Back to school – Part Four (Pocket Money)
When I was in Primary school that is approximately 25 years ago, my dad gave my siblings and me 50cents each person every alternate days as pocket money. Which means on the first day we spent 20cents and the next day 30cents or vice versa. We brought our lunch box to school so the pocket money given was basically spent on junk food. Gradually, dad increased our pocket money to 50 cents each person on daily basis. By that time, the school authority had banned junk food sales in the canteen (cafeteria). I think that is a good move 😉 as the old wives tales says – You are what you eat. Good thing I did not grow up as a junk person. Muahaaahaaa….. now you know why I did not use the word ‘titbits’.
When we enter Secondary school that is approximately 19 years ago, once again, dad increased our pocket money to a one ringgit a day. Boy oh boy! That is a lot of money to spent. I remembered back then, I was already a cheapskates. I’m the only one that took heavy breakfast at home and still bring a lunch box to school but spent the dollar after school hour buying junk. That is how I became a junk person again. *sigh…
Fifteen years later, today I took over my dad’s role as a parent to spoilt nurture and provide my child with education.
After a survey on their menu (wah! So canggih hor) prices has not change much.
During my schooling days, a bowl of noodle is 30 cents. The price on the menu is 60 cents. Hey, that better be a correct one. A bowl of noodle in the coffee shop is 3 dollars, ok? Ah, well. Let’s just assume it is 60 cents. So, this morning I gave Princess one dollar and a lunch box. Told her to buy something from the canteen if she really cannot tahan. You know, some kids just love to spent money and peer pressure.
In the evening, I ask if she bought anything from the canteen.
Kharsyn: Teacher say who had lunch already cannot go to the canteen.
Mummy: You can always eat the food that mummy pack for you in the classroom.
Kharsyn: Cannot. Teacher say later the classroom got ants.
Mummy: Then you eat in the canteen la.
Kharsyn: But teacher don’t allow us to go to the canteen.
Mummy: Can eat at the balcony or not.
Kharsyn: Nevermind la. I think first day cannot go to the canteen.
Wah liao. If some children hungry, then how?
Do you think one ringgit is enough since she brings 750ml of h2o to school. How much did you gave to your child?
simple american said,
January 5, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Children should be allowed to eat. Something is wrong there.
But me I need a lot. I want asam laksa. Give me roti canai. Hmmm… Soya bean sounds good too.
The Queen says:Â Don’t we all love canteen food? rofl…Â
Tracy said,
January 5, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
A look at the prices, not much changes hor? The prices are reasonable for school kids.
Exactly, I think there’s something wrong. How can the teacher not allowed the children to go to the canteen. Then how are they going to eat their food from their lunch boxes?
I’m sure a ringgit for Princess is enough since she brings her own drink and lunch. Just teach her to buy when necessary.
Cynthia said,
January 5, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
how much is enough ? i also duno.
one dollar will do lar, i guess.
since you already give lunch box, eh?
my parents spoilt us..but i somehow never got myself into junk food 🙂
in the future, this is what im going to tell my kid: u think what? junk food is better than mummy’s cooking? meanning u love other ppl cooking more than mine? u dont love mummy anymore?
Hahhahaah
The Queen says:Â Wah, blackmail somemore.
Vien said,
January 5, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
Quite a variety of choices the canteen has. The canteen from my primary sucked big time. I think RM1 is sufficient for your girl but like what Tracy said, need to teach them to use it wisely.
may said,
January 5, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
can’t remember much what my Primary School canteen had, but I definitely remembered kacang puteh for 10cts per small roll! and a few junk food packs for 10cts as well, I think. the Secondary School canteen even had pieces of fried chicken for RM1, which was luxury to us then.
nope, we weren’t allowed to eat in the classroom either… *rumbling tummy till recess time*
Lil said,
January 5, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
there’s restriction to going to the canteen??? oh my goodness…
L B said,
January 5, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
“Satu extra Telur ah!! Lagi extra sambal!! Terima kasih!!” Come, guys, sini, sini.. (Got girls sitting opposite).. *plonks plates on table ~ runs off to grab tin foil spoons*
Dakota said,
January 6, 2007 @ 3:46 am
OMG! U CALL ME OUTDATED!
ghostie said,
January 6, 2007 @ 10:58 am
hahhaa….
approx 30 years ago, i had only 10 sen for the kompiang and home ‘tar paued’ h20…. and breakfast was only milo + ‘salty’ crackers at home…
hehehee
HQ, you lagi lucky if compared to me……
the Razzler said,
January 8, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
I lagi lucky coz the canteen operator is my family friend … so I normally help out from inside the canteen & then got free food .. hehe 🙂 ….
but that’s not what’s great, it’s the admiring eyes of my friends coz during then, ONLY teachers are allowed to eat inside a special room within the canteen operators restricted section .. hmmm ~grin~ I only got 20 cents allowance during my primary school days but then, that can get me fried mee hoon, drinks & yes … some junk food, too!! haha
sila said,
January 9, 2007 @ 6:56 am
that teacher’s logic is all mixed up – if you bring your lunch you cannot go to the canteen, but yet you cannot eat in class. kid supposed to starve ke?? how can like that?
looking at the signboard brings back memories of our old canteen. 😀 i got 40 sen a day from Standard One until Standard 3 or 4, then my mum increased to 50 sen a day and then later to 60 sen a day (or RM3 a week). increase, plus she gave it to us once a week so she force us to learn to budget. if finish she would never give us extra money. back then i can eat until full, and still keep maybe 50 sen a week in my savings.. hehehehe
The Queen says: Wow! That’s alot of money too.Â
German Mattingly said,
June 14, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
This one makes sence “One’s first step in wisdom is to kuesstion everything – and one’s last is to come to terms with everything.”