A Disappearing Heritage

I remember back in the 90s as a kid , I would wait every weekday behind the house for the mobile breadseller a.k.a Rotiman (Roti means bread in Malay) to make his trip . Every evening . With his unmistakable honk and varieties of snacks . (As a kid the Rotiman was like the Santa Claus of food) Snacks only costs 20 cents or most 50 cents back then . Anyway , I'll proceed with my experience with them as a kid later . Firstly , I'd like to give a brief introduction of what is this special heritage that we as Malaysian share in common back then .

Brought so much memories back as a kid :(

The Rotiman culture started as a mobile breadseller that goes around the neighbourhood selling bread , obviously . They're sort of like a moving bakery except that they don't sell cakes nor pastries . The distinct look of the Rotiman with their unmistakable honk , distinct green box (for storage) by their motorbikes back , and the shape of an overloaded bike that seemed too big for its small body . The Rotiman back then does two trip in their selected neighbourhood , one in the morning and one in the evening . Also , the honks for both times of day is different with the honk during the morning is monotone in nature , whereas the honks during the evening is more distinct with a more happening sound . (Think pinching a red clown nose) . And they sell breads at a lower price compared to bakeries at the cost of limited choice . But hey , saves you the journey and cost to travel to the bakery .

Anyway , back to my experience as a kid . I was very glad and thankful that I've managed to spend my life while they were still around in the neighbourhood . That indescribable feeling you know , anticipating the honk every evening and buying your favourite snacks . (Think Santa Claus and celebrating Christmas everyday :D) As a matter of fact , that habit of buying snack from the rotiman actually taught me a few values of life .

1. Punctuality
I would wait every weekday 10 minutes before the rotiman comes , usually around 6 30pm . There I was as a kid , with 50 cent in hands , anticipating and waiting eagerly for the arrival of Santa Claus .   And when he doesn't show up , well you know the disappointment .Think of not receiving presents from Santa Claus , that was how I felt back then . Silly me .

2. Frugality
I would save half of my pocket money just to buy my favourite snack . Say for an example if i had a dollar , 50 cent would be saved for that . Things back then were pretty cheap . A small packet of snack cost about 20 cent back then . (I could buy 2 packets , and that was more than enough as a kid) Or , the 50 cents snack , bigger packet and tastes better of course X) (Though i could only buy 1 packet) This saving habit of mine eventually changed as I grew up . But still saving 50 cent and buying snacks just to make myself happy was worth all the scolding I get from my parents . Obesity and shits lol . I was just in for the sake of happiness , not the damn calories or fats .

3. Appreciation
I had started saving and buying snacks on my own . Well back then as a kid , when you buy something you want with the money you have even if it wasn't the one you earned , it goes a long way to appreciating things . I remembered I would keep the snacks from anyone even they asked or offered to pay for it . Lol greedy me . But heck I would have done the same for now anyway *Smirk*

Think of his bag full of snacks . Celebrating Christmas was never this fattening  fun .

So , truth to be told the rotiman wasn't just any mobile breadseller , he was sort of like an inspirational figure as a kid . And yes I managed to get to know one of the rotiman , an indian man in his 50s or 60s i think . (As a kid , anyone with a beard or moustache was considered old) Sometimes , he would give a free snack or discounted price cause I was pretty much a regular customer to him . Though I don't know where he is right now , because he doesn't come anymore . Sigh , how i miss things back then . Times change . And its sad . How I wished they still come around . Kids these days could use something better other than Twilight and all that kind of stuff (Sorry , I pretty much condemn Twilight entirely :S) They need Santa Claus , not just any Santa Claus , but a Santa that would teach them values of life and bring them happiness .



So , thank you from the bottom of my heart Mr.Rotiman (I didn't get your name though as a kid) for being a more notable figure to me than just your average mobile breadseller doing his job selling breads . You've done more than that , and for that I appreciate much . Sincerely .






Preservation , we must for a dying heritage for the sake of the future .