Sunday, September 30, 2007

Living In Kuala Lumpur

I love living in Malaysia (Truly Asia) but some things really puzzle me about the locals in Kuala Lumpur. My meagre brain is unable to comprehend quite a number of things about the behaviour of certain Malaysians.

During Ramadan, why is it called "fasting" when the people "fasting" are doing everything so slowly? Maybe Ramadan should be a month of "slowing".

Why does the Indian dude taking your order at the "mamak" eatery wiggle his head sideways when you order something as if to say "No" when he really means "Yes"?

Why do the Chinese food vendors charge a higher price than usual if you place your order with them in English instead of Chinese?

How come the punters at Genting casino yell out "PITCHER! PITCHER!" when playing Blackjack? Are they impatiently requesting for another pitcher of beer because they are so thirsty?

Why do people like recording the license plates of motor vehicles involved in accidents and then utilise those numbers for their lottery gambling addiction?

At cinemas, why there is there a dude in one of the prime seats operating some sort of video camera device during the show?

How come motorists that have been pulled over by the police have to hand over money along with their driver's licence? I thought fines are usually paid at some sort of office?

Finally, how come I saw a bloke sprinting very quickly the other day while carrying a ladies handbag before jumping on a passing motorcycle which his mate was driving? Surely he would have been able to run faster to catch up to his mate if he wasn't carrying a handbag?

I know I asked a lot of questions but I am truly confused by all this Malaysian behaviour.

Right, I'll get my coat.....

technorati tags:, , , , , , , , , , ,

1 comment:

Bex said...

I'm from Malaysia and used to like in Kuala Lumpur as a child, but I live in Chicago now. I MISS all the little idiosyncrasies of Malaysian life!!
I don't know the answers to most of these questions but I will try to answer a couple:

"At cinemas, why there is there a dude in one of the prime seats operating some sort of video camera device during the show?"

A: Most likely taping the movies and later making copies and selling them at the "pasar malam" or the street market.

"How come motorists that have been pulled over by the police have to hand over money along with their driver's licence? I thought fines are usually paid at some sort of office?"

A; Most likely bribes. :)

BTW I saw your post at Waiter Rant and thought I'd swing by your page!