Say what?

My poor car. It's missing a hubcap. I've been looking all over Brunei looking for something to fix the hubcap.

I scoured workshops and tyre shops. No luck

"Try hardware stores. Ask for tyre clamp" advised my dad.

So I did.

when I asked the shopkeeper if he had any, his face instantly lit up! I was like yeah, thank God! He disappeared into the back of his shop and got me this.
Turned out that he didn't understand Malay or English so I tried again. "Tyre clamp, bukan ini" I said emphasising on the word tyre.

He was apologetic and seemed to get what I actually wanted. He disappeared again only to reappear with this.

Yup, sofa wheels! When I told him that the clamp was for my car, only then he understood and said they didn't have it.

Finally yesterday I asked my friend (Cg. Zima, thanks!) and got them. They're actually called cable ties which are used to hold cables together and I've even seen them used on garbage bags! If only dad told me the correct word! A tyre clamp is used by the police if you park illegally or if you don't want your wheels stolen!

Finally I've got what I wanted. Would've been sooner if only I knew the right word and if the other party knew what I actually meant. But the world won't be a fun place if there weren't any communication breakdowns.

If you don't get what I mean, the videos below reflect my meaning. Enjoy Zima! *Fawlty fixes car while humming these songs*





Moskau! Moskau!