We don’t allow advertising here on The Spanking Writers, but we thought we’d make an exception today by promoting the wonderful Asli Crafts, at unit G.23 in Kuala Lumpur’s Central Market.
We discovered our new favourite store whilst coming downstairs from the school uniform shop (sadly, too complicated and scary to be a source of useful accessories). There in front of us was what looked like a standard touristy stall – but with a large bucket full of lengths of rattan, of varying thickness, in the doorway. Inside, moreover, were further such containers, in which the rods – a hundred or more – had been cut neatly, one end folded to make an elegant handle.
We worked our way through the selection, picking out the prime pieces, and took them across to the counter. The young lady totted up our purchase – 21 Malaysian Ringgit, or about £3 / $6, for four beautifully made canes. (That’s comparable value even to the implements I bought in Singapore’s hardware stores).
We’d noticed her looking strangely at us as we’d been browsing her stock, and she did look extremely surprised: “What are you going to use them for?”
I thought quickly, understanding that sometimes honesty isn’t always quite the best policy: “We have a shop at home, and the hooks on the end will be great for lifting down bags from the highest shelves.”
“Oh,” she replied, looking astonished. “Here they’re used to punish naughty pupils at school.” With a rueful look, she added: “Our schools are very strict.”
I thought I’d press home the advantage of my obvious innocence in all matters relating to corporal punishment. “Only at school, or do parents use them too?”
“Mainly at school.” She continued: “These days they only punish them when they are very, very bad. They used to punish you for anything, like making too much noise.”
With a friendly smile: “You must have been glad to leave school, then.”
“Very glad.”
We thanked her for her assistance – she’d wrapped the canes extremely neatly for us – and set off on our way, walking around the corner with entirely straight faces until we were out of eye- and ear-shot, and could collapse in a fit of laughter.
Combined with the serving spoon made from sea coconut wood (very, very dense) that we’d purchased earlier in the day, it seems to have been a most successful shopping trip all round. And I’m told by Haron that sleeping on one’s front isn’t that uncomfortable, really…
See, Abel, this is why you scare me…
And surely lying to poor little shop assistants when they are being so very helpful is just wrong???
LOL I think the poor little shop assistant would have been so mortified had she known our real kinky purposes that I was being kind. Avoiding scaring her, you see!
Poor Haron.
And I thought you were supposed to be on holiday! Sounds like Haron will be getting lumps of coal and canes in her Christmas stocking.
Simon
Oh Smudge, Abel really isn’t so scary, even if he is a big fibber to the young lady shop assistant in what sounds like a fantastic shop.
I am very impressed with your made up reason for buying the canes Abel, bet you’re quite pleased with yourself too, but don’t you wish you’d left it up to Haron to make up the fibs so that you could have punished her for lying?
Abel, did this REALLY happen or was it another one of your imaginings? Honestly? LOL
I want to know what made the school uniform shop complicated and scary… More details please!
Glad you’re having what sounds like a great time on your holidays 😀
Unfortunately for me, Megs, it’s God’s honest truth. *rubs bottom ruefully*
Nic – the shop was scary because it was a tiny room where you could hardly turn around, so there was no way to hide yourself from the sales lady. Everything was behind the counter, so you couldn’t look at any of the skirts and badges and stuff unless you asked for something specifically. I do want one of the school badges, though… and the royal blue gymslips local girls wear are simply lovely.
Sarah: you are even more devious than me… (I love the way your mind works!)
Megs – you’ll have to take it on trust, but everything we write here in terms of our scene playing and idea generation *is* true. The only thing we occasionally play with, in the interests of discretion, is either time – i.e. exactly when something happened – or names. But we are definitely here in Malaysia right now, as the view out to the ocean from our suite window can attest
(And we have the most wonderful clipping from today’s local newspaper to scan in when we get home…)
You might try the open morning markets in KL for school uniforms (and canes too ) Central Market is set up for tourists mostly but ask around for where there are morning markets — they’re everywhere. The school uniforms are hung up in plain sight — much easier to get to. And there’ll be good foods about. As well as the raw chickens and hanging loins of pork
Also here’s a supplier of said uniforms with retail outlets just in case you don’t find anymore less complicated uniform shops. http://www.camps-apparels.com/#
If you happen to get up to Penang, go to “Kin Novak” (no I’m not joking” it’s the most famous uniform shop.
When I was 25 years ago, canes were never much more than 1-2 ringgit at the local market. In Penang, boys got regular canings at state schools, but never girls. I believe this practice continues in Penang except perhaps at Chines language medium school (VERY STRICT and girls must have short hair), but in KL, I’ve been told by young girls as late as 2000 that they were being caned at school in the the regular state schools. I was shocked.
Thanks so much for such an informative post! We only have one more day in KL at the end of our trip, but I can imagine us taking your advice on board for our final souvenir shopping session…!
Much appreciated.
Haron and Abel- I just came across your blog recently,thanks very much for sharing.I really love reading all your posts and the comments you received.Can’t believe you were in Malaysia..hope you enjoyed your holiday there:)
Saro-You from Malaysia too?and Penang?I never thought i’ll meet someone from home HERE!!!