The Assure Financial Group Profiles (part I)

So i've already written about the nature of my co-op placement (my position, responsibilities, etc.) but i haven't said much about the people i work with. So i thought it would be fun to start analyzing them, one by one, because I think some of them are unique interesting characters. Enjoy...

Anthony
As i've said before, he's our so-called "manager". He's really just an insurance agent who recruited us to bring in clients and present public seminars on topics such as Critical Illness and Whole Life insurance. In return, he gives us the basic knowledge of the insurance industry.
He's a University of Waterloo graduate himself who majored in Math/Business. He tells us he spent his university years playing Street Fighter II and barely got by with an average in the low 60s. Funny guy! On top a cabinet beside his desk are all of his trophies won at ping-pong tournaments. I guess he likes to show off.

Karen
Because she is one of the few non-Asians there, i really wonder what she thinks of the workplace. She probably finds us boring but manages to keep a positive attitude about everything. She brings to Assure her friendly personality which Anthony lacks.

Teresa
She's the secretary who would make a lot more at other companies. Unlike Anthony, she's a CBC (Canadian Born Chinese) but for some reason she's into karaoke and Hello Kitty. She spends most of her boring work hours on MSN.

Gladys Wong (known to us as "Mrs. Wong")
She is the big mama of the house! Literally. I think she weighs about 300 pounds, but she thinks overweight people are heathy. So if she gets the idea that we're not eating enough, she nags us! She's Anthony's boss, Karen's boss, Teresa's boss... everybody's boss. (and she's not going to find this webpage!)
Initially, i thought of her as the stereotypical Asian mother; highly ambitious, interested in money, wants her daughter to become a doctor, and thinks very highly of oriental university students. lol But as i got to know her better, i realized she is not exactly so. You see, the Chinese believe that almost everything in this world means bad luck or death, even insurance policies! But Mrs. Wong is realistic. She even told us, "I like the old Chinese stories but i don't believe in them." She is also strong, outspoken and enthusiastic, and NOT weak, passive and shy like many other oriental women.
What i think she's trying to do is change what she doesn't like about traditional Chinese culture, such as the superstitions and the passivity. However, she maintains the positive things about the culture; the ambition, the work-ethic, the food (hahaha!). But really, i respect that about her. She's definitely not Mrs. Joy Luck Club!


An anonymous comment left for me says...

"..it's time you got a real job. Try monster.ca"

Just let me clear up a few things. First off, this is a co-op job and i'm stuck with it until mid-December. Secondly, i'm in school. I don't need a "real job" for another 4 years. I'm also not as bitter and depressed as i appear to be! And despite what i've said, this job is actually a good way for me to make some contacts and get some references so i can make real money in the future!

And lastly, monster.ca simply sucks!