excuse me, are u a senior citizen?

today being our weekly family day is the perfect excuse to pig-out and spend quality time with my family which consists of my significant other and our only son.

we opted to go to one of our favourite restaurants, momiji japanese buffet restaurant at city square mall which is just a stone's throw (a herculean one at that) from our residence.

today isn't the first time we are giving our business to momiji as all of us pretty like japanese food and because it is not a-la-carte, meaning buffet style which is definitely value for money especially if the term, to pig-out is taken in it's literal context.

at the entrance, the cashier inquired as to the number of pax. to which i replied 2 adults and 1 senior citizen (seniors enjoy a discounted rate over the regular rate for adults. senior citizen defined as being age 60 years or older).

as this is not our first time, and the cashier already familiar with our faces, i was taken aback when i was asked for proof of my senior citizen status because this has never happened previously when asked to pay at the entrance to the restaurant with the cashier taking my word with regard to paying a discounted rate for myself, being a senior citizen.

without any hesitation, i duly showed the cashier my id card and he immediately apologised to us because he mentioned that his boss insisted on proof of status (being a senior citizen), even though we are regular customers as the senior citizen privilege has been abused by other customers.

my comments:

is there anything to take away from this episode?

firstly, we are talking about integrity and the point is, without integrity, where will i hide my face especially in front of my own wifey and only son. what message and example is the head of their household transmitting to them?

and secondly, the cashier and staff of momiji would have known (if i am not a senior citizen) that i am a liar and a cheat who got by all the times we patronised momiji at the discounted rate for senior citizens.

therefore, this incident reminds me to be always mindful of being upright or if u like, carry and conduct myself with integrity in all areas of my life, especially as all of my clientele/prospects/referrals expect it of me, and not to mention the role as head of my household and insurance consultant/specialist/trainer in promiseland independent.

which brings to my mind, a chinese proverb which goes like this;

"fu shu liu pee, ren shu liu ming or roughly transalted; when a tiger dies, the animal leaves behind the skin but when a person dies, he/she leaves a name."