operational limbs.
There is more at stake in a fight.
So if people fight competitively, I think it can demonstrate some desirable qualities in a potential manager / leader. For one thing, it shows that you (men and women) have balls. As in many business situations, you are never 100% prepared for a fight. You can be pretty well-trained, but you will never know what your opponent will bring, or how things will be on that particular day. So every time you step into the ring, you're knowingly taking a calculated leap of faith. I've noted that calculated leaps of faith are quite handy in business. And I think many competitive martial artists are already fairly comfortable with the concept.
Personally, I have also found that being physically fit provides me with more energy, and physical and mental resilience. These are useful life tools in or out of work.
For committed athletes, there's also commonly the desire for continual improvement and personal best. (Slightly different from 'competitive' in the old-fashioned sense of 'squashing others for the sake of it, or for personal glory'; I know these people exist in all worlds - but who could really trust a young squasher on their business team?) But if you want to become a biz leader, the drive for personal, and organisational, improvement is good. Also, of course, sports foster teamwork, and even in martial arts where fights are mostly one-on-one, you do get to train and travel with your squad and coaches, and build a feeling of family, support, trust, working together, and pleasure in your team's success as well as your own. And then there's discipline.
But one key thing that I think serious sports and business share is strategic operation. Contrary to popular belief, fighting (in tournaments, championships) is not about 'beating the crap out of someone'. It's a game of strategy. You try to pick your fights. You study your opponent, you find their strengths and weaknesses, the things they have a tendency to fall for. And you set them up. You fake, you lure, you pace it, work with your own strengths and weaknesses. You create a situation where they are open: and then you go in for the kill. It sounds odd to suggest that this is not about 'squashing an opponent'. But it's not. It's an honest situation, and they are trying their own set of tactics on you, too. The fights where you're expressing anything personal or nasty will probably be the ones you lose. It's not a brawl, it is an intelligent game. And sometimes it doesn't matter so much if your opponent wins, as long as you have learned something, been able to execute a new move, or fulfilled whatever your goals were (hopefully also with intact dentistry). And because it is a game, it is also quite likely that you will genuinely have the utmost respect for, and maybe even be good friends with, your opponents.
Over years in business,
I have noticed many of the same things apply. Those jostling for senior
positions don't always do so by 'being good at their jobs', they rise
by playing this game of strategy. (Or, preferably, both.) And while it
can seem ruthless and unpleasant, a huge element of it is actually a
game. Others vying for the same things, will probably know the unspoken
rules and be fully aware of all the tactics being used on them. And they
play accordingly. This is politics. And some people thoroughly enjoy this Game of Thrones in its own right.
But there are some crucial differences between a fight and the corporate Game of Thrones: 1. Not everybody in a business environment is
actually aware of The Rules, or sometimes that there is even a Game of
Thrones happening; so it's not always an honest or fair fight 2.OK, I've never been a CEO, but in some cases one can get on pretty well without playing this game (though I think it's always useful to be aware of it) 3.In the workplace it sometimes is personal 4. Peripheral people who don't want to play, can get caught up in it and hurt 5. If you're known as a 'player' you have to play very well; as there's a chance many will not trust you 6. And crucially: it's too exhausting! For any game of intensity there is one key rule: you cannot take your eye off it. The minute you lose focus in the ring, you get hit. There are similar risks attached to the office Game of Thrones. But in a fight tournament, you have three, 2-5 minute rounds. After which, whether you've won or lost, you can step out and get on with your life. The corporate game is a 24/7, 365 day scenario of continual focus and 'watching your back'. My view: surely life is too short? So, for now, I am sticking to the honest game of kicking and punching people!
Photos: 1. The brilliant Ann Osman (MY, top) takes on Saber of Egypt in MMA 2. WTF taekwondo's Servet Tazegul (Tur)( in blue) v Martin Stamper (GB) I do not hold rights to these photos, and could not find the photographers' credits online. (Thank you, whoever you are!)
Some of you might remember a recent scandal in UK/Europe
regarding the actual meat content of some supermarket burgers.
Basically, it was found to be not beef, but something more equine :(. Anyway, some laughter last night as Tokyo friends revealed that there is
actually a burger chain in Japan with the unfortunate brand of 'Bikkuri Donkey' (bikkuri means
'surprise!' in Japanese).
Which left us wondering what the real surprise
might be at this burger joint.. ^^
In fact, the 'donkey' part is apparently supposed to describe the stubborn, hard-working business ambitions of the company.. but it still doesn't explain the 'bikkuri' element.
I was having a chat with a friend about good movies the other night. And realised I have favourites from across the world. Here are ten I would recommend for starters, with trailers, in no particular order:
1. Mongol (Mongolia / Russia / Kazakhstan / Germany)
2007 film about the life of Genghis Khan. A kind of combo between an interesting National Geographic documentary about Mongolian life, with amazing Lord of the Rings battle scenes. And a brilliant soundtrack with Mongolian throat-singing! (Sorry about the Americanisation of this trailer; the movie isn't. Try to find film in original Mongolian with subs)
2. 12 Angry Men (USA) A black/white film from the 50's by Sidney Lumet, this first had me sceptical. It's about a jury process, and once you're in, it's a completely gripping tale, with twists and turns as the argument progresses between the 12.
3.Survive Style 5+ (Japan) Bonkers, but highly enjoyable (and oddly, sometimes rather moving) film, featuring a series of crazy vignettes. I think the director was a pop music video director, and this fun aspect comes across, as well as some really impressive and colourful sets.
4. Shutter (Thailand) The 2004 Thai original of this horror. Really clever story, and executed cleverly for maximum 'eek!' factor, despite a relatively modest budget.
5. Tonari no Totoro [My Neighbour Totoro] (Japan) There are a LOT of Miyazaki animations which I love. But if I had to pick one favourite it's probably this. This is a sweet, magical story and a sensitively animated film; with a lovely peace and pace about it which you don't often find in Western family animation. Ditch the dub and go for subtitles on this.
6. The Mummy (USA) Love this movie! It's so underrated! The other Mummy movies were pants, but this first one is just incredibly good fun - with an intelligent cast, who were clearly having fun making it too. Lots of little humorous moments in there; I've watched this film to wind down and cheer me up many times!
7. Festen (Denmark) 1998 story of a patrician family reunion, where some home-truths are outed. Fascinating and intelligent insight into human / family behaviour and class.
8. Detroit Metal City (Japan) Completely ludicrous, hilarious and OTT movie adapted from a Manga. Starring the brilliant MatsuKen as the uber-nerd-heavy-metal-rockstar. If you can find this do try to watch it!
9. Ong Bak (Thailand) Tony Jaa and this movie must have been personally responsible for thousands of youngsters taking up martial arts worldwide - not to mention making Thailand incredibly cool overnight! It's a fight movie, the first and best Ong Bak, with some breathtaking action sequences.
10. Gladiator (USA) Another fight movie (of sorts) but set in ancient Rome. Was blown away by this when I first saw it, and still am. Just a really well made story of politics, with a solid cast, great visuals, action and some really good lessons in leadership!
After a few months' absence, Durians are back in season - woohoo! The worry is that apparently those who eat them exude the stench of the fruit through their skin / sweat for days afterwards. Durian smells like rotting drains. And this is a hot country, and I do sports. Oh dear.
However, talking to some locals recently I discovered that the South East Asian love for this fruit (including its pungent smell) is extremely strong. And by logic, smelling of Durian might actually make one a popular and desirable hottie! ^^ This is up there with the famous UK adage, that the way to make British men really attracted to you is to smell of their favourite thing: lager. Having said this, I have yet to notice any 'L'air du Lager' or CK Durian on the market.
