Shifting gears

I'm finding myself continuously changing from the day I set foot in Boston. The whole of last semester I found myself searching for my own identity in a new city, a new country, a new culture. I was learning how the system works, both in school and in the society as a whole. Bumped into a couple of miscommunication, in which I had to pay the price for, literally. I was holding back, observing how things are done.

This semester I could feel the change. I find myself gaining more control over my life. Is it because of my ability to earn again? Is it because I've finally own a cellphone? Is it because I've made more friends? Is it because I've made enough mistakes to learn from them? Well, I guess all of these did impact who I am now, as a whole. I am more confident with myself. I know where I stand as of today in this what used to be a foreign place to me.

Last week, the HOD of the String department told us that we were not allowed to practice before 5pm on weekdays. In addition, we will have to have a faculty supervising us whenever we want to practice after 5pm. In other words, he was trying to tell us "Don't practice in school. Do it at home." wtf. That was the very first time I talked back at someone of a higher authority. The system of the school is bloody flawed.... in which all students are aware of.

I've finally caught a glimpse of what 'freedom' means in this society. Selfishness. Each man for himself. I've already lost count of the number of times people telling me "There is no such thing as a free lunch" since last September. This, is a very harsh society. Freedom here really means you have to fight for every single thing you need/want in your life, by yourself - rebates, free gifts, incorrect bills. Every small little detail you need to look into, you need to fight for. There is no such thing as 'politeness' in this society unless you plead or look pitiful. Despicable, should I say, especially towards the weak?

I posted an advertisement online to sell the cellphone that I got for free with my mobile subscription. Had a couple of replies. One guy appeared very interested (he sent me the same e-mail 5x) so I called him. He agreed to come to meet me near my apartment. When we met, I gave him the phone to be inspected. What can he complained about, since it's brand new? That's when 'trouble' came. Come to think of it, I think he made a fool out of himself. Either that or I've gained enough experiences here to protect myself. This is a 'very simplified version' of the conversation with the buyer, who may be in his mid or late 30s' (the real conversation with his cock 'n bull story lasted for about 15 minutes or more) :

Him: What is this 'prepaid phone' printed on the phone's package?
Me: Well, I guess this is a phone that could be used with a prepaid plan.
Him: Why are you selling this phone?
Me: Cos I have my own, and this was given to me free when I signed up for the new subscription. Furthermore, I'm too used to the interface of Nokia phones.
Him: Yeah, yeah... that's a good phone you have there.
Me: Nah, this phone is 2 years old.
Him: No. no.... this is a good phone.. it's a 3230? (he looked at the batt compartment of my phone and read '6610')... it's a good phone...
Me: (doh... can we get on with this?) Well, yeah, it has served me well the past 2 years. That's why I'm keeping it.
Him: You see, on the package of this samsung phone you are selling, it says that there's a free $15 talktime on your prepaid SIM.
Me: Well, yeah, but I didn't subscribe to a prepaid plan. So even if I'm entitled for it, but I don't have it. Maybe they were just trying to get rid of these phones.
Him: If that's the case, then shouldn't you make up for the missing $15 talktime here, cos then I'll have to buy the SIM card on my own.
Me: I'm sorry, I don't think I'm willing to make any changes to the price that I've offered. There were other replies who offered me a lower price, which I totally ignored.
Him: But then it'll be unfair to me that you're selling me at $50 without the SIM card...
Me: Well, that's y I posted on the ad that I'm selling A SAMSUNG x495 PHONE at $50, not a prepaid plan...
Him: But you should have stated it in the ad about all this details... have you sold anything online before?
Me: (niabeh) Yes I have and I'm sorry I didn't post the details there. Since you've not paid for the phone, there's no obligation to buy it if you are not happy with it. I mean, it's better that you bring it up now than later.
Him: No, you don't understand what I mean... Do you know how much is this phone selling outside?
Me: I have no idea...
Him: Then you should go find out...
Me: (walao, isn't that suppose to be your homework)... Well, since I'm selling it at $50 and people are interested, they must have done their homework...
Him: No, no, you still don't understand... Look, if you can sell the phone at $40, then it's fine.
Me: I'm sorry then, $40 is too low for me. I've other potential buyers who are interested. I'm sorry that you have to come all the way here for nothing.
Him: I'm not negotiating or bargaining here... (ya rite.), but it's just fair that the $15 should be taken care of. Anyway, $10 is nothing. (kaoz... US$10 = S$16 leh). You can't even buy a coffee with $5, you know.
Me: I'm sorry that you think that way, I'm not selling the phone anymore, cos I don't want for you to have potential problems with me in the future. $10 may mean nothing to you, but it means a lot to me. I'm a poor student. You are right, I can't even afford a cup of coffee. That's why I cook my own meals.
Him: Where do you study?
Me: (i was wearing a Berklee cap - lee bat jiu tak stamp ha).. Berklee.
Him: Oh it's an expensive school to go to...
Me: Yah, if not for the scholarship, I wouldn't be here. I'm living off my own savings now.
Him: Can't you find a job?
Me: I applied for a job on campus, it's illegal for foreign students to work out of campus.
Him: But well, you know... there are jobs which ppl don't really bother about the work permit thing, you know?
Me: Well maybe, but for now I'm waiting for the campus' reply (even if i'm working, y on earth do i need to tell you...).
Him: OK, so you are not selling the phone anymore?
Me: Nope, thanks for coming. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Him: But you got it for free you know (walking away...) I don't think you've sold anything online before.
Me: (holding building entrance door with raised voice) Yah.. that's why I'm selling it as much as possible so that I can earn some extra pocket money, and I'm not as young as you think I am.
Him: (Walks back) Ok, ok, if $10 really mean so much to you, then I'll buy it from you at $50.
Me: I'm sorry, but I'm not interested to sell it anymore.
Him: No, no, no... you still don't understand. You should go question the guy who gave you this phone.. maybe he used the $15 for his own you know. You paid for the $35 activation fee? You can actually get a $15 rebate from him for not using the prepaid SIM. You are a smart girl, you should know that...
Me: Yeah, maybe, but I've enough of fighting with the system since I came here 6 months ago. This is nothing, as long as I get my subscription and my free phone... hmm.. *shrugs* Well, if I do get a rebate for my activation fee, I'll keep you posted!
Him: Actually I'm a teacher in Quincy College you know, in life science, teaching nutrition n (dunno wat sai). Since you need the money so badly, I'll buy it from you... actually this is for my kid...
Me: Oh you are a teacher from Quincy College? I'm planning to do my summer there to clear my GE. (change topic, give him face a bit)
****************************
In the end he didn't have $50, just $44, so I sold him the phone at $44. NiABEH... KNS... talk so much cock and still wanna buy the phone. He never had the intention to pay me $50 in the first place, otherwise he would have the $ ready.

Anyway, it was a good mouth-sparring experience and I'm glad that I spoke up. All the personal attacks, all the trying to belittle me... omg. whatever happened to civil ethics? and he still have the cheek to tell me he's a teacher in a college.

Hey, maybe i should start posting such conversations here to remind myself of incidents that has happened while studying here...

hope you enjoy today's posting as much as i did real life!