We were at walking along Orchard Road.
Abang saw an ad that reads "Ice Cold Beer"
Abang said to me "Mama, I want to drink ice cold biiiirrrr"
I was stumped and so was hubby.
It took us a few seconds to react and then went into an explanation.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
A Stranger in My Homeland
At Ngee Ann City.
In one of the boutiques ...
Sunday afternoon. I am in my tudung, came straight from religious class.
Me: Ok, I'll take this.
Sales Person (SP, Singaporean): I'll wrap this up for you
Me at the payment counter.
SP: How would you like to settle your bill?
Me: Here
SP: Can I get your passport please?
Me: Huh? ( I know it's for GST refund purposes but was surprised by the request nonetheless)
SP: You are Indonesian right?
Just so you know, this is the second time the same episode happened to me. The first one was in Paragon.
====================================================================
At NTUC, Clementi Mall
Buying diapers for my son
Sales Person - let's call him Abang
Abang: excuse me excuse me...
Me: turned to look and smile
Abang: You may want to get 2 packs... there is a discount
Me: oh
Abang: Yes, it's so much cheaper.... you Melayu or not Malay.
Me: laugh. Saya orang Melayu lah bang...
Abang: hah, tu lah. Tak tahu nak cakap Melayu atau Inggeris. Murah dik, can save $12.
Me: Terimakasih. Rezeki saya :)
I think Abang paiseh
======================================================================
But when I travel out of my homeland....
In Indonesia, the cab drivers think I am from Surabaya. I was told ladies from Surabaya are very pretty. Makasih ya, Mas.../ Pak...
When I travel in KL, I like to use the word "kot" and "kan". Very Malaysian some say. They think I am a KL-lite. But once they hear me speak in English, they know I am Singaporean. Aksyen sikit according to one of my good friends. Geez..
When I am in Manila, the taxi drivers speak to me in Tagalog. When I tell them I am not pinoy or don't understand the language, they think I am lying. Does saying "kanan", "bigas", "kanena" acceptable??
And when I am in Thailand, I become bloody coy because the Thais talk about me openly in their language and all I have to do is smile and try to speak gently... ala Thai people!
In one of the boutiques ...
Sunday afternoon. I am in my tudung, came straight from religious class.
Me: Ok, I'll take this.
Sales Person (SP, Singaporean): I'll wrap this up for you
Me at the payment counter.
SP: How would you like to settle your bill?
Me: Here
SP: Can I get your passport please?
Me: Huh? ( I know it's for GST refund purposes but was surprised by the request nonetheless)
SP: You are Indonesian right?
Just so you know, this is the second time the same episode happened to me. The first one was in Paragon.
====================================================================
At NTUC, Clementi Mall
Buying diapers for my son
Sales Person - let's call him Abang
Abang: excuse me excuse me...
Me: turned to look and smile
Abang: You may want to get 2 packs... there is a discount
Me: oh
Abang: Yes, it's so much cheaper.... you Melayu or not Malay.
Me: laugh. Saya orang Melayu lah bang...
Abang: hah, tu lah. Tak tahu nak cakap Melayu atau Inggeris. Murah dik, can save $12.
Me: Terimakasih. Rezeki saya :)
I think Abang paiseh
======================================================================
But when I travel out of my homeland....
In Indonesia, the cab drivers think I am from Surabaya. I was told ladies from Surabaya are very pretty. Makasih ya, Mas.../ Pak...
When I travel in KL, I like to use the word "kot" and "kan". Very Malaysian some say. They think I am a KL-lite. But once they hear me speak in English, they know I am Singaporean. Aksyen sikit according to one of my good friends. Geez..
When I am in Manila, the taxi drivers speak to me in Tagalog. When I tell them I am not pinoy or don't understand the language, they think I am lying. Does saying "kanan", "bigas", "kanena" acceptable??
And when I am in Thailand, I become bloody coy because the Thais talk about me openly in their language and all I have to do is smile and try to speak gently... ala Thai people!
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