Every time I travel, I find myself thinking of the many hazards that one faces when roaming the globe, starting from flying all the way to food poisoning, getting ripped off, accidents … etc.
One thing keeps popping in my mind though, and that is the hazards that we face by staying at hotels and eating out through the trips. It is true that we will be staying in 5 stars hotels most of the time, however; are all the workers in these hotels 5 star material or not??

The minute I walk in a hotel room, I check the cleanliness of the bed sheets, the bathroom and the glasses. Call me paranoid, but who knows how this room was cleaned after all?

Cleaning staff in hotels, workers and chefs in restaurants, they all have been portrayed and stereotyped in movies and stories as careless most of the time and that many of them (not all) are mad at something and they get it out on the customer when he/she cannot see them. So, if a customer asks to change the order after it was brought and verbally complains about anything, we find the waiter or the chef behind scenes doing something bad to the order before bringing it out, like spitting in the drink and stirring it so that nothing suspicious shows; just how many times did we see that in the movies? Could it be that this is only a fictional scene from the author’s mind or could it be a reflection of the truth??!!!

And what about workers in the kitchen not wearing gloves while preparing our food? How do we know where these hands were before starting our meals? I remember that in one of those restaurants where you can actually see the cooking taking place in front of you, we noticed that the guy was preparing our salad with his glove-less hands and we immediately asked that he wears glove and start a new salad dish; could we have been paranoid or was that the right thing to do???!!!

The studies and observations show that one cannot be too careful when staying and eating out because it is a human thing and a lot of people in this world are not accountable nor they are trustworthy of doing their job properly, which ends up in spreading disease and causing health problems to others. Some people are careless enough to pull jokes and pranks about this like when someone says he is allergic to peanuts and another pours some peanut butter in his food to see if he is telling the truth or not … imagine if he really does have allergy and he eats the contaminated food, he could die because of a sick joke … I think I have seen this on one of CSI’s episodes but it was fish allergy!!

What about housekeeping in hotels; I mean these workers come into your room when you are out of it and they clean it without being supervised, do they use gloves when cleaning the toilet? Do they change the gloves when cleaning glasses? Do they not wear gloves at all? Do they run through your stuff and snoop around in your luggage? Do they use your clothes, makeup, or perfume? How can we know that the “Maid in Manhattan” scene is not happening every day or every hour for that matter? Just because it was Jennifer Lopez actually stealing and trying the clothes, it does not make it OK … that was wrong and immoral regardless of how much I like JL!!!

As for me, I really keep my stuff in my bag and I keep it locked, so I try to take clothes that do not need ironing so that I can wear them comfortably … maybe I am being paranoid here but I cannot accept the idea of stranger hands running and searching through my clothes and stuff … I keep remembering that housekeeper in “The Last Holiday” when Queen Latifa asked her if she went through her stuff and she replied: I go through everybody’s stuff!!!

Just to give you another perspective about this issue, please watch the following movie and keep it in your mind when you are traveling …

Scary, ha??
I wish you safe and happy traveling folks!!!

I was never one to swallow the words and suck them up just because they would make someone angry if and when I say them, and I believe that people would want to hear some of these things especially when it comes to business and professional feedback.

It goes without saying that one must be very careful when this feedback is of a personal nature where emotions might get in the way and fog the scene, therefore; it should be given slowly and without hurting the recipient’s feelings. However; when this feedback is not personal or of a sensitive nature, one must be as honest and clear as possible.

Today; three of my colleagues and I went to this restaurant to grab a bite during the lunch break and it is one of the fancy places and not so cheap mind you. We were led to a table that was designed for two but they somehow managed to stuff it with four places, so by the time the very expensive soft drinks arrived, it felt like something will just fall any minute.

As soon as our food arrived, the waiters started roaming around us like sharks circling a prey, and I mean one of them pops up and crawls closer to us, sees that we are eating our food which is precisely why we were there in the first place and then crawls back just in time for another one to take the next shift in crawling, lurking and annoyingly watching us trying to consume some sandwiches.

As we were going out and while paying the bill, I felt the words stuck in my throat and I just had to spit them out and that’s exactly what I did. Their explanation was that they wait to pick up the empty plates!! Yeah right! Like we can consume the food in less than 2 minutes which was all what they gave us.

So there was a debate, should I have done that? Or should I have just swallowed it and walked out annoyed and unsatisfied with the service and vowing to myself never to go there again?

What do you think?

If you ask me; a good brand or a great one for that matter really is worth nothing without excellent service to back it up. We are in the time and age where customer service is the ruling and the most important preference factor with your clients. With all the slogans of “The Customer is Always Right” and “We seek customer delight” and “We aim for perfection” and blah blah blah … In Jordan; I say: bleh!!!

I am sure you all know Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits; you all have tried them at one point or another, but let me tell you what happened today when we attempted to order a meal for our lunch.

We made sure that we contact them at 12:15 because we already know that they take an hour to deliver the order regardless of its size, so we agreed what we wanted to order and called their delivery center. The call was answered by a girl who obviously was absent minded or not trained to take customers orders, because my colleague had to repeat the order at least three times to make sure that we get the things that we order.

An hour later; no sign of delivery yet, so we decide to contact them again and spoke to a guy there; the conversation went as follows:

Us: we have ordered a delivery at 12:15, why haven’t we received it yet?
Them: because we were trying to call you and there was no answer
Us: what number are you calling?
Them: the one that appeared on the caller ID when you called
Us: why didn’t you call the number that was given to you? We have given you a mobile number to call us because this one is an operator and no one will answer it
Them: we assumed that this was your number and when you did not answer, we gave up
Us: why didn’t you call the mobile number that we provided?
Them: we tried calling the other number
Us: why do you take the mobile number if you are not going to use it?
Them: we take it just in case, but we always call the number you call from
Us: why didn’t you say so from the beginning? We could have given you a number you can contact, but you just assumed and acted?
Them: we always call the number you call from
Us: so what happened to the order?
Them: we will send it to you as soon as it is ready
Us: we need to talk to your manager
Them: why? You will only hurt the girl who took the order
Us: what do you usually do when something like this happens?
Them: we do nothing, we deliver the order
Us: what about the mistake that you did? Who will compensate for the inconvenience?
Them: we do not have such things
Us: fine then, transfer us to someone who knows how t o answer our questions
Them: I will ask our operations manager (OM) to call you, but you will hurt the girl.
Us: we don’t want to hurt anyone, but we have a right to talk to someone in charge so please transfer the call
Them: I will ask the OM to call you

10 minutes later, they call the mobile that was given to them earlier and did not think to use it the first time :S

OM: I understand that you have a problem with our staff and you threatened to do things and shouted at them
Us: sorry; but obviously you were not told the whole truth here
And we go through the whole story again
OM: I will call them and arrange something for you, and I will fire that girl
Us: we are not asking you to fire her; we just want to deliver our complaint
OM: this is her last mistake today and I am firing her any way
Us: some of us would like to cancel their order because they are not interested any more
OM: ok, I will have someone call you to do that

10 minutes later they call, and again on the mobile phone (oh why oh why they did not use it from the beginning???)
Them: can you give me your location?
Us: we want to cancel some items
Them: ok …
Us: such and such
Them: ok done
Us: can you repeat the order?
Them: so and so
Us: ok, we are located so and so

Half an hour later; nothing yet
Another half an hour and the food arrives …
I have already canceled my order but my colleagues were still waiting and were debating whether to take the order or send it back, so they flipped a coin
It was agreed to take the food and they started eating, but get this; the order was missing a whole meal for one of the guys :O

He contacted that OM again who was really annoyed and said that he has given us 10% discount and said that he will talk to them and see!! (N)
We don’t really need a discount for something we pay for but never receive; it would really be great to get what you paid for!

45 minutes later, my colleague gets his meal (*)

Now; going over the whole story:

One: we did not get our food on time; we got it two and a half hours later and not even the right one!

Two: not even once did any of them say sorry … in fact they were annoyed that we were complaining

Three: they think that it is about the food or the discount when it is all about the attitude and accountability; they did not think that someone would actually stand up and tell them how they suck!!

Four: it does not really matter how good the brand is, how yummy or how well done; what really matters is the attitude with which you are served because that’s what counts.

Five: they have lost some customers after this ridiculous experience and I think that who ever reads this post will think twice before dialing their number

I guess it is no secret to everyone that I am too busy to blog and keep up with other blogs these days. I have been too darn busy ever since I started this new job, not that I am complaining because I like what I do, but I truly and utterly miss the blogosphere, and that’s why I keep coming back every now and then and I hope I will always find you there waiting for me … so please don’t give up on me just yet; there is still hope!!

Last week was a killer, with the conference and all those guests, for three days I came home around midnight and then had to be at work the next day at 8 in the morning; by the end of the week I was a wreck, but that did not stop me from sharing a lovely cookie party with my friends at Mommabeans house. That was one warm evening where we shared lots of fun, food and laughter.

The highlight of that evening was meeting teta bean, Madam Laila!
Such a warm nice lady who was extremely welcoming of all of us and said that she was a regular reader of our blogs; I had to take a picture to memorize this moment for years to come … thank you so much Madam for your kindness and follow-up to our blogs, please keep coming back!

Then we got some creativity out, but I was really too drained to do more than a couple and I learned that Jujubean enjoyed my duck and I say Sa7tein!!

Now, Valentine’s Day is around the corner and everything is already turning red … sometimes I see it as a silly occasion but other times I just feel jealous of all the love and lovers around and feel sad for being alone … eh! It is only one day in the year and it will eventually pass

Work has been really hectic and I have been running around … looking at the bright side; everything went according to the plan during the conference, my boss is happy and most importantly; the guests had a wonderful time and they all enjoyed their few days in Amman.

Internet is evolving and everyday there is some new technology or software appearing here and there. I wonder how we used to live and do things some years back; how did we manage without all this technology around us. Can we afford to choose not to enslave ourselves to this technology? Can we turn our backs and say we can do without? I wish we could be professional enough to trust people with their own time instead of regulating their days for them; this is the 21st century after all!!

So today was the day!
Rebecca has kindly invited us to her house to share the joy of decorating cookies which I found to be quite amusing and therapeutic.

At the end of a long working day; there isn’t anything better than meeting with people you like and share some nice time and have lots of fun.

I was the first to arrive, so I got a chance to take a few pictures of the preparations that Rebecca has made for us; she has made us cookies to decorate and others to eat; there were several munchies including different kinds of cheese and meat balls in a very hot cranberry chili sauce. She also made coffee, tea and a beverage of hot apple juice with cinnamon, and how can I forget the nachos with the hot sauce? That alone was a party kicker

So after Kinzi and her sweet daughter Lindsay arrived, Shaden almost lost her way to Rebecca’s house and then Wedad came, so we headed towards the tables and started decorating. Salam brought her sweet kids Raya and Zeid who really had fun playing with the colors. Mommabean came alone after she tucked the kids for the evening and Roba was the last to arrive.

I took so many pictures and I will let them tell you the story of this great evening. Wedad and Shaden made a cookie to represent 7ala and wanted to let her know that she was missed in this event which is really true,

So here you go … enjoy!!

Today was a very long day and we spent it making sweets we should have made before Eid. Yes, I am talking about Ka3k w Ma3mool!

My brother in law is leaving on Monday to the states to go back to his routine work life, and my sister decided to make some ka3k w ma3mool for him to take it with him for the family there. She asked me, my mother and my sisters for help and we gladly went to her place, helped her make them and got out with some nice sweets at the end of it.

I took the chance to capture some pictures while we were working and decided to share them with you, and no, my blog is not turning into a virtual cookbook … LOL!

Starting with the crust

Preparing the dates

Dates and ka3k (cookies) before shaping

Placing the date inside to crust to make ka3k (cookies)

Ka3k placed in baking tray after shaping them

Ka3k in the oven being baked

Out of the oven, hot and yummy!!

Another tray of Ma3mool with sugar on top

No more teasing … this plate is going to Jeeran!!

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My Dad smiling to the camera before singing “Happy Birthday to you”

Dad singing with the rest of the family and my sisters appear in the mirror behind him

Dad blew the candle and is laughing with my sister, my nephew looks thrilled

Dad preparing to cut the cake and my sister is educating him on the method

Dad cutting the cake, my sister taking a picture and mom is talking to my brother (he is in USA)

Dad is talking to my brother, mom is cutting the cake and my nephew is busy eating chocolate

We had homemade Pizza

Homemade Chocolate Cake

Lazy Cake

Homemade Cheese Cake

Chocolate Moose .. Yummy

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So it’s that time of the year again, when the whole family gathers at one place and we do good old BBQ.

Be it hot or cold, this never stopped us from enjoying this one ritual that puts all of us in one place, sharing the effort and the fun.

This year, it happened to be very cold, and nonetheless; my father and my brother in law set to work in the cold weather, preparing and grilling … and at the end of it we sat and enjoyed the yummy food, and of course there were lots of appetizers and after lunch goodies, fruits and sweets.

My camera was a witness to some of the action, but I could not take many pictures because of the cold, so I leave you with the best two!

Happy Eid to all!!

My brother in law is watching over the grill and dad is in the back preparing more!!

The Grill looks inviting, don’t you think?

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Man!!! That really looks yummy

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If you are hungry enough, click on the images to enlarge

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