I do not know whether Penangites have awareness of what people from other states describing us - the so called 'island mentality'......honestly, l am not mad of what others have told at all, as l know they are telling the truth, as a person who has been living in Penang for my whole life, of course l know what is this Island mentality about.....

Sad to say, the majority have this terrible symptom, this is being imparted from last generation, and l am worry, if we do not make a change, our next generation will be affected for sure, and this is very sad to see.....

What is island mentality? It is all about the terrible mind set which they thought they are always the best therefore they refuse to listen to others as well as refusing to any changes.......they are exactly like the lonely island in the middle of the sea, thinking and living on their own way regardless of the environment's transformation....

For example, our state government is working very hard to appeal for 'no plastic bag', but if you go to those hypermarkets on those days the hypermarkets are allowed to supply plastic bags, you will see, those aunties and uncles are packing every single item with one plastic bag, because they could not get plastic bags on 'No plastic bags Days', so they want to get more when they have chances to get it......so, what is the meaning of 'No plastic bag days' huh? Don't they see the huge changes of the climate and the seriousness of polution? Yes they saw and they know, but they thought this is not their business, as they are just staying in a small island which is far from the world, the end of the day will not reach them.....

In another word, one of the symptom is - selfish!

Are there rich people in Penang? I can tell you, a lot, but....when it comes to charity, Penang is always one of the poorest states, for example, recently, there was one big charity show performing by the disables and professional dancers from KL, the response was very bad in Penang, raising the least fund compare to other states, it was full house in other places even in the mainland and the fund raised was more than double of what they got in Penang!

I went to the show when they were in Penang, my heart was touching to see the professional performance from the performers, at the same time sad to see the response from the audience.....

This is so called Island mentality, they are living in their own circle, refuse to see what is happening around and not concerning to give a hand, because they thought this is none of their business.....

Of course, not all Penangites like this.......but l would say, many la.......

When it comes to something related to the benefits of themselves, then the situation will be changed entirely. For example, when they are buying something, 'Discount' is what a must from their mouth, they will get angry when there is no discount as what they have requested. In Zero,l have many members who are asking to waive the enrollment fees or giving discount to the package they sign, when l say 'no', some will get very angry and show me their behavior in anger, sigh.....come on, this is not a flea market or pasar malam, no bargain as everybody is paying the same, l do not mind if they just ask for it [ see, you have the right to ask right?], but l am very mind, if they get angry when l say : 'sorry, we are charging the same to all, it is not fair to others if l am giving you special price.' I don't understand why they get angry? Do they have the right to get angry?

Yesterday a lady came to my belly dance class for a trial, she was late for 15 minutes, she was supposed to pay RM15 for the trial before entering the studio, but because she was late, my staffs allowed her to go to the class so that she will not miss too much, the thing is, there is no appreciation from her. after she came out from the class, she refused to pay for the trial fees because she was late, when l said 'sorry you are not the only one who are late, but they all paid...' She got angry with me and complaning that l am not flexible in running a business! She told me l should give her a free class because she has missed out the first 15 minutes!

What is this huh?

Towards the end, l was frustrated and told her : Please, please don't be like those Penangites who are asking for discount all the times regardless of the quality, please respect my professional career.....

Sigh.......but again, l have to say, not all Penangites like this, if all like this, l think l will commit suicide!

But every time when l walked around the street, l have to tell myself to calm down when l see people throwing rubbish from the car or to the drain, when l see people parking their car right in the middle of the road, when l see those shopkeepers greeting me with 'no expression' face.......

Where is the passion of life? Can a selfish person contributing his concern to the society? Where is the hope of Penang if people are acting cool to what is happening around? Dear Mr Lim, do you know if you want to see the changes of Penang, you must first educating Penang people of what is island mentality about? If not, all your effort will be wasted, and l really do not wish to see that.......

The island mentality - selfish, greedy, self centred, ego, stingy,calculative, kaput, conservative, stubborn, not reasonable, no co-operation.......and then when something 'big' happen, they will hide or run the fastest.....'kia si' la!

Again and again, l have to say, not all Penangites are like this, at least, many friends and students of mine are not like this even though we are from Penang, but our power is limited, we are not able to change Penang people's mind set, we could only reminding ourselves not to follow the ugliness.......

If you are reading this blog and you are the one who own the island mentality, please don't get angry with me, instead, l hope you could make a change, l don't think you want to see your kids following the same character right?

Think of our next generation please, it is time to change!