Heart And Soul: Lost in translation, found in food

At reunion dinners, the writer says nobody cares if you say 'cheers' or 'ganbei' as long as you refill the elders’ tea and know how to survive a three-hour meal without offending aunty Lim, who scrutinises you closely. — Freepik

Malaysia – land of nasi lemak, daredevil drivers, and public holidays nobody questions – is not just a country; it’s a buffet of cultures where everyone argues about food, weather, and the right way to pronounce “meh or mah”.

And nestled snugly in this cultural rojak is the Malaysian Chinese community – loud, proud, and forever split between two camps: the English-educated and the Chinese-educated.