{"id":11386,"date":"2017-08-04T08:15:10","date_gmt":"2017-08-04T00:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/blog\/singapore\/?p=11386"},"modified":"2022-07-01T04:08:57","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T20:08:57","slug":"5-oddballs-mcst-meetings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/5-oddballs-mcst-meetings\/","title":{"rendered":"5 oddballs you\u2019ll encounter at MCST meetings (and how to deal with them)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Now that you\u2019re a condo owner, you have the privilege of attending <\/span>Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST)<\/span><\/a> Annual General Meetings or MCST Meetings for short. In fact, <\/span>the government has done away with too many proxy votes<\/span><\/a>, to encourage more residents to take part in these meetings to be kept informed about what goes on in the condo. Now you might be wondering: why wouldn\u2019t they take part anyway? Surely everyone has an interest in their own home. Well we\u2019re about to show you five\u00a0reasons why people avoid these events:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    The Law Lecturer<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    On rare occasions, this person may have an actual background in law. But most of the time, this character will spout legal regulations that are more fictional than a 13-year-old\u2019s <\/span>Dungeons & Dragons <\/span><\/i>session.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Want to put in a new playground? The law lecturer immediately jumps in, and says every resident who voted for it will be liable if some kid falls off the slide.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Want to put in a reflexology footpath? \u201cWe\u2019ll get sued for false medical claims\u201d, asserts the law lecturer.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Law<\/p>\n

    Insist that residents leash their dogs? Well, says the law lecturer, you can\u2019t legally enforce such a rule, according to the Canine Liberation Act of 1987, or some such made-up garbage *.<\/span><\/p>\n

    No matter what you try to discuss, the law lecturer will weigh in like they\u2019re a legal expert on that precise topic. And you can be sure almost none of what they spout is correct.<\/span><\/p>\n

    (*<\/span>Once and for all, it IS illegal not to leash dogs.<\/span><\/i> Animal and Birds Act, Chapter 7, Section 59, Paragraph 9<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

    Deal with them at MCST Meetings by:<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Checking if there\u2019s an actual lawyer around. If there is – and you point it out to them – these characters will usually shut up.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Otherwise, widen your eyes and say \u201cwow, lucky you told us that.\u201d And then ignore them and carry on with the discussion; these types just like to be flattered for their superior \u201cknowledge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. \n

      The One Who Knows Your Hidden Motives<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      This character knows nothing is what it seems. Every single person at the meeting is hiding their real motives, and every one of those motives geared towards slimy profiteering.<\/span><\/p>\n

      When the MCST asks if third party car washers should be allowed in, this person immediately asks \u201cWhy? Are you guys getting a commission from the car washers? Is this some kind of car-scrubbing mafia ring?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

      If someone suggests having a flea market, this character knows why: it\u2019s because someone wants a venue to sell illegal DVDs, smuggled in the back of a truck from Malaysia.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \"MCST<\/p>\n

      If someone wants to do a round of collections for the cleaners as a token on special occasions, that person must be planted by said cleaners, and getting a cut of the ang pao money.<\/span><\/p>\n

      As far as this character is concerned, altruism doesn\u2019t exist. Every resident is a greedy, evil, vizier from an Arabian Nights story. Expect them to challenge you for the most bizarre reasons, and to have no agenda except to impede everyone else\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Deal with them\u00a0<\/b>at MCST Meetings <\/b>by:<\/b><\/h4>\n

      Nodding vigorously, and saying \u201cyes, yes, those (insert subject) are all evil, and such plots do exist.\u201d Then congratulate them for their vigilance, and proceed with your suggestion anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Try not to talk to them, or go near them. And <\/span>never let them contact you, <\/span><\/i>lest you\u2019re ready to deal with 50 to 150 messages every day, each one alleging a new conspiracy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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      1. \n

        The Failed Comedian<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        These fellas aren\u2019t so bad, if no serious decisions are being made. They\u2019re more of a time-wasting, cringe-inducing factor than a nefarious force.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Say the MCST brings up the fact that the lifts keep failing. Should they maybe get a new contractor? That\u2019s the point where the failed comedian shouts \u201c<\/span>Maybe we should call Spider-Man for help!<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

        And then doubles over laughing at their own joke. You can up the cringe factor when these types say something unintentionally rude, like \u201c<\/span>It\u2019s because all the residents are too fat, ha ha ha.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

        \"Personality<\/p>\n

        Now it\u2019s hard to pay attention to the meeting, when you\u2019re trying to dislodge the eyeballs that you\u2019ve rolled to the back of your skull. While the failed comedian is mostly harmless, they can become a serious nuisance in situations like:<\/span><\/p>\n