Stacey & J Sbu East Coast Radio - Catch Up

Stacey and J Sbu asked KZN to complete the sentence "It's petty, but I did it..." and they did not shy away from the drama! We're also curious, are you surrounded by petty people? Or are you perhaps the petty person?

What is pettiness?
Health News defines a petty person as someone who takes small issues or conflicts on in a vindictive or spiteful way. Pettiness can be seen in the way a person finds faults, criticises or holds on to minor or inconsequential affairs.

If you have a strong relationship with someone, this can be hindered by petty behaviour.

Coping with petty behaviour from others in your personal life may prove challenging, but dealing with the same actions in a work setting is far worse! Petty behaviour has an array of negative effects including diminished productivity and an overall negative impact on your well-being.

We’ve searched the web to find some tried and tested methods to cope with pettiness in the workplace to ensure you’re not hindering your productivity. Take a look:

Address the petty behaviour
Convene states that managers who fail to acknowledge or intervene when pettiness occurs tend to lose the respect of their employees while employees lose confidence in their leadership.

It’s important to nip these issues in the bud before they get completely out of hand. If your coworker makes a comment about something that has taken you a while to get to, ensure you respond in a diplomatic manner and explain that you have other work responsibilities that take precedence.

Take it with a pinch of salt
Pettiness stems from a lack of self-awareness, among other things. It’s essential to regulate your own emotions and handle disturbances in an amicable manner. Don’t allow yourself to dwell in the negativity of petty criticisms and comments.

According to Medium, petty people express a lot of emotions over small matters in a way that hides their feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.
Get in touch with management
South Africa has laws in place to assist employees who are working in toxic environments. The South African Legislation on Harassment in the Workplace has been in effect since 18 May 2022 and has a number of ways to describe harassment.

According to Resource Recruitment, the legislation also outlines the proper channels for reporting said incidents to ensure that employees have structures and ways to protect themselves without fearing for their jobs.

Step back in time with Stacey and J Sbu as they dive into the nostalgia of yesteryear on today's podcast episode: 'How Old School Are You?'

From listening to vinyl to reminiscing about music that defined an era, join the conversation as they explore just how 'old school' you really are.

Tune in for a trip down memory lane and a dose of retro fun with your favourite duo!

Hold onto your hats, lovebirds, we have a juicy confession from a listener named Amelia.

Here's the deal: Amelia's been with her boyfriend for a blissful two years, but their path to happily ever after seems to have hit a major detour. Brace yourselves, because Amelia's boyfriend is refusing to propose... until she pays off her debt!

The Confession

"Hi Stacey and J Sbu, it's Amelia. My boyfriend of two years told me that he wouldn't propose to me until I paid off my debt. I had acquired medical bills and a few credit card debts before we met. I'm R260,000 in debt as we speak. It has me thinking, is he using my debt as an excuse not to purpose."

This is a situation that'll leave you saying, "Whoa, there!" Financial stability is important for marriage, but should it be the only reason to delay a proposal?

Amelia's situation is a complex one so we scoured the web to find some advice to help her navigate this tricky terrain:

Open Communication is Key: An honest conversation with her boyfriend is crucial. What are his specific concerns about the debt? Does he see it impacting their future lifestyle or stability? Understanding his perspective will shed light on whether it's a genuine worry or an excuse. For tips on effective communication in relationships, check out the Gottman Institute.

Crafting a Debt Management Plan: Amelia's already tackling her debt, but creating a concrete plan with him can be reassuring. This could involve outlining a budget, setting realistic repayment goals, and tracking progress together. Resources like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling offer free tools and guidance on creating a budget and managing debt.

Remember that communication and a shared vision for the future are vital. If Amelia feels her boyfriend is hesitant for the wrong reasons, it might be time to re-evaluate the relationship's long-term prospects

Uncle J Sbu asked KZN kiddos a thought-provoking question today. Aunty Stacey was sick at home, but the kiddos of the East Coast made sure they shared their business ideas. We heard from an aspiring makeup artist and a little entrepreneur who hopes to start an ice cream business. If you're looking for a business idea, these kids have got your back!

Living in KZN throws you together with a colourful bunch! Our neighbours are a wild mix, from braai-sharing besties to late-night karaoke champions.

Last week, we asked the residents of sunny KZN to tell us about their good, bad, and ugly neighbour stories.

Onyx Moon wrote:
“I had a nosy neighbour of a neighbour who suggested putting CCTV up in my yard (and others) that she can monitor from her house for a small monthly fee.”

Kathy Petherbridge, who lives in Ireland, said:
“Our neighbour thinks he's the Mayor of our Estate. (Live in Ireland). He ordered a shed, he has no side access to his yard. So, he sends the builders into our yard, they lifted the fence and moved the shed bit by bit through our yard. Did not get permission. We were at work, my daughter was home alone and nearly had a heart attack seeing strange men in the backyard.”

Tess Kirpal’s husband had some advice for their neighbour:
“We lived in a complex and my husband finished work before me and a woman from one of the other flats would always come strolling about and lurking near our flat. Hubby told her to be useful and rather walk with a broom next time and sweep the complex that way she can get swept off her feet. She never came back to our side.”

Stacey and J Sbu heard about recently read about thousands of puffy sweet treats raining down from the sky and hundreds of kids turned into marshmallow hunters in a sugary scramble.

This epic event, the Great Marshmallow Drop, saw a helicopter soaring overhead, overflowing with a fluffy white treasure trove. As the chopper approached, cheers erupted from the crowd of excited kids.

Then, with a mighty whoosh, the marshmallows blanketed the ground in a cloud of pure delight.

According to AP News, each marshmallow was a ticket to a prize bonanza. Sweets, colouring books, and even a water park pass awaited the marshmallow masters who collected the most.

Melissa Nawrocki, the mastermind behind this sugary spectacle, promised a mountain of marshmallows – a whopping 15,000 to be exact.

The helicopter made four sugary passes, showering marshmallows on different age groups, making sure every kid got a chance to snag a piece of the fluffy fun. It was a day filled with laughter, cheers, and a whole lot of marshmallow mania.