Kids Go Wild In Family's New Taipan Restaurant

You know how some people tend to drive like they own whole damn road and we get this surging uncontrollable need to roll down the window, show them the mighty middle finger and screech “Your father own the road ah!!??” Well, in this case, the kids had every reason to say ‘Yes lor. Wanna fight ah?” My in-laws (and don’t know how else is in the picture) decided to open a new fusion-kampong style restaurant in Taipan area…no name yet…not as far as I know but it’s where the old Pizza Uno used to be, right beside the huge Burger King. Somehow, I think it’s a good location (dunno whether it’s a good thing or a bad one) because it’s right beside and in front, at the back of major fast food outlets. Burger King and McDonalds is just in front and beside. There are only about a million other kopitiams and restaurants surrounding it. (subtle advertising here) Note about video: I've changed the video to a clearer one.

Anyway, that’s over and done with. The restaurant’s not open yet and they’re pushing for tomorrow as a launch date but I don’t think they’re anywhere near it. However, last Sunday, we had a food-testing done with some close friends and parents, relatives, etc. The whole gang-bang thing…not too many people, fortunately. Of course, the kids had a field day. Whenever we went out to restaurants (especially the higher class ones), they have to keep to their seats and be reminded to finish off their food. If they’ve run out of fried eggs, they have to wait a century before it’s delivered. But this time, they had a ball because Jared, who is IN LOVE WITH EGGS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES, can grab all sorts of eggs from the serving counter as and when he likes…like boss. In fact, he can order the cooks to cook faster-faster fried eggs! After the whole exchanging of ideas and commentary of what the food was like and what can be done to change it or make it better (or brainstorming some really crammy and good ideas for names), the kids were all over the place. I wasn’t alarmed but kinda thinking…what if they think they can do the same thing in all kinds of restaurants. Then came the sit-down-session-and-explaining-about-customers bit. We didn’t have customers then but there were a few lucky people who came in thinking that the restaurant was open and got FREE DINNER instead. Customer walks in.

Customer (quite demandingly I want white rice. Don’t want nasi lemak.

Me stared at her for a full three seconds before replying

Me We’re only doing food testing

The customer’s turn to stare at me.

Customer (annoyed) SO? Cannot have white rice, is it?

I run off into the kitchen and filled a plate with white rice and come scattering back in record time. I've forgotten what it was like to be a waitress (Yes, I was one). Anyway, quite a few of them came in and we count them lucky bastards and let them have free food in exchange for comments. Then I sat the kids down and explained to them the concept of running a business and respecting customers when they are here.

KIDS (bewildered) But…but…there were no customers. They’re not paying money. Me (sighing) Yeah, I know. This is just a food-testing exercise, you know. Later, there WILL be customers (hopefully to the brim) and they WILL be paying, so we have to respect them Kids So…why are you telling us this now.

I. GIVE. UP.