Sharing this on a Sunday ;) Just recently, I extended my mobile phone contract and had the opportunity to change my phone. As I was still using the old SIM card, I had to change to a Micro SIM card. SingTel said that they would have to charge $30 to change it; as I had not prepared to transfer the data from my old phone to the new one, I decided not to change it first. Instead, I went home, did the backup, and went to a neighbourhood handphone shop to trim my two- or four-year-old SIM card to a Micro SIM card. After all, it was a $0 phone, and I was prepared to pay nothing for it. I asked the owner how much it would cost. He just took the card, cut it and said it was free. Then he went on to do other things—not even trying to sell me anything. Free. I rejoiced, but not for long. The Internet didnt work on my new phone. I do not know whether it was the SIM card or any other cause; but what could I do? Go back to the neighbourhood shop and make noise? Get a refund? Refund of what? So, I went back to Singtel. I showed them the phone. They speculated that it could be the SIM card, so they changed it. Ten minutes later, it was working. Yes, this time, they changed it for free, but I had to make two trips and hours of testing—did I mention about the petrol and parking, too? Whether you like it or not, the truth is that most of the things we receive come with a price, whether you are the one who pay for them, or whether you pay for them with money or effort. A student might have three free meals a day with the opportunity to go to school, but when he grows up, he would have to pay the accumulated school fees. A person might get free water from the public toilet daily, but he would have to walk from his home to the toilet. Its merely a matter of measurement—how we measure the received things and how we measure the price. We tend to value intangible things higher, just because we can touch them. For the same reason, we tend to give time instead of money to buy something. Everything boils down to this: most things come with a price, whether you like it or not. But the point here is not that. The point is this: have some of us become so satisfied with free things, that we often forget the price we have to pay, be it now or in the future? Much like what Ive done with my SIM card? Do you honestly think it is free, although I didnt spend a single cent? A job offer with high salary will usually be applied by many. These people look at the things they will receive (salary), and forget about the price they have to pay (responsibilities). The high salary comes with a great responsibility, and that might mean working through the weekends. Yet, people still apply for it. Why? Well, could it be that we are now so pampered and comfortable, and have others paid for our received items so much that we forget that the basic principle of you get what you pay for? Maybe, when you are offered something too good to be true, think of my SIM card. Its not a serious matter, but the message reflects the harsh reality. What do you think? P.S. Want to get four books of your choice for free (or SGD$10 / RM30), in exchange for 20 minutes of your time? If youre interested, email me at low.kayhwa@goodybooks with your name and age, or PM me here! Only for a limited number of readers (both SG & MY)! Please share this with your friends who might be interested! One of my novels: goodybooks/asingaporelovestory.htm
Posted on: Sun, 04 May 2014 13:45:00 +0000
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