A Tip For The Future.

Non-stop November

Can you believe November is over and now the final month of the year begins! I feel I always start each blog post saying how shook I am it’s the end of the month - like Harry you realised you post at the end of every month!?!? I am so tired, I am using this as my excuse for everything. I just have not been sleeping properly at all despite being so tired. But luckily to bring me back to life this month we have the amazing Qezz as the No1GuestBlogger! She is my partner in crime, but we go to war over this month’s No1UnpopularOpinion. Enjoy xo

Two things to check out;

A really interesting documentary about Grenfell Tower was uploaded to YouTube this month, the third part should be uploaded today. Would 100% recommend. First part here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tFPCUgjbfA&t=2s

This month I performed two spoken word pieces that I wrote at Open Mic, Open Mind. One about feminism and the other about the state of our country. I uploaded a video of my performance on my YouTube channel which you can watch here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PbWZMvxocM&t=24s

November’s No1GuestBlogger - Qezz

Hii I'm Qezia Gill mostly just known as ‘Qezz’. Over many years of people butchering my name (especially ignorant teachers). I'm glad I have stuck with this shortened version of my name for the sake of my dignity and peace. I'm originally from South Asia Pakistan but live in an even more exotic land called Dorset (detect the sarcasm please). I am 19 years old and I'm hoping to go to university next year to study filmmaking! I have always been fascinated by visual arts and moving image and also dabble a lil bit in photography too.

No1 Food: Anything with carbs, shoutout Kirsty Evans’ lasagna

No1 Quote: ‘fuck off Janet I'm not coming to your fucking baby shower’ - Malcom X

What annoys you the most: Ignorance

What would your 15 minutes of fame be for: That A$ap Rocky wants to wife me

No1 Song of All Time: Impossible to answer

No1 Song at the moment/this month/right now: Hmm Favourite song ATM is Pine and Ginger by Amindi (the video is even more pleasing, it's shot in Jamaica and has great visuals, colours and perfectly composed within its genre)

Social Media Usernames: Finally a section where i can shamelessly plug all my social media; IG: ___qezz___, Twitter: @qezzgill, Tumblr- q3zzgill. Lastly Depop - @q3zz please buy my clothes I need $$££

No1 Moment of this Month;

My number one moment of this month is Jaden Smiths debut album ‘SYRE’. He claimed to have worked on this project for 3 years. The album has a wide range of styles; from classic hip hop melodies on track 15 ‘George Jeff’ to modern day ‘Lil Uzi Vert’ rock influenced themes in songs like ‘Watch me’ and ‘Icon’. My favorite song from SYRE has elements of early 2000’s hip hop style which is titled ‘Breakfast’ ft A$ap Rocky. In my opinion this is a 17 track masterpiece and Jaden introduces a young, intelligent ,coming of age theme to modern hip hop.

Black. Excellence. Only.

Something I HAVE to talk about;

Something that I have to discuss is the importance of the REPRESENTATION. The ever so dreaded and sinful word in Hollywood. Now this topic may not resonate with the ‘unwokes’ but shoutout to all that notice when a film doesn't have any POC or any LGBT characters. Growing up, the media i was exposed to lacked representation of colour, sexualities and race. Most television in the late 90s and early 2000’s and some even today favour eurocentric ideas and style; whether it being an all white television cast or an animated cartoon show with no brown or black characters. Younger me probably didn't care for this and carried on watching all whitewashed Disney films and didn't question why none of the characters looked like me. Then ENTER Aladdin. The OG, the almighty, the rule breaking production that introduced me to characters that looked like me. ONLY to find out all the voices and between all the somewhat 10 main characters NONE OF THEM shared identities of eastern heritage or were even people of colour smh. HOWEVER there is some progress as the new 2019 live action Aladdin will star Will Smith as Geenie, Mena Massoud as Aladdin and Naomi Scott as Jasmine (before you come for me and argue that this doesn't sound like an ethnic name; Naomi was born in Uganda and is of Indian origin).

The year is 2017 and I am happy to announce that Harvey Weinstein is exposed, Sadiq Khan - a British Muslim man is the mayor of London, The Obamas are still alive and healthy, Young thug is making music, Australia just approved same sex marriage BUT there is still a huge gap regarding diversity and representation. I want more female directors to make films, more black men to play lead roles, more women of colour to play smart characters rather than just ‘eye candy’, I want Barack to come back and save us from this orange fake tan looking ass rat.

Thanks for reading, back over to Harry!

No1 Unpopular Opinion of the Month

Right. This NO1UO is the reason I decided to add the NO1UO feature to my monthly post. I wanted to save it and not play my best (most unpopular) card first. I then changed my mind on posting it and on the opinion itself. But… I don’t agree with tipping waiters. Now let me be clear I live in the UK, I know it’s a different game in the US and other parts of the world. The first time I felt this opinion was admittedly from jealousy. My bestest friend was a waiter and her hourly rate was more than mine, and on top of that she got tips and at times her tips equalled more than my wage. Yes, I was a bitter bitch on minimum wage. I am not denying how hard it is being a waiter and how much shit you get but why do we not tip other people? All jobs have pros and cons, I’ve worked in retail, office, amusement park, kitchen, box office and dealt with some really nasty customers. I know there is harder jobs out there, it just seems a bit random to me that we only tip waiters. And now being a student it is rare when I go out for a meal, very rare. But if I do I’ve just got about enough to pay for the meal never mind a tip on top. Also I’ve seen some very hard workers in McDonalds and Weatherspoon’s but we never tip them? It all seems a bit random to me. You know what, in an ideal world I would LOVE to tip everyone but it is unrealistic and we are all broke bitches. And I do tip waiters, I am just confused by the idea. But I always say if you haven’t experienced something you shouldn’t judge the situation. So I’m off to be a waiter and put my money where my mouth is.

No1GuestBlogger Qezz’s opinion of my opinion;

RIIIIIGHT. When Harry told me about his unpopular opinion I swear my eye twitched so fast and Karl Marx shook in his grave.

I disagree with every single sentence in his statement. I generally have a lot of respect towards waiters/waitress’ anyway due to their patience, discipline with serving the general public. Their job is to make sure your stay at the restaurant/cafe/pub is enjoyable despite how awful, snobby and difficult a customer is. The least we can do is to tip them and reward their service, I get that we are students and don't work full time jobs but even a 10p coin or an extra pound can be great. DESPITE THIS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND GENEROSITY. I have friends that work in restaurants and have to deal with difficult customers aaaall the time. E.g. people that click to get attention, use inappropriate/sexual language at waitresses, simply rude and dis-obey the restaurant’s policies etc.

Now your argument claims that there are many hardworking people who work at places that don't have the option to tip. My response is that you can “tip” them with being respectful to them and appreciating their service. Money doesn't always have to be the reward for encouragement. Not only does this make the waiter/assistant feel like they are fulfilling their duties, it definitely shows them that you have respect towards their service. For example; Let’s say I'm on a date and the boy I'm with is rude to the waiter or an assistant and makes them feel inferior to him; BEST BELIEVE I'm gonna call him out on it. My immigrant hardworking af parents didn't raise me up to be impolite so there is no chance i can be with someone who shares these traits. Turn off. Unfriended. Deleted. Blocked.

Now lets go back to tipping at restaurants and cafe’s. I will go as far as saying that for some older waiters who come from low income background often rely on their tips to as a source to make enough money for their families. It is completely selfish and ignorant to generalise that all waiters are young and don't deserve tips. So please be compassionate next time you're eating out. Who is to say that even a 20p coin can help someone.

*drops mic*

What did you guys have to say?

Each month I do a twitter poll to see what you guys think, I hashtag with #NO1UO. I knew this would be an unpopular one! And I knew I could rely on Qezz to give a good argument, and wow she did!! And 75% of you agree with her. Join me next month for the final No1 Unpopular Opinion.

No1 Lesson of the Month

Be prepared so you can be kind to your future self. This varies from starting your coursework early so future you doesn't stress and freak out as much, to making sure you've got some treats at home so when it's late and you're tired and cold you don't have to go out, you can just reach for the chosen treat. If ya know me ya know I love me so organisation and I think recently I have been slightly slacking and I've been paying the price. When you get the chance, do something for your future self, believe me they will appreciate it.

Byeeeeee

Thank you for reading! I can announce I will be doing two posts next month! The usually monthly round up post for December but also I will be doing an end of year round up post and will be bring back some special guests. A big thank you to Qezz for being this month’s guest and I will see you next month for even more! But for now remember, be number one, not no one xo

NO1SOTP

Macy Gray - I've Committed Murder

Paloma Faith ft John Legend - I'll Be Gentle

Lady Gaga - Marry The Night

Sugababes - Ugly

Jaden Smith - Ninety

Listen to all the No1 Songs on the 2017 Playlist here