It's no longer a surprising occurrence for me if someone pops out a question like "Erm...may I know where you are from?" even when it is not an ice-breaking or self-introduction session. I get that kind of question a lot and I don't mind it at all. In fact, I feel that it's a great opportunity for me to introduce or promote my birth place to more people. So, to strangers or passers-by who are wondering where I might come from, feel free to ask when you bump into me. LOL..
One of the occurrences took place when I had my meal break at the cafeteria of my work place. Normally, my friends and I would have our meals outside of our office building but lately, we choose to be less 'adventurous' and have our break nearby. It obviously saves more time and energy. So, when I was about to select my meal, the auntie who was catering us, the customers, abruptly asked me "Are you a Filipino?". I smiled and replied "No. I'm from Sarawak (part of Borneo, Malaysia).". The auntie acknowledged my answer and responded "You look special." (- She said it, OK, not me! LOL) I just smiled again and continued to pick my food, which was so good, turning me into a regular customer.
Another instance that really happened was during a Malaysian public holiday. I was on my way to work and the station was particularly packed with people. As I made my way out of the station, I noticed a family of tourists wandering around, as if looking for assistance. I was walking towards their direction. The mother came near me and asked if I could tell them the directions to Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka, KL). I tried my best to explain the directions to them since their intended destination was indeed nearby. Before parting ways, the mother asked me "Are you from Japan? Or Korea?". (- She really asked this, OK. I'm not making this up. Hahaha..) I was startled at the question but tried not to show it. I simply replied "No. I'm from Borneo, Malaysia.".
From these couple of examples, we can see that outward appearance can be quite deceiving but it's not necessarily a bad thing. I see it as a good thing because it shows that diversity exists. In a country as diverse and colourful as Malaysia, it is common to see a variety of Malaysians who look different from each other. This is one of Malaysia's uniqueness. Differences should not break us apart. Instead, let's make use of our differences to complement each other so that we make up a great, diverse team. Despite whatever challenges that we may face as a country or as individuals, I still refuse to give up on our 1Malaysia ideal. It may not be easy, but guess what? It's the challenges that keep the journey alive.
We can make it happen. It's all up to us.
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One of the occurrences took place when I had my meal break at the cafeteria of my work place. Normally, my friends and I would have our meals outside of our office building but lately, we choose to be less 'adventurous' and have our break nearby. It obviously saves more time and energy. So, when I was about to select my meal, the auntie who was catering us, the customers, abruptly asked me "Are you a Filipino?". I smiled and replied "No. I'm from Sarawak (part of Borneo, Malaysia).". The auntie acknowledged my answer and responded "You look special." (- She said it, OK, not me! LOL) I just smiled again and continued to pick my food, which was so good, turning me into a regular customer.
Another instance that really happened was during a Malaysian public holiday. I was on my way to work and the station was particularly packed with people. As I made my way out of the station, I noticed a family of tourists wandering around, as if looking for assistance. I was walking towards their direction. The mother came near me and asked if I could tell them the directions to Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka, KL). I tried my best to explain the directions to them since their intended destination was indeed nearby. Before parting ways, the mother asked me "Are you from Japan? Or Korea?". (- She really asked this, OK. I'm not making this up. Hahaha..) I was startled at the question but tried not to show it. I simply replied "No. I'm from Borneo, Malaysia.".
From these couple of examples, we can see that outward appearance can be quite deceiving but it's not necessarily a bad thing. I see it as a good thing because it shows that diversity exists. In a country as diverse and colourful as Malaysia, it is common to see a variety of Malaysians who look different from each other. This is one of Malaysia's uniqueness. Differences should not break us apart. Instead, let's make use of our differences to complement each other so that we make up a great, diverse team. Despite whatever challenges that we may face as a country or as individuals, I still refuse to give up on our 1Malaysia ideal. It may not be easy, but guess what? It's the challenges that keep the journey alive.
We can make it happen. It's all up to us.
posted from Bloggeroid
Hahaha. This actually made my day. My dad also get this question every now and then and maybe because he got tired of telling people he is from Sarawak (not that he is not proud of being a Sarawakian, he's just witty that way), whenever people asked, "are you from Thailand/the Philippines?", he would just say yes and leave them bedazzled listening to him (and his friends if it's travelling for work purposes) speaking in Iban haha.
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