You’re worried about something.
Yes, I’m worried about the dog.
What’s wrong with the dog? What’s making you worried?
He hasn’t been groomed for weeks. It keeps getting pushed back because of the Christmas/New Year period. It’s like this every fucking year in Australia. The salon managers have to give me a call and cancel because they don’t have enough staff. Or there’s a super long waiting list for the most popular groomer who happens to be on. It’s impossible to get a dog groomed during Christmas! (I swear, some people are just offering DOUBLE THE CASH or something to get an appointment squeezed in!)
Woah… double the cash…
Yes. It’s that popular. You don’t know what it’s like to own a dog during Christmas.
That I do not…
Anyway, so his appointment has been cancelled, and I don’t feel like re-booking with this salon. I’m thinking of contacting another groomer… a Taiwanese friend suggested this groomer a while ago, but I just hadn’t made the contact. It is another Taiwanese groomer, so I haven’t met them personally, I’ve seen the Instagram — it looks alright… I feel like, now is a good time to give them a try. Just to see. Support a Taiwanese small business.
Why didn’t you switch to them when the friend suggested it?
Because this dog is fussy. He’s temperamental. He’s a SCORPIO. It’s hard to get him to change… Imagine if you had your favourite makeup and hair stylist cancelling on you at the last minute, “Oh, sorry, we’re getting too popular, I need to reschedule.”
LOL… They’re fired.
NO!!!!
Yes! We have exclusive contracts. They’re not going anywhere.
Okay, well, it’s different for us regular folks in these small towns.
(Chuckles)
So I want to give the other Taiwanese small business a chance now.
Yeah. That’s what I’m wondering. Why didn’t you give them a chance initially?
Well, I saw their Instagram…
And?
It was alright…
Just alright? Quantify it.
It was like, maybe… 6.5/10…
And the usual groomer?
8/10
Wow. So you’re downgrading your dog’s grooming service. From an 8/10 to a 6.5/10
No. Not exactly. I’m going to give them a chance. Sometimes, well, not everyone is that good at Instagram. You can’t always believe what’s on it. Maybe, the pictures don’t do it justice. Maybe, when I take him there — their service, the results, I’ll be blown away, like, Oh my god, it’s actually 10/10!
And this “too busy” groomer?
You know what, their Instagram makes them LOOK LIKE they are 10/10, but really, the service sometimes… it can range between 4~6/10, it depends.
4/10??? That’s LOW. Why do you keep paying them?!
Because THIS DOG IS USED TO IT.
It’s a habit.
Yes.
…
(Smiling)
Why are you smiling about this?
I like it when you talk about Taiwan… organically… like I didn’t have to ask. You just mentioned some Taiwanese friend, a Taiwanese groomer…
Why? It’s weird.
It’s not weird. I just never get to learn about Taiwan unless you bring it up yourself.
This isn’t about Taiwan. This is about Taiwanese friends and acquaintances who are living in Australia right now.
Yeah. That’s under the umbrella of the category of “Taiwan” for me!
Okay…
Tell me more about the friend?
No…
Not on the public blog?
Well… it feels…
Unnecessary.
Yes…
Please?
Ugh… she’s a mother now.
Millennial?
Yes.
Did she go to your school?
High school? (Thinking back)… Yes.
Alright. (Nodding)
Does that matter?
No. It seriously doesn’t. I’m just trying to make conversation!!!
Okay. Well, yes. She did go to my school, but she wasn’t in my grade. We didn’t really meet that way.
Oh? How did you meet?
Taiwanese Buddhist community.
Okay, okay… nice friend…?
Yes. Nice friend.
Virgo Sun Pisces Moon 