Shabbir was our 1st driver. He drove us in Hiace and also on a rented vehicle when needed. It is uncommon in Pakistan to get a rental vehicle without the driver, as it is uncommon in Malaysia to get a rental vehicle with a driver.
But we always insisted on getting a vehicle without a driver, especially for our social use. From our previous experiences, whenever we get a rental vehicle with a driver, the communication goes south and we end up going east and west, winding around to get to our location.
When finally we got our cars that we had booked, we needed the second driver. We needed to travel in two different vehicles for security purpose, with the security escort traveling with us.
We told our HR to look for driver who can speak English. We thought we would be lucky to get a second driver who will be as good as Shabbir. The hunt went futile. We then made a compromise to hire someone who can at least understand just basic English.
HR gave us good news—they told us that they have found a driver who had prior working experience in Malaysia. Wow! This is more than what we expect . Hopefully, the Malaysian driver would definitely know how much we love to have a car ride without the continuous honking. How we appreciate our safety is taken care when signal lights are used, when turning and taking over. How we will feel happy when we drive on the right lanes and not on the no-entry lanes.
Shabbir despite being good in English, he is a typical Pakistani driver. In his early days, he needs to be constantly reminded about the unnecessary horn policy, the use of signal lights, especially when taking over and, more importantly, to que when the road is jammed and not to drive happily on no entries..
The Malaysian driver came for the interview. HR conducted the interview and OK’ed him. We wanted to conduct 2nd interview to ensure he can understand English and we actually were hoping maybe he might even understand Malay. We have seen that foreigners who stay in Malaysia talk fluently in Malay after just a few years and we were told that he had worked three years in Malaysia.
“Apa khabar (How are you)” I asked during the interview. No word just a smile. Maybe he is shy. I then asked, “Berapa lama awak kerja di Malaysia (how long you have worked in Malaysia)” He again smiled. I became anxious. I needed assurance thus I asked my HR manager to ask him in Urdu if he can understand my question or not.
I saw him courageously replying to my HR manager. He is not that shy type of person. HR manager explained that he understands little bit of Malay. “Ada faham bahasa melayu? (do you understand Malay)”. He answered “sikit-skit (little)”. I was talking only little or simple Malay. He doesn’t seems to understand. His little bit Malay maybe only the word “sikit-sikit” (little). Similar to me when people asked me can you speak Urdu, my reply will always be “thoda-thoda” when literally in my early days in Pakistan that was the only few words I know in Urdu.
Fortunately, he did understand little English but his reply has always been ‘OK sir’ even when we asked him a question. When he answers ‘Ok sir’ for a question, we need to tell him this is not a statement but a question. Urdu is a language which emphasis on voice modulation for differentiating meaning for a same word. When you speak the modulation can determine either it is a question or a statement. If you have watched the Amir Khan’s movie PK, he explains how a same word can mean differently with the use of voice modulation. Watch it here.
As we have no better choice, we decided to hire him. The Malaysia sentiment i.e. the ‘sikit-sikit’ did influence us.
After he reported for duty, we tasked Shabbir to teach him English. He was envy to see Shabbir being very close to us because they were no language barrier between us. He wanted the same privilege.
It is common in Pakistan for driver to carry your begs and open the car doors for you. In Malaysia this treatment is privileged only for VVIPs. We always felt VVIPs in Pakistan. Shabbir have this practice where he always greets us and have small chat early morning either before we start our journey to office or during the early part of the journey. He will then give us our personal space to do what we want. He seldom be chattery during the ride to or from work.
One day, the second driver, Shaukat looked happier than usual. I assumed he got some good news from village. So as usual he pick our bags and send it to car and opens the door for us. He then enters the car, fasten his seats belts. Yes! we made this compulsory, seat belts must be fasten. He adjusted the back mirror smiled at me and asked, “Who are you sir!”. I was perplexed. His smile was still there. When I didn’t answer, he again asked me elongating further his smile, “Who are you sir!”.
I was curious. His smile and the question doesn’t relate. Is he trying to make fun of me? I needed clarification but I think I should answer him first. “I’m your boss, that’s who I’m”. I answered firmly.
#pakistan #expatriate #culture #powerplant #9HA #driver #english
Ek Safar (The Journey) 