Monday, May 22, 2006
Ode to Danny
My friend and immediate boss, Danny, is leaving...we started work in this hotel the same day, and from day one he has been my buddy, my mentor and my partner in crime...We've been through so much together as colleagues, and although he's a year younger than me, I always looked up to him as if he's way my senior. And sometimes I even refer to him as 'abang', or big brother, in Malay.
Although I was hired as a Concierge about 5 years ago, then, fresh out of school, I have to admit I knew nothing about the world of Concierging then, except for the movie - "The Concierge" or as it is also known as "For the Love of Money", starring Michael J Fox as the awesome ever resourceful, money-making Concierge and Gabriel Anwar as his love interest. I would safely say that it was my dear pal, Danny, who introduced me and coached me to be what I am today. To me, he is the real life version of "Doug" which was the character played by Mr Fox in that classic movie. With all his networkings and connections, he could almost get you anything you requested. There was once he even managed to get a visa done for a guest even though he didn't have the guest's passport photo. He used a cut-out photo from a programme book in which the guest was a guest speaker for that particular event.
Although he is very well connected and known by many in the Concierge world, including tour and taxi operators, restaurateurs and other hoteliers, he is never selfish with his knowledge and friends. He shares his knowledge, network friends and even foes with all his colleagues. He even taught me all the tricks (both dirty and clean) relating to the Concierge world, and how to make it in this dog-eat-dog business.
So, Danny, to you my friend, I wish you all the best. And thank you for the invaluable friendship that we have. Without you, I wouldn't be where I'll be today.
May our paths cross again in the future.
Danny, YOU DA MAN!!!
Although I was hired as a Concierge about 5 years ago, then, fresh out of school, I have to admit I knew nothing about the world of Concierging then, except for the movie - "The Concierge" or as it is also known as "For the Love of Money", starring Michael J Fox as the awesome ever resourceful, money-making Concierge and Gabriel Anwar as his love interest. I would safely say that it was my dear pal, Danny, who introduced me and coached me to be what I am today. To me, he is the real life version of "Doug" which was the character played by Mr Fox in that classic movie. With all his networkings and connections, he could almost get you anything you requested. There was once he even managed to get a visa done for a guest even though he didn't have the guest's passport photo. He used a cut-out photo from a programme book in which the guest was a guest speaker for that particular event.
Although he is very well connected and known by many in the Concierge world, including tour and taxi operators, restaurateurs and other hoteliers, he is never selfish with his knowledge and friends. He shares his knowledge, network friends and even foes with all his colleagues. He even taught me all the tricks (both dirty and clean) relating to the Concierge world, and how to make it in this dog-eat-dog business.
So, Danny, to you my friend, I wish you all the best. And thank you for the invaluable friendship that we have. Without you, I wouldn't be where I'll be today.
May our paths cross again in the future.
Danny, YOU DA MAN!!!
# posted by sharezal @ 4:35 PM 
