The performing arts community in Malaysia are generally very friendly people who want to expand the reach of the arts community in our country.
This is a good and necessary thing as the arts can bring a sense of togetherness and understanding within a community.
But sadly, that doesn’t seem to be the case with certain Malaysians. The Performing Arts Centre of Penang took to their Facebook page to share bad experiences they’ve had with visitors following the aftermath of the Covid-19 virus.
They began by describing an incident where a visitor insisted on having her favourite seat.
“At Penangpac, we are always trying our very best to be warm, friendly and welcoming to all our visitors. Sadly, not everyone are as nice as others. Last week, a visitor used the F-word on our staff for asking her to sit in a designated row instead of her own favourite seat. Although the staff explained to her that this was meant to help with crowd controlling during shows, the visitor replied, ‘That’s your problem, not mine!'”
But that wasn’t the only visitor who seemed to insist on having whichever seat they preferred.
“And then there was an incident where a seat reserved for the camera crew was taken over by a visitor during a full-house show. When explained, the visitor replied, ‘So take your camera elsewhere!'”
Other instances include rude visitors during Covid-19 temperature checks at the entrance of the centre.
“This morning, when our staff was ready to take temperatures at the entrance of our centre, a visitor who came with children yelled, ‘Why did you take their temperatures from the forehead? I told you to do so on their wrists! Didn’t you read the news?'”
One of their staff members shared her own encounter with a rude visitor via the posting.
“Once a woman and her husband came to our centre. Since my Hokkien isn’t good, we spoke in English. Later, I heard the woman say to her husband in Hokkien, ‘this girl is so slow’, to which her husband replied, ‘if she is smart, she wouldn’t be working at the box office’.”
Their cleaner has also experienced rude treatment from visitors who dub her as stupid because of her choice of career.
“There are so many incidents similar to these. When they happen, our staff try their very best to stay calm and respond accordingly. But we are no robots – we have feelings too. Why are people so rude? Why can’t we show some warmth and friendliness? It is disheartening, really, to see, hear and witness these incidents taking place in an arts centre especially since arts is supposed to bring people together.”
This is truly sad that visitors choose to be rude and judge those who are responsible for making the show that they are watching possible.
Without the staff members behind Penangpac, there wouldn’t be shows to watch or a place to perform, and for that we should all be thankful.
Kudos, Penangpac, for all the jobs well done. Don’t let rude people bring you down.
Also read: M’sian Woman Accused Of Making Fun Of Vendor At Traffic Light, Netizens Call Her Rude & Spoilt
