“Hello, amoi, you mau bikin baju ke?”
I was welcome with that question.
A few days ago, when I was given a few weeks off from classes, I decided to come back home to spent that little amount of time that I have with my family. On one of the days, I have some alone time to spent as my parents and brother were busy with their own schedule. I have got nothing in plan to do. Thus, I decided to go to China Town located in Kuching City. It was just 15 minutes away from my house. It was called China town as most of the shops there were occupied by the chinese sellers. (we do have our own India street anyway hehe)
I have a reason of why I choose to go there. I have heard for quite sometimes that there is a chinese boutique that is famous for the hand-made kebaya. It has been operating for the past 40 years. It was owned by a chinese lady named Mui Mui. I guess she’s currently in her mid 70’s. She has made a kebaya that cost thousands ringgit malaysia. So I just went there to have a look at the place and the owner as my mother said that she is a very nice lady.
It was a medium size shop located in a very old building. I came in and was greeted by a chinese lady who was eating fruits. Maybe taking her breakfast but she don’t look that friendly. However, I learnt from past mistakes that we cannot judge people from the outside. Thus, I tried to have a small talk with her just by asking her what has she got in the shops (kinda of ‘not-smart’ questions anyway. What else do people who made kebaya have?) I walk around and have a look at a few kebaya design. Quite impressive. It was beautiful. So I just asked her when did she started, who taught her and everything about her business.
And so she shared her experience. She started her business by herself. With a small amount of money at that time, she started to make baju kebaya from home initially with one sewing machine. She came from a poor family and she did not completed her study. She acquired the skills of making kebaya from observing her mother and also practicing with unused clothes that people threw away. At the age of 22 years old, she said she managed to own a shop for her kebaya business at a price of 300 ringgit malaysia. (I bet that was the price before) Since then, she started to have saving and bought property for her future. Initially, she only have two to three regular customers a year. Each year, the number of regular customers that she has, has increased. Even now, those who came to make kebaya there for themselves before, come in to bring their grandchildren along. When I asked her, what’s her secret?
She replied:
I believe it’s the attitude of how we treat people. Aside from the quality of the kebaya that I made, I am so sure that we all wanted to be treated nicely. When I am offering a service, I shall treat them the way I wanted to be treated. Treat people equally. Despite Datin, Dato’ or any normal people who came in, you have to treat them equally. We are all human. Treat people as how you wanted your family and yourselves to be treated. (Macam you la amoi, kalau I marah you, you mau ke datang lagi? I bikin cantik sampai langit pun you punya baju, I boleh sumpah, you takkan mau datang lagi kalau I jahat. Ada betul ke?) That was what she said to me. And it is certainly true. Indeed, she is a very nice lady.
She also advised me that when you are dealing with people, you have to be fair and be patient. Before you close up the choices,let them make their opinion. For example, in her case, when she asked them, she will let them decide what type of kebaya do they want to do? If they are unsure, then she can ask a close ended questions such as do they want to make a short top kebaya or the long top? With that, you gave them some space and allowed them to think. They will gain comfort and you will gain trust. Equal. It reminds me of how my lecturers always taught me to ask open ended questions initially when you meet the patient.
And one day, when they come back to you complaining about your work, accept it if it is true and be patient if it is not your mistake.Remember, when you are offering a service, customer is always right. Reflect back on what you do. There must be some mistakes or miscommunications somewhere and be ready to change for a better outcome.
Kalau you pegang ini semua, doa sama Tuhan, you can go far in whatever you do.
She is right. And I am not only impressed with her work but also with her personality.
I guess it is right, every person that we cross path with, shall teach us something. We just have to open up our mind, reflect back and learn the lesson.
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