Don’t dig it!

Before I changed my job and work in JB, I used to work in PJ for more than 6 years. And as you all may already know, those who have to commute to work by car will be experiencing traffic jam. Most of the cases. It depends where you stay and where you work, what road you use, and what is the time of the day you are on the road.

As for me, the 20km distance I have to travel from house to office would normally take me around 30 minutes or 45 minutes travel by car, especially on my way back from work. While being stuck in the traffic, I like to see how people behave in their cars. It can be fascinating, I tell you.

Majority of the drivers are talking on their mobile phones. Some drivers would use hands free kit, while some choose to be ignorant to their own safety by holding the phone with one hand. I believe all new mobile phones come with free hands-free kit, don’t they? So I wonder why they are not using one.

They are also some drivers who sing along to the songs on the radio or CD player. Some would do a little head banging, enjoying the song. And some might even do some face expressions as if they are doing a big concert in front of thousands of fans. You know, the singers expressions when they are ‘feeling the song’.

But one behavior that never fail to make me laugh, or at least bring a smile to my face, is, when I see drivers dig their noses.

No, I’m not saying they are doing wrong things. It’s their noses, and they are digging their own noses. Nothing is wrong with that, right?

But to me, it’s so funny to see how some people looked so serious while digging, especially when they are trapped in the gridlock. As if they are in war with something, trying to fight (i.e. get rid of) that "thing" inside their noses, especially those difficult ones.

I better not describe in further detail on how people dig their noses. For some people, talking about nose digging might be personal, or might be disgusting. I’m sorry if this entry happens to offence anybody. By the way, we’ve all done it, the nose digging. So, I leave it to your own imagination. Hahaha.

So, why do I bring up this topic?

Because, during Ramadhan where Muslims are prohibited from eating and drinking, and anything that may break the fast, from the dawn to the dusk, digging the nose (deeply) is among the things that can break the fast. So, this is kind of a reminder to myself lah. Sometimes we do not realize it. The next thing we know, one finger is already inside the nose. Not only while driving, but also during work when we thought no one is looking. It’s kind of semi-conscious behavior.

There was one time, where I got stuck in a traffic on my way back from work, and it is already time to break the fast (i.e. Maghrib time). So, what did I do then? How should I break my fast? Oh no, what should I do?

Yes, you guessed it right.

I drank water lah. I bring a water bottle in my car maa…

Why? You think I dug my nose to break my fast is it?

Hahahahaa… Naughtly la you for having that thought.

So, to help me remember not to dig my nose while working during this fasting month, I put this reminder notice on my white board.

Selamat Berpuasa kepada semua rakan-rakan seIslam. Selamat menyambut Ramadhan al Mubarak. Semoga ibadah puasa kita tahun ini akan jadi lebih baik dari tahun-tahun yang lepas. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.