Entente Cordiale

Paul, my new British friend from UK, on a holiday in Malaysia for the first time, likes to say that he needs beer not because of its alcohol but because he needs liquid.

Liquids, as in alcohol and as water in rain, have helped Entente Cordiale among Britain, Malaysia, Australia and Korea at the Korean dinner hosted by Dr. Joe’s in-laws.

Before dinner, we were under the impression that all guests have to be in formal attire. I was joking with Helen that she should go in her bikinis as most Malaysians see them scantily dressed in our hot weather and probably think that that is their traditional wear. Just before getting ready, one of us confirmed with Dr. Isabelle that we could go in casual wear.

During the wedding buffet lunch at Joe’s place, at the wedding registration ceremony and wedding dinner at Mandarin Oriental, Dr. Lee had given us the impression that he is always serious. A man of few words and seldom smiled, we thought it was because he used to be a Professor in a leading Korean university and is used to maintaining a stiff image.

Many of us had no idea where is Derby Park where the Korean restaurant is. Even now, I cannot even recall the name of the restaurant.

As driver of 2 visiting British couples, I had the responsibility of making sure they reach there on time. I was told it was behind and between Nikko Hotel and Citibank. Having missed that particular road, I had no choice but to turn into the road leading to KLCC and Mandarin Oriental. It was then raining heavily and the traffic was inching its way. It was after passing MO and into Jalan Pinang that I saw an MPV driven by Mohammed. I was doubly relieved that we were not alone if indeed we were late, and also I had someone to lead the way! As we were almost there, even having lost sight of the vehicle, we could see the entrance to the building where I dropped off the passengers and headed straight to the basement car park.

When I was about to reach the lift, I saw a group of familiar Korean faces and was pleasantly surprised to see the host family all drenched and laughing out loud. One of them told me that they were caught in the rain while walking from The Ascott apartments!

What a difference a heavy downpour made to the mood of the evening! Every now and again, one of the Koreans would burst out laughing in their drenched state. All the formalities and seriousness which we had expected, seemed to have been washed away by the rain.

It was a really good start to the evening’s event. Another uncle of Joe was with me, sitting with the host family. The British couples had with them a Korean, Mr. Park. It was their idea of mingling the guests. Toasts were exchanged and later endless toasts with the slightest excuse, until one by one, the so-called heroes fell. Some had to be helped to the cars. Earlier, I was criticized by Joe’s mum, for not being sporting enough, but being a driver for the night, I had my responsibilities.

The next day, Paul told us how Mr. Park poured a Korean drink into Paul’s cup and he drank it. Then he gestured to Paul with the bottle and Paul misunderstood him and poured the drink into his own cup again and Park shook his head. Later, my son, who had worked with a Korean company before, explained that Paul was supposed to pour into Park’s cup in return.

Towards the end of the evening, it was a sight to behold. Both families of the newly-weds and guests were like old friends, embracing each other and taking digital pictures for later viewing as well as for the album.

Thanks to liquids, the evening’s event was a great success: entente cordiale among new relatives and friends, and countries like Britain, Malaysia, Korea and Australia.