Page 23 - MASALA LITE ISSUE 83 | AUGUST 2017

ETIQUETTE

MRS
CHAUHAN

THE BALANCING ACT

Dear Mrs Chauhan,
I have been married for almost six months now, and I am finding it extremely
difficult to balance my professional work with my personal life. Prior to the
wedding, I decided not to quit my full-time job as a marketing manager.
However, getting back to my routine afterwards was a challenge. I work nine
hours a day and then I come home to more work! I have to prepare dinner and
spend time with everyone for a few hours. When I retreat to my room, it is
already 10 or 11pm. I am so exhausted! Should I quit my job?
Dear The Balancing Act,
Kudos on not giving up on your career! Many women
prior to getting married tend to pause their career until
they’ve settled in. Nothing wrong with that of course,
but you have managed to pull through for six months
now. So, don’t give up so easily! The settling in period is
always the most diffi cult, and once you’ve found your
equilibrium things will get much easier. When you’re
tired, why not go to your room a little earlier then
10pm? Or let your husband help prepare dinner? Or
even order takeout on days you don’t feel like cooking?
Don’t be afraid to take short-cuts when needed.

THE PRESSURE IS REAL
Dear Mrs Chauhan,
I recently moved to Bangkok from Singapore, after tying the knot with my beau of
fi ve years. In contrast to Singapore, there is so much pressure for newlyweds here Showroom Now Open!
to dress up for parties. When I don’t wear my jewellery to a sangeet, an aunty will
always taunt me on ‘why my neck is bare?’ I am not so into my appearance. I don’t
enjoy putting on tonnes of makeup and I don’t always think about what I am CW Tower 90, Rachada Road,
going to wear to an occasion weeks in advance. But everyone here is so obsessed
with getting ready for a function — many even go as far as to hire professional Huaikhwang, Bangkok 10310
hair and makeup artists. I don’t want to be caught in this rat race, but I am sick of
hearing about my lack of eff ort. It makes me feel self conscious.

Dear The Pressure is Real,
Don’t let the pressure get to you! If
you want to dress up, go for it, and
if you don’t, don’t let other people
force you to. Confi dence comes with
being comfortable with who you are,
not just your appearance. So let that
shine through, rather than your makeup
and jewellery. And try not to let other
people’s comments aff ect you so much; after
all, they are just words. As long as you and your husband
are happy, nothing else matters, especially for newlyweds.

Unique and Impressive
SWITCHED OFF

Dear Mrs Chauhan, Cooking and Serving Equipment
My dad won’t buy me the latest Nintendo Switch, and I don’t know why! He
won’t even allow me to get a part-time job after school to earn the extra pocket Impress your guests by choosing Chefzone’s
money I need to buy one myself. All my friends have it, and the fact that I don’t
makes me feel really left out. What do I do? range of food presentaaon equipment.
Dear Switched Off ,
If your parents are refusing to answer
the ‘why not’ question, know that Chafing Dishes Fruit Bowls
it is because they expect you to
reflect, find out the answer yourself Passaround Plaaers and Bowls
and then come back to talk to them
about it. Just a hunch, but perhaps your Copperware Leather Items
dad feels you’re slacking in other areas of your life
and wants you to achieve some sort of balance. Spending Buffet Display Stands ...and more
the majority of your time in front of a screen already?
Not getting enough exercise? Grades? Try to figure out the
exact reason why he won’t buy you one. It’s difficult finding
the right lever without knowing. Email: info@chefzone.asia
Mobile (Eng) 081 100 8011
Mobile (Th) 062 316 9669
www.chefzone.asia
Have an etiquette question? Send your dilemmas to
info@masalathai.com. Write “Mrs Chauhan” in the subject line.
ALL- A C CESS INT O B ANGK OK ’ S C ONTEMP OR AR Y INDIAN LIFEST YLE