Pre-CNY Lunch

It is in a Chinese tradition that company normally organise 'Sau Kong Zau" which literally translate to completing work for the year before going for the Chinese New Year Holidays.

As the office I am working in is not a Chinese company, we do not practice this tradition, but in return we will have dinner after everyone comes back from the CNY holidays.

However, among few colleagues we got together to have a the lunch today at a reputable Chinese Restaurant. On normal lunch hour, tables are plentiful but, today, the restaurant is full. You can see that the restaurant have not enough waiters to serve all the customers there.

When we first arrived, we have to wait for 10 minutes just to get a table organised for us. This could have been avoided if my colleague had listened to me earlier to pre-book a table. However, he is not willing to take my advise, he did not book any tables, hence, we walked in as guests and therefore have to wait for a table to be arranged for us.

Then, as we were seated, we have to wait for another 10 minutes before tea is served to us as the restaurant was really short-handed. They did not even offer us peanuts on the table for us to nibble. Even after tea was served, we have to wait another 10 minutes before a Captain finally attended to us for us to order our food.

However, as there were only 7 of us, we ordered only 3 dishes, namely, lotus roots stir fried with celery and black fungus, triple mix roast which have roast duck, roast pork and bar-be-cue pork or "char siew" and a fried noodles. Besides those, we still have the 'Dim Sum' which was served there because we were all very hungry and didn't want to wait too long for the food, at least some prawn dumplings and fish balls to ease our hunger.

Overall, I would say the atmosphere was good, the ones who have attended was kinda of 'friendly' type that can joke and have fun. By the time the bill came, we 'go dutch' and it was only RM35 per person.

Besides the waiting and the lack of service, the main thing is the get together and have a meal before we all go for our holidays which is kinda fun.

Then, in the car, one of the secretary says that our logistic department lady boss wanted to organise a meal at one of a 'high end' seafood restaurant and asking if we want to join. Of course that is after the CNY and before the 15th day as CNY is celebrated for 15 days in the tradition. I told her that I will be flying off to Sydney on the 8th day of CNY for a week, if they can wait, I am happy to join. Lets see how it goes.