THIS SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB GETS OUR VOTE

SeniorsAloud members get together for a game of Maths Magic at Penchala Hills, one of our favorite venues

For retirees, the golden years are great for making new friends. They now have the time and leisure to take up activities they are interested in, be it sports, gardening, travel, cooking, painting, photography, music, dance, qigong or board games.

With more seniors owning smart phones, getting connected has never been easier. So there really is no reason why anyone should complain about the difficulty in finding new friends and new activities to keep them happily occupied.

SeniorsAloud frequently receives emails from Gen Xers asking if we could recommend clubs that their parents could join. They would like to see their parents go out a bit more, and enjoy social activities with new friends.

This is our response to such requests: If your parents are happy being at home, pottering around the house, looking after the grandchildren and spending time with family members and close friends, let them be. They are enjoying their golden years their own way. A busy active life may not be every retiree's cup of tea. What is important is they remain active and engaged whether at home or outside the home.

But if your parents feel lonely and depressed, then it is good to get them involved in social or community activities where they get to connect with people who share the same interests.

Here is one Senior Citizens Club that we are delighted to recommend.

HAPPY SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION (HSCA)
Balai Raya, Jalan 17/1A, PJ

HSCA has been around for ages, since 1988. While most senior citizens club complain about barely meeting the quorum at their AGM, this is certainly not the case with HSCA. Its popularity stems from the variety of activities it organizes and the dedication of its exco members led by the club president Dr Cheong Weng Hoon, 88. The exco has been returned time and time again because the members are pleased with the excellent job it is doing. The activities are similar to those organized by other senior citizens clubs, but the difference lies in the strong camaraderie among the members who are English-speaking and come from a variety of background, race and religion.

Here are some photos of HSCA's activities taken over the years:

A recent outing to Putrajaya to catch the Fantasy Rainforest show. Group photo taken with the performers.

The men of HSCA are ever so sporting. Here is the winning team in the Dressing Santa contest at last year's Christmas party.

Queuing at the food truck for their lunch pack after a club event.

Listening to a health talk on hair loss at the Balai Raya.

Club members love to dance. The weekly dance classes are very popular. They are conducted by excellent instructors like Nelly Tsen, Lindsay Leong, Y.S. Lee and Jan Ghani who is also the club secretary and line dance instructor.

The lovely ladies of HSCA in their elegant baju kebaya at the 25th anniversary dinner.

Some of the HSCA men enjoying a chat over drinks outside the Balai Raya.

Every year at the annual dinner, the club honours members aged 80 and above. The line-up keeps getting longer each year - a clear indication that HSCA members know how to stay fit and healthy. The oldest members are over 90!

HSCA regularly organizes outings as well as overseas trips. The above images were taken during their trip to the Old Silk Route. 

I joined HSCA in 2008, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that my former neighbour and university mate is also a member. We make it a point to take a photo together every year to show my younger daughter how her former History teacher is doing.

If you are looking to join a senior citizens' club, be selective in your choice. Find one that is active and growing in terms of membership, The charges should be reasonable. HSCA charges RM40 a month for classes. For more info about membership fees, contact Jan Ghani at 012-327 0115.

The Balai Raya in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, is nothing to shout about. The facilities are basic and minimal. Parking is free but limited. Still the members remain with the club because of the strong bond of friendship built over the years, and also because they have grown accustomed to the neighbourhood.

The Jai Ho line dance above was performed at SeniorsAloud's 'Golden Memories' dinner in 2015. The line dance ladies of HSCA have been delighting guests at our dinners since 2014.

AGE IS NO BARRIER IN BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

When was the last time you approached any of your adult children with a question regarding your smartphone, tablet or computer? And what was their usual response? "Sorry, mom, dad. No time. I have work deadlines to meet."

So you turn to your grandchildren. After all, they grew up in the internet age and are wiz kids when it comes to electronic devices. They are happy to teach you. Unfortunately their enthusiasm and patience don't last long enough for you to grasp their explanation. After a few minutes, they run off to play or do their own thing.

It's true - family members often make the worst teachers and also the most difficult students, whether it's about learning to drive, play a musical instrument or use multi-media.

So you can imagine how excited we were when Dr Teh Pei Lee agreed to collaborate with SeniorsAloud to organize a workshop on smartphone usage specially for our members. Dr Teh is Associate Prof from the Dept of Management, School of Business at Monash University Malaysia. She is also Head of the Gerontechnology Lab, as well as Chair for IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society (TEMS) Malaysia Chapter which would be sponsoring the workshop.The facilitators for the workshop would be her students from the School of Business.

The workshop would be the first inter-generational event for SeniorsAloud. And who better to teach our members about smartphones than a team of young students who are also research assistants at the Gerontechnology Lab that we would be visiting after the workshop.

Early birds at the registration counter getting their goody bags and workshop manuals from facilitator Venise Lam Chi Ying and Chong Kaixiang.

Dr Teh Pei Lee welcoming the participants

Presenting certificates of appreciation to facilitators Chong Kaixiang and Yip Wai Luen, and a memento to Dr Teh

The workshop took place last Sat 23 April, 2016 at Monash University Malaysia, School of Business. A total of 60 SeniorsAloud members had registered for the free workshop. Everyone was given a goody bag of door gifts as well workshop manuals.

The event turned out to be of mutual learning benefit to both generations. The student facilitators discovered that teaching seniors was more challenging than they had initially thought. The manuals had to be printed in large font size, with easy-to-understand instructions.

Brought up in the analog age, the seniors had plenty of questions to ask. Some had problems following the explanations. But Jeffery Yeow Teh Thiry, Jonathan Shakesh Kee, Venise Lam Chi Ying, Chong Kaixiang and Yip Wai Luen rose to the challenge. They proved to be excellent facilitators handling the participants' numerous questions with lots of patience and tact.

(Left) The facilitators for IOS iPhone users: Jonathan Shakesh Kee and Yip Wai Luen; 
(Right) The facilitators for Android users: Chong Kaixiang and Jeffery Yeow Teh Thiry.

Both IOS and Android sessions ran concurrently. It was interesting to note that Android users outnumbered iPhone users 3 to 1.

Participants were separated into two groups, one for iPhone users, the other for Androids. They were shown step by step how to perform basic tasks on their smartphones. Each was given a manual covering topics such as:

• how to edit settings
• how to use the phone camera 
• how to edit photos
• how to set up chat groups 
• how to share images and videos
• how to download and install applications
• how to access websites 
• how to use search engines 
• how to create Facebook accounts

Listening attentively to the facilitators, and following the instructions in the manual

Those who were already familiar with the above tasks took the opportunity to build on their existing knowledge of smartphone usage. The facilitators were there to guide them and answer their questions.

After the smartphone workshop session was over, participants enjoyed a tea break before making their way to the Gerontechnology Lab, the first and only one in Malaysia to date. For SeniorsAloud members, it was certainly an honour and a privilege to be the first group of senior citizens to visit the lab.

Visit to the Gerontechnology Lab

The Gerontechnology Lab was launched on February 18 to conduct research into developing technology that would help the elderly remain independent in their home. It is a collaborative effort between the schools of Business, IT, Health Sciences, Medicine, Arts, Social Sciences and Engineering, and jointly funded by Khind Starfish Foundation, Monash University Malaysia and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).

Final year Business and Psychology student Jeffrey Yeow Teh Thiry briefing participants in the lab.

Jeffery demonstrating the appliances on display at the stations. PhD student Tang Tiong Yew explaining his project - the emotionally intelligent robot.

The Age Simulation Suit that enables the wearer to experience what it feels like to be an old person. The Emotionally Intelligent Robot is designed to interact with the elderly living on their own.

A close-up of some of the assistive devices at the kitchen station and a customized walking stick that gives the elderly a firmer grip and better balance when walking.

Dr Teh speaking with one of the participants. On the table are the various components of the smartphone home system that the research team is currently working on. 

Group photo to commemorate the success of the first inter-generational collaboration between SeniorsAloud and Monash University Malaysia Gerontechnology Lab 

The organizing team comprising team members from SeniorsAloud, and research assistants from the Gerontechnology Lab. (Not in the photo: Jonathan Shakesh Kee from the research team)

Footnote:
The Gerontechnology Lab research team led by Associate Prof Dr Teh Pei Lee is currently conducting a multi-discipline study on developing a smartphone home system for the elderly. They are inviting volunteers aged 50 and above to participate in a questionnaire and interview session. The session will take about 40 minutes and will be held on weekdays at Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) at 6, Lorong 11/8E, PJ. As a token of appreciation, each volunteer will receive a AEON voucher worth RM10.

If you would like to volunteer for this meaningful research study, please contact Jenny at 016-608 2513 or 03-7931 5850 to arrange for a suitable date and time.

NOT DIVORCED BUT GRADUATING FROM MARRIAGE

Shojiro Shindo and his wife Kimiko on
a trip to Nagasaki Prefecture in 2013

I learned a new word today - 'sotsukon'. It's a Japanese word that means 'graduation from marriage'. (Read the interview with Shojiro, 71. He and his wife Kimiko, 69, are happy with their 'sotsukon'. The Japan News)

When the children have grown and flown the family nest, longtime married couples go through a period of re-adjustment. It's make-or-break time for the relationship. The marriage either strengthens as the couple have more time for each other, or crumble as they constantly bicker and get on each other's nerves.

Blessed are couples that have remained loving, caring and committed to their marriage vows. Unfortunately, marital break-ups among older couples seem to be the norm these days. In the US, more than half of all gray divorces are to couples in first marriages. Indeed, 55 percent of gray divorces are between couples who’d been married for more than 20 years. (Washington Post)

Gray divorce on the rise in S.Korea

Gray divorces are on the rise, even in Asia. And it's usually the women who initiate the divorce. (AARP). As late as the 1980s, it was unthinkable for a woman to seek a divorce. How would she support herself? Besides, a divorce meant telling the world that her marriage was a failure. That would be such a loss of face.

Today, Asian women are no longer afraid to seek a divorce as they are able to fend for themselves financially. Society has also become more accepting of divorce.

For those who do not want to go through a messy and often expensive divorce, there is 'sotsukon'. This is not the same as 'estranged' which implies the couple living separately on unfriendly terms. In 'sotsukon', the couple lead separate lives but remain in touch, and still enjoy activities together.

'Sotsukon' is gaining popularity in Japan, and why not. It's the perfect compromise for couples who still have some affection for each other, but want to have the freedom to pursue their own interests and lifestyle.

Expect 'sotsukon' to catch on too in Malaysia and Singapore.

OLDER WORKERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Who can afford to retire these days? With the high cost of living, the slowdown in the economy and the depreciation of the ringgit, our retirement savings will be depleted long before we are gone. It's time for a Plan B, C or D to supplement our retirement funds. It's either back to work, start a small business or invest a portion of our savings.

If you have no head for business or investment, the best option, arguably, is to get a job. However this is easier said than done. Jobs that are suitable for older workers are limited. But a bigger challenge facing retirees planning to return to full or part time employment is age discrimination. With multinational corporations, SMEs and retail businesses laying off staff in the hundreds and thousands, retirees have better luck striking a 4-D lottery than getting re-employed.

Freddie Yap

That is why Mayflower Tours deserves two thumbs up for giving two of its employees, Ivan Ho Eng Kiang, 67, and Mohd Shapiei bin Zakaria, 68, the opportunity to continue working with the company. Both had already reached retirement age.

Says Freddie Yap, Head of Coach Operations with Mayflower, "The Gardens Mall had approached us to provide a shuttle service from Mont Kiara to The Gardens Mall, including a conductor and a driver. We immediately thought of Ivan and Shapiei. Both men had just the right qualifications and qualities for the job.

Ivan, a former tour guide, knew exactly what the job entailed. As for Shapiei, his vast experience as a former driver with a tour and travel company made him an obvious shoo-in for the job."

Billy Pih

Fortunately for Ivan and Shapiei, The Gardens Mall had no issue with having two senior citizens running the shuttle bus service.

"To us, what matters most is excellent customer service and good work ethics," explains Billy Pih, The Gardens Mall Customer Service Manager. "As the passengers are mostly expats and locals residing in Mont Kiara, we needed someone who could speak good English, is familar with the needs and expectations of the passengers, and upholds professionalism in his work. Ivan fits the bill. The same with Shapiei. It would be hard to find a more reliable, responsible and patient driver than Shapiei. He is very careful on the road. The safety of the passengers is paramount to him.

What do both Ivan and Shapiei have to say about their work?

Ivan Ho

Both men take their job responsibilities seriously. "I enjoy my work. I would be bored stiff doing nothing, just sitting around at home," says Shapiei.

"Me too," chips in Ivan. "My children have no objections to my returning to work. In fact, they say it's good for me. Keeps me physically and mentally active. And self-supporting too."

As part of his daily work routine, Ivan welcomes the passengers on board, reminds them of the schedule for the day and even throws in suggestions on what activities they can enjoy while at The Gardens Mall and MidValley City. No other shuttle service provides a conductor quite like Ivan.

Shapiei, on the other hand, prefers to focus on his driving. Soft-spoken and mild-mannered, he is a direct contrast to Ivan, but together they make a great team.

Now eight years down the road, Shapiei still enjoys driving the shuttle, and Ivan still relishes taking good care of everyone on the shuttle. He finds seats for the elderly, helps young mothers with their strollers, and others with their shopping bags. Mont Kiara residents who use the service have nothing but high praise for both men.

Mohd Shapiei Zakaria

Retired school administrator, Chan Ng Moi, has been taking the shuttle for the past three years. "The service is excellent. The bus is clean and comfortable. Ivan is friendly and courteous. He connects well with the passengers. As for Encik Shapiei, I feel safe knowing he is behind the wheel. He is such a cautious driver. I have never seen him speed or lose his temper. This is very important as there are elderly people and children taking the shuttle daily."

Indonesian expat, Lovi, echoes the same sentiment. She uses the service regularly with her husband. "It's so convenient. This morning we took the 10.00am shuttle, did our grocery shopping at the supermarket in The Gardens Mall, and returned to Mont Kiara on the 11.35am shuttle. We are able to plan our shopping trips according to the schedule because we know the shuttle is always on time."

When pressed about the company's hiring policy, Pih has this to say: " We don't discriminate on age. As long as the candidate possesses the right work experience, is in good health and willing to work hard, we will recruit him. The right person for the job must also be well-groomed."

Adds Yap, "Having the right attitude is equally important. Older workers must be willing to learn, adapt to change and accept instructions from younger management staff."

Orderly queuing to board the shuttle at The Gardens Mall. 

To sum up,  here's the take-home message from my interview with the four gentlemen. Seniors who are contemplating rejoining the work force should take note of these tips. They will stand you in good stead the next time you apply for a job.

• be flexible
• learn to keep up with technology
• upgrade your skills
• stay relevant to the changing times
• respect your bosses regardless of their age
• uphold work ethics
• don't make unreasonable demands
• be a team member

Footnote:
Other shopping malls in the Klang Valley also provide shuttle bus services. But The Gardens Mall shuttle service stands out in terms of safety, reliability and customer satisfaction. It deserves a 5-star rating. I should know as I use the service regularly.

For those new to the service, here's some info regarding The Gardens Mall shuttle service.  It is complimentary. The route covers Mont Kiara, The Gardens Mall at MidValley City and KLSentral, with three trips a day, 365 days a year. Pick-up and drop-off point is next to Jeeves Dry-Cleaners in the Isetan wing of The Gardens Mall.

(Article by Lily Fu)

TIME TO TIGHTEN OUR BELTS

Crunch time is back again, no thanks to the imposition of a hefty 6% GST and the weak ringgit. With the downturn in the economy, and workers being retrenched in the hundreds and thousands, we need to take a serious look at how to stretch our ringgit.

That's right, folks. It's time to tighten our belts a notch or two. How can we do it without feeling the pinch too much? Is it possible to still enjoy life without sacrificing too much of our creature comforts?

ABSOLUTELY! Here are 10 suggestions:

1. Give luxuries and branded items a miss at least for now
What can we give up without feeling too much pain? Definitely luxuries and branded items. Ladies, do you really need that RM3000 LV bag? Won't a RM150 bag do just as well? Guys, this isn't the time to buy that RM5,000 Tag Heuer watch. Wait till your bank account improves. In the meantime, stick with your current watch which still does a good job of telling time.

2. Do you really need all those expensive health supplements?
Take a good look at your health supplements. Do you really need that many? Seniors spend hundreds of ringgit a month on multi-vitamins, health juices and tonics. We should consider alternatives for maintaining good health like exercise, proper eating habits, adequate sleep and a positive mental attitude, all of which are free. Keep supplements to a minimum, and only those that work for you.

3. Downsize, downsize, downsize
We can't repeat this often enough. If it's just you and your spouse, sell the family-size house and move to a smaller one. Less time and energy spent too on maintaining the place. Consider renting a smaller place if you want to keep the house, and get a tenant for the family home. As for the family car, the sooner you sell off the fuel-guzzling monster for a compact, fuel-saving and reliable Myvi, the better off you will be in terms of savings.

4. No shame in hand-me downs
This applies more to electronic devices like computers, smart phones, and cameras. If your adult children are in the habit of upgrading their electronic devices each time the latest model is on the market, let them know you'll be happy to be the new owner of their discards. We know of retirees whose homes are equipped with second-hand items like TVs, karaoke systems, refrigerators and washing machines all handed down from their children, and all still in pristine working condition.

5. Consider cheaper options
Eat at home, or at food courts when out in the city. We can give ourselves a treat at a nice restaurant every other week. Going for a vacation? Book with budget airlines, and stay at no-frills budget hotels. The difference between a 3-star hotel and a 4-star one is just one star, but it could mean a saving of a few thousand ringgit for an extended stay. Take public transport and leave the car for places not served by trains or buses, or for when you need to get somewhere in a hurry. You will be surprised how much you can save on fuel.

6. Ask for senior discounts
Nothing to be ashamed of in asking about senior discounts. Many restaurants, cinemas, and retail outlets do offer special rates for seniors aged 60 and above. Apply for a warga emas RapidKL card to get 50% off on train and bus services. Better still, make use of the free Go-KL and PJ City shuttle bus services. If you shop regularly at certain establishments, get a member's privilege card to enjoy discounts or special rates.

7. Less is more
So true when it comes to food, clothes, credit cards, indeed, almost everything. Over-eating can lead to obesity and ill health, over-buying can lead to clutter and hoarding, and over-possession of credit cards can lead to debt and financial ruin. One credit card should suffice to cover your purchases. The same goes for trips abroad - set a limit that is within your means. By the way, ladies, less is also more when it comes to wearing make-up, perfume or jewellery. To look younger, wearing a smile is more effective than getting a face-lift. So much cheaper too.

8. Look out for sales and bargains
Patience is a money-saver when it comes to shopping. You can get fantastic bargains on books at the Big Bad Wolf sale or the annual Popular Bookfest. Shop for clothes when departmental stores are having massive discounts. Shop at discount stores like Mr DIY or convenience stores like 99-Speedmart where prices are kept low and affordable. As for groceries, opt for wet markets, night markets and hypermarkets.

9. Don't try and keep up with the Datuks and Tan Sris
If you don't have a healthy bank balance, you should refrain from living a lavish lifestyle just to keep up appearances. You don't have to celebrate your birthday in grand style if you can't afford it. And you don't need to throw a lavish dinner for your daughter's wedding if it puts you in the red. In short, don't be a kiasu.

10. Count the costs and check your budget
You won't go wrong if you adopt a practical and sensible approach towards managing your finances. Spend only when necessary, and do the math before you part with your money. Go for value. Ask yourself if you can afford it, if you really need it, and if there's a cheaper option that's almost as good as the one you have in mind.

Better to be called a cheapskate than to be declared a bankrupt. Better to sleep soundly with peace of mind, than to be hounded by creditors and re-possessors, or worse by Ah Longs.

Unless you have investments that pay generous dividends, unless you have a business that generates high revenue, unless you have a job that comes with a handsome salary, the best way to ensure your savings will see you through your retirement years is to LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE.

Warren Buffet, one of the wealthiest men in the world, has the last word on why we must learn to spend wisely:

GONG XI FA CAI - HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

HOW TO AVOID WHATSAPP CHAT GROUP FATIGUE

WhatsApp chat groups are getting increasingly popular with seniors. It's super easy to start a chat group, and it definitely saves the hassle of communicating with people individually on common topics. But on the downside, being in one too many WhatsApp groups can be time-wasting and a source of annoyance too.

To ensure all participants derive maximum benefit from WhatsApp groups, here are some basic etiquette to observe.

DO's and DONT's

For the group administrator:

#1. Choose an appropriate name for the chat group. 
      Put some thought into it. The same applies to selecting the group image. A ukulele chat group, for example, is meant for posts relating to ukulele, and not for discussion on the latest cancer cure or other topics. A Memory Lane chat group is obviously to share content relating to the good old days, and not to post current political news.

#2. Always ask for permission before adding someone.
      Don't assume that your friends have no objection to being included. They may already be in dozens of chat groups, and certainly won't welcome being added to another one without their consent. I was once added to a Lion Dance chat group without prior notice. I wouldn't mind a Line Dance chat group as I enjoy line dancing, but LION dance?!

#3. Add only people that you know.
      Strangers are ok if they share common interests with the group. For example, for a dementia caregivers' chat group, it is alright to add bona fide caregivers even though you may not know them personally.

Limit the size of your chat group to keep it manageable.

#4. Keep the group small
      Limit the size to 30 participants. The bigger the number, the tougher it is to manage the group. You may have more problems to deal with, and more alerts interrupting your day too.

#5. Set the rules from the start. 
      State what content is encouraged or disallowed. Make it clear that anyone who continues to post insensitive or irrelevant content despite being warned, will be removed or blocked from the group.

#6. Delete the chat group.
      Once the sole purpose of setting up the chat group is achieved, inform the participants you will be deleting the group. If they want it to remain, you can decide whether to carry on, or exit and let someone else take over as administrator.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For chat group participants:

#1. Participate. Contribute. 
      Don't be a silent, passive observer. Get involved in the chat or discussion. Your views matter. And if the administrator calls for feedback on something, or poses a question, participants should respond. Otherwise, why remain in the group?

#2. Don't spam. 
      Don't flood the group with advertisements and sales pitch. Don't ask others to forward a link, or share your post with 12 others. Leave it to them to decide.

#3. Limit your images and videos.
      Think twice before you share 20 photos of your company's annual dinner or 100 images of your recent trip to Hawaii. One or two should be enough. More is an overdose and a big turn-off. Remember, all images and videos posted on WhatsApp are automatically stored in your phone gallery or album. They take up enormous storage space. You have to manually delete them to free up space, or change your WhatsApp settings to manually select what you want to save. The best place to post lots of photos and videos is on your own Facebook page.

Always check for credibility of the news item before you post it on your WhatsApp chat groups. Make sure you also read the article first before you share it with others. 

#4. Always verify your source of info.
      This applies in particular to news items, health remedies and medical claims that you post in the chat group. When an unverified post goes viral, it may cause undue fear or damage. Be known as a source of reliable info than a dispenser of false news.

#5. Agree to disagree. 
      There's no need to get heated up if others don't agree with your views. You will only upset others if you start calling them names or making sarcastic remarks. For all you know, others may have complained about you to the group administrator.

#6. Be sensitive.
      This applies to groups with participants from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. Be mindful that what you think is funny may be offensive to others. Show respect and consideration for others in your choice of postings, whether in words, images or videos. Repeated offenders may face the ignominy of being removed by the group administrator.

#7. Post at decent hours.
      No one wants to be constantly disturbed by chat alerts. It can be so annoying, especially if the alerts come in the wee hours of the morning. Not everyone can turn off their phone or put it in silent mode when they sleep, as they may have to be on the alert for emergency calls.

#8. Avoid one-to-one chats. 
      This is a GROUP chat, not a one-to-one exchange. Others may not be interested in your personal conversation or discussion. Take it elsewhere where you have more privacy.

The intention may be good and sincere, but after seeing similar images posted on all your chat groups every day, you start getting that feeling of surfeit.

#9. Limit 'Good Morning' images to one a day.
      Preferably the group administrator should do this on behalf of the group. Otherwise there will be a deluge of posts all wishing everyone 'Good Morning'! The same goes for inspirational images. Keep them to a daily minimum, unless your group's main objective is to inspire or support one another.

#10. Abide by the rules of etiquette.
      This is important if everyone is to benefit from being in the group. If any participant finds the rules ridiculous or stifling, he can always choose to exit the group voluntarily.

There is always the option to exit a group if you are not happy with it, and join another group that may appeal to you more.

NOTE: Before readers give a thumbs down to the above DOs and DONTs, note they are meant for professional, academic and/or official WhatsApp groups. For informal chat groups of family members, relatives and friends, anything goes. No rules apply, as the main objective is to keep in touch, share and have FUN! 

(Article by Lily Fu)