I was taking pictures of my food and interior of the restaurant, just how like I always do whenever I visit a new restaurant or cafe.

It was until when the boss, who looked like a late 20’s chao ah beng that has quite about 30% resemblence to Singapore’s famous actor Mark Lee 李国煌, came over and spoke to me.

The boss stutters (A speech disorder involving hesitations and involuntary repetitions of certain sounds.).

Conversation was in Mandarin, but translated for blog usage.

“You… You… You… You cannot take pictures, do you know that? Why are you… you… you… you taking pictures? Do you… you… you… you know that you are scaring away my customers?”

“Huh? How does me taking photos scaring your customers? Why I cannot take pictures? I love photography and I want to take pictures to keep, that’s all.”

“You… You… You… You still cannot take pictures.”

“Why? You tell me why first, then I shall see.”

“You… you… you… you still cannot take pictures.”

“Why lah?”

The boss left.

Not satisfied with the answer, I proceeded to continue to take my pictures. However, with respect, I took off my external flash and proceeded to take pictures without any flash, to avoid disturbing other customers. On top of that, I have always choose a corner table at the end of the restaurant or a mcuh more quiet area to avoid disturbing other people when I take my pictures.

After finishing my meal, I proceeded to call the boss for the bill.

“Boss, I just to love to take pictures. Don’t worry too much.” (I was trying to be nice.)

“You… you… you… you still cannot take pictures, do you… you… you… you know that?” (The boss said with a very disgusted face and bad attitude.)

“What’s the problem?” (I said in a very agitated tone.)

“You… you… you… you still cannot take pictures. I… I… I… I CAN CALL 999 AND ASK THE POLICE TO COME AND CATCH YOU.”

“……” (I was dumbfounded for 3 seconds.)

“Boss, you actually want to call the police to come to catch me just because I take pictures of my food? Are you out of your mind?”

“……”

He left.

I left the restaurant in a very agitated mood and not wanting to go back there again even though the food was quite good.

I would have politely keep my camera if you give me a valid reason, but definitely not when you don’t have a valid reason, speak to your customer in such tone and with that disgusting look. Moreover, all you ever know how to say is “You… You… You… You cannot take pictures.”, like a three year old child arguing.

If you are selling designs, I understand. If you are selling unique items, I understand. However, it’s food. How can I copy the ingredients used, method of making / cooking, tastes and etc. through a picture? It’s just pure bullshit. If you are confident with your food, why are you afraid of people exposing your business or eatery? If you know your food sucks, why bother to start a restaurant in the first place? Most importantly, there was no “No Camera” sign,

Later, after coming back from home, when I tried to reenact the scene by speaking like the boss, I realized how funny it was.

I wouldn’t have laugh at him for his stuttering, but when he threatened to call the police to catch me because I was taking pictures inside his shop, I couldn’t help it but to find it amusing, ridiculous and absolutely ridiculous.

Amusing, indeed.

I first got the RM5 change from the lady selling noodles at the famous chendol stall along Jonker Street. The next time I took the RM5 out from my pocket, it became two RM2.50 RM note instead. I swear to God that I just stuffed the money into my pocket and 10 minutes later, it became like that.

And I lost RM5 just like that.