Growing up in 1Malaysia

I don't know about you, but I grew up in 1Malaysia way of life.

When I was in school, my classmates are Malays, Chinese and Indians. Those days, it was really fun. We helped each other in school work and activities. That is not all, we talk to each other not only politely and normally but impolitely. Yup... we were soooo.... rude to each other but no hard feeling. Seriously.... Let me give you an example...

I was good in Math and English and but horrible in Geography and moderate in all other subjects. When I need help in Geography, there was this one Chinese girl that always willing to help. She was also good at it. So, lets say, that after helping me out about 10 minutes but I still couldn't get it, of course I will surely 'kena'. She would say "Something simple like this also don't know meh? Your brain lag of a very important food la, that's why you cannot catch what I am trying to teach you." Of course I would ask, " What do I lag of?" and she would say "Babi! (Pig)". I might kick her rear or something but that is all. I do not get upset with her because I know, she meant nothing.

Another example would be if a Chinese girl came to me asking for my help for English subject, I would help in any way that I could. But if let say after a while, she could noy get what I was trying to explain, I would say this " You sure eat pig la last night, that is why you are so slow today." My friend would say, "cannot resist la... so nice. You should try also." And I would say, "don't want la. Nanti surely I become slow slow like you" Of course I got a slap on my shoulder or she would pretend to stab me or something.. but that was it. No hard feeling.

Where has all this harmonious living gone to? I do realized though, when I got married to a KL guy, the surroundings was really all about being Malay or Chinese and Indians. I have heard a Malay woman said that she doesn't want to do open house during Hari Raya because her Chinese friends ate a lot. " They really balun, no shame". I thought the whole idea of open house is have friends and relatives to come over to your place and eat whatever that you laid on the table. Why do they need to feel a shame by eating a lot? I just don't get it. To me, I would be a shame if my guests did not eat during my open house. Doesn't really matter if you are a Malay, chinese and Indian and of course my best friend is a Melanau.

Those were the days that kids actually grow up in 1Malaysia. Now??? Not so much.