Ramadhan is a time of reflection for many. The night before it started, I received about 5 group messages which said "Mohon Maaf Lahir Batin", which translates into a fairly longwinded "Sorry from the bottom of my heart for my wrongdoings, physical or spiritual, deliberate or not, in the past year". So much easier than confession, which might explain why I even got one from a Catholic.
Many businesses make small adjustments. The gym closes earlier. Bars blacken out the windows (or hang shower curtains) so that people can't see their cheersing heathens from the street. Nightclubs don't advertise - or even hold - any special parties. And as I found out last week, some restaurants start serving beer in coffee cups.
"Could we have two Bintang beers please?"
During the day, when fasting is in full swing, I see some of my Muslim colleagues buying food. They claim that they're buying it for Ron but I'm quite sure they sneak a few nibbles for Now.
I spotted a very overweight colleague in the lift last week. People's weight is openly - non-judgementally - discussed. I asked if he was fasting and he said that yes, he was.
Me: "So what time today do you break your fasting? 6pm isn't it?"
-- [rubs his stomach and smiles] "5:55! Have you seen my stomach? 5 minutes is a long time!"
There is a nearby restaurant called Aphrodite (singular), which is strange because there are quite a few scattered around the space. The Aphrodites are quite nude and tittastic ... except during Ramadhan when they clad and covered all the way up to the Hijab.
"Thanks for leaving my handjob hand free ... after all, a girl's gotta eat."
There are some really nice things about Ramadhan, like allowing the slowness and physical weakness to help you calmly reflect on life - often while avoiding work. Also the ritual of breaking fast with friends and colleagues. And the changes in traffic patterns (or more accurately, traffic jam patterns).
