Thursday, 1 October 2009

Phone calls

British is inevitably one of the most polite, sophisticated and well-mannered cultures in the whole wide world. In the contrary, the way fellow Malaysian speaks is perhaps often regarded as too "straight-forward", to the extent of being almost barbarically rude and belligerent to those who are not accustomed to our culture. Having worked in event/PR agencies in these chalk-and-cheese-like cultural settings, I found some very interesting experiences to share, particularly in the occasion of making a phone call.

Brits on the phone: Hiya good morning! (In super high-pitched and enthusiastic tone, by the way) How are you? I’m good! Very good indeed. That’s amazing! Marvellous. It would be great if you could do me a favour of forwarding that email to me. You are the star. Absolutely. It’s my pleasure entirely. I definitely look forward to it. Brilliant. Thank you ever so much. Speak soon, honey. Bye!
Brits hung up the phone: Bitch.

Msian on the phone: Halo, ei how ah that thing tomorrow? So, you send to me can ah? No no no, not like that. I thought I told you already? What la you, aiseh man. How la you do things. Haiyo, then you gao dim already send to me again la. Yea, confirm already then I will let you know la. Ok bye bye!
Msian hung up the phone: Actually she quite nice also hor?

2 comments:

  1. Msian should be like this:-

    (1000 received the call)
    A: "halo, XXX here... Send me the mail leh."
    B: "not ready yet, will send u around 1430-1530."
    A: "ok, asap tq"
    B: "ok, sure."
    A: "ok, tq"
    B: "bb" (hang up the phone, continue doing own work)

    (1430 - chit chatting after lunch. 1530 - oh no... nearly forgot the email thing. Nvm late 1 hour nia still ok. 1700 - mail sent)

    LOL typical malaysian!

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  2. u are more malaysian than i am lol!

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