Penang is popularly known as an island paradise of food and culture. Tourists and out-of-towners flock to the island with beach bodies and a goal to leave with an added layer of love handles. But trust me: as much as Penangites are proud that Penang has turned out to be a popular holiday destination, we are left to deal with two major pet peeves during holiday season – traffic congestion and annoying tourists. And the latter, in particular, can make a lot of noise. Including saying a lot of darned things.
Can you think of a few already? We have collected the 8 things tourists say that annoy Penangites the most. Read on.
1“Where is the best Char Kuey Teow?”
That’s all most people ever ask us about – food. Well, there is Google and not to mention 1001 websites and blogs to refer to, such as Top 19 Street Food You Must Try in Penang, 10 Best Cheap Eats in Penang, 4 George Town Durian Restaurants to Try, and many more. Besides, taste is so subjective. More often than not, my preference may not be the same as yours. Yet, most Penangites would be more than happy to bring you to their lesser known favourite spots. Just be aware that it makes our blood boil when you respond by saying, “Nice meh? Should have gone to the other famous one!”
2“Penangites are so cheapskate!”
For some reason, Penangites have a bad reputation for being stingy. Maybe it all comes from the fact that there is no other Malaysian city where one can find a bowl of steaming hot noodles for less than RM3. Thus, visitors often have the misconception that the cost of living in Penang is low when it’s indeed quite the contrary that’s true: Penang has one of the highest housing prices in the country. Let’s just say then, that Penangites have “their priorities clenched in their fists”.
3“Take me to Nasi Kandar Beratur…”
…and then go on to complain about the long queue. Penang Road Cendol, Siam Road Char Kuey Teow and Deen Maju Nasi Kandar are among the victims to hordes of hungry out-of-towners. Even the poor Char Kuey Teow uncle from Siam Road had to take a break from operating due to the sudden popularity stirred from being ranked in the World Street Food Top 50 list. Being celebrated like a rockstar doesn’t fit well with the laid-back nature of Penangites. If we could, we would keep the best places a secret; away easily hyped tourists.
4 “Penang drivers are so aggressive!”
Actually this is a sad truth and in fact, most Penangites would sheepishly admit it, “If you don’t bully them, they will bully you!”. Often times, tempers flare when out-of-towners flood the streets with double parked cars on weekends, causing further congestion on this tiny island.
So… well, visitors are just not encouraged to drive around the island. Penang, and especially George Town, is best explored on foot, by cycling or by Rapid Penang — the cheap public bus transport. Not to mention, Penang has one of the cheapest Uber and Grab rates in the country. With all the above, it’s a no brainer to leave it to the Penangites to battle their own wars behind the wheel.
5“Penang is too laid-back. I don’t think I can live here.”
This is actually a backhanded compliment.
People are drawn to Penang for its relaxed culture and work-life balance. Penangites have a knack for knowing when to work hard and when to play hard. Businesses wind down as early as 6 pm and it may be difficult to get errands done after this hour. At 8 pm, rush hour traffic dwindles as bars and bistros come to life. A recent survey carried out by TheEdgeProperty discovered that Penangites are the happiest people in the country, with the lowest stress levels.
“Penang has turned out to be a popular holiday destination, BUT we are left to deal with two major pet peeves: traffic congestion and tourists WHO SAY annoying THINGS”
6“Which is the best club to party at?”
There is more to Penang than holing yourself up in a large dark room with deafening music and sweaty strangers. If you need your alcohol fix, there are many watering holes where you can have a couple of cheap swigs and meaningful conversations with locals and travellers alike. Check out Antarabangsa Enterprise, Narrow Marrow, Talk Talk Wine Bar, or Mish Mash (not the cheapest, but they have the best Guinness on tap!) just to name a few.
Need a dance floor? Head down to Love Lane and dance on the streets. Take the party out of the dark room!
7 “Where can I find the bicycle mural?”
*Throws the Street Art Map at you*
8“OMG! Penang is so hot!”
Duh. It’s a bloody island!
Fellow Penangites, are there any other annoying things you have heard from out of towners that really piss you off?
Let us know in the comments, thanks!
Can you get hepatitis from street food? When is it winter here?
Standing in the MIDDLE of the street taking pics with a bloody mural!!! Hello, it’s still a functioning road for cars. Not silly tourists alone. And they don’t even bother moving for cars! ???
YES JOYCE!! You don’t want to know what I’d like to do to them and their darn selfie sticks…
I know, Marco what you would do! ???
Marco. You don’t even show up to gigs anymore. Stop acting like you’re a Penangite. You’re not a tastemaker. You’re not a social observer. And nazi goreng sucks as a piece of literature.
Thank you Misanthrope. I have been in Penang for about 5 weeks this year, and too busy to come see the mediocre music that passes on these days. About the rest, thanks for sharing your opinion. I have no problem in publishing your comment, at least say who you are. Oh no, right, typical Penang behaviour… backstabbing. For your information, I didn’t write this article. Learn to read a byline first, and have a good day 🙂
To be fair, I’m of the opinion that Armenian Street should be closed off for pedestrians only. It’s a really narrow street and cars have other options to go around that location. What’s actually more annoying is tourists taking selfies and photos with the mural without actually appreciating the “canvas” which the art is on – heritage buildings and dilapidating walls. Plus, there’s more to George Town than its murals.
As an angmo myself i must say most of the things written above relates to local tourist and not foreign tourist. Especially the driving part, I drive with a penang license plate so they don’t know who is inside. For example, there is rivalry between KL and Penang that’s why this might happen. Saying it’s hot is a foreign thing to say though, but I don’t think they would say it to locals and keep it to themselves and whoever can hear them speak when they say it out loud complaining about the heat in public.
Yes indeed. It was emphasized at the beginning that most of the things listed here are mentioned by out-of-towners (local tourists). But that’s not to say that foreign tourists don’t say/ask these things either. I’ve also heard many comments from foreign tourists about driving in Penang (especially those on motorbikes), and it is widely accepted as the ugly truth here by locals as well. Same goes with the heat on Penang Island, it’s exceptionally warmer than other places, say for example KL, which is surprising because that’s a way denser city.
Chinese tourists come to the shop and ask if you able to speak Mandarin! Motherf$%ker!! ???
Sorry I missed that thing about “duh it’s an island”, you mean to say all islands are hot?
Apparently, Penangites believe that, since this is an overdeveloped island, too much concrete and people makes it hotter. I also don’t see the point, but I’ll leave it to Penangites, and the author, to answer.
I second what Marco said. Of course it’s not just because it’s an island. It’s mostly attributed to how dense the city is. Cross from mainland Penang to the island and you’ll instantly notice the temperature change – this is actually where it originates, the rivalry between Penang island and mainland. Also, what else does one expect from an island, if not beaming hot sunshine all day? Of course, there’s a lengthier explanation such as humidity and little rainfall… but that would probably put you to sleep.
Innocent questions. You sound like a 90-yr-old curmudgeon. I’m always happy to offer recommendations on places to eat or entertain in my hometown. Wouldn’t dream of saying ‘Why don’t you Google it? Everyone’s tastes are different.”
How about “Nonya laksa is better than Penang laksa”? 😛