Making Courtesy Count

IF there is ever a time that I gauge someone else's character, it is when they interact with people from the service industry or of socially lower status. I recently had lunch at a 'mamak' with one of my theater peers, a quirky guy I have thoroughly enjoyed working with before. A salesman interrupted us to try and sell us a camping lamp. Interested, I asked for the price.

“Only 13 Ringgit, Ma'am,” came the reply. My friend asked to bring the price down to RM10, to which the salesman apologised about it being too close to the cost price. Suddenly, my friend snapped.