I posted something about chivalry on Kecik’s blog today and Aida replied saying that she agreed with me. And I, in turn, couldn’t agree more. That post is here and check out the template - so cute!!!
I’m not trying to be bias but I have noticed that although Malaysians [in general] are known to be a courteous bunch. I have hardly seen any for the longest time ever. I’m sure that there are many out there who still hold the door for another, offer their seat to the elderly/pregnant woman and etc on the bus and are just pleasant to talk to and not snobbish but, there is also a big part of society out there, who live in their own little world where they and only they seem to exists. It may sound harsh but I think it’s reality.
I’m not being bias here or trying to make it look as if I’ve forgotten my roots. I say this based just from personal experience [as per my post at Kecik's blog], and also other times when strangers have held the door open for me, exchanged a few pleasant words and even smiled for that matter. A huge majority of Aussies are a really pleasant bunch - some are too rough and rowdy for me though, that much I can say as well!
As for being courteous on the road - I don’t even want to go there! BJ’s blog has tons of stories in there that would freak out any potential foreign drivers. I know Ted is. But as they say, if you can drive in Penang and make it home safely each time you’re out driving, KL should be a breeze. And with that in mind, please don’t ever try Malaysian style driving here in Oz because I can guarantee you that you’ll either get honked at [that's the bare minimum] or you’ll be in the worst ever wreck! This is most likely why I have not yet got my driving license. Although I have driven once from our home to my MIL’s place in an auto car, that was it. I was driving Malaysian style and I kept getting stern looks from Ted and at one point, he went, ‘You’re suppose to stick to your lane. You’re not in Malaysia, love.’
Lesson learnt : Always stick to your lane and if you signal, you know you can safely make that turn coz no psycho mutt will come cutting into or in front of you. That’s why it’s mighty tough getting a license here and it’s getting tougher coz many accidents are happening here due to new drivers. I think it’s 3 years before you can get full license. Maybe our Malaysian government should make it tougher to get a full license be it car or motorbike so that they can reduce all their Ops as well, eh?
by wuching, on February 21 2007 @ 2:50 pm
road rage road rage!
by dawn, on February 21 2007 @ 8:47 pm
I wish it’s that tough to get a license in the States. My first experience driving in this foreign country was scarry. driving on the left side in the car and right on the streets. Not sure how many times I got honked at for turning into the wrong lane. Oops!
by Aida, on February 21 2007 @ 9:38 pm
they drive on the wrong side of the road in canada!! haha frank saw me driving in msia, i hv not gotten my permit to drive here yet. go figure! we live in a tiny town where cars would stop to let you walk across the road, imagine in msia, sorry lah anyone want to stop!
but when frank came home, he too hv to learn not to drive like a msian. yesterday we had an incident where he was inching to get out and this guy in a huge truck wanted to get in line too. frnak inched (like any msian would do) and this guy honked. and we both laughed and said you cant beat us, we drove in msia before. and anyone who is rude on the road here we are 100% they are not from newfoundland and his license plate was ontario…so there goes.
by nawooz, on February 22 2007 @ 1:07 am
my friend worked for a couple of months in Indonesia…now THAT is a place you do not want to be driving in…based on what he described..i would call it cowboy driving…however is able to drive there can easily drive anywhere else in the world i suppose.
just look at our Malaysian bus drivers…many of them are Indonesians…i’ve seen a bus take a corner at insanely dangerous speeds, which even I wouldn’t attempt in a car. *shivers*
by simple american, on February 22 2007 @ 1:55 am
I must admit I don’t wanna drive in Malaysis. But I don’t wanna drive in Oz or UK either. So scared I will get on the wrong side of the road. It was hard enough crossing the street in London without getting hit. I always look the wrong way first.
by J, on February 22 2007 @ 10:08 am
kudos!!i agree with you… malaysian men are so impolite.. like for example the other day, at the gym, i opened the door for this man who was behind me to get in..then about an hour later, as i was leaving, the same man was leaving as well, and he was in front of me..guess what? he opened the door, and let go of it before i could go through!
by mervkwok, on February 23 2007 @ 10:36 am
Chivalry is a word coined by the French in the age of knights. Seeing as to how the French are snobs and all knights at the period were snobs, chivalry is a word for people who are in their own world.
Hahahhaha
Duuuddeee…. The tag thing from your earlier post is so hard to do! I can’t just copy and paste
by visithra, on February 24 2007 @ 12:40 pm
U know i used to think msians were a tad bit less friendly but after my trip to cambodia i think we’re really nice compared to a lot of other ppl. Sure we have our shortcomings n ppl in cars are driving maniacs, but msians are friendly, we arent rude, we don’t pester ppl to buy stuff, we dont scream at them to get out of the country, most of us arent racists, we smile at ppl, most of us arent dishonest, we don’t snide at ppl, we’re pleasently nice when ppl ask for information - we have a lot going - but of course theres a few cases here and there. But my mom has had seats offered to her everytime we got on a crowded bus -but maybe its coz i stay in a small town .
by Yvy, on February 24 2007 @ 5:51 pm
Visithra, count ur mum one of the lucky ones.
Like I mentioned, Malaysians in general are indeed a pleasant lot - like u and me *ahem* But still there are many out there who lack courtesy and that’s just sad and sick to say the least.