1. Their all-time-favorite question: “You eat already or not?”
This is literally every Malaysian Moms’ favorite question “You eat already or not?” (“Dah makan?”). It will either be this or “Are you hungry?” Malaysian moms always seem to think we starve ourselves all the time. Perhaps, they just like feeding us.
2. Starve their kids before a buffet to “save space” for food
Malaysian moms ALWAYS want to get their money’s worth at a buffet. Dinner buffet? No problem. You will not be allowed to have lunch just so you’ll have more “space” for the buffet later. “Eat as much as you can”, they would always say. Malaysian mom’s logic.
3. Brags about their children behind their backs
Malaysians in general are very “kiasu” (afraid to lose). It is to no surprise that Malaysian moms will often shamelessly brag about their children’s accomplishments to others, especially competitive relatives and busybody aunties; YET, they are too proud to do it in front of their kids.
4. …BUT, compares their kids to others in front of the kids. Mummy’s logic
A typical Malaysian mom loves comparing or complaining about their children to others in front of their kids. “You see! John goes to Cambridge, you leh? Everyday play computer.” “See Ah Chong is a doctor now, you leh? Can’t even get a distinction.” Sounds familiar? Tell me about it. We’ve all been there.
5. Blames everything on “playing too much computer” or “watching too much TV”
Oh this is their ultimate favorite. Have a headache? Because you play too much computer. Stomach ache? You’re watching too much TV. Caught a cold? You’re probably spending too much time playing computer games. “Everyday Facebook Facebook until headache lah!” – #MalaysianMomsLogic
6. Turns into a skilled interrogator when their kid is about to go out
“Who are you going out with?” “What will you be doing?” “Where are you going?” “Why are you going?” The list goes on and on. They seem to turn into professional interrogators when you’re about to go out with your friends. Of course, when your friends make last minute plans you probably can’t go because it takes 3 business days for them to interrogate you and decide if you’re permitted.
7. Makes you and any family members to queue in multiple lines at cashier counters
Malaysians, like I said, are very “kiasu”. They yearn to be the first and the quickest. Similarly, at a crowded supermarket, a typical Malaysian mom would make you and any of your present family members to queue in multiple lines at cashier counters, just to see which queue moves faster, and pick the one that reaches the cashier first.
And if you hesitated..
8. “Steals” free stuff to use at home
“Take more! Can use at home, saves money.”
Enter a nearby McDonald’s with a typical Malaysian mom, and she would take more sauce packets than needed, be it ketchup, chili sauce or those free black peppers and salt packets. They love collecting them for future uses. On a vacation? Staying at a hotel. She’ll be packing up all the free shampoos and toilet rolls. “Saves money leh.”
9. Malaysian moms love keeping food leftovers
Extra food during lunch? No problem. Can be kept for dinner. Can’t finish during dinner too? It’s okay, “keep them for tomorrow”, they would often say. Leftovers don’t always mean just one day of leftovers. Sometimes it could mean leftovers for the next 3 days. On top of that, some Malaysian moms love cooking more food than necessary, just so that there will be leftovers for the next few meals; hence, saving the hassle of making another meal all over again.
10. They love asking ridiculous pointless questions when you’re watching movies
“Why is he dead?”, “Who is she?”, “What is happening now?”, “I don’t get it, why is she crying?”, “How come he’s punching that guy?” – They absolutely LOVE asking ridiculous and often pointless questions WHILE you are watching a movie. Sometimes they would intentionally ask to appear as if they’re interested but in reality, they don’t really know or care about the plot all that much. Yes, sounds like a typical Malaysian mom thing.
With that said, we still love our moms very much because at the end of the day, who will be the one to do the household chores without a word of complaint? Who will be the one we run to when a lizard “invades” our room? Who will be the one we call for when we can’t find something at home? Plus, Asian moms are not one to be messed with when it comes to their children.
OUR MOMS
So don’t worry all moms out there, we perhaps don’t say it often, but WE LOVE YOU.
