Old Boys Gathering

My dad told me a story about when he was helping to organise a gathering for his college old boys. Bear in mind that during my dad's time in college, there was a very solid racial mix of students (unlike what you find in local universities these days).

Anyway, my dad attempted to contact each and every old boy around his year by phone. Many of whom he had not spoken to or seen in decades. One of the people he called up was this Malay chap. Midway through the conversation it went on to something like this:

Dad: So will you be able to make it for the gathering?
Malay chap (MC for short): Will there be liquor served at the gathering?
Dad: Yes. You know how it is, it's a large diverse group.
MC: Then I won't be attending.
Dad: Why?
MC: Because they're not respecting our religion. You know when I went to the United States for a delegation visit my hosts respected me. They made sure that our meals were all pork free and that no liquor was served.
Dad (who is utterly flabbergasted by MC's attitude by now): Tell me, would you want beef to be served at the gathering if you were able to come?
MC: Yes, of course. I like beef.
Dad: Then aren't you disrespecting the religion of the Hindus there?

MC was utterly annoyed at that statement and shortly after rang of.

The point of this article? Religious understanding can be severely underrated in our country. A case of "My religion is better then your religion. You should kow-tow to my needs before yours."

Highly depressing isn't it?