My sister in law, Joanne (she's Chinese), was complaining to me about how she hated to buy food from a Malay stall. It's not the food. She loves Malay food. But it's the people tending the stall. She's not being racist. I know she isn't. She related the story of how when she was ordering the food and the Malay makcik kept yakety-yak to her fellow co-worker. It annoys her. And it's not the first time she encountered such scenes. And poor her had to wait for the makcik to finish her sentences before she can continue pointing to the dishes that need to be added to the rice. And I should add this, the makcik is the sloooow type. Very the lemah lembut!

Not only that, when the makcik had packed the food, she didn't pass the packet to Joanne. She left it where Joanne couldn't reach and continued her yakety-yak without glancing at Joanne's held out hand with the payment. By this time, Joanne was so annoyed that she stepped into the stall and grabbed the food and left the money on the table outside (meant for sitting customers) and walked away. She is not going to that stall ever again.

I had been in Joanne's position before. But me being a Malay, I sure understand the way our makciks behave. And of course since I've been brought up with makciks (Malay) surroundings, I didn't quite noticed if there's anything wrong with us.

I've never seen it from another perspective (a Chinese for example) before. Now that Joanne has enlightened her views, I started to take note of such things.

Last week, I was at Adam food centre for lunch. The two makciks who tended the stall was also having their lunch at the nearest table to the stall. They were busy eating and talking. A Chinese man came looking around the stall for someone to attend to him, then he noticed the two makciks and signalled to them that he wanted to order. But one of the makciks raised her hand instead to tell the man to wait (duh!) while she finishes her food in the mouth and the conversation she was having with the other makcik! I counted 10 seconds and the man left the stall empty handed.

Why oh why? Why can't the makcik stopped her activity and immediately attend to the man as he was, in fact, a customer? I looked at the Chinese stalls, and saw them moving about their work quickly so that they don't keep the customers waiting. I'm afraid to admit, that yes, some of them makciks just can't stop talking. Banyak colok. I mean, that's not the way to do business, right? *frowning*

Since I'm on the Malay business thingy, there is this popular Malay stall selling simple yet delicious dishes at the above food centre. But the problem is, both husband and wife partner are so arrogant they don't even interact with us! Not even AN eye contact! Once I ordered a dish there (I'm not saying the dish cos if you've been there you should know which) and I was the one asking and answering my own questions! So arrogant! And they even have that arrogant look! I wish I can say that I'm not going to that stall again, but since I like the dishes, I will not say that :p

Phew! I talked (typed?) a lot today. Wait!!! I don't sound like a makcik, right??