SaLoMa TheaTre restaurant…

last Tuesday, my company had a visit from our customer from Santa Clara,California and Pennsylvania (not sure if the spelling is rite)..It is a good experience and exposure for me as i have the opportunity to communicate to the foreigners.There were 2 people that came that is Bob Simples (originally from US) and TuTom (originally from Vietnam but migrate to US on 1975)..by the way,Tu Tom is his name…i tried to communicate as best as i could as i have nervous breakdown talking to important people and my English was not good enuff..(tgeliat lidah aku..huhu)

anyway, one of the things that we talked about and made my very proud of Malaysia is this : TuTom mentioned that the first impression when he heard about Malaysia is that Malaysia is a poor country and it will filled with hot and no-facilities place..but when he came to Malaysia and stay for the whole week..he thought Malaysia is amazing..he says that Malaysia’s so beautiful and modernized with all the multiracial people and he was really impressed by this..”Honestly!!” he impressed this word a couple of times each time he talked about Malaysia..Bob says that Malaysia is almost has the level of the US with the tall buildings and good food..at that time, I am really proud to live in this century and can hear those words from them about Malaysia..

They stays at Renaissance hotel and we bring them to Saloma restaurant to have dinner and accompany me on break fast time..hihi Tu Tom seems to enjoy the Malaysian food very much..he ate the “Chicken with soy sauce”-ayam masak kicap, “Shrimp with coconut”-gulai udang bla bla bla..i can’t remember all the lauk he took..but i remember he likes satay very much..man,u guys should hear how he pronounce satay..it wad kinda funny..hihi he took about 10 satays after a plate of white rice and the lauk-pauk..then he ate mee hoon soup Utara and few rambutans..he says these food really hit the spot..”this is what we called food..”he says. I told him that these were our traditional Malaysian food and what was their traditional food..and he says “the spaghetti, steaks and all that stuff are our traditional food..” and i asked “What if you like to eat something else than your traditional food?because here in Malaysia,if we would like to eat other food, there are always indian food,chinese food and international courses like McD,KFC,spagetti..” and he replies..”I don’t understand why should you guys eat the spaghetti, steaks and stuff because you have plenty of different kinds of foods and they tasted so nice..but anyway, it is hard to look for different food in US..” no wonder chinese food sgt glamour kat US..and u can see how typical Malaysian is..coz they never appreciate the richness of Malaysia and kept on feeding with international food and feels that these makes them one step higher class..OMG!!!…

Also Bob and Tu Tom keeps asking me about Muslim aka Melayu yg beragama Islam..they asked me what type of food can not be eaten by Muslim..and i told them alcohol and porks are out of the question..those things were restricted by our religion..i remembered Tu Tom asked e this question when we’re discussing about work at the office …”why do Muslim fast?and why can’t you at least drink?I personally thinks that was extreme..i mean..we can stay alive without food for one day but water??i can’t stand that for sure..” Ya Allah,so many questions and I can’t think much how to answer as i was still nervous..I took a deep breath, smiled and says..”Fasting teaches us to think, what if one day you do not have any food or water to eat or drink?fasting teaches us to stay on the ground and think about those unfortunate people..and fasting have proved that i am stronger than you because although i am tiny than both of you, i definitely can stand one day without water..” and i giggled a bit so they won’t be offended..and they giggled too..Bob says “it surely shows that, Tu Tom…”..i thought that was the end..but Tu Tom asked me again..”why don’t you just drink a bit?not that we are going to tell anyone right..?” as i just about to answered that question,Bob just pointed his finger up and says “God knowss..”..thank you,Bob..hihihi i’m sorry if my answers were not god enough to defend us,Muslims. but i was so nervous meeting them at that time and wish i could answered better..anyway,they seem to understand about our religion at that time and compliments my kebaya at the night we had dinner at Saloma..thanks for the tip,Lin..

But one thing that i regret the most is when the night was bout to end we are ready to head home after the dinner, Tu Tom came to me..

Tu Tom : Tina, i thought muslims cannot drink alcohol?

Tina : yes, we can’t.

Tu Tom : but i saw some of the Muslim guys at the bar when i’m heading to the toilet.

Tina : oh really?hmm..maybe they don’t drink alcohol…maybe it was some soda..

Tu Tom l: No,it’s beer..I definitely know it is a beer..(he looked at me,puzzled)

Tina : (stunned a bit) Nowadays, not all the people were that religious..

I feel like im gonna screamed!!!I was so embarrassed at that time…I dunno what to do and how to answer..i felt betrayed…that is the one thing that i regret the most..why in Ramadhan,guys?..shish..i despise you..

nyway, the night was great..the experince was great..they actually wait for Azan and eat together with me as respect..the way they took the foods,I know they were hungry..hihi..these are the pictures..the guy with orange shirt is Tu Tom and the other big guy is Bob..the rest were my bosses..not important enuff to be introduced..haha