Erhu, Packet Tissues and an Old Man

As our daily routine, my folks and I would debate on what to eat each morning. We decided on a particular food center near our home as it offered a large variety of hawker fare to choose from. As my folks were sinking their faces into the steaming hot fish-head beehoon and chee cheong fun, we heard a fairly strange noise coming from the neighboring table.


Standing over the table was a Chinese man, about 70-ish by my estimate. In one hand was an erhu and the other the fiddle, with a bag tucked under his arm. He was playing a tune and trying to solicit some money from the people at the neighboring table who were more keen on their breakfast than his talent. Unable to arouse a response from them, he turned to our table and started playing. Mum being the woman she is, took the money usually left on the table to pay for food when served, and handed some of it to him. He was indeed appreciative. He dug into his bag and took out some packet tissues to hand to Mum. She refused and he said "It's a 'must'. Just trying to get by. This old man... nobody will care for." With that, he went off to the next table.

That reminded me of an article I read recently in Malaysian Insider. However it is now inaccessible with their recent web redesign. It is still available at this site: Chinese poor and lower class in M’sia: How well off are they? 

So yes, I am angry. At MCA. At Gerakan. At Barisan. You won't be getting my newly minted vote.