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A wonderful experience
24.09.2010: Uli
A few days ago I went for the first time to Alor Star. Actually I wanted to go there for shopping. However, my purchase list was a bit complicated. Among other things there was bleaching for highlights on it.
Since I have heard a lot of "Tesco", I thought, I have to go there. I was impressed by the shop, I must say. Only I did not get my bleaching.
Slightly frustrated, I went outside to smoke a cigarette. Then I visited the restroom and there something incredible happened to me. . .
A Malaysian lady asked me if I was a tourist. I replied that I live in Langkawi and was here for shopping. Then she asked me if she could help me and, of course, I asked if she knows a shop where I can get bleaching. “Ah”, she said, “it is no problem”. First of all we would eat together with her husband and then she would drive me into town.
I did not know what to say.
During the meal we had a interesting conversation about Germany, God and the world.
I was immediately elevated to the ‘status of a tourist’ when I told them that I was the first time in Alor Star.
So all of a sudden I found myself in their car, a beautiful Mercedes, and they have shown me a lot of their homeland. A brief stop at their house for refreshments and prayers and then they did everything for me and my shopping list.
After all they have brought me to the ferry, of course.
Finally, I can only say that the friendliness and hospitality here really counts something. I doubt it seriously that such a thing would happen in Germany.
A big thanks and a friendly hug to my new friends in Alor Star.
Comments
hospitality by Sofian Zack on 27 Sep 2010, 11:46 pm
The hospitality will always be there as long as you cherish it.
Hi Sofian by Mark on 28 Sep 2010, 8:15 am
May be - but it is obvious that such extreme hosiptality is mainly found in plasces which are not used to tourists really - like Alor Star, which is not a tourist place. How the degradation of the relationship seen in tourist hot spots then happens is an open question: is it because the tourists behave badly - or do the tourists behave badly because they are treated as cash providers ?
The moment we have 'tourist prices' - things start to change.... But this said: we are still VERY lucky in Malaysia and here in Langkawi, that the locals are indeed very nice and friendly to tourists (and expats) - so I would in no way have to say anything negative here! :-)
by Uli Erhart on 28 Sep 2010, 8:37 am
Yes Sofian, I totally agree with you. But there are places in this world where you can try and cherish...but nothing will happen.
Hospitality by Andreas Hakim on 28 Sep 2010, 11:16 am
I experienced similar encounters with Malaysian people; all over the country. This is why I like living in Malaysia.
Certainly, there are also others around who perceive us as walking ATM's. But you can make them out easily: They have a Dollar symbol tattooed on their retsina ;)
by Rac Him on 01 Oct 2010, 11:56 am
I'm very much interested to read the earlier comments by Sofian even if it's not the place to discuss such matters, it's pertinent that views made responsibly be let known as ultimately it'll be to the reader's discretion to cosider it's merits. Thank you.
Hi Rac Him by Mark on 01 Oct 2010, 12:14 pm
I understand you - and I can assure you we do only very very seldom take out any comments at all. But these comments of Sofian had absolutely nothing to do with this article, but did target in a somewhat 'slenderous' way the author of the article.
Sofian did then make an other comment - and did not protest that we had removed his first comments ....
:-)
Mark
Tourist prices by Sofian Zack on 07 Oct 2010, 9:29 am
I think a huge amount of business here have tourist prices including the expat owned.I've seen how someone which is not a local made RM1500 from another just like that.And you know who gets the bad name? Guess.....
I also have to pay tourist prices LOL.
Cheers.
Hi Sofian by Mark on 07 Oct 2010, 10:33 am
You live here - so in many cases you have a choice - as I do.
If I have the craving for a 'Latte' and I go to a certain location in Kuah, I pay RM 7.90 plus 10% 'Service Charge'= RM 8.70
If I drink the same 'latte' at 'Amanda's' in Pekan Rabu, I pay RM 4.90 (without Service Charge)and around the corner in the 'Rouleout Cafe' about the same (4.50). So guess where I drink my latte. :-)
Latte by Sofian Zack on 14 Oct 2010, 11:53 pm
Yup. me too. Everyone's got a choice. That goes without saying. So far not much tourist complaining except maybe a few of the extended ones LOL. Still, not worth the hassle.
Cheers
by Uli Erhart on 26 Sep 2010, 10:35 am
Dear Sofian
Thank you for your comments, but sorry. I had to remove them, because here it is not the right place to discuss these matters. lol