My radar on practical things went up several hundred notches higher after being a parent, with a sad realization that practicality would often compromise stylishness.

When we had our first-born, we went through several types of tote bags, and came to a conclusion that while over-the-shoulder sling bags with functional compartments for bottles and diapers come with all sorts of styles, they are also quite cumbersome to carry around. Hence, being royally annoyed with the few sling tote-bags we had, it didn’t take us long to make a switch to a back-pack which we found to be a better alternative.

And somehow, somewhere along the way, we had unexpectedly found the holy grail of all backpacks, fit to be used as a handy tote bag not only for one, but two kids for when we are out and about.

This is not just any other bag. This is the mother-of-all-tote-bags, and one that can fit everything you’ll ever need for your little critters in a pack-and-grab-to-go concept.

We have been using this bag for the last 3 years now and it has been an absolute gem! We never leave home without it. While it is not the most stylish thing I have ever seen, it is one of the most functional designs I have come across. It not only comes with spacious storage spaces with 3 main compartments, it also has insane number of smaller compartments to sort the little things you have to make it easier for you to find things.(A very useful thing for a scatter-brain like me, and for someone like Silver Bullet who is a stickler for things being in “its place”.) Best of all, it is lightweight, not too bulky and very comfortable to carry. Certainly my kind of tote bag!

We have had several people (aka parents) asking us about the bag, and unfortunately, I haven’t seen this Monkey Surf brand outside Thailand. In fact, as we recently discovered, the shop which we bought the bag from 3 years ago is no longer there and we would be hard-pressed to this same brand when the need arises.

Oh right. It’s the curse.

Has the value of respect amongst the younger generation spiraled rapidly downwards, or is it just me being ultra-sensitive in my old(er) age?

I am saying this after having witnessed a rather young associate, whom, probably through no fault of his own, not only turned up late for a meeting, but also had done the following as he walked into the room:

• No hello-s or hi-s
• Pulled a chair up-front right under the nose of someone who was clearly presenting at that time
• Sat on the chair…no wait! Slammed his butt on the chair hard enough for us to feel that whiff of the motion
• Slouched back, and with his back turned towards the audience who were already in the room, drew both his arms behind his neck and then put his feet up.

NO acknowledgement and worse, no apologies for storming in late

He must not have been more than 28 years old, and although he must have been quite familiar with the couple of people already in the room, I was very sure that not only was I a new entity to him, I was also very sure that despite his God-like complex, he couldn’t be any more senior than my subordinates.

I was rendered speechless.

It was hard to believe what I saw, and I thought regardless of the situation or seniority, some common courtesy and decent business conduct should prevail. In fact, if anything, I thought that such behavior was downright disrespectful.

There was no doubt that some show of power was at play, and while I refused to indulge at such childish behaviour of God-like complex, I can’t help but feel saddened by the unprecedented demeanor  of the younger generation just because they feel they can.

I am all for individuality and standing up for what you believe in, and would even condone a certain amount of over-confidence one displays. I would portray a dead-pan face but I find it hard to give the respect to such individuals when they can’t quite conduct themselves with respect. The world seems to be breeding the kind of future leaders I don’t ever want to associate with, and in my world such arrogance is completely misplaced.

It is exactly incidents with young punks like these that further establish the fact that having a degree and being a know-it-all ain’t everything. One certainly doesn’t have to be rude or disrespectful to get things done. Why must it be necessary to display such behaviour? Where is the humility? When will they GET that respect is earned and not just given?

This wearies me. Or maybe, I am just getting too old for this industry to “get it”.