Spymama @ Mamakshop

In local context, ‘bird-man’ is not a comfy word. Why? Because for chinese, in particular, it is used when someone is labelled as a ‘jerk’ or ‘jerk-ass’. Some chinese prefer to use this word by adding ‘blue’ before ‘bird-man’ towards the same gesture. Of course when I am explaining this context, it is used in the dialect ‘Hokkien’ and not in English. It is an insult to scold or to be scold ‘bird-man’ but some times there are some who fooled around too. It is a language commonly used more in a vulgar form. Those who are from the countries in Malaysia and Singapore will probably have heard of it.

But then, Spymama also loves to visit this kopitiam where the ‘bird-man’ is usually hanging out. And when I meant ‘bird-man’, I don’t mean someone vulgar, nor do i mean someone who is a jerk-ass of course. Because this fella, is none other than the real ‘bird-man’. He has 2 parrots with him most of the time. He frequents this local eatery and lives in this town. Spymama sometimes gets the honour to sit on the next table and with darting eyes, from my plate of Chicken Rice, Laksa, and Wantan Mee, looks at this green earthling that is also looking at my plate. A grey one sits on his shoulder.

A star of the place, sometimes can’t be help, these birds gets some stares, kids’ pointing fingers, ladies trying to get fresh with the owner. ( okay, i don’t think they were trying to get fresh, just asking about the birds). Not perturbed by them, all it wants (the green parrot) is something from my plate. Sometimes I thought of giving it an occasional Chye Sim from my plate but I don’t want a reaction from the ‘bird-man’. Spymama is quiet and keeps her movements slo-mo throughout so it doesn’t ruffle it’s feather and flick that bits of feather to garnish my meal.

But for once this time, Spymama took a picture of it. To keep ‘bird-man’s’ anonymousity, no face is being shown. I swear it was just staring at me.