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Currently transiting: Loch Lomond, Scotland | Previous destination: Kernavė Archaeological Site, Lithuania

Monday 6 October 2008

Kodomo

Kodomo points to the well-known children's toothpaste, Kodomo Lion available in four variants: Strawberry, Orange, Grape & Apple. Or the Kodomo no hi (Children's Day), putting up the koinobori (carp streamers), with dumpling and rice cakes to go with it. Ah, all isn't that rosy here. Whilst Children's/Boy's day is celebrated, the kodomo here in Malaysia are berated.

Yes, kids! That's how students are treated here, specifically in university. Never have I come across, save for some, anyone who speaks to a student with respect or treatment befitting that of an adult. We're kids wherever we go. Fire drills. Office admin. Lab. I wonder what's going on beneath their thick skulls.

Anecdote: I was enquiring if it'd be possible to have some documents certified at the office even if it's not from the same School. Then there's this smart fella who threw himself in between our conversation and said it's not possible because it's from the different department. *Sized me up and turned away, letting out grunt* It's just plain laziness. All I need is a stamp saying it's a true copy. Originals are with me. Next, comes security personnel who doesn't now the meaning of politeness when speaking to a local student (kids). If they need to tell someone off because of their attire, then don't do it openly. These kids don't get sexual arousal being humiliated.

[Though I'm of the opinion that if these people think they'd dress as they wish, why not wear a swimsuit? Dork! Follow rules and be sensitive!]

On another extreme, it's not a rare sight to behold how these bunch of condescending people turned kitten when conversing with foreign students (adults). Ha! It's always a smile and a yes or a smile and a polite no, smile again. Smile some more. Knock, knock! These foreigners are not your masters and don't get me started on the behaviour of the majority of Middle Eastern students. Behaving as if they're so good but ended up putting a flammable solvent in the oven in the lab. Extra vegetable and all. Did they pay extra for their food?

There you have it, you'd have to speak in different accent and have different hues to the colour of your skin in order to be respected and spoken to like an adult. Damn,if you gauge maturity, hence a grown up, by the ability to bear children, I'm sure every healthy person here can do it. I'd grow a beard if you want but that'd take a longer time than some.

In the end, it's double standards and the inability to show respect to another person. Whether you're a reknowned varsity, an Ivy Leaguer, or a top-some number varsity in some list, it's a handicap if something is lacking at the top, innit?

N.B. Children should be respected too, y'know?

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