koay teow musings

a mother and her child sat at the table together, looking not at each other, but at the devices in the palm of their hands.

a while later, a man joined them. the wife looked up and returned to her gadget. the son did not bother. the man took out his mobile phone and joined them in their morning prayer, head bowed religiously.

an old couple could be heard before entering. they hobbled into the shop, seemingly talking to themselves and everyone else. it was not long before they sat down, ordered their breakfast, and began a lively conversation in loud, rapid hokkien with the serving waiter. the other staff stood at their stations, but listened to the trio and occasionally, would chuckle and smile at the old couple's remarks.

and then there's me, trying to mentally memorise the scene. i was unable to help feeling that sometimes, civility and mannerisms have dropped the temperature of modernisation.