Cross-Cultural Conversations

Observations by a Malaysian studying in Australia

  Guy Sebastian look-alike…not!

In my line of work, hundreds, if not thousands, of people will pass you by. Some take the trouble to acknowledge your presence, most simply ignore you, and a few will buy tickets from you (God bless them). Most of our customers were air passengers from Singaporean, European and Indonesian flights, and whenever planes from these countries touched down, we Sales Ambassadors would hastily position ourselves at strategic locations to attract potential buyers.

For me however, the crowd I anticipate the most is the also the one who I know will never buy train tickets from me. This crowd comprises air stewardesses, who’ve got transportation arranged for them already. These pretty ladies are such a delight to see as they pass you by, all clustered in one group and still donning their flight uniform.

The Malaysia Airlines stewardesses are my favourite, as quite a few of them take the trouble to smile or just say hello to their fellow compatriot (me) as they sashay past in their elegant kebaya.

One particular stewardess, upon seeing my curly, puffy hair, commented to her colleague that I look like Guy Sebastian, the Malaysian-born Australian Idol winner. “I’m much more handsome!” I hastily corrected her, not wanting the two to identify me as his look-alike.

I hate it when people compare me to Guy Sebastian. As I’ve admitted earlier, I’m better looking and my hair is naturally curly. But if that comparison gets the attention of the stewardesses, I guess I’d just let it go, just this once…

posted by: Tembaga2 at 07:50 | link | comments |