Suburban encounters

I was back at the satay stall again as I had waited for ages and am still waiting to sink my teeth into the chicken satay. "You're next," the hawker said when I appeared again in front of her, announcing my table number.

I waited for my 10 satay and finally she handed it to me. 10 satay in a very small styrofoam plate with a small bowl of peanut sauce balanced on the same plate. I was looking at the satay intently and walking away when the auntie said to me “xiao mei, look at the way you are going, not at the satay!"

I giggled. I got reduced to a small girl in that very instance. No where else would a 33-year-old be referred to as "xiao mei" other than in a hawker centre or in a wet market. And her advice was so matter-of-fact and blunt and yet so heartwarming and packed with humour.

Earlier when I was at the MRT station, I went to the station control and asked the staff which is the nearest exit to the hawker centre. The staff said," oh, old kallang airport is it? I just had my dinner there'. His colleague beside him laughed.

Then he flashed a big smile and said, "Exit A, turn right."

I reflected on the MTV of the national day theme song, which I only came across a few days ago. Where on the streets would you find only young people (and of course in a cocktail of different races) who look totally polished and artificially cheerful? Where do you find people who wear pretty dresses at home with full make-up? I think it's about time that ordinary, everyday-people are represented, those who really make up the community in the place we live in.