There are so many of them in the island and on the mainland today.
Comprising of job seekers and holders,some of whom were transplanted by KL head offices and factories,another segment consisting of property speculators even traders and especially of late an influx of those in the food related chain,they arrive thinking that this is an easy place to settle into,just a wee bit laid back,that's all.
From the conversations I have carried out on my own with them,I do gather that the transition is not all a bed of roses and am gonna highlight the differences between the 2 societies today.
Just in case you are from the busy capital,think you have had enough of the city and just want to getaway to this little hideaway,here's a list of things that you might want to seriously consider
1. The Cantonese Language
Nobody speaks Cantonese well here.Thus there will be much miscommunication or lack of it.
In certain parts of the city and markets,speaking to people above the age of 40 could invite a rather hostile reception due to clan clashes between the Hokkein speaking and the Cantonese centuries back.
You might feel as if you offended or brushed people the wrong way if you do not pick up Penang Hokkein in due time.
In anyway when you come here equipped with Klang Hokkein,some will look down on you as uncouth,others will make fun of you.
You WILL feel extremely lonely.
2. Racial Polarisation
Anyone can strike up a conversation with another race in KL and happily yap away like a pair of long lost friends but this does not happen in Penang.Unless of course you know the person,In fact even another Chinese does not take too kindly to empty banter over nothing if they have no ties or friendship with you.
This is not a friendly place comparatively.Each race sticks to his own kind.And the chinese to ONLY their acquaintances.
Malays and the Chinese are hardly seen even going out for lunch together here.Indians sit amongst themselves.
Malays will try as far as possible to avoid Chinese populated shopping centres and the Chinese vice versa.
As such if you have been used to just walking up to total strangers and striking up a conversation,people here might give you a "do I know you look" and will give you the cold shoulder irrelevant of whether they are Malays or Chinese.Indians are a whole lot friendlier but sometimes it IS hard to tell a Malay apart from an Indian person.This takes some getting used to.
3.Food
From the thousand and one complaints I have heard over this matter,the general consensus is......the food here is too sweet,the assam laksa is not sour and food portions are a complete rip off bordering on the profiteeringly pathetic.
PLUS
You won't be able to find a good Hokkein Mee(the black wok fried KL version).
The Kung Fu Chow noodles will be irritatingly darker and comes with no egg.
The wantan mee will be one of the most horrible.
Economy rice mostly bad and outrageously expensive.
Your curry mee will start to loose its appeal since it doesn't come with Chicken Curry and long beans.
You can forget about finding a hearty bowl of Mee Yoke.
Same goes for a good plate of Nasi Lemak.
You will absolutely swear off Yong Tau Foo and will find the Tau Foo Pok,Foo Chook unpalatable.
You will not be able to track down a good plate of Chee Cheong Fun with all the sidelines.Nor will you be able to find a decent Teo Chew Porridge meal to sweat it out.
The Nasi Kandar will be too oily.Paus will be hopeless.
On top of that.the Chicken Rice versions sold here will be plain and downright weird.
Conclusion : 3 bowls of noodles on the island still cannot fill the tummy
4.Interstate Travel
Some Penangites have been known to get out to Komtar ONLY ONCE A YEAR.
Others have never crossed Penang Bridge till they became teenagers.I kid you not.
Thus for one to travel from Komtar to Tanjong Tokong will be considered "Waaaaaaa! Soooooo farrrrr aaaahhhh???"
Perplexing of course for KLites who will not bat an eyelid to drive all the way to a Selangor oil palm plantation for a packet of beggars chicken.
5. The Kiamsap Factor
No kiam sap person worth his salt on the island buys another a drink here in the pubs.You can forget it."Belanja" is only for suckers.Don't be viewed as one.
Should you decide to hold a birthday party for your child here,do be prepared to receive broken seashells encased in an old coconut shell given by the rich boy living in a four storey mansion.Again another true account.
6. The Beautiful Penang Girl Myth
The gorgeous ones either originated from Ipoh or came from Alor Setar(where the menfolk can be more stunning than the women) or have indigenous Kadazan/Caucasian bloodlines.
Tip: just take a good look at the schoolgirls and old women on the roads,it should give you the true picture.
The little enclave of Tanjong Tokong's Malay girls,well those are unpolished brown caramel stunners but only before they hit their twenties wherein they just start to loose their shine.
Lastly (with great reluctance )upon some 'peoples' insistence,I just have to include some very doll like Butterworth Ah Lians on this list of beauties too.So there.
I hope all this helps you decide before you take the plunge to relocate here and I have to offer another shoulder to cry on should our paths cross somewhere along the line
Happy reading and do choose wisely.
