On the Malaysian fence

"Can Manchester United score? They always score! ...." ~ Clive Tyldesley at 90 mins of the 1999 Champions League final with Manchester United trailing 1-0.

Friday, February 24, 2006

How to say 'No' in Malaysia...

There are many ways to decline or reject something, usually people will say 'No', and if you want to be polite, you can add a 'thank you' behind. But in Malaysia, it's never simple.
Time and time again, I've had the fun of being rejected the Malaysian way...

You ask them to go out, they'll give you one.
You ask them if they need anything, they'll give you one....

example,

Slinky : Hey Ah Kow, you wanna play football tomorrow?
Ah Kow : Errrr, want meh? (hmmm, so maybe he's undecided)
Slinky : I want lah, I'm asking you now.
Ah Kow : Who's going? (now you begin to think he's made up his mind, and decides to go)
Slinky : Ah Chu, Ah Beng and a few of his friends.
Ah Kow : Wah, Ah Chu very skillful one wor....
Slinky : So you want to play or not?
Ah Kow : Like that ah, what time? (okay, he's decided, now i just need to inform him the details)
Slinky : 8pm.
Ah Kow : 8pm ah, not quite sure la, might be too late.... (okay i can adjust the time)
Slinky : So what time can you make it, I can call to change the time.
Ah Kow : Where is it first?
Slinky : Tmn Megah.
Ah Kow : There meh?
Slinky : What's wrong with the place?
Ah Kow : Hard to park, very smelly....
Slinky : Okay then where do you want to play?
Ah Kow : What time?
Slinky : Kanina, I ask you, u ask me back, i tell you, you complain.
Ah Kow : Must see how first mah (wtf??)
Slinky : Fine, I'll change to whatever time you want, wherever you want. So tell me!
Ah Kow : Actually ah, leg pain la....
Slinky : @$##$^#$%^#$^&%$&^&#$%@#@!#