A makcik story

Wow! two entries per day. I must have got nothing to do. Shame to admit but, its true. Anyhow, I have been waiting to write about this wonderful 'makcik' (auntie) story. I guess today i am free and will let my makcik memory floating back to my brain cell and communicating back to my fingers.

Most blogger and blogs readers are well educated. The feeling of being proud and honored with your educational level may enter to the sense of great mind state leading to arrogant behaviour. I am not saying all the smart people out there are arrogant. Nope. But, couple with few other factors they can be one arrogant snob. I know. Because i nearly become one. Luckily, the makcik pull me back to earth to where i belong to be what dad taught me, to be humble.

It all started few weeks ago. I was in the new Matrade (the self made famous icon) building somewhere in Kuala Lumpur. Together with my executive we were there to meet SMIDEC representative. We are prepared to present our case. We are well dressed too (something i rarely do). In fact myself was very proud with our case. Proud of what the company has achieved. We were there to apply for 'geran'(fund allocated by government to help industy) to buy few machines. I know smidec cannot decline us because we are so damn good. Company information, business activities, sales, social contribution are excellent. We are the perfect candidate for the 'geran'. No other SMI company can beat us. I was so proud till it started to touch the arrogant territory.

The smidec officer too was impressed with our company. Our export revenues, number of people hired stunned him. All he can say was 'No Problem the fund is there for you to tap'. At that moment my arrogance level was reached. I did not say anything to expose the feeling but i know it is inside me. Still bad. During my 30 minutes discussion with the smidec officer at Smidec lounge/discussion area, I notice one makcik walking lazily back and forth. I did not pay attention to her. She might be the cleaner or tea lady trying to hear our discussion for fun. The officer seems to know her. They greet other. I did not care less. she is just a tea lady at most.
My arrogance sense coupled with success atmosphere treat the makcik with hardly any respect. At this stage i had not yet communicate with the makcik. The feeling is all inside me. I was flying with self ego, pomposity and snob.

The officer excuse himself to his office to pick up a form for us to fill. During the officer absence, the makcik sit in his chair. She start reading my company profile. She seems to ponder and indulge herself to the document. I was stunned and speechless. The tea lady cum cleaner 'playing' with my stuff. I would like to stop her, but not really want to insult her. I was crying deep in my heart to prohibit her from laying her dirty fingers on my sacred documents.

She broke the silence

makcik : where are u guys from? (with very heavy hard core Terengganu slang)
me : Kemaman (with myvery soft terengganu slang)
makcik : oh! we are not far apart i am form Kuala terengganu. What are you doing here?
me: (she really belong to makcik terengganu doing the keropok lekor (fish made cookies)) We are here for geran matters (with proud). what are u doing here?
makcik: same thing
me: (stunned) u mean u also apply ?
makcik: oh nope. I already got it. I come here for final disbursement.
me: (nearly down to feet. shock. impresed.numb.knock out punch etc) what? when? what do you do? what business are you in? (I start mumbling/questioning in disbelief. she is at most passed only standard 6)
makcik.: I own a factory in Terenganu. I manufacture fabric. (she start showing her pamphlet)
me: (damn.)
makcik : i supply to company making uniform, shirt and so on.
me: where do you purchase your raw material ?
makcik: malaysia, but now most come form china and taiwan. I have to import in order to be competitive.
me: (wow!) i ask for more sensitive business questions like market, machines and so on..
makcik: (she gave me vague answer)
me: (darn she is defensive. smart cunning)
Now the table has turn around. I was the stupid one. Makcik is the smarter one.
me: how can we make sure we got the geran? any hint?any lesson? ( my ego vanish)
makcik; (she gave 5 minute lecture on business, marketing, personal relation, lobbying and the need to be cunning in your application. I feel like the makcik read tens of business books or all the tens book were referred to the makcik experiences)

The officer was back. He hand us the form. Its time to leave. I wave and greet goodbye to the super makcik. I could not help my self thinking about the makcik on our 3 hrs journey back. No matter how high you fly, there always somebody higher than you. The makcik put back a man likeme to his sense. I am sure makcik will make you lady (who regards herself as brilliant high achiever great mind + snob etc) to shame.

I am thank full to GOD for meeting me with makcik.