People who work sitting down get paid more than people who work standing up.
— Ogden Nash, American poet
I keep many things at my work desk. This is because I spend a lot of time in the office.
At one time, I used to have a number of sweaters. I find it is good to keep a variety of them in the office. What colours I wear will depend on my clothes and my mood.
I keep packets of instant noodles too. I have a fertile imagination, the result of reading too many literature books for the English principal subject while I was in Form Six. Back then, we had to study 10 literature books and then sit for three papers based on the books.
Even though it happened nine years ago, I can still recall some of the harrowing stories I read about the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan on March 20, 2011 and how many unfortunate office workers could not go home for days because the railway system was heavily damaged.
Some were left roaming the streets in the snow. That is why I also keep packets of instant noodles in my car. Imagine being stuck on the road and unable to get home. At least, I can survive on the food I keep in the car.
Now, in the office, I notice most of my colleagues keep food in their drawers. They turn to it if they are too lazy to go to the nearest food court. Some of the food is enough to last them for days should there be an emergency.
Because of the long hours they spend in the office, some of my colleagues even have cushions for back support. Indeed, sitting for long hours each day can cause some painful back problems.
Besides food, I keep memorabilia from my travels at my desk.
I am crazy about seashells and have some from Pandan beach, Lundu to remind me of the many happy trips there with my family members.
Some of the seashells are from my last year’s trip to Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. The scallop shells remind me of the seafood I enjoyed at a market in Sydney.
Now, with the world battling the Covid-19 pandemic, a bottle of hand sanitiser is an essential item to keep at my work desk.
My office provides at least two bottles of sanitiser for everyone’s use but I feel it is always handy to have my own.
According to a Huffpost article I read online, the keyboard can be dirtier than a toilet; it carries up to five times more bacteria. So hand sanitiser is a necessity before you touch your face or eyes.
Other office necessities listed by the article include tissues, hot sauce, spare phone charger, a refillable water bottle and a compact umbrella.
Tissues are useful when you sneeze while hot sauce can perk up a boring office dinner.
A spare phone charger is useful for office use or when you are stranded on your way home while you definitely need a water bottle or a cup to hold your drinks.
How many times are you unable to run to your car after work because it is raining cats and dogs? This is why it is useful to have a compact umbrella at your desk.
According to a Harvard Business Review report online, other things you can keep with you at your desk include photographs, a calendar, chewing gum or mouth fresheners.
It says looking at pictures of your family and visits to your dream destinations can brighten up your day anytime in between hectic schedules.
A colourful calendar can remind you of an important appointment or deadline besides brightening your desk while chewing gum or mouth fresheners can do wonders for your self-confidence when meeting your boss or clients.
It has been fun writing this week’s column. Until next week, take care and stay safe.
