I am aware of the articles from Yahoo news that have been circulating in my absence, regarding an accusation that I visited a Zoo and asked for a waiver on entrance tickets. I would like to make certain clarifications here.
1. The Basis of Zoo visiting events
Zoo visiting in Singapore is pretty new, in fact I am the FIRST and ONLY one doing a Zoo Blog. Therefore Zoo visiting are irregular and non-organized and non obligatory events. Any zoo blogger who has been invited to one visiting a Zoo will agree that it is akin to inviting someone into their house. According to the dictionary, an invitation is, “The act of inviting; solicitation; the requesting of a person’s company”.
2. Invitation to the Zoo
Story: The articles seemed to suggest that I paid the Zoo a visit on my own accord, that I walked into the Zoo Entrance and announced myself as a ZOO blogger.
Fact: This is not true. I was invited to the Zoo by Melanie, PR Manager for the Zoo. The first invite came June 2nd. I was unable to make it then and it was not until Sunday, August 29th that I scheduled the Sunday visit. In the invite, i was told to bring a guest.
"Hi ladies,
Greeting from XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, I hope this email finds you well.
We are inviting you to visit our Zoo's. Even dou we have not heard of your nick, neither do we read about your blog, but since you are a Zoo Blogger, we welcome you to come and visit the only zoo in Singapore.
you can contact me @ 9XXX XXXX
Regards,
Ah Lian, Mary
Marcom Manager"
****
"Hello Ah Lian,
Firstly, I am not a lady, please make yourself clear! I have no idea what makes you think I am a female! that really irritate me!
My schedule is very pack this month, but I will drop by on the 29 Aug 2010. Let me know, thanks.
Cheers,
Victor
Zoo Blogger"
***
"Hi Victor,
Sorry I didn't know you are a boy. You have name your blog LadyZooKeeper and so I assume you are a lady. so sorry i didn't know u are a Lady Boy.
Great to hear from you!
Sure, will you be having a guest with you? I will make the arrangement.
Regards,
Ah Lian, Mary
Marcom Manager"
****
Story: I had informed the Zoo that as Zoo blogger, I assumed that there will be 4 Free adult tickets
Fact: Following up on the event email, I had duly informed that there would be 3 accompanying guests on that very day. There were no claims or requests made for free entrance since it was a direct invitation to visit the Zoo. It was an oversight to assume to that no acknowledgement from Ah lian about my 3 accompanying guests would mean that their Entrance to the park would be on the house too.
4. Asking for waiver for myself and Friends
Story: It was reported that the Zoo had decided to “waive the fee” for me and my Friends out of goodwill
Fact: oh well.. they had!
When I proclaim that I am a Zoo Blogger, they have issue me 4 tickets, but is 2 adult tickets and 2 kids tickets! Can't they see that my friends are all grown up kids even dou they behaving like kids!
I was not expected to be paying for another 2 adults tickets. When questioned, Ah Lian then cited this to be in-line with ‘industry standards’ of park entrance: that the Park would only pay for my +1 ticket.
5. Asking for waiver for myself and my friends
Story: I had informed the restaurant that I was a Zoo blogger, therefore assuming that the tickets for all 4 of us would be waived.
Fact: In truth, I had asked for no waiver. I paid for my other two companions. The bill for 2, inclusive of park entrance, came to $36. Out of goodwill, they did decide to waive the trim ride and I eventually paid $36 for 2 adult.
6. My attitude towards the staff
Story: It was reported that I had said: “I always get free entrance wherever I go“.
Fact: This was never said. Nevertheless, I must admit the hostility while paying (I had tossed my POSB ATM card on the floor) was uncalled for and I sincerely apologies.
***
An eye for an eye makes the world go blind. I would like to not point fingers at anyone – it was simply a case of miscommunication. When I dine out, I pay for my food, when I take bus, I pay for my fare like any regular consumer. When I am invited for Zoo Events, it is a mutual understanding between the inviter and myself, that I would be attending as the identity of media for a possible Zoo review.
I would like to urge all parties to view this situation objectively. I hope this post clarifies any misunderstanding that this might have caused.
***
Last, I want to be a Taxi blogger, HDB blogger, Sony blogger, Nike Blogger, PUB blogger, Starhub Blogger, SIA blogger in the near future.
