Sunday, October 01, 2006

While having dinner just now, my ingenious mind conjured the perfect job for the enterprising retired man. Uncle popiah. Neat eh? Let’s see, popiah is well loved by the average Chinese folk (non-halal mah), the ingredients are easy to obtain and make and any ordinary Malaysian wouldn’t pass by without buying one from a sweet old man. There is the attractive low cost and easy business set up at the local pasar malam as well and flexible working hours too.

Now, what about uncle popiah’s attire? Well, nothing fancy-lah after all you can’t be wearing designer togs making popiah in our humid weather. I was thinking more of white ah-pek singlet with dark coloured Bermudas, a blue apron, slightly above ankle black socks and Japanese slippers. For hygiene purposes, uncle popiah should wear a transparent shower cap and shave his bulu ketiak on a regular basis. He will be wearing gloves too. And he will have to quit smoking if he is a smoker, quit spitting and don a surgical mask if he happens to be feeling under the weather. When his behind itches, he will not reach back and scratch with his bare hands but he will use the wooden ‘hand scratcher’.

One day, uncle popiah’s popiahs popularity spreads through his patron’s word of mouth. And then he decides that it is time to look into franchising. And before you can say ‘yeah right!’ there in the middle of trendy New York is an uncle popiah franchisee stall next to the hot dog stand. Suddenly, New Yorkers love popiahs. In fact, the whole world loves it! Speak about world domination eh?

Actually, someone should consider setting up a Ramli burger stall in New York. For starters, the comfort snack will be a hit among homesick Malaysians. Hmmm...

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