Kindness is reciprocated with kindness

After shopping at a supermarket, I walked towards the open car park where I parked my car. I noticed a Chinese couple having a row with two Malay youths on a motorbike. As I approached, the youths rode off angrily.

I talked to the Chinese couple. They told me that they spotted a vacant parking space when a motorbike ridden by the two Malay youths overtook them and occupied the space. They got off their car and scolded the youths. The Malay youths got angry and they traded insults.

After telling me what happened, the couple ended by saying, “Useless Mat Rempit. Their kind of people behave like that.”

I decided to have a few words with them, and asked them very politely:

• Did the boys know that you wanted the parking space?
• Why did you not park at another place instead of quarreling with them and risking high blood pressure?
• If the boys were Chinese, would you be as hostile to them?

I left the couple and walked towards my car. 4 or 5 motorbikes have gathered at a spot near my car. The young Malay riders seemed to be in a discussion. Upon seeing me, they stopped talking and eyed me warily. Without any hesitation, I flashed them a sincere smile. They looked awkward at first, but soon they smiled back. I told them politely that I wanted to drive my car out. They nodded politely and moved their bikes away from my car.

Before I drove off, I waved to them and said in English, “Happy New Year!” They waved back. Some of them even found their voices to say “Happy New Year!”

Kindness begets kindness.