“Lepak” with the Brits

When I was in my first year of degree studies, I was finding it difficult to adapt to my surroundings. Nothing felt familiar at all. The introvert in me became super apparent during this time.

I made friends with many of them (locals and internationals) but was only close to few of them. Those few were international students like me too. However, it was easier to mingle around Asian peeps than other students who came from the other parts of the world. Reason being? I don’t know myself. I became really good friends to those from Hong Kong, Thailand and South Asians.

There were many occasions where my fellow classmates which includes the locals, asked me to join them socialising at Loco’s (our university student bar). I was very reluctant to go and had rejected their invitations numerous times. As a visibly & practicing Muslim, I wanted to avoid these kinds of places. However there was one time when I finally gave in.

I was feeling a little guilty and perhaps, arrogant(?) for not joining them during social times. Don’t get me wrong, I did talk to them during class hours. I didn’t seclude myself during lessons. It was during leisure times that I chose to spend time with my cliques rather than with them. My cliques do include some locals too.

I went to Loco’s together with my other classmates after 9pm I guess. We talked and laughed. Everything was fine until one by one became intoxicated with alcohols. They started acting a little wild in front of me. I could still tolerate that though. It was when one of them (who was a guy) started acting inappropriately to me that I finally at my limit.

I looked across to my other friend, who was a local Muslim guy. We were the only ones who did not drink. I looked at him, and he signalled me to get myself out of the bar. My other friends who weren’t drunk offered to walk me home. I told them I was a little culture shock and also experience mild migraine from the loud music. It was around 11pm if I’m not mistaken.

Ferron was one of those who walked me home. I told him I would never go socialising at a bar anymore hahaha. I couldn’t imagine how they would socialise in a club. Such a loud and wild place.

In Malaysia, as Malays we often hang out at Mamak stalls till late at night. Other races or people with different religious background may have different ways of socialising in Malaysia. We call it “lepak”, which literal meaning is just “hanging out”. To the brits, I see it as them “partying” hahahaha. I might be wrong though.

This incident happened during my first year. I became better at befriending and socialising with my local friends when I was in my second and third years. I guess somebody needed a little time to adjust, huh?