Sharing a few stories…
The hawker: Cash strapped, TV, handphone
I have a friend who always complains on how tough life is, and how difficult it is to make ends meet. He is a hawker, his wife the helper, and has three kids.
Some hawkers are rich, but he is not… I am not sure why. A couple of years ago, his eldest son finished high school, came out to work, got his first pay… and the first thing they did was spending most (if not all) of the salary to buy a new TV.
My friend is still crying on how tough life is… but he got a new partner in crime now, with his dear son complaining just about the same thing. Last I checked, the son uses a mobile phone that’s five times more expensive than mine.
Good girl buys Prada
I have a friend, who saved on everything she could, so that she can splurge on the latest fashion merchandises… bags in particular, e.g. Prada, Gucci, LV etc.
She often eats instant noodles for dinner, always complaining money not enough, and has at least three credit cards which she’s indebted with. A sweet and lovely girl though, any takers?
The student: PTPTN, laptop, iPod
A distant cousin, second year in college. Complaining that PTPTN loan not enough, hating his parents for giving him little pocket money while ignoring the fact that his family is not that rich to begin with.
Have a laptop, an iPod, and never bothered to find a part time job and always crying loud that he doesn’t have enough money to hang out with friends.
The smokers
A mamak chat with a few friends after a fuel price hike last year. They smoked a lot, and complained about the price hike. Asked if they would consider quitting (or reducing) smoking… all said no, one said… “tak rokok tak macam jantan lah” (lit. doesn’t feel like a man if doesn’t smoke). I don’t smoke btw.
The rich and famous
A beautiful friend, cursing the government for the fuel hike… she drives an Audi, and her body smells like Whisky, probably because of some late night drinking.
I told her… “so, drink a bit little lor.” She answered… “#$!@%$, why do I have to change my lifestyle because of the stupid gaman? Pak Lah is $@%! @$%!$@%”
The father
An ex-colleague, work in a factory, basic pay less than RM1000 (probably a few extra hundreds with overtime). Only 26 or 27 of age, has four kids. His wife not working, has to take care of the kids. He rides a motorbike. I saw him hiding a few packed chocolates in his pocket during a company dinner years ago, wanted to bring back to his kids. A humble guy, probably a good father.
Life is about options
Some people don’t have much options, but for lots of the Malaysians… life is a matter of preferences, and the choices are in our own hands.
