Cross-Cultural Conversations

Observations by a Malaysian studying in Australia

The sombre dudes

I was doing my routine “EXPRESS TRAIN TO THE CITY!” promo-shoutings when I spotted two guys who looked like they didn’t know where they were headed.

 

“They’ve got potential…” I thought to myself. Potential to buy tickets from me that is. I cleared my throat with the aim of throwing my voice just loud enough to grab their attention, and their attention only. Having been in this job for 10 hours, I’ve realised that although people generally dislike being “harassed” by promoters, deep down they do feel flattered if the promoters were to give individual attention to them. If I was going to get these guys to buy tickets from me, I just have to be thick-skinned and give them the undivided attention they subconsciously desire.

 

“EXPRESS TRAIN TO THE CITY, SIR?” I called out. The taller of the two looked at me, but didn’t show any expression and looked away to the other side. That’s OK, that’s only like the 347^th rejection I’ve received today. It’s time to look out for other potential customers.

 

15 minutes and no customers later, the two dudes came over back to me. Berbaloi jugak rupanya aku jerit kuat kuat. They enquired about the train service and I told them the essential details – journey time, frequency, price, etc. I was in a particularly helpful mood at that time so I offered to show a map of Kuala Lumpur and also provide some insights on hotels and places of interest. Throughout our conversation, both of them put on a permanently serious face, only giving small nodding gestures while I berceloteh (babble on) about the popular destinations in KL.

I wondered to myself, where do these rigidly serious dudes come from? I desperately wanted to know which country harboured such grim and solemn faces. “Are you from Germany?” I asked one of them. “No, we’re from Austria”, he replied, with what looked like an ever-so-slight, but thoroughly sincere smile.

 

posted by: Tembaga2 at 05:32 | link | comments |