Decency and In-

  

Quart past five on the wrist-watch twisted around after the initial difficulty the other way. Much obliged, ta. 
         The other younger and prettier, slimmer waitress carrying luscious pink on her lips, stands a metre from the next table where half a dozen loud young lads give caution. 
         What are you after? And you?... Pointing a finger for the two concerned; not of course extended. 
          A male would never do that, let alone a young girl likely not yet known a member of the opposite sex. The thumb truncated, crooked on the loose fist that was formed.

         You?... And then you? indicating.

         Unmannerly if not obscene the other. The author had offended even a Californian Buddhist monk here more than a year ago—Venerable So-and-so—with too much poking and prodding of the finger.

         — You’ll make holes in the air and god’ll trip over, the mild jest in school-days from good auntie types back in the old neighbourhood.

         A Latino in the tropics has a lot to learn.

         Speaking of whom, the cheeky lads here also hail passing lasses with the rich kissing call. A chorus of four, five lip-smacks trying to get a pair to turn going past. Clearly parties unknown to each other; certainly not disposed.

         Only Malaysians give the kissing lip-smack to hail a waiter or friend in Singapura. Indian Malaysians too; but not Chinese. Usually friendly and comradely; nothing untoward. This afternoon’s usage was a first.