A lesson on humility

I recently noticed that my alibaba friends have a very bad habit of accepting a compliment by affirming that they already “know it”.

The worse of the lot has to be Phillip. That one is totally shameless. Last weekend, I was in his car listening to his latest mixes. Each time I compliment his music or marvel at how good his mixing is, he reply: “Nice hor?”, “Good hor?” and worse still, “So clever hor? I also think so!”

(For the  benefit of those who doesn't know what is 'hor', it is a local slang for 'isn't it')

Frou: Oi. You are a big time DJ now. You cannot anyhow be so arrogant.
Phillip: Got arrogant meh?
Frou: Yes. Can you please show some humility?
Phillip: What is humility?

He is not kidding. He really do not know the dictionary meaning of ‘humility’. This is the same kampong boy who thought ‘goggles’ (for swimming) is pronounced ‘groggles’ for the past 20 years.

After I had a good roll-on-the-floor laugh for 5 minutes at the irony of it all, I explain to him the meaning of ‘humility’. Then I started coaching him how to appear more humble whenever his fans compliment him.

Frou: Ok. This is what you should say. “Thank you. You are most kind. However, compared to DJ bla bla bla, I still have a lot to learn.
Phillip: Who is bla bla bla?
Frou: You are supposed to insert the appropriate DJ name according to the situation.
Phillip: Wah, that’s a very long response loh!
Frou: JUST SAY IT!
Phillip: Ok. Ok. “Thank you.. you are…”
Frou: .. most kind.
Phillip. Most kind. And compared to DJ badadee badadum, I have a lot to learn?
Frou: Correct!
Phillip: But seriously…
Frou: What?
Phillip: I don’t think anyone is better than me. Whichever DJ bla bla bla.
Frou: (-____-)

I thought I only have to deal with Phillip, but back in Singapore….

Frou: Eh. That’s a nice top. You look very pretty today.
Toe: Pretty, hor? *smug*

And then there are those who tries to be funny…

Frou: Wah! How did you figure it out? You are so clever!
Man: Thank you. You are most kind. But compared to Einstein, I still have a lot to learn.
Frou: (-____-)