Cocktail Plates

After a day long symposium of seminars, poster sessions, student awards and a keynote address from a retiring scientist, the research institute where I work held a wine and cheese reception . The food was lovely but hard to eat because the organizers did not provide cocktail plates. Instead, we had to place our melon chunks and cheese cubes on a cocktail napkin and eat off of the floppy napkin.

I first noticed the absence of cocktail plates at the institute's Christmas party six months ago. I was trying to eat my wet appetizers off of a paper napkin and apologized to a colleague for being messy. She smiled and explained to me that I need not apologize for my mess. We were all eating off of paper napkins because it was the institute's policy not to provide paper plates so that employees would eat less. She went on to tell me a story of a past employee who snuck away to her desk during the Christmas party, returned with paper plates for herself and a few co-workers and passed them out. She was reprimanded by the party organizers and the plates were taken away.

I thought this story was an amusing Dilbert-esque anecdote, but as I stood there eating spinach dip off a paper napkin I realized that the 'no cocktail plates' policy was entrenched throughout the organization's culture. Despite the fact that there was plenty of food to go around for all the attendees, the 'no cocktail plates' policy suggested a philosophy of famine despite it being a time of abundance. If the organizers had provided plates, the same amount of food would have been consumed. The difference is that everyone would have enjoyed the food and felt sated. Instead, we all stood around feeling frustrated with our soggy napkins.

The organization's famine policies leave the employees with a feeling of deprivation despite the fact that they work in a climate of wealth and abundance. When resources are withheld, everyone feels hungry and cranky. No wonder everyone at work is constantly bickering over resources such as space, equipment, money, etc. When organizations operate under a scarcity philosophy, they are setting the stage for frustration, conflict and stress. I wish the leadership at work operated under an abundance mentality. Everyone would feel like there was plenty of space, money, equipment and would not feel threatened by each other's success.

Anyone else out there witness something similar where they work?

Day Trip

Americans can canoe too.
Originally uploaded by nanodudek

We hit the road early today for a drive out to Harrison Hot Springs, Hick's Lake in British Columbia. We took Jesse for a walk around the Beaver pond, had a picnic and loaded her up into the canoe.

As a racing greyhound, she has spent her entire life in a kennel. The last 9 months with us has been the first time she has experienced 'family life' and a variety of environments and activities. It took some coaxing and treats to get her into the canoe, but she quickly settled down on her blanket and fell asleep as we paddled the perimeter of the lake for two hours. Peaceful and priceless.

$5.63 per gallon

You Yanks who read this blog are getting a great deal on fuel. This week gas costs $5.63 per gallon ($1.465 per liter). Here are some other things I have purchased lately in Canadian Dollars (keep in mind the US dollar and Canadian dollar are almost equal):

• $0.79 for a Mars Bar
• $5.19 for a birthday card
• $7.79 for a 3 cup bag (12 ounces) of shredded Mozzarella cheese
• $0.07 for a jalapeno
  
• $3.99 for a dozen eggs (size medium)
• $5.39 for a pound of butter
• $4.59 for 10 whole wheat tortillas
• $3.59 for a jar of spaghetti sauce
• $9.98 for 375mls (about 12 ounces) of maple syrup
• $10.99 for 1 liter of shampoo (about 34 ounces)

I have accepted the fact that food is costly in Canada due to our climate. Plus, I live in a city by the Pacific, so food travels far to get here. Add on taxes and you find yourself paying $32 for a pizza. Resistance is futile.

How much are you paying for things where you live?