Takde Kelas

When I was working with a company in Petronas Tower Two KLCC, I regularly came across a very stylish, self-assured and well-groomed Malay woman (circa late twenties/early thirties) who always took the elevator up to one of the top floors.

Since she neither looked like the typical career woman nor did she dress like one, I assumed that she came to visit her father or husband or partner or lover, presumably after a bout of shopping at KLCC, judging from the chic paper bags she usually brought along with her.

Looking at her, one could be forgiven for mistaking her to be a local film star or an actress in the local television drama series. Indubitably, she would draw a second glance whenever she went. She exuded glamour and confidence from her every pore, from the top of her stylishly streaked hair to tips of her well-manicured toes.

She appeared to be a true woman of class. That is, until she opened her mouth to speak – whence all such illusion is shattered.

For the classy-looking “Ms Glamour” did not speak like a lady!

My cronies and I happened upon her and her two girlfriends one day during lunch at an upscale eatery in KLCC. They were noisily talking about “girl stuff” – you know – clothes, jewellery and men.

Though the place was rather noisy with teeming lunchtime patrons, “Ms Glamour” and friends’ loud voices, coarse language – a “chacha-marba” mixture of Malay and English - and raucous laughter, seemed to drown out the rest of the noise.

Needless to say, quite a number of eyes were riveted in their direction. They did not seem to mind that, in fact, they basked in all the attention. Unashamedly so, mind you, for one could actually cringe at some of the indecorous, uncouth words that rolled off their tongues!

What a pity, I thought. You know what they say – “Money can buy classy things and branded goods, it can’t buy class and good breeding”.

Although, I admit that I may be wrong: for in truth, perhaps “Ms Glamour” was brought up by her mother to be polite and courteous to others. Perhaps an aunt did advise her to sit properly while eating, and to behave with decorum especially in public. Perhaps her grandmother did tell her it is unseemly for a “good girl” to draw unwarranted attention towards herself. And perhaps her teacher did indeed inform her that it was offensive to be vulgar, and disrespectful to be bad-mannered.

If that is, indeed the case, there is nothing left to say, except, all the more pity to her, and to those who taught her in vain.