Saturday, September 30, 2006

Simply because the food is tastier, cheaper and as long as the rodents are not sitting on the chairs and feasting with us, let’s consider that tolerable. (Ahh, I remember back in primary school, the canteen is the burung gagak’s favourite haunt. Well, I think I remember seeing them in my Sekolah Menengah and oh my goodness I think in college too!)

Where can you get a steaming bowl of pork noodles for RM4 but at the kopitiam with greasy floors? Never mind that the aunty filled a plastic container with tap water and mix it into the pork noodles soup. Or where can you enjoy a RM1 roti with your favourite RM1 milo kau but at that mamak restaurant where it is a norm for rats the size of a kitten running about at the side alleys. You don’t complain much really because the restaurant is raised three steps above the side alley and rats can’t fly. Oh yes, did I mention that the alley cats are too contented and lazy to even prey on the rats? They co-exist in harmony. Of course you’ll need to watch out for the occasional flying cockroach. Then it is a sign that you should really pay and leave.

This is typical Malaysian dining. You either ‘close one eye’ or whip up your own dishes in the comforts of your own home. Middle class dining is exclusively for the middle class or the wealthy or for those who live life trying to impress their girlfriend(s). Basically, eating at Chilli’s thrice a week is impractical. In fact, I think the middle class kopitiams are slightly overpriced as well but I guess it’s because these eateries are air-conditioned and cleaner, I hope. (Not too long ago I patronised a mid-class kopitiam with greasy floors and tables).

And food courts suck. So, we’re back to square one. Sigh, what to do? Close one eye lor. No complains of diarrhoea so far anyway. Tourists, be forewarned though.

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