The holy month of Ramadhan, season of traffic jam and packed restaurants. We’re all already used to that. I’ve blogged about this before, you can read it again here.
As a non-Muslim, I always resort to a pragmatic approach to circumvent the projected inconveniences by dining out at odd hours – either way past my meal time, or way before their fasting break. You know, to avoid the crowd and being considerate to our Muslim friends.
And I was exactly doing that on Saturday for our dinner at a KFC restaurant, but I was startled by an unexpected sight. The time was only slightly 5 – 10 minutes past 6pm, there was still an hour plus before the Muslims were suppose to break, but there were already scores of them occupying 90% of the restaurant! Just when I thought that perhaps my clock had stopped or something, I noticed that none of them had food on their table… They weren’t eating or anything, but just sitting there watching each other. Some of them were even sleeping.
But my time was right. It was only a little bit past 6pm, an hour plus before the break and our Muslim friends were already there waiting for food. All over the restaurant. Almost a full house, but I was fortunate enough to spot a table for my family of three there. But a non-Muslim family after us wasn’t as fortunate – they had to look for a table amidst the sea of non-eating phantom patrons for their family of six for about a good 10 minutes before finally settling in at a small table that could barely fit 4 person. Being a nice person that I am, I offered them a small table from ours (because we were already finishing by the time they settled in).
So what was that all about? Being inconsiderate? Is it even normal? Aren’t they suppose to be free from all temptations and maintain a purity of thought (or something) during the fasting time? Then why are they sitting there waiting for food (probably thinking about food), and cause so much inconveniences to other folks? Does fasting gives one the right to transcend above all bounds of social civility, and rightfully be a jerk? I don’t know man, I ain’t a Muslim. I’ll let them answer for themselves.
But that experience has left me disgusted with the kind of the people we have here in our country. Imagine how would foreigners feel when they see something like this in a restaurant. What kind of image would these people paint. I might see them as just a group of specific shitfucks, but really, the foreigners would see us all as a bunch of uncivilized Malaysians/Asians… and that actually breaks my heart… because I’m not like them at all. Fuck.
1. I am a muslim.
2. What you’ve said are true.
3. I myself encountered the same situation.
4. Especially in KL, people always “booked” their seats and table way long before “buka puasa” time with a reason of not having a seat if late.
5. 10 years back in KL, 30mins before “buka puasa” is considerably sufficient. NOW, 1 hour is considered late!
6. Why dont they just be like me? Take away something simple, then 30 mins after “buka puasa” go and find some spots to have a proper dinner.
Piece of advice, stay away from any muslim restaurant 1 hour before break fasting and 1 hour after. You’ll regret! It always work on me!
“Aren’t they suppose to be free from all temptations and maintain a purity of thought (or something) during the fasting time?”
You should look at how SOME of them looked when it’s time for BUKA PUASA. They look like hungry wolves! Look at the way they eat you can imagine what’s going through their mind during their fasting period. [Food food food. Rawr!]
*Note: I am only referring to probably a small group of Muslims that does not represent all other Muslims in anyway what so ever.
Err, michael, not all Muslims like that. I like to break fast at my home than at the restaurant.
I was in KFC last Friday night and I saw some of them buying food half an hour earlier before breaking fast, spread them on the table and they just sit there staring at the chicken for the whole half hour.. I think the chicken also feel damn shy getting stared like that.. kesian the chicken…
Mike
Sometime you can’t help it because a small percentage of people doing it, then it make it difficult for others. Hence everyone follow the same steps.
Besides, if we look at the number of seats at the restaurant available for muslim counterpart to break fast, it is just not enough. But I agree with you that it is not good to wait there from 6pm if “waktu berbuka” is 7:05pm.
I used to fast together with my malay counterpart when I was in hostel. We were required to get the food from 6pm and put it on the table. Luckily our dining hall have enough seats for everyone. What we do, we will cover our food with newspaper to prevent the bloody flies from tasting our food first.
In fact, given me a choice, if I’m a muslim, I will be reluctant to spend time (1 hour plus) at the restaurant waiting for food. For me I will break the fast will plain warm water and kurma then proceed to maghrib prayers then after that only makan. In fact, this is what my malay friends told me that this is the correct way.
I was at Kenny Rogers last sunday, I told my wife, lets have dinner earlier than usual to prevent over crowded restaurant. At Kenny Rogers IOI Mall Puchong, I see a good example, our muslim friend will come to make an order for breaking fast but they will not occupied the table from 6 to 7pm. They will come back at perhaps 6:50pm to get ready for the breaking fast with family. And the restaurant actually do something to make sure our muslim counterpart get a table for the breaking fast. I believe that’s the correct way. Perhaps KFC management should do something.
Wilson, your statement “look like hungry wolves” is a bit too much. Do respect them. Imagine that you didn’t eat for whole day. But again that doesn’t permit them to eat faster. In fact, during berbuka, they should do it moderate rather than luxury. You should go try fasting and experience it. Sahur at 4:30am .. fast till 7:05 (maghrib) time .. and see how it goes then you will understand.
hermzz – I don’t think 1 hour plus is long enough. 2 hours maybe. But then, that’ll become either my tea break, or my fucking supper. *shakes head* Why can’t they just be considerate instead?
wils0n – Some of them does look like a wolf (mat rempits etc) even when they’re not eating, but then that has nothing to do with fasting.
rzmie – Of course ler, not all of them are like that. If all of them are like that, then die ler kitaorang.
LynMay – I have no problem with them staring at their chickens. Hell, they can rape the chickens for all I care. Just don’t occupy the tables when they’re not eating. There are some other folks that need the tables. It’s just a common courtesy and being rational. Gawd.
LX – Well, I don’t think this is a ‘KFC problem’. KFC is a fast food restaurant. You buy something there, they let you use their tables. It’s that simple. But some of these inconsiderate schmucks would just exploit the convenience by occupying the tables and chairs without ordering for an hour plus (the fasting time in Penang is around 7.20pm), just so that they’d be the first to eat… This is what I call being cynical cum self centered. This is ironic considering the fact that they fast in the Ramadhan month to purify their mind and soul… If they have to resort to such despicable behavior to break a day’s fast, then wouldn’t it be better if they don’t fast at all?
hey i was at KFC last friday evening and saw the same thing, lol
they’re really “sat lai sei yan”
*shakehead*
Errrr, maybe nobody teach how to open fast rules in a restaurant. ;)
i don’t blame our non muslim patrons for being pissed off by these minority inconsiderate people. but what can you do, some people think fasting is just “no food and drinks during the day”, they forget the part of being patient, considerate, and moderate.
i was at midvalley last sunday and saw the same thing. the time was barely past 6pm and already the mcds, kfcs, kenny rogers and what not full with people. i laughed seeing these people with food on their table and only staring. my friend and i got ourselves some buns from bread story, broke our fast in the car on the way to bangsar for a proper meal. other days i just tapau my food from the pasar ramadhan and have a peaceful break-fast at home.
for me, the hassle of being in a crowded place is just not worth it.
just 1 month nia, hang in there Michael!
i prefer to tapau food and buka puasa at home. got no time to berasak asak with the crowd to get a place etc in a restaurant.. but i kesian u la mike.. nowadays all of us have become kiasu.. must have place first la.. tak per la if not eating yet..but must sit down oredi…
actually, it is makruh to sit in front of food and stare for 1 hour.. makruh is like mengurangkan pahala of your puasa.. so rugi these people…
While our Muslim brothers and sisters preparing to break fast, whatever way it suits them, let them be. For me, I stay away from these places. Imagine you sitting down at the KFC restaurant eating away the fried chickens while your neighbour stare at you, this is not good at all. Stay away or go to a Chinese restaurant. It works with me fine. Don’t deal with the hungry folks, things can turn ugly.
for me, I just go to chinese restaurant. Problem solved! Have to kesian them too, coz not all are willing to fast, but no choice when living in this country, as a Malay.
Ah J / anas – I guess this has become part of THEIR culture then, and that’s sad indeed…
moo_t – Why must everything be taught instead of learning it themselves?
Pah – So, I guessed it right then. To stare at food before maghrib during fasting time is not actually something that is right then… HAHHH!
frankie – Spoken like a person who has had enough. I totally understand what you’re talking about. I can summarize your point in 5 words – ‘They’re hopeless. Let them rot.’
VicTor – So if they’re not willing to fast, they can act like jerks? Wah lau! Explain rapist dude!
Nothing to do with rapist. Btw, how come you always come up with the examples of rapist?
Give and take lar… brother. You never heard them complaining when we are having a huge Ghost Festival Celebration in Petaling Jaya with massive open burning… even I fell sorry about the pollution.
You will never get exactly what you deserve every time. Sometimes you get less, and sometimes you get more. So since this is their fasting month, we hope that they can practise it properly and learn something out of it. We are fella Malaysian should wish them luck and give them support.
VicTor – The main point here is – there’s no justification to be a jerk. There are only excuses. I’m quoting a rapist because rapists always justify their acts on provocative dressing of their victims – and this is the same as giving excuses to act like a jerk. (I can’t believe that you actually thought this has something to do with rapists… gawddd)
All I can say is, Muslims seem to think the world needs to stop just because they are fasting. Excuse me but there are other races in this world too!
all guy is looking at the food. got 1 guy is look at a gal. So, What u think he think.
JOKE
Thank you Michael for being the ever considerate non-Muslim citizen.
Thanks LX and VicTor for your unbiased comments.
While i do agree they’re heedless little pricks but can you really blame them? So you’re saying that they should go to KFC 5 minutes before the break fast? Queue for the food for God knows how long the duration can be sometimes and just for the record, to prolong the break of fast is a “makruh” as well.
So just when they finally have the foods, oops, there seems to be no seats left. Now, if you were there glomping away your foods happily, would you gladly give up your seats to them since you’re the very considerate non-Muslim citizen? Would you be like “I’m still eating these chickens, but, please, do take my seat. I’m a considerate non-Muslim Malaysian so i’ll give up seats to fellow Muslim Malaysian (twats). Bye bye my chickens…” and then starts cursing behind them.
I’m just creating a scenario for you to visualise here if they aren’t allowed to “book” their seats 1 hour earlier and the non-Muslims occupying the KFC. Of course some of them have the courtesy to be considerate enough towards their fella Muslim Malaysians, like YOU for example, but others, might not be so thoughtful. Then, it’d be a reverse situation where the Muslims start blogging about how the non-Muslims are being inconsiderate prats.
You can always retort and tell them to go break their fast at home. Then the Muslims, by rights, can retaliate by telling you lots the same thing as well: go eat at Chinese restaurants or something. Else, stop complaining.
Try fasting for once ;) It helps to reduce your anger a tad bit, that is even if you can manage to “free from all temptations and maintain a purity of thought” ;)
ps: Stop pretending like you care about Malaysia. What’s with the concern over what the foreigners might think of the whole situation? What BS!
@JT: They don’t think the world are theirs just because they’re fasting. It’s just you who have that kind of lousy mindset.
UMIST – allow me to shed some light here…
While i do agree they’re heedless little pricks but can you really blame them? So you’re saying that they should go to KFC 5 minutes before the break fast? Queue for the food for God knows how long the duration can be sometimes and just for the record, to prolong the break of fast is a “makruh” as well.
YES. Queue up just like everyone else. Like what you studied (if you have) in Pendidikan Moral. Beratur.
So just when they finally have the foods, oops, there seems to be no seats left.
Tough luck pal. There are only so many seats for so many people. That’s why fast food restaurants offer takeaways and conventional restaurants offer seating priorities. I hope you’re not too dumb to figure this out…
Now, if you were there glomping away your foods happily, would you gladly give up your seats to them since you’re the very considerate non-Muslim citizen?
If I haven’t finished my food, why should I? Is it because you believe fasting Muslim people have bigger bollocks? You must be delusional. If you don’t get seats, you wait… cibai.
Would you be like “I’m still eating these chickens, but, please, do take my seat. I’m a considerate non-Muslim Malaysian so i’ll give up seats to fellow Muslim Malaysian (twats). Bye bye my chickens…” and then starts cursing behind them.
I’ll gladly do that for you if you’re a disabled person, geriatric, expecting mother or a biological retard (I mean the kosher type, not retard wannabes like you) – minus the curse
I’m just creating a scenario for you to visualise here if they aren’t allowed to “book” their seats 1 hour earlier and the non-Muslims occupying the KFC
Why is it so wrong for non-Muslims to occupy a fast food restaurant? Simply because the Muslim people need to break their fast? Wow. That brings the word ‘cynical’ to a whole new meaning
You can always retort and tell them to go break their fast at home. Then the Muslims, by rights, can retaliate by telling you lots the same thing as well: go eat at Chinese restaurants or something. Else, stop complaining.
They can break their fast anywhere, I don’t really give a crap. All I’m asking is, why can’t some of these degenerates be more considerate and NOT OCCUPY the tables when they’re not using them?
Try fasting for once ;) It helps to reduce your anger a tad bit, that is even if you can manage to “free from all temptations and maintain a purity of thought”
Well, for someone who had tried something even more extreme before (NOT EATING for a few days, for eg, instead of worrying about not getting a table at KFC… boo hoo), fasting isn’t all that exciting. You can continue to gloat, it’s alright. Hmmpfff…
Stop pretending like you care about Malaysia. What’s with the concern over what the foreigners might think of the whole situation? What BS!
Ahaks, well, I don’t really give a shit about Malaysia – if only you can read between the lines. I gave a shit about my own image… because I do not want to be associated with the likes of those makro (or whatever) guys… or you… hah…
They don’t think the world are theirs just because they’re fasting. It’s just you who have that kind of lousy mindset.
No they don’t think the world is their’s (not that they can afford it, hmmmpff). They think the world OWES them… simply because they’re fasting. Well, grow a backbone. If you want to fast, fast like a man. Like a true Muslim. So what if you can’t get a table? Wait lah. We wait when we don’t get tables. We don’t automatically become sore losers and whine about everything… (yeah, speaking of that, you remind me of those UiTM losers…). Get a life.
There is a solution to every problem.
——————————————————————————————-
First, you need to starve yourself a little.
Then go to KFC 1 hour before “buka puasa”…
AND EATTTTTTTTTTT AND EATTT AND EATTTTTTTTTT LARRRRRR MWAHAHAHAHAHAHahahahhaha !! TAKE THAT !! MMmmmmwaaaaahhhhrrgghhhhhhhhhhhhhh it’s sooo goooddddddddd Mmmmmmmmmmm…..*spurtspurt* yeahhh Ketchuppppppp oh yeahhh bebeh nomm nommm nommmmmmm !! :D :D :D
Warning: Make sure you bring baby Regine along as a meatshield, and avoid having a horde of hungry people beat you up.
Soon most of them will learn that it does not pay to HOG THE SEATS WHEN YOU AREN’T EVEN EATING !!! DX
I was reading what UMIST wrote and almost gasp at how moronic his comments sound. MCH… basically, he’s saying *we* should try to understand why these muslims, who have fasted whole day, hog the tables at food establishments. That’s like saying, try to understand the lust rapists have when they rape women. KNN.
*shakes head* That sounds really sohai to me. You’re right, sounds like those UiTM kids – with skewed perception and reality.
This is non fasting related but I have a question that’s been on my mind for years.
In school, all Malaysians are made to study about Islam. I remember back in my school days, learning Jawi in primary school was compulsory. Then in secondary school, there were in-depth study of the religion in Form 4-5. In Form 6, there was even a whole subject on Islamic studies that was compulsory.
My question is…while we non muslims obediently learn abt Islam…why issit Muslims are not made to study about other religions…and I don’t mean just a few paragraphs in the textbook? I’m not trying to be racist here..in fact I work in a place where majority are malays. I think while other races in Malaysia tolerate Muslims, fellow muslims should also respect the other races, and not think that they are a step above.
I remember a while back, there was some news regards some pig farms in the paper..and I overheard my malay colleagues fiercely criticising this and saying it’s dirty, bla bla bla…..saying all this in the presence of the non muslim colleagues. If muslims CAN’t eat PORK, doesnt mean other races SHOULDN’T eat pork too!
Bottomline is…we non muslims tolerate muslims. For heaven’s sake fellow muslims, pease learn to tolerate the non muslims in return!
don’t think 1 hour plus is long enough. 2 hours maybe. But then, that’ll become either my tea break, or my fucking supper. *shakes head* Why can’t they just be considerate instead?
Well, ask yourself, why dont you? You have other 11 months in a year (other than Ramadhan month) to get your dinner at KFC during “buka puasa” time. You can even eat or drink anything you like before 6pm during Ramadhan. Or does KFC cease having take away during Ramadhan? As you said, there are conventional restaurants offer seating priorities. Instead of whining over not having seats in KFC, go to conventional restaurant la bro.
By the way, I doubt that you have ever tried not drinking and eating for the whole day? You just said, not eating for few days. Well that just normal to me. TRY NOT DRINKING, SMOKING, CURSING AND EATING FOR 1 DAY.
hahaha…i hv to agree on the pork statement. You don’t hear Hindus making hoohas abt cows being slaughtered here in m’sia. Tolerate saja la….susah sangat ker?
yeah, what UMIST wrote is stupid. who in their right mind would try to find a place to eat 5 minutes from break-fast time? that’s asking for trouble la. haha
the expedited writer: you’re likening fasting with the act of rape. hmm…how un-moronic of you.
JT: you think too much la. we don’t think the world has to stop because we are fasting, and we don’t think we’re a step above others. i tell you, the problem with respect is an attitude problem, not a religion problem.
isk.. ppl like UMIST are the kind that tarnish the Malay and Muslim image… sigh.. shame on you.. grow up ok!! you missed the point totally!!! buat malu kaum aje lah..
whr the hell is the toleransi????
nicevil – You’re trying to make me laugh, right? ok ok… ha. ha. there.
expedited writer – He’s just another dick. Probably some kid in his teen…
JT – I don’t know about you but, I wasn’t made to study Jawi or the likes back then. Only the normal Sejarah. You sure you’re from Malaysia, dude?
hermzz – If only you understand the meaning of this word – prerogative. It’s written in the constitution. I can eat wherever and whenever I like. But to hog tables at a public restaurant without using them, that’s just plain wrong. Muslim or not. If you still don’t get it, then don’t bother.
jo – It’s mutual respect lar.
anas – I think that’s what I’m trying to say here. It’s an attitude problem. You can fast or do whatever you like. It’s between you and your God. But please, while you’re doing that, do remember that you still need to uphold your integrity as a respectful person. I believe that’s what some of the commentors are trying to say (except for a couple of idiots)
Pah – We have a word to describe this – mempersiasueykan. Hahah
Yes I am aware such word incorporated in our constitution. Since you brought up the issue of constitution, please be advice of Articles of our constitution for all Malaysian’s liberty. Though does not prescribed under any written Law or Statute of Malaysia, but then though hog tables at public restaurant is a plain wrong does not mean its ILLEGAL for doing so. Its merely perception. I do understand the whole issue, bother or not, still you have a lot of alternatives to choose from… such as… dont eat in KFC during that hour, or take away… or eat somewhere else. Dont waste that…
hermzz – I rest my case :-)
anas: In no way am I degrading the act of fasting by likening it to rape. My intention was to show the similarity of these basic human needs (that is naturally occurring).
*Everyone* is hungry, or lusting or the other – but UMIST is trying to say that just because Muslims were fasting, hence, the hunger, *we* should give them the preferential treatment and understand their needs to hog tables. And comparatively, it’s like trying to “understand”, i.e. the lust (again, a basic need that might have gone compulsive) a rapist feels when they rape. It’s just a figurative comparison and is by no means likened in context to one another. Hope you don’t read too much in between the lines, yeah :)
Haha … indeed it’s inconsiderate to do that. Thank goodness it’s just for a month.
Hey, I noticed the ‘?’ mark avatar on every comments and a smart wise man’s avatar for *ahem* you. Neat !
the expedited writer: ehhe, i might have misunderstood your comment. thanks for explaining. cheers :)
When i was studying in uni, i stayed at the hostel and during ramadhan, I always have to tapau my berbuka food a lot earlier from our hostel’s foodcourt (having no car and all) in order to avoid the chinese crowd as they usually have their dinner about the same time as breaking fast. I did feel annoyed back then, but what i did was adapt to the situation (I’m not saying hogging tables are right). Why dont you just tegur these people directly? Maybe you can’t tegur all. Like if i see some one throw out rubbish onto the pavement, sometimes I would ask them if they could pick up the rubbish back and use dustbins instead. People usually do. It might not make KL streets clean but at least there’s one less rubbish on the street and the fella might just not do it again.
nisa – You sound like a nice person, I could have slapped in a really sarcastic reply, but I won’t. You see, the reason is not so much on me not wanting to confront these people. When you see a whole restaurant full of them, it’s just not a viable thing to do (hint). I’ll give you an example – You see a group of 50 – 100 Mat Rempits revving their heavily modded bikes endangering the lives of others. Would you want to approach one (or some) of them and ‘tegur’? If your answer’s ‘yes’, then I’ve got nothing to say. If you’re thinking like what I think (no), then spot on. We think these people are just hopeless, and we won’t deign to give a crap. Like some of you suggested, we’d just mind our own business and write it off as another tragic episode of having to deal with shitty people.
Michael, I’ve got news for you.
Malaysians are like that. Not just the buka puasa. Malaysians are known for hogging.
Example 1: Hogging seats with their bags.
Ever been to a restaurant where there’s not enough seats and you spot “those people” using a seat for their bags / handbags. HOGGERS
Hello, a seat is for people to sit not for bags. This happens in all restaurants throughout the year.
Example 2: LRT / Public transport.
Same case, bags on seat other people stands. HOGGERS
Example 3: Traffic light junction in a cross junction.
Drivers should not stop at the centre of the crossroad, stubborn people just try to squeeze through the crossroad although the path ahead is stuck. Causing JAM when the other light turns green. HOGGERS
These Malaysians are down right selfish and inconsiderate.
Well, that’s looking at a bigger picture. I couldn’t disagree with you. In that case, you could even look at this as an even bigger picture, then you’ll realize that you have the whole world to scorn, and it will never end.